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Bet Apple wish they could turn the clock back: Swiss firm accuses iPhone 5 of copying their iconic face design
Switzerland's national rail company has today accused Apple of stealing the iconic look of its station clocks for the iPhone.
Apple, usually the ones suing others for copyright or trademark infringement, is accused by the Swiss Federal Railways of copying the rail company's iconic 1944 clock design - right down to the second-hand ending in a circle
The iconic design, which was created by acclaimed designer Hans Hilfiker, was licensed from the train company - known as SBB - by watchmaker Mondaine, helping spread the brand across the globe.
Can you tell the time? Apple's iPad clock app (left) versus Mondaine's iconic clock face
A spokesman for SBB said the Apple design was 'identical' to the one pioneered by the rail company in 1944.
Reto Kormann confirmed that Apple had not asked for permission before doing using the design.
He said: 'We've approached Apple and told them that the rights for this clock belong to us.'
Up close: Mondaine's designs are known world-wide
Although he did add: 'We are proud that this icon of clock design is being used by a globally successful company.'
Kormann said SBB would seek an 'amicable agreement' with Apple that could see the clock design used in return for a license fee.
Apple's public relations offices in Germany and Switzerland didn't respond to repeated calls and emails requesting comment.
Technology fans have noted before how many of Apple's iconic designs are based on Braun products from the 1950s.
Meanwhile Apple has itself launched several patent and design rights claims against rival companies in the past - with its complaints including competitors copying the iPhone's rounded corner designs.
Last month it won a $1.05 billion judgment against Samsung Electronics in a U.S. patent case.
The new iPhone 5 was launched today in eight countries.
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Genshin Impact developer miHoYo recently announced a brand new turn-based strategy RPG called Honkai: Star Rail.
The developer released an official unveiling trailer for the game. Take a look.
Aside from the trailer, miHoYo has not revealed many details about the game. The game’s official website provides a screenshot of the turn-based game and notes that it will allow players to “participate in excitement, strategic combat.”
The website also reveals that the game will feature a dungeon investigation mechanic. It says, “Reveal Fragmentum’s secrets with your team.”
Although they did not reveal much information about the gameplay, they did provide quite a bit of information about the game’s characters, which include Himeko, Welt, Danheng, March 7, Cheetah, Seele, Clara and Asta.
miHoYo also announced that they are currently accepting sign-ups for a closed beta test for players on iOS and PC. You can sign up for the closed beta here.
Further details, including device and specification requirements, can be found on the game’s closed beta FAQ page.
While the closed beta -FAQ remarks that players need an iOS or PC, the game is also expected to be released on Android devices. Apart from English, it will also be available in Japanese, Korean and Traditional Chinese.
No release date has been given at this time.
What do you think of Honkai: Star Rail? Interested in a traditional turn-based RPG from miHoYo?

domain: news


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It’s officially the run-up to ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. This means the Christmas lights are on, the mince pies are being eaten and the high streets and the internet are awash with reminders that today is officially (drum roll…) BLACK FRIDAY.
Yes, that’s right. Love it or loathe it, it looks like the US import, which has been gaining pace in the UK since 2010, is here to stay.
But after our investigation into 35 Black Friday deals from last year found that 60% were either available at the same price or cheaper at other times of the year, and the sales starting earlier and lasting longer, it’s no surprise that everyone seems to have an opinion on it.
— Frankie McCamley (@Frankie_Mack) November 24, 2017
Here’s what you’ve had to say about the sales event in the past week…
Which? Conversation community member, Bishbut, kicked off our conversation on bagging a bargain by asking why companies are cutting their prices by so much:
‘Bargains, maybe? But just a way of retailers disposing of things that most people will not want to buy, or things that they might have had for a long time. Another excuse to get people to visit their store to look at a bargain then they can persuade them to buy things they did not need.’
Geoffsky made a fair point about where the bargains really come from:
‘If the retailer can offer a super bargain for the goods now, it’s either overpriced in the first place, or just old stock they need to get rid of.’
Over on Facebook, Verity had us thinking not just about the effect Black Friday has on our bank accounts, but also on our planet.
While Janet Davies would rather the event didn’t exist in the UK altogether.
Our poll on Twitter also suggested most of you weren’t fans…
Are you planning to bag a bargain this #BlackFriday?
— Which? (@WhichUK) November 24, 2017
But not everyone is so dubious. DarrenJohnstone remindied us that there are still bargains to be had:
‘Playstation VR £80 off, plus a free SKYRIM game, I couldn’t NOT buy one. Also got an etop up £20 discount. Total £230 collecting from Argos tonight.’
Fabrizio was similarly impressed:
‘Nest thermostat for £155! That was a bargain for me.’
While Suzi Lubi’s interest was piqued by some reduced beauty products.
Now that Black Friday is upon us, we’d love to know what you think. Have you managed to get your hands on an unbelievable deal? Or are you avoiding the event altogether?


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China’s rapacious demand for raw materials is seeing ever-longer dry bulk journeys crisscrossing the globe. No capesize trip is longer these days than from Guinea in West Africa to the People’s Republic. Singapore-based firm Winning is making the running in this niche trade. The Chinese-backed company has mining and shipping interests, and is very much in charge of its entire supply chain.
The Winning current fleet is in flux. There’s two supramaxes, one post-panamax, 15 capesizes (of which four are set to be scrapped) while two new newcastlemaxes will deliver later this year. The company also has a couple of transhippers, four floating cranes, 12 tugs and eight barges.
Bosco Lau Chi Wah (pictured), vice president and CEO of Winning Logistics Services, explains how the company focuses on taking bauxite from West Africa to China and then project/general cargoes from China back to West Africa.
“This two-way trade route will contribute the world’s longest tonne-miles capesize haul,” Lau says.
The group’s in-house bauxite from its Guinea mine will increase production, and export, from the current capacity of 10m tonnes a year to 30m tonnes a year within the next two years. “This translates to full employment of 40 capesize vessels for one way trade, and the required capacity will be doubled if every ship is employed in two-way trade,” Lau says.
Winning is now in the market for more secondhand capes, while it is also in discussions with a number of Japanese trading houses to take on some long-term charters.
More transhipment equipment – tugs, barges, cranes, etc – will also be bought, while more ambitiously – and in keeping with Winning’s desire to be in charge of its own supply chain – a shipyard will be built in Guinea. Moreover, in a bid to get the crew it requires in the West African nation, Winning is establishing a maritime school in Guinea.
Besides its interests in Africa, Winning also has a joint venture alumina refinery in Indonesia, for which a number of barges and transhippers are being bought.
On the markets, Lau reckons dry bulk freight rates will bottom out towards the end of this year. However, they’re unlikely to significantly pick up anytime soon, which worries Lau from a recruitment point of view.
“When the market does recover eventually we need to be in a position with sufficient cash flow to grab opportunities,” Lau concludes.


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Alex Zaltsman [Innovi Mobile] wrote an article for SmallBizDaily about books entrepreneurs should read. The article included recommendations from Scott Weintraub [Healthcare Regional Marketing], Harris Wolin [Myers Wolin], Sophie Shor [Roman Jewelers], Beth Geller [Just Be Smooth], Phil Patrick [Four Leaf Strategies], Joe Infante [Dynamic Strategies], Shawn Smith [Soleil Tans] and Edward Alicea [Headzup]. It also recommended Mike Michalowicz’s book, The Pumpkin Plan.
Michalowicz [Provendus Group] was also on MSNBC’s Your Business on AmericanExpress OPEN Forum.
Michael Schofel [Eastman Companies] was quoted in a story in the Alternative Press about an event Eastman had with Seattle Seahawks player Michael Bennett.
SRSsoft [Evan Steele] was in an article on InformationWeek HealthCare for winning an award for EMRs for smaller practices.
Caryn Kopp [Kopp Consulting] wrote a column published on MyCentralJersey.com about business proposals.
Polymer Technologies [Neal Goldenberg] was mentioned in an article in Plastics Today about metal injection molding.
An article about Ad-Juster’s [RJ Lewis] creation of a VP of sales and business development position ran on AdOperationsOnline.


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The Chinese giant will open an office in Düsseldorf, claiming expansion in Germany is a "priority"
Apple and Huawei have both seen their market share decline by double-digits
Ilona Weiss discusses her strategy behind the distributor's new deal with Alibaba Cloud
Apple and Samsung struggle to retain their positions amid fast growing Chinese vendors, according to Gartner
Loss comes as Chinese vendor readies itself for public listing


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You’ve probably heard whispers, but let’s make it official. The Australian-designed and engineered Ford Ranger has not just made waves but created a tsunami in the 2023 sales charts. For the first time since 1995, a Ford has claimed the throne as Australia’s #1 selling new car. Not just best selling ute. Best selling new vehicle. That’s a big deal, considering just how much local knowledge and hard work went into creating the Ranger platform.
Now, the Ranger isn’t just another ute. Over the current generation or two of utes they’ve redefined what the segment actually is, and the Ranger has been the largest driving force taking them from tradie toys to true blue do-it-all 4X4s. It’s not just a workhorse. It’s a family car. An adventurer’s companion. And a tradie’s best mate all rolled into one. With its tailgate doubling as a workbench and the genius ‘box step’ making it a breeze to hop in and out of the tub, it’s the Swiss Army knife of vehicles. And let’s not forget the app-controlled ‘zone lighting’ – a godsend for those late-night camp setups or when you’re burning the midnight oil on the job.
The heart and soul of this beast are the people behind it. Andrew Birkic, the President and CEO of Ford Australia, hit the nail on the head when he credited the success of the Ranger to the passion of the Ford team, the dealers, and, most importantly, the customers. It’s this shared passion that’s driven the Ranger to the top spot. And let’s face it, passion is something we’re not short of in the 4X4 community.
“That’s not just innovation; that’s revolutionizing the way we think about utes.”
Here’s where it gets even better. Ford’s not just resting on its laurels. In a move that’s as exciting as it is forward-thinking, they’ve announced the upcoming Ranger Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV). A 4X4 that for the overwhelming majority of Aussie 4X4ers will mean a fuel bill of absolutely zero on their daily commute to work and the school drop off, and still being able to top up a tank of Diesel and cross the French Line. Plus, the Pro Power Onboard function is a game-changer for tradies and campers. Imagine powering your house during a blackout or lighting up your campsite straight from your Ranger. That’s not just innovation; that’s revolutionizing the way we think about utes.
This Australian champion has been a global superstar for a while now, topping charts in New Zealand, Europe, the UK, and Vietnam, and bagging awards left, right, and centre. It’s a testament to the Aussie design and engineering prowess that’s at the heart of the Ranger.
For those interested in the numbers, Ranger pipped the prime position, selling an eye watering 63,356 for 2023 versus 61,111 for the HiLux. Take out the 2WD figures and it’s even more obvious how much Aussie’s love the Ranger. Ford sold 58,261 4X4 Rangers, the HiLux 4X4 models topping out at 48,995. There’s no doubt all the other manufacturers will be looking to step things up with their next models, but can they take the fight to the new king?


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The report also said that 394 per cent of the time was spent on messaging and social apps, 43 per cent on business and finance apps, 31 per cent on shopping apps and 25 per cent on sports apps
BestMediaInfo Bureau | Mumbai | January 19, 2017
Flurry Analytics, part of the Yahoo Mobile Developer Suite, announced its annual global mobile and application usage study. In its eighth year, the study offers interesting insights on global mobile app usage and trends from the last year on over 2.1 billion smart devices and 3.2 trillion sessions. Throughout 2016, the industry managed to squeak out another 365 days of growth.
Mobile growth hits critical mass: usage up 11 per cent
Simon Khalaf, SVP, Yahoo, said, “Over the last year, the Flurry footprint grew to track more than 940,000 applications, across 2.1 billion devices, in 3.2 trillion sessions. In this context, we define app usage as a user opening an app and recording what we call a ‘session’, as well as the amount of time spent in the application.”
Khalaf added, “Compared to the year prior, overall app usage grew by 11 per cent and time spent in apps grew by 69 per cent. In previous years, we saw all app categories growing in tandem; however, this year the story is different. After shifting web and television to the rear-view mirror, mobile apps started eating their own, with session and time-spent growth in some app categories occurring at the expense of others. While messaging and social applications drove year-over-year session growth at 44 per cent, the personalisation category gave up a staggering 46 per cent in session usage. This steep decline in usage can be attributed to diminishing value for users of these products.”
Social and daily habit apps dominate time spent on mobile
Looking into 2016’s most notable categories, 394 per cent of the time was spent on messaging and social, 43 per cent on business and finance, 31 per cent on shopping, 25 per cent on sports. Games had a negative 4 per cent time spent. The average time spent on a mobile app grew at 69 per cent year over year.
Phablets Reign Supreme
As forecasted in last year’s report, the phablet devices are becoming the dominant form factor across the globe, capturing 41 per cent of market share. This directly correlates to the growth in media consumption and social engagement app categories. As less mature smartphone markets adopt larger phones, Phablet share will continue to eat away at medium phones and completely eliminate small phones.
After 10 years, mobile reaches moment of truth. Khalaf added, “As the iPhone celebrates its first decade, the mobile industry has grown into a dog-eat-dog world. The decelerating rate of growth could signal market maturity, saturation or simply the end of the app gold rush. But let us put things in perspective. The gold rush in California ended in 1855. A lot of wealth has been generated since then. We are excited to see what app developers do in the next decade and which industry they chose to disrupt, again. Whatever it is, we will be by their side, providing a bit more than picks and shovels.”


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Telescope is a YouTube channel focusing on introducing the Chinese car market to the world. Its founder Haoran Zhou was previously a member of the NIO PR team in China.
Overall, the ES6 is a very accomplished car. I cannot even pick an obvious problem apart from that lack of storage on the back of the front seat. ...
NIO reported the first ever monthly delivery update on October 15th 2018. It then evolved the infographic to the next level. ...
The first product should be the third-generation battery swap station, followed by the EC7 and the second-generation ES8. ...
11 hours ago
12 hours ago
- China may achieve NEV penetration of over 50% 10 years early, says ex-industry minister Dec 4, 2023
- Xiaomi has reportedly planned 2 additional models, including 1 hybrid Dec 4, 2023
- China's Nov NEV wholesale sales hit record 940,000 units, CPCA estimates show Dec 4, 2023
- Tesla sells 82,432 China-made vehicles in Nov, up 14.31% from Oct Dec 4, 2023
- BYD's car carrier completes 1st trial voyage Dec 4, 2023


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Lightbank found another out-of-the-way gaming company, investing $3 million in Madison, Wisconsin-based PerBlue Inc.
The mobile-game maker, started by University of Wisconsin students in 2008, says it has 10 million users across multiple titles, including “Greed for Glory.”
“We're excited about what they're doing,” Lightbank principal Bill Pescatello said. “We're doing more Midwestern deals. They're great entrepreneurs, and they've gotten really good traction.”
It's the second gaming investment for Lightbank, a $200 million venture fund launched four years ago by Chicago Internet entrepreneurs Brad Keywell and Eric Lefkofsky. Lightbank previously led a $1.5 million investment in SkyVu Entertainment Inc., the Omaha, Nebraska-based maker of Battle Bears.


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SK Telecom has signed an agreement with Telkom Indonesia to collaborate on business areas including the IoT, media streaming and smart devices.
The two operators signed a memorandum of understanding at Telkom headquarters in Jakarta yesterday. Under the agreement, the companies will work to develop new business opportunities in the areas of smart cities and IoT services.
The partners aim to jointly develop IoT technologies and services tailored for the Indonesian market, and will evaluate the idea of forming a joint venture for their IoT business within the next two years.
In addition to the IoT, the collaboration covers the development of cloud-based TV services for Telkom customers over SK Telecom's Cloud Streaming media platform, as well as the introduction of products in SK Telecom's Lifeware line to the Indonesian market.
Lifeware is SK Telecom's range of consumer-centric smart devices aimed to add value to customers' lives.
“Through the MOU, SK Telecom will work closely with Telkom to develop mutually-beneficial business opportunities in diverse areas including IoT, smart city and media,” SK Telecom executive vice president and head of global business Lee Eung-sang said.
“Building on this partnership, the two companies will continue to make joint efforts to expand their presence beyond the Indonesian market.”


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Scott Pearson has taken over the position of global sales and business development manager for the Group’s metal packaging division.
CarnaudMetalbox Engineering has announced new organisational appointments, effective from 1 January 2021.
Andreas Koch has been entrusted with the management of the printing inks business unit of Zeller+Gmelin.
INX International director of Marketing, Renee Schouten, has been announced as the new president of the International Metal Decorating and Packaging Association.
CarnaudMetalbox Engineering has announced the appointment of new sales project manager, Ryan Moklak.
CarnaudMetalbox Engineering has announced the appointment of seaming business manager Jason McCullough, reporting to its UK headquarters in Shipley.
In his new role, Giddings will work closely with Alupro’s executive director, Rick Hindley, to lead the organisation’s government engagement programme.


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Calls For More Restrictions On Vaping In Illinois
There are rising calls for tighter restrictions on the use of e-cigarettes in Illinois. They come as another death linked to vaping was reported this week.
A public health advocate and a state legislator want the state to ban flavored e-cigarettes and vaping in public.
The governor of Michigan this week signed an executive order banning the sale of fruity, sweet or menthol vaping products. State Sen. Julie Morrison, a Democrat from Deerfield, said Illinois should follow the governor’s lead.
“She recognized that this is marketing to kids, the very people who this product is most dangerous for,” Morrison said.
The Surgeon General says teens and young adults should avoid vaping, citing concerns about the effects of nicotine on brain development.
Meanwhile, the vaping industry says it’s an effective tool to get people to stop smoking cigarettes – which are more harmful.
“[A ban on flavors] could also drive consumers back to cigarettes, and we are certain of the diseases and sicknesses that it's caused both first and second hand,” said Tom Teml, vice president of the industry group Smoke Free Alternatives Coalition of Illinois. He also runs a vape manufacturing company.
Teml worried restricting flavors could result in a black market, meaning people would consumer vaping products that aren't regulated.
Instead, he’d like to see Illinois focus on enforcing the new, higher age — 21 years — to buy tobacco products. Lawmakers raised it from 18 this year.
A spokeswoman for Governor J.B. Pritzker did not specifically comment on the ban, but says the governor is working with a group of medical and legal experts to address the issue.
Kathy Drea, with the American Lung Association in Illinois, said her group supports tighter rules on flavored cigarettes.
“The candy and fruit flavors of e-cigarettes are one of the primary reasons kids use them,” she said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 3.6 million middle and high school students used e-cigarettes in 2018, up from 2.1 million in 2017.
The debate has been getting more attention as the CDC has reported more than 200 vaping-related illnesses nationwide.
Still, Teml emphasized that some of the cases involved cannabinoid products, such as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Meanwhile, the city of Springfieldbecame the latest municipality to ban vaping in public places, putting it under the same restrictions as smoking cigarettes. It joins more than 30 other cities across Illinois.
Both Morrison and Drea said they would support a statewide ban.
“I've had many parents tell me that their kids cannot stop watching someone using an e-cigarette,” said Drea. She said Illinois would benefit from “the denormalization of including them in a smoke-free law like this, so that our young people aren't seeing them everywhere.”
The Illinois Senate considered a bill to add vaping and e-cigarettes to the Smoke Free Illinois Act earlier this year, but it stalled. State Sen. Terry Link, who sponsored the legislation, did not respond to a request for comment about whether he'll bring it back.
Teml said his group isn’t against the restrictions. But the coalition would like to see vaping categorized as a nuisance, not a health hazard.


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We keep hearing about the tablet market being in a less than optimal state, while niches like convertibles keep performing. The overall state of the tablet market isn’t good, that’s for sure, but apparently 2018 will be the year of the rebound. Let’s see what experts have to say.
Major players like Amazon, Huawei, Microsoft and Google are planning to launch new tablet models over the coming year. Sales of Apple’s iPad products will also remain pretty lively, it seems. Sources within the industry are saying that in spite of the sluggish performance of the tablet market over the past years, on account of a lack of killer models, a market consolidation has happened this year and the annual decline in shipments is expected to narrow to just 5%.
In 2018 there will be an upwards momentum, that will be driven by double digit increases in shipments from brand vendors like Amazon and Huawei. Microsoft will launch new Surface models in the first half of the year and Google will probably bring more education-focused machines. There will be a pretty fierce war between brand vendors, that will take the market to new growth.
Offering tablets at very low prices to consumers will also enhance the e-commerce service ecosystem. Amazon for example expects that the Kindle Fire tablets will reach a record high of 12-13 million units in 2017 and a shipment growth of 10% in 2018. Huawei is said to go past 10 million units this year, even beating Lenovo in the process, for the first time ever. Apple is also doing fine with its latest 9.7 inch and 10.5 inch slate models. We’ve heard similar predictions in the past, so we’re more reserved about these ones.


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In today's heightened environmental consciousness, consumers actively seek products that align with their sustainability values. However, amidst the rising demand for eco-friendly alternatives, the deceptive practice of greenwashing has sadly emerged.
“Australia, like many other countries, faces the challenge of tackling greenwashing while promoting genuine sustainability efforts,” Nadia Steele from Biotuff says. “There needs to be a strong emphasis on educating the eco-conscious community to check the certification standards for compostable and biodegradable products.”
What Is Greenwashing?
Greenwashing refers to businesses misleading consumers by promoting a product or company as environmentally friendly when it is not. This can involve various tactics, from utilising deceptive marketing campaigns and presenting an illusion of sustainability to diverting attention from harmful practices or tiny environmental benefits.
“As a result, consumers with strong, sustainable values may unknowingly support businesses that contribute to environmental degradation rather than making genuinely sustainable choices,” Steele says. “The consumer needs to be more educated than ever before to ensure the products they choose fit the needs and ethics they expect.”
How To Spot Greenwashing
Misleading Packaging - Some businesses will use nature-inspired imagery or words like "natural" or "green" on their product packaging, creating an illusion of eco-friendliness. However, these claims may not reflect the product's actual environmental impact or the company's overall practices. Therefore, consumers must check for the correct certification symbols and codes.
Vague Terminology - Generic terms like "eco-friendly" or "green" can be misleading if not backed by concrete evidence or transparent information about the product's actual sustainable credentials. With specific details, it becomes easier for consumers to make informed choices. Research is critical to identify what companies you want to support and those using their environmental stance as a marketing ploy.
False Certification Claims - Greenwashing can involve misusing or misrepresenting certifications and labels. Some products may display logos or claims that imply a certain level of environmental friendliness without proper accreditation or meeting the required standards. Always look for the Australian Standards accredited certified compostable AS4736 and AS5810 on the packaging.
“Luckily, in Australia, the laws are quickly catching up to try and protect our communities from this type of marketing, which has the potential to cause more damage to our environment,” Steele says. “Australia has taken several steps to protect consumers and promote authenticity in sustainable products. However, it still largely lies on the consumer to check, research, and report if they suspect greenwashing is occurring.”
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) actively monitors and investigates misleading environmental claims. They also enforce laws to ensure companies provide accurate and transparent information to consumers. The development of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's Green Marketing and Advertising Guidelines also provides businesses with guidelines for making legitimate environmental claims and avoiding deceptive practices.
“In Australia, for a plastic material to claim biodegradability and composability, it must adhere to the stringent guidelines set forth by the Australian standard AS 4736‐2006,” Steele says. “This standard establishes the criteria for assessing plastic materials intended for biodegradation in aerobic composting facilities, both at the municipal and commercial levels.”
While this Australian standard shares similarities with the well-known European EN 13432 standard, it includes an additional requirement known as the worm test.
According to Australasian Bioplastics Association in order to adhere to AS 4736‐2006, plastic materials must fulfill the following criteria:
Biodegradation: Plastic materials should achieve a minimum of 90% biodegradation within 180 days in composting conditions.
Disintegration: At least 90% of the plastic materials should disintegrate into particles smaller than 2mm within 12 weeks in compost.
Compost Quality: The resulting compost should demonstrate no toxic effects on plants and earthworms, ensuring suitability for agricultural or horticultural applications.
Hazardous Substances: Plastic materials must not contain dangerous substances beyond the permitted maximum levels, such as heavy metals.
Organic Content: Plastic materials should consist of more than 50% organic materials, further emphasising their environmentally friendly composition.
By meeting these requirements, plastic materials can demonstrate their compliance with AS 4736‐2006, ensuring their biodegradability and composability under Australian standards.
Biotuff is a proud member of the Australasian Bioplastics Association and encourages all Australians to get familiar with this certification and to double-check the bioplastics they purchase contain the correct standards to avoid misleading marketing.
“To escape falling victim to greenwashing, consumers should verify the certification standards associated with compostable and biodegradable products they purchase,” Steele says. “Certification standards provide a reliable way to confirm that a product has undergone rigorous testing and meets specific environmental criteria.”
“This ensures that the product's claims are backed by credible evidence, so it’s vital you become savvy with the certification code AS 4736‐2006 and ensure the products you choose display this on their packaging.”
Certification standards assess the entire life cycle of a product, including raw material sourcing, production processes, and disposal methods. By checking certifications, consumers can evaluate the true environmental impact of a product.
“Certified products will often proudly display clear information about their composability or biodegradability, including recommended disposal methods and timelines,” Steele says. “Allowing consumer empowerment to make responsible choices and correctly manage the products after use.”
Greenwashing poses a significant challenge to sustainability efforts worldwide, including in Australia. Consumers play a crucial role in combating this practice by staying informed and checking certification standards for compostable and biodegradable products.
“Education around greenwashing is paramount as to the promotion of credible certifications,” Steele says. “This is the only way consumers can make truly sustainable choices and contribute to a greener future.”
Australia's consumer protection laws and efforts to establish certification standards demonstrate the nation's commitment to promoting authenticity in the pursuit of sustainability. However, these practices can still fall under the radar without consumer understanding and education.


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World Of WarCraft: Warlords Of Draenor pre-orders open today, release window announced
Blizzard has announced a release window for the fifth expansion for World Of WarCraft, Warlords Of Draenor.
Pre-orders have opened for the upcoming expansion on Battle.net offering the Dread Raven Mount and Dread Hatchling Pet for WoW, Starcraft II Warchief Portraits and Diablo III Warsong Pennant as bonuses.
Blizzard co-founder and CEO Mike Morhaime said, “We’re sending players deep into uncharted territory with Warlords of Draenor. New features like the Garrison will give players a commanding role in the Warcraft saga like never before, and everyone can get in on the action right away with the included level-90 boost. There’s never been a better time to go to war for the Horde or the Alliance.”
Warlords Of Draenor will be released on PC and Mac some time in the autumn.
- Ultra Street Fighter IV coming to PS4 at the end of May
- Ubisoft to publish Homeworld Remastered Collection at retail next month
- Journey, Flower and FlOw heading to the PS4 in a retail package
- Phil Harrison's departure from Microsoft has been confirmed
- Here's the first look at Star Wars: Battlefront
- Project CARS will feature 110 courses across over 30 iconic locations
- Gratuitous Space Battles 2 arrives today
- First Star Wars: Battlefront details arrive including a release date
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's release date is now set in stone


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Leeds United last week conspired to create the worst rebrand in history, but the club’s response to fans shows how much passion and character still surrounds a brand languishing far below its competitive peak.
The Irish airline’s marketing boss Kenny Jacobs says while the media described the situation as “chaos” in fact affected customers “weren’t too upset”.
Moneysupermarket.com, Dove, McDonald’s and Match.com also featured in the ASA’s top 10.
At the end of every week, I look at the key stories, offering my view on what they mean for you and the industry. From Dr Martens’ price resiliency to UKTV uniting its streaming and linear offer under U, it’s been a busy week. Here is my take.
We arm you with all the numbers you need to tackle the week ahead.
Private label products have been eating into the market share of branded labels for years now. It can be argued, though, retailers are not doing enough to solidify this trend by engaging with will make them stick around long-term: brand building.
From Barbie to McDonald’s to Heinz, the Marketing Week team reveals the first six campaigns that make up our best of 2023.


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SGB Executive Sports & Fitness
Descente, Ltd. reported that revenues for the fiscal six months ended September 30 rose 4.9 percent to ¥59.9 billion ($396 mm) from ¥57.2 billion a year ago. Gains from the incorporation of Le Coq Sportif (Ningbo) Co. Ltd. (NLCS) into China’s consolidated results and growth in activewear overall offset decreased sales in golfwear.
Fiscal 2024 first half net sales grew 15.2 percent ¥57.7 billion as demand for sports was said to have remained strong in all regions of the world. An increase in SG&A expenses offsetting a gross profit gain drove profits down more than 20 percent for the six-month period.
Asics Corp. raised its outlook for the year after reporting strong earnings improvement in the third quarter and nine months ended September 30. Sales grew 14.5 percent in the third quarter and 23.4 percent in the nine months with healthy gains across regions.
Like many other CEOs in the active lifestyle retail market these days, Stephen Bratspies is working through heavy retail inventories, shifting consumer trends and the effects of inflation. But Champion offers an even bigger challenge—a fickle consumer’s changing preferences.
Mizuno Corp.’s sales grew 8.1 percent in the fiscal second quarter ended September 30 and 23.8 percent in the half. The Japanese-based sporting goods sales and profits reached record levels in the six months, with sales increasing across all geographies and in all its main business categories.
On Adidas’ third-quarter conference call with analysts, Bjorn Gulden, CEO, said Adidas’ sales in the U.S. “will probably not grow at all in the first half” of 2024 as North America lags other regions in rightsizing inventory levels. He said, “Inventory levels in the U.S. in general is still an issue. I think it lags about six months versus the rest of the world.”
New CEO Chris Hufnagel said WWW continues to reshape its portfolio, reduce inventory and redesign the company to become consumer-obsessed brand builders, focused squarely on building compelling products and telling amazing stories.
Under Armour reported sales and earnings in the fiscal second quarter ended September 30 topped analyst targets, but annual sales guidance was reduced due to further deterioration in the North American wholesale business. CEO Stephanie Linnartz told analysts, “Several forces are at play here, including inflation and consumer confidence, normalizing inventory levels amid still broad promotions, and overall softness in our future wholesale order book.”
The Swedish-based owner of Ahead, Auclair, Craft, Cutter & Buck, and Tenson AB, reported that net sales increased 5 percent (+1 percent currency-neutral) to SEK 2,337.0 million, but sales would declined had it not been for sales from the acquired outdoor gear brand Tenson.
Mondelez International reported that Clif Bar delivered another quarter of double-digit growth and improved profitability in the third quarter ended September 30. Its other snack bar brands, Grenade and Perfect Snacks, also delivered double-digit gains.
The BRC reported that total UK retail sales increased 2.5 percent in October. The number was said to be below the three-month average growth of 3.1 percent and the 12-month average growth of 4.2 percent as reported by the BRC.
Fox Factory’s plans to acquire Marucci Sports, the maker of baseball bats and gloves, for $572.0 million has drawn skepticism from Wall Street analysts concerned about the timing given the company’s struggles and how the acquisition fits alongside its core suspension components businesses.


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Namco's PR gurus just sent over word that Ridge Racer 6 will be providing Project Gotham Racing 3 with some competition come the launch of the Xbox 360:
Namco today released online gameplay details for "Ridge Racer(TM) 6," the latest installment in the legendary drift racing series for the Xbox 360(TM). Featuring trademark high-speed arcade racing and breathtaking high-definition visuals, the game lets players compete head to head in online races and download new content via Xbox Live(R) for the first time in the history of the Ridge Racer franchise. "Ridge Racer 6" will be available for the Xbox 360 at launch in North America.
"Ridge Racer 6" takes the celebrated racing series online for the first time with Worldwide Online Multiplayer Battles through Xbox Live. Utilizing a Worldwide Player Matching system, players can match up against drivers from around the world in intense head-to-head drift racing match ups. Players can also upload their personal records from the game's Time Attack mode to see how they stack up against the rest of the world in a persistent Leader Board and download ghost data to virtually race against friends or test their skills against the best in the world. To complement the online "Ridge Racer 6" community, new game content such as new cars will periodically be made available for download from the Xbox Live Marketplace.
In-game screenshots. Now. Please.


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Not to be outdone by AT&T Inc. or Google Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc. this morning announced it will increase Internet speeds in Charlotte next year.
The faster Internet product will be called TWC Maxx and will increase customer speeds up to six times as fast in some cases without raising prices, the company says.
For example, customers who subscribe to Tim Warner Cable's (NYSE:TWC) standard service will see their speeds increased to 50 megabits per second from 15 Mbps now. Customers who subscribe to the Ultimate service will receive speeds of up to 300 Mbps from 100 Mbps today. TWC says some customers will need modem upgrades to get the full benefits of the speed increases.
Time Warner Cable Business Services customers will also see speed tiers raised, with gigabit-speed options available over a fiber network.
“These investments mark the beginning of a new generation of broadband and cable services that will transform the customer experience as they know it today,” TWC Chief Executive Robert Marcus says in a statement.
The news announcement comes one day after AT&T (NYSE:T) said it would bring its fiber-optic gigabit-speed network to Charlotte customers. GigaPower, as it's called, will be available to residential and commercial customers and provide download speeds up to one gigabit per second, which is about 1,000 megabits per second.
Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) is also exploring Charlotte for its Google Fiber gigabit network, though company officials haven't committed to building the network yet. A spokeswoman told the Charlotte Business Journal yesterday that rival expansions will not sway Google's decision-making process here.
TWC's speed increases will also come with new features and additional storage for its cable TV and DVR customers.
The company says its TWC Maxx offerings are already being rolled out in New York and Los Angeles, with Charlotte, Raleigh, Kansas City, Dallas, San Antonio and San Diego on the schedule for 2015.


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Britain’s stock market has nosedived after early trading witnessed a fresh wave of selling following developments relating to coronavirus.
The FTSE 100 index plunged by as much as 6 per cent, trading at around 5,482 points and wiping £84bn off the value of its constituents.
- Coronavirus need to know: All the crucial information, in one place
- Travel advice, if you’ve booked a trip, or are planning one
- Self-isolation: How you know whether you should be self-isolating, and how to do it
- What hygiene experts say you should do now
- Coronavirus latest: Follow our live blog here
Within moments of the FTSE 100 opening, it dropped more than 300 points, to levels not seen for eight years, with £469bn wiped since February 21 – a fall of 25 per cent.
It means the index is technically in a “bear market” where the value of shares has fallen by more than 20 per cent.
By 9 am, all 350 companies listed on the wider FTSE 350 were in negative territory, with shares in Cineworld slumping 32 per cent, Travelex owner Finablr down 50 per cent, train operator Go-Ahead down 20 per cent and a range of oil, travel and retail businesses suffering.
Cineworld risks breaching financial agreements
Cineworld, the world’s second-largest film chain, has said that it faces breaching its financial agreements with lenders in the event the coronavirus forces the closure of all its cinemas for two to three months.
Jet engine maker Rolls-Royce has seen a drop of 13 per cent, while WH Smith shares have dropped by 17 per cent on Thurday morning.
The company said that its airport branches in Asia Pacific, which account for five per cent of its travel division’s revenues, have suffered a “significant impact”.
High street spending is also expected to affect the company, which has warned that revenues would be £100m to £130m lower in the year to 31 August, while profits before tax are likely to be £30m to £40m lower.
The supermarket Morrisons is currently the best-performing company on the FTSE 100, with a fall of only 2 per cent.
The slump follows the World Health Organisation’s upgrading of coronavirus to a worldwide pandemic.
The stock index has fallen by around 25 per cent since the crisis began, with the FTSE 100 trading around 7,404 points at that time.
Global stock markets have also plummeted following Donald Trump’s announcement of a travel ban to American from the European Union for 30 days, in an effort to spread the halt of the virus.
The US president’s announcement came just hours after the Dow Jones industrial average reached bear markets, having dropped more than 20 per cent from its recent high.
The figures have dashed hopes that the worst of the market meltdown has been reached.


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BMW M Iconic internal-combustion engines have a rich history, but strict emission rules mean it has already electrified its sights.
In an interview with a German publication BimarTodayBMW M CEO Frank Van Meel has confirmed that the upcoming M2 dual-door coupe will be the last M model without any electrification.
“We will see increasing electrification in other vehicles, of course in a variety of sizes, ranging from 48-volt electrical systems and plug-in hybrids to fully electric drives,” explained Mr. Van Mill while translating from German into English.
“From this perspective, the M2 would end up with a pure combustion engine drive and without the possibility of electrification like a 48-volt on-board network.”
We already know that the first of these high-performance electrified BMW M models is the upcoming XM Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) SUV, which will launch by the end of 2022.
First shown as the Concept XM in November 2021, production BMW XM will be powered by a “newly-developed” petrol V8 engine that will be mated to an electric motor with a claimed system output of 480kW of power and 800Nm of torque.
BMW further claims that it will have an electrical range of up to 80km for WLTP testing.
Other electric vehicles offered by BMW M include the all-electric i4 M50 four-door coupe, iX M60 SUV and i7 M70 large sedan. Although these are made as regular performances rather than high-performance offers.
There are rumors that the next generation BMW M5 will also get a hybridized powertrain.
The BMW M has now reached the halfway point of its 50th anniversary celebrations, and the M2 is expected to be a part of these plans.
Countless prototypes have been spied on, and most recently there was a leaked image showing the rear end of a two-door coupe without camouflage.
In standard camouflage, the M2 will have more power than the outgoing M2 Competition, producing 302kW and 550Nm from its 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder.
The regular M2, last seen here in 2018, has 272kW and 465Nm.
It will be offered with both manual and automatic transmissions. Mr Van Mail indicated that more than 50 per cent of US buyers and more than 20 per cent of European buyers would opt for a manual transmission.
The output of the new M2 Competition is rumored to have increased to 335kW or even 365kW, a six-speed manual is also expected to continue.
This level of energy in the new competition puts M3 and M4 larger than M2’s crosshairs. They both pump 353kW and 550Nm base, manual camouflage, competition models 375kW.
BMW M has already unveiled several new cars as part of its anniversary celebrations.
So far, it has released lightweight and more powerful BMW M4 CSL, and M3 and M4 50 Jahre special editions.
BMW has already confirmed plans to release the M3 Turing at the June 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed in June.
Other new BMW M cars are expected to be released this year, the M3 CS sedan, and a manual-equipped M4 GT / H.
BMW Blog The department also said it was working on an ultra-exclusive M4 inspired by the 2015 CSL Hommage concept.
More: Everything BMW M2


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New Marvel Experiences Coming to Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland
In 2020, guests will be able to visit their favorite Marvel characters at Disneyland's California Adventure. The already popular Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! will welcome Spider-Man and the Avengers in a new immersive Super Hero universe. The new land will include all new immersive attractions and a live show. The recently closed area A Bug's Life: It's Tough to Be a Bug, closed March 19th, will become the home of the new Super Hero themed land. The remainder of that area will close late summer 2018.
At Disneyland Paris, the new Marvel themed area will be a part of Walt Disney Studios Park. The area will include an attraction where guests will team up with Iron Man and other favorite Avengers on "hyper-kinetic" adventure that is set to open in 2020. In the mean time, guests can enjoy a new live action super production stage show with special effects and eye-catching projections, when Paris hosts Marvel Summer of Super Heroes. The event will run from June 10, 2018 through September 30, 2018.
In Hong Kong Disneyland, guests will see an addition to the recently opened Iron Man Experience. Iron Man opened in 2017 and is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong. Joining the Iron Man Experience will be a new Ant Man attraction. Guests will team up with Ant Man and the Wasp in an epic adventure.
Photos Courtesy of Disney


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NEW YORK AND GRAPEVINE, Texas – (BUSINESS WIRE) –QuadPay, a pioneer in the BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later) market, and recently merged with Zip Co (ASX: Z1P), today announced a partnership with GameStop (NYSE: GME), to provide the world’s largest video game retailer with access to its Buy Now, Pay Later installment payment service. Today’s announcement is part of GameStop’s strategy to continue to expand the capabilities and services of its global digital and in-store ecosystem to provide customers with a wide range of payment options to shop quickly and at. affordable video games and other merchandise this holiday season. QuadPay is now available at GameStop retail stores and at GameStop.com.
QuadPay Co-CEO Brad Lindenberg said: “We’re excited to partner with GameStop as they look to provide their customers with an easy and flexible way to pay over time, both online and at the point of sale at their more than 3,300 stores across the United States. United. ”
QuadPay allows consumers to split any purchase into four interest-free installments paid over six weeks using their existing credit or debit card when shopping online or in-store.
“As we continue to find new ways to expand shopping choices for our customers, we are pleased to partner with QuadPay to offer a new flexible payment option that will allow customers to affordably purchase products. they want us this holiday season, ”said Chris Homeister, Director of Merchandising for GameStop. “Today’s announcement is one of many steps we are taking to continue to develop capabilities and services to better serve our customers. ”
GameStop joins QuadPay’s network of over 4,700 integrated merchants and global retailers. Within days of implementing QuadPay, merchants typically see a conversion rate increased by up to 20% and the average order value increased by up to 60%.
QuadPay (ASX: Z1P) is a leading US tiered payment platform, providing consumers with a simple, transparent and financially responsible alternative to traditional credit. QuadPay is reinventing the payments landscape with a focus on innovation and customer focus, enabling more than 1.8 million customers to pay in four interest-free installments over six weeks. The company’s market-leading app, which has been downloaded over 2.3 million times, enables seamless integration for merchants and the ability for customers to make interest-free online and in-store purchases, not only with the 4,700 integrated QuadPay merchants, but also with the main global retailers. . For more information visit: www.quadpay.com.
GameStop, the world’s largest video game retailer, offers the finest selection of new and used video game consoles, accessories and video games, in both physical and digital formats. GameStop also offers fans a wide variety of pop vinyl toys, collectibles, board games, and more. Through GameStop’s unique buy-sell-trade program, gamers can trade in video game consoles, games and accessories, as well as consumer electronics for cash or store credit. The retailer operates thousands of sites around the world under the GameStop, EB Games and Micromania retail brands. Fans can find their local GameStop store using the company online store locator tool.
For the latest video game and gear news, follow GameStop on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. GameStop, EB Games, and Micromania are part of GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME), a global specialty retailer that makes the most popular technologies affordable and simple.


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Slow Rollout Of Chip-And-PIN Credit Cards May Keep Lines Moving This Holiday Season
October 1 was supposed to be the deadline for U.S. retailers to update their payment systems to accept new chip-enabled credit cards. but a number of stores haven t finished making this change, and most consumers still have boring ol no-chip cards. The good news is that this foot-dragging on everyone s part may have the effect of not slowing down checkout lines this holiday shopping season.
The Oct. 1 deadline and the prospect of both consumers and retailers being forced to master a new payment method during the busiest shopping weeks of the year initially had some concerned about annoying bottlenecks at the cashier people not knowing how to use the cards, cards not working, employees not knowing how to handle errors, etc.
Additionally, the new chip readers which require that cards be inserted and held for a moment can take a second or two longer than the simple swipe we ve all gotten used to. For retailers with millions of customers at thousands of stores, that adds up.
At last week s Money20/20 conference in Las Vegas, a Walmart payment services exec politely acknowledged that, “There could have been a better time to roll out new cards and payment processes.
But as the Chicago Tribune notes, not even half of U.S. retailers will have chip card readers installed by the end of 2016. As recently as August, a majority of small business owners said they weren t even aware of the Oct. 1 deadline .
Retailers (with the exception of gas stations) that haven t updated their payment systems are now liable as opposed to the bank or card network for any fraudulent purchases made using chip-enabled cards. But since most consumers still carry older cards, the stores have not yet had the incentive to invest in the new readers.
One of the few major retailers to complete the change to chip-and-PIN is Target, which was the target of a massive data breach during the 2013 holiday shopping season.
Other retailers will undoubtedly be looking at Target over the next two months to see whether or not its new system bogs down checkout lines.
Expect banks and retailers to step up their rollouts of the chip-and-PIN tech in 2016. Hopefully most of us will be in the habit of dipping our cards by this time next year.
- Slow Rollout Of Chip-And-PIN Credit Cards May Keep Lines Moving This Holiday Season – Consumerist
- Slow Rollout Of Chip-And-PIN Credit Cards May Keep Lines Moving This Holiday Season – Consumerist #credit #expert #cancel
- 5 Best Secured Credit Cards of This Year
- 5 Best Secured Credit Cards of This Year #get #free #credit #score
Written by CREDIT


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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Internet storage company Network Engines priced at the top of its initial public offering range Wednesday, in hopes its high-density servers will attract investor interest in what has been a listless IPO week.|
Network Engines raised $110.5 million, pricing 6.5 million shares at $17. Earlier Wednesday, the company boosted its range to $16 to $17 from $13 to $15 and also upped the number of shares to 6.5 million from 5.5 million.
The Canton, Mass.-based company was tipped by analysts to be a strong performer. According to IPOfinancial.com President David Menlow, the company's 375 percent growth curve is compelling and its rate of loss will probably diminish.
In 1999 Network Engines had revenue of more than $6 million and lost just over $5.8 million. The company will trade on the Nasdaq as "NENG" and the lead manager for the deal is Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.
San Jose, Calif.-based Sunrise Telecom was also confident, pricing above its range and raising $60 million. The company, which makes network test equipment for DSLs, or digital subscriber lines, priced 4 million shares at $15, the high end of its expected range of $13-15.
Sunrise Telecom has a strong position in the fast-growing DSL market and posted a profit in each of the last five years.
"They're a young group and they're getting it done the right way," Menlow said.
Sunrise, led by Chase H&Q, will trade on the Nasdaq as "SRTI."


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During NamesCon, the .Club registry announced its new Broker Program and interest-free financing plans to help sell .Club domain names. Konstantinos of OnlineDomain.com wrote about this news in an article published a week ago.
In a press release announcing this news, here’s what the registry had to say:
“As we enter a new year, .CLUB continues to innovate new ways to make our brandable premium names accessible to entrepreneurs and small businesses. We were the first to offer financing to select registrants under our Startup Club program, which successfully incubated businesses such as Coffee.club and Soap.club. Now we are expanding the opportunity by offering Registry-backed financing for all premium names sold directly by the Registry and priced at $1,000 or more. With 60-month, interest free financing, that $1,000 name can be had for less than $17/month. For businesses and entrepreneurs, great 5 and 6-figure premium names become much more attainable when payments are spread out over 5 years. You can search for and purchase premium .CLUB names, with a one-time payment or with 60-month financing, at www.get.club.”
This afternoon, .Club registry CMO Jeff Sass shared that the registry sold a hair under $150,000 worth of .Club domain names in its first week offering these programs. This translates into 39 domain sales with a total value of $149,480 (after the broker discounts). Jeff told me that 37 of the 39 sales were made with the help of financing. 17 of the names were bought or sold by participants in the broker program.
According to Jeff, “the goal of us offering financing is to make great, brandable .CLUB premium names affordable for end-users – especially small businesses and entrepreneurs.” I am not entirely sure how this differs from the Startup.Club program the registry offers where buyers can pay using a payment plan and the startups get a marketing boost from the registry.
Commenting on the Broker Program, Jeff told me that “domain investors and brokers can more easily market and sell .CLUB premium names to their clients, passing along savings and the financing option.”
It seems like people are interested in participating, although the amount of money that people are putting down and the payment terms are key factors that were not shared by the registry. It would be interesting to know what % of the purchase is being put down at the point of sale. Hopefully Jeff and the .Club registry keep us updated on the progress of the program. I would imagine the sales prices will be publicly reported once the domain names are paid-off in full.


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Central World shopping complex collapsed after arsonists set it ablaze and
firefighters were unable to reach the area in a timely manner due to ongoing
conflicts between UDD protesters and Thai soldiers.
Members of the Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA)
met Thursday to begin planning ways to restore the area and its businesses
after the violence and arson which erupted Wednesday.
Following the widespread vandalism and arson at Central
World shopping complex, Thailand’s largest high-end shopping mall and the
second largest in Southeast Asia, as well as Big C Supercenter and other
properties in the Ratchaprasong area causing incalculable damage, the
entrepreneurs grouping have started to prepare a plan to rehabilitate the
The association also is considering adjusting existing
plans, including the restoration of buildings and areas at Ratchaprasong
intersection as well as marketing and promotion campaigns to boost sales.
However, details of the revised plan can be clarified
only after the violence ends and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)
authorities clear the damaged areas.
In addition, the association has set up an RSTA Call
Center 085 484 6471-3 from 9am-5.30pm for entrepreneurs wanting to register
Currently, 50 entrepreneurs in trouble contact the call
centre daily. It is expected that more entrepreneurs will take advantage of
calling on the association for assistance.
Federation of Thai Industries vice chairman Payungsak
Chartsutipol said that although business offices in outer Bangkok could open
Thursday, many companies couldn’t operate due to the loss of document
systems as their Ratchaprasong headquarters were affected by arson.
Shipping and transport systems are suspended and
financial institutions were directed to close on Thursday and Friday by the
Bank of Thailand (BoT).
He said the damage from the violence includes asset
damage and the impacts on investor confidence, the loss of life and
psychological effects on many Thai people.
If the crime spree ends soon, the impact will not spread,
Meanwhile, Punnachai Footrakul of the Petroleum Authority
of Thailand (PTT) Natural Gas Vehicle Marketing Department said that service
stations last Thursday morning faced shortages of NGV, LPG, and oil products
due to the huge demand in preparation for the curfews.
All PTT stations in the 13 zones banned from gas and oil
transport remain closed.
He added that the Ministry of Energy discussed the
situation and may propose that the Centre for the Resolution of the
Emergency Situation (CRES) allow the gas tankers to enter the 13 zones in
the next few days. (TNA)


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Renesas says in talks to buy chip designer Dialog for $6 billion
Japan’s Renesas Electronics Corp said on Monday it is in talks to buy British-based Dialog Semiconductor in a deal that would bolster its automotive chip business and value the Apple Inc supplier at around $6 billion.
Under the potential deal, Renesas would pay 67.50 euros a share for Frankfurt-listed Dialog, it said in a release to the Tokyo Stock Exchange, confirming an earlier statement from Dialog.
“Our statement does not represent any intention to go through with an acquisition,” Renesas said.
British financial regulations mean the Japanese chip maker must declare whether or not it will launch a bid by March 7.
The talks come after Renesas and Dialog deepened ties in August with an agreement to cooperate in automotive computing platforms as the Japanese firm looks to bolster its offerings amid growing demand for automotive chips.
A global shortage of semiconductors has forced some carmakers to curtail production plans.
Renesas, which has around a 30% global market share for microcontrollers used in cars, has been looking for ways to increase its share of analog chips used to process signals for things such as sound, light and temperature.
As part of that effort Renesas in 2018 agreed to buy U.S. chip design firm Device Technology Inc for $6.7 billion following the $3.2 billion purchase of U.S. chipmaker Intersil in 2017.
A cash offer of 67.50 euros per share for Dialog would represent a 20% premium to its closing stock price on Friday of 56.12 euros, when it had a market capitalisation of around 4.3 billion euros ($5.2 billion).
“A further announcement will be made as and when appropriate. There can be no certainty that any firm offer will be made for the Company, nor as to the terms on which any firm offer might be made,” Dialog said in its statement.
The Japanese company is due to release its earnings results for the three months ended Dec. 31 on Wednesday. Automotive chips account for around half its revenue. Its shares in Tokyo fell more than 5% in early trading.
Dialog last month gave an upbeat fourth-quarter revenue forecast due to strong demand for 5G phones and tablets. Reuters


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Domestic PV sales fall by 50% in June
New Delhi: Domestic passenger vehicle sales halved in June compared to the same period last year, owing to the economic turbulence caused by the Coronavirus crisis.
Accordingly, 105,617 passenger vehicles were sold in June 2020 in India, 49.59 per cent lower than the 209,522 units sold during the corresponding period in 2019.
According to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), car sales in the country plunged 57.98 per cent to 55,497 units last month compared to 132,077 units during June last year.
In a technical footnote, SIAM said the data does not include sales figures from some key players such as Tata Motors.
Three-wheeler sales stood at 10,300 units, 80.15 per cent lower on a year-on-year basis.
In terms of two-wheelers, which include scooters, motorcycles and mopeds, the sales edged lower by 38.56 per cent to 1,013,431 units.
Data showed that total production of passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, two-wheelers and quadricycles in the month of June decreased by 51.44 per cent to 1,094,363 units.
With the automobile industry growing through the longest sales slump, made worse by Coronavirus pandemic, auto industry body SIAM President Rajan Wadhera on Tuesday said he does not see any case for investment in the auto sector at present.
Among the casualties of the current situation will be electric vehicles, where companies are no longer in a position to invest in the new technology and it would need government support for India not to miss the EV revolution, he added.
Speaking to reporters via video conference, Wadhera said after the lockdown relaxations automobile manufacturers have slowly started production but capacity utilisation remained very low.
"It will take another three to four years to reach the peak level of 2018. So right now there is enough capacity in the sector and hence no investment is needed there. Moreover, the auto industry has invested heavily for the transition to BS-VI emission norms in a very short span of three years," Wadhera said.
He further said this year the auto sector is looking at a decline of 26-45 per cent depending on the vehicle category.
"Coupled with that of last year, we are looking at a decline of 50 per cent in two years. When the demand is half, I don't see any case for investment in the sector," Wadhera said responding to a query on how the slowdown and COVID-19 will impact investments.
When asked how the EV story will pan out in India due to the current circumstances and if OEM (original equipment manufacturer) will rethink their plans for the same, he said: "You can't keep on borrowing money and investing. Even if you want to, if you do not have revenue you cannot invest." Admitting that EV plans have taken a back seat for many manufacturers, he said it is not "affordable" for the industry to invest in it at the moment.
While India has been promoting EV, Wadhera said there is a need for a dialogue with the government for proper long term planning and for providing support to the industry and creating the infrastructure so that the country does not miss out on the "EV bus".
On self-reliance, Wadhera said around 70 per cent of the components have been localised but due to the migration to BS-VI emission norms imports of certain parts have increased in the range of 1-6 per cent and these will continue till the time domestic components manufacturers develop expertise and scale for the same.


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According to The Wall Street Journal, Apple is currently testing software and designs for a watch-like device that would perform similar functions of a smartphone or tablet.
The New York Times also reported that the wearable device would use Apple’s iOS operating system and utilize curved glass. Resembling classic cinematic spy gear, the iWatch would basically be an iPod-type interface that wraps around the whole wrist.
Created by Corning Glass Technologies, the bendable glass is called Willow Glass and is rumored to be a part of Apple’s product experimentation. The NYT described this recently developed technology by stating that it “can flop as easily as a piece of paper in the wind without breaking.” Corning also manufactures the glass for iPhone screens.
Similar wearable devices have become popular primarily for purposes of monitoring physical activity and other health concerns. With no official word from Apple, details about the iWatch remain unclear, but it is expected to work closely with iPhone devices.


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A St Albans nursery receives generous donation from local business
- Credit: Archant
A special delivery brought a smile to the faces of children at a St Albans infants school recently.
Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School received a £1,500 donation from the Amazon Hemel Hempstead team as part of the local fulfilment centre’s community support programme.
The school will use the donation to help grow its literacy programme and plans to purchase books, CDs and gadgets with the funds.
Headteacher Mrs Hannah Rimmer said: “It’s brilliant to get such great support from a local business like Amazon.”


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The global outlook for programmatic advertising in 5 charts
The tentacles of programmatic are tightening their grip on digital advertising.
Reports from multiple research firms indicate that programmatic will further embed itself into digital advertising. This year, programmatic will become the most popular method for digital display spend. And although open exchanges and the U.S. still dominate the global programmatic scene, China’s programmatic market is growing, as is the usage of private marketplaces. But before getting too carried away with programmatic’s transformation, it’s worth noting that banner ads are far from dead and adoption of programmatic TV remains mostly speculative.
Here are five charts that summarize the global state of programmatic.
Programmatic overtakes digital spend
According to a Zenith report, this is the first year that programmatic will consume the majority of digital display spend. Luke Stillman, vp of digital intelligence at Magna, said that if paid search and social are added into the mix, nearly 75 percent of total digital ad spend will be programmatic this year.
Programmatic spend in China is expected to nearly double from $2.6 billion in 2016 to $4.6 billion in 2018, according to Zenith. For comparison, in the U.S., Zenith projects programmatic spend to jump from $24 billion in 2016 to $37.7 billion in 2018. Subsequently, the U.S. share of global programmatic spend will barely budge from 61.6 percent in 2016 to 58.8 percent in 2018.
Banner ads are hanging around
Industry observers have been hating on banner ads for a while now. But they are still a major part of programmatic.
According to Magna, the majority of programmatic spend still goes to banner ads. Video is expected to increase significantly and overtake banners by 2020, but banners will suck up 34 percent of programmatic ad spend, Magna forecasts.
Programmatic TV hasn’t caught on yet
EMarketer projects that programmatic TV ad spend in the U.S. will increase from $710 million in 2016 to $4.43 billion in 2018. While that’s a large increase, the $4.43 billion will still only make up 6 percent of total TV ad spend.
WideOrbit surveyed 215 media buyers and only 3 percent of respondents said that the majority of their TV spend is done programmatically. Buyers indicated they planned to buy more TV ads programmatically in the upcoming year, but the percentages remained small.
Private marketplace deals will increase
In the world’s largest programmatic markets, spending will move from open exchanges to private marketplaces (PMPs), according to eMarketer. PMPs are gaining traction because they help reduce fraud and they give buyers and sellers more control of who they work with, said Lauren Fisher, a programmatic analyst at eMarketer.
But the shift to PMPs will be much slower in China than in the U.S. and the U.K.
“China is still pretty early on in its adoption of programmatic trading,” said Jonathan Barnard, head of forecasting at Zenith. “The market is currently a couple of years behind the adoption curve.”
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DETROIT/Washington (Reuters) – A123 Possibilities, new lithium-ion power supply founder backed by a $249 billion U.S. bodies give, filed having bankruptcy with the Saturday, compelling Republican Mitt Romney’s presidential venture to accuse the latest Obama administration off “gaming aside vast amounts of taxpayer cash.”
The newest Part eleven personal bankruptcy submitting showed up immediately following an effective $465 mil rescue deal with Chinese automobile pieces merchant Wanxiang Class unraveled.
A123, which has stolen 50 % of their authorities give, accessible to promote its motor vehicle surgery, including two production facilities into the Michigan, for $125 mil so you can Milwaukee-oriented Johnson Controls Inc, the leading battery vendor and something recipient from government green subsidies.
The fresh personal bankruptcy portrays the fresh new evident reversal out of A123’s luck as 2009, when their stock flower 50 percent to the first-day away from trade with the Nasdaq. However, weaker-than-asked need for hybrids and you may missteps, including an expensive power recall, struck A123’s summary and you may kept the start-with excessive capabilities.
The latest bankruptcy proceeding processing, on the day of the next of three arguments between President Barack Obama and you can Romney, gave Republicans fresh ammunition prior to the a’s subsidies to own environmentally friendly time.
The brand new You.S. Company of energy allotted in the $90 million for various clean-energy software from administration’s stimuli package. Of this, no less than $813 mil visited times companies that sooner filed getting bankruptcy, such as the give so you’re able to A123 and you may a loan so you can solar panel originator Solyndra.
Romney strategy spokeswoman Andrea Saul cited the brand new A123 personal bankruptcy as the facts out-of Obama “gambling aside billions of taxpayer bucks to the a method regarding bodies-provided gains that simply doesn’t work.”
Obama campaign spokesman Adam Fletcher countered that investments assisted to help you more than double renewable energy production away from cinch and you will solar, “carrying out a beneficial-paying operate and you can bringing design to the coastlines.”
Romney argues that bodies must not get a hold of corporate champions and losers, if you’re Obama enjoys countered one eg assets are necessary to strengthen the latest You.S. reputation inside state-of-the-art battery packs or any other reducing-line environmentally friendly technology.
“The fresh riskiest strategy of all is not competing aggressively for the innovation out-of the next day in addition to services which come,” Dan Leistikow, DOE movie director regarding personal factors, told you in a blog post. “During the a growing world, it is rather well-known to see some enterprises combine with others since a expands and you can develops.”
Filing Employs 8-Few days Lookup
A123 has come under great pressure over the past 12 months just after Fisker Motor vehicle clipped battery pack instructions for the Karma connect-during the hybrid in the . This year, A123 had to keep in mind electric batteries made for Fisker, and that comprised 26 % regarding A123’s money last year.
Brand new bankruptcy proceeding filing employs roughly eight weeks out of initiatives by the A123 to locate a buyer otherwise strategic buyer, Head Financial Administrator David Brystash told you inside a court processing. From inside the February, A123 hired Lazard Freres & Co, and therefore called 74 potential lovers and traders.
Twenty-five discussed the method with Lazard, however, just Wanxiang accessible to put money into A123 as a transferring question. Into the August, A123 established the $465 million cut deal with Wanxiang, and this quickly gave A123 a beneficial $twenty-two.5 mil loan, and an advance loan from $a dozen.5 million.
Coming cash infusions of Wanxiang was contingent toward A123 fulfilling particular conditions, provided taking approval from the Committee regarding Overseas Funding and the Chinese bodies and also the absence of people default. Quickly ahead of declaring case of bankruptcy, they turned into noticeable one to A123 perform fall short of some out-of people requirements, centered on court papers.
Johnson Control provides $72.5 mil when you look at the borrower-in-possession money so you can A123. Johnson Regulation said the attention “is in keeping with (Johnson Controls’) long-title dedication to being market chief on complex electric battery business.”
Fisker said it invited A123’s manage Johnson Regulation, incorporating the automaker got adequate electric batteries getting Karma from the earliest quarter regarding 2013. A123 and additionally offers electric batteries towards the Chevrolet Spark EV that become introduced the coming year by the Standard Motors Co. GM said it expects zero delays on the program.
Into the a study notice, Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker told you Johnson Control could be able in order to squeeze away will set you back within the A123 and maybe give the organization to break-even quickly.
A123 wants to offer the low-automotive surgery features recognized specific bidders, with regards to https://www.nationaltitleloan.net/title-loans-nh/ the submitting. A123 noted total assets out-of $459.8 million and you may debts from $376 billion within its Section 11 petition.
Champions And you may LOSERS
A123 had promised in order to make 38,100000 You.S. perform, including 5,900 at a unique vegetation, in return for the us government investment underneath the 2009 American Recuperation and Reinvestment Act’s Electric drive Automobile Electric battery and you may Part Development Initiative.
Johnson Controls, which gives lithium-ion batteries so you can enough vehicle manufacturers, along with obtained a good $299 mil grant underneath the exact same program. A123 has stolen $132 billion, or around 1 / 2 of, of its U.S. grant, the new DOE said.
“Brand new mood of one’s left give finance will be decided later on as we continue to work to your this new customers while they dictate their agreements for the future,” DOE spokewoman Jen Stutsman told you into the an email so you can Reuters.
The best-character receiver from government loans, Solyndra, often rectangular away from within the judge Wednesday up against the Irs additionally the DOE because it contends for the bankruptcy proceeding bundle.
One bundle brings $3 hundred million-plus taxation getaways to own Solyndra’s investment capital backers if you’re probably making the federal government having zero go back to the the capital. Every group of collector keeps accepted the deal except government entities.
Extra reporting from the Roberta Rampton, Patrick Rucker and you can Steve Holland inside Arizona, Tom Hals into the Wilmington, Tanya Agrawal and you will A beneficial. Ananthalakshmi inside Bangalore; Modifying by the Don Sebastian, Dan Grebler and you may David Gregorio


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MORIOKA -- Manufacturers and a pharmaceutical firm in Japan are set to collaborate in a project to develop robot arm equipment to test medication amid labor shortages.
Icomes Lab Co., a manufacturer of precision components based in Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, will jointly develop the equipment with its subsidiary i-Motion Technology Co. and Osaka-based pharmaceutical giant Shionogi Pharma Co. It is hoped that the robots will streamline operations and enhance quality, and make up for the labor shortage in the pharmaceutical industry.
In recent years, while there has been a decline in the retail prices of medicines, standards for quality control and product tests have apparently become increasingly rigorous. However, there has been a shortage in human resources with specialized knowledge and skills, and reducing workloads has been a major issue in the industry.
The automated testing equipment, consisting of a small robot arm undergoing research and development by i-Motion Technology, and a drug administration device developed by Icomes Lab and other components attached to the arm, will be able to perform four stages of a process necessary for pharmaceutical product tests, including pouring in solvents and mixing.
Shionogi Pharma, which also has factories in the Iwate prefectural town of Kanegasaki, is in charge of supporting and assessing the equipment's design, as well as an expansion of business ahead of sales. About 300 million yen, or roughly $2.63 million, has been set aside as development funds, and the three companies will complete the equipment in the next 2 1/2 years. They aim to begin selling the product within fiscal 2024.
Icomes Lab President Keiji Katano expressed hope for the endeavor, saying, "It will solve social issues, and also be linked with the act of manufacturing Iwate-made products."
Shionogi Pharma President Ryuichi Kume also voiced his enthusiasm by commenting, "With technology at the base, we'd like to support the future of health care and solve social issues. For this reason, we'd like to make this joint development project a success."
(Japanese original by Maika Hyuga, Morioka Bureau)


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The Chinese mobile manufacturer Motorola is all set to expand its E-series of the lineup in the Indian market. The company has begun teasing the Moto E40 India launch on its social media platforms. The teaser of the upcoming smartphone does not reveal any specific launch day nor it has opened up about the key specs of the Moto E40 smartphone. Although the device’s pricing has already been tipped and the phone also got listed on a Romanian e-commerce website which revealed its key specifications.
Motorola has posted a teaser on Twitter to announce the arrival of the Moto E40 in India. The released teaser of the Moto E40 contains the tagline “The Perfect Entertainer.” The company has not yet revealed any information but ahead of the official announcement the pricing, as well as the key details of the upcoming smartphone, got revealed via a Romanian listing.
A tipster Roland Quandt (@rquandt) spotted the Moto E40 got listed on a Romanian e-commerce website. According to the eMag listing the price of the Moto E40 is set at RON 779 that is roughly around Rs 13,600.
In terms of specifications, Moto E40 is listed to come with a dual-sim functionality. The device is said to feature a 6.5 – inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1,600×720. There is a punch hole on the screen to house the selfies camera and the display comes with 90Hz refresh rate support.
The forthcoming Motorola smartphone is listed to be powered by a Unisoc T700 SoC, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. It will operate on Android 11 ( Go edition ).
The leaked listing suggests that Moto E40 will be highlighted with a triple rear camera set up that consists of a 48MP primary sensor. In addition to this, there will be a 2MP macro sensor and another 2MP depth sensor. In terms of selfies, the device is suggested to have an 8MP selfie camera on the front.
The eMag listing suggests that Moto E40 will include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3.5mm and USB Type – C port for connectivity. While the sensors on the phone include an accelerometer, fingerprint proximity sensor, and light sensor.
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NEW YORK — When Yigal Azrouël opened his first store in Manhattan a decade ago, the designer, then 25, identified with the rawness and novelty of the neighborhood. The store...
September 7, 2012
Yigal Azrouël Unveils New Home on Madison Ave.
The 900-square-foot flagship at 1011 Madison Avenue and 78th Street signals a turning point for the brand and his own maturation.
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November 19, 2009
Posted: 11:13 AM ET
The new "Twilight" vampire movie, due out Friday, is already sinking its teeth into the Web audience.
But searchers beware. Some online downloads for "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" and video interviews with cast members may not be what they seem. They could carry computer viruses.
This news comes from a computer security company, PC Tools, which says in a news release that a handful of search terms and links should make fans and would-be movie pirates suspicious. Among the phrases to watch out for: "Watch New Moon Full Movie," "streamviewer," and "Stephenie Meyer at 365Multimedia.com."
365Multimedia could not be reached immediately for comment. Visitors to the site aren't at risk of getting their machines infected.
Scammers have been preying in recent years on the online popularity of news events and pop culture. When a topic like "Twilight" gets hot online, virus engineers use popular search terms to get more clicks and thus infect more machines.
Of course, you also could take the "Twilight" virus idea figuratively.
As one of the film's actors, Robert Pattinson, told The Boston Globe, "I don't know how, it [the "Twilight" series] just explodes so quickly. It takes seven months to take hold – it's like a virus."
From around the web
Are you a gadgethead? Do you spend hours a day online? Or are you just curious about how technology impacts your life? In this digital age, it's increasingly important to be fluent, or at least familiar, with the big tech trends. From gadgets to Google, smartphones to social media, this blog will help keep you informed.


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Social Wavelength brings ExactTarget to India
Social Wavelength, a digital agency recently acquired by JWT, has announced the launch of Salesforce ExactTarget in India; ExactTarget is billed as a tool to allow 'one-to-one' targeted marketing campaigns via social, email, digital and mobile
Social Wavelength, a digital agency recently acquired by JWT, has announced the launch of Salesforce ExactTarget in India. A part of the Salesforce Marketing Cloud, ExactTarget is billed as a tool to allow ‘one-to-one’ targeted marketing campaigns via social, email, digital, mobile, etc.
Mihir Karkare, Co-founder and VP at Social Wavelength, said the product would be available either as a standalone solution or as part of the Marketing Cloud solution. Social Wavelength is the India reseller for Salesforce Marketing Cloud products and Karkare said that ExactTarget would be exclusively available through Social Wavelength.
In terms of pricing, Karkare said the solution would be available on a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) model and would have an annual licence fee. He added that it was undergoing trials with a few customers.
“We are optimistic about the offering and feel this is the right time as there is no equivalent solution in the market at present,” said Sanjay Mehta, Co-founder and CEO of Social Wavelength.
Salesforce had bought ExactTarget in 2013 for $2.5 billion and rebranded it as Salesforce Marketing Cloud, which also includes social analysis tool Radian6. Globally, ExactTarget boasts of several high-profile clients such as Nike, Cisco, Expedia, Microsoft, etc.
WhatsApp, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook & Youtube


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The EU has recently passed legislation that surrounds the way companies use consumer data, as well as how transparent their privacy policies are. This legislation is called the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Several companies view the GDPR as a threat to their marketing tactics, but experts claim that it can actually be beneficial when it comes to building trust with your clients. The more transparency that is involved in your customer relations, the more people are apt to trust you and your brand.
- The EU recently passed legislation that requires companies to be more transparent about how they use consumer data.
- Many corporations will have to completely revamp their privacy policies in order to comply with the GDPR guidelines.
- Although a lot of companies are viewing it as a burden. the GDPR has the potential to build consumer trust.
“?The media world is facing major shifts in consumer expectations,? says Andrew Beehler, Senior Manager of Programmatic and Yield Management at Digital Trends. ?Doubling down on a customer-centric approach is the strongest way forward with customers and advertisers, alike.?”


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Technology can bring benefits for bar and restaurant operators
CONTACTLESS technology is set to become a more popular payment method in licensed trade premises in the coming years, industry experts claim.
The technology, which enables consumers to pay for products using near field communication (NFC) by waving an NFC-enabled card or smart phone in front of a corresponding terminal, has already been adopted by companies in the retail sector.
And the firms behind it reckon contactless payment technology can bring a number of benefits for the operators of on-trade businesses.
Andrew Burrows, partner channel manager at IT specialist PXtech, said the technology is already becoming “a standard expectation amongst consumers” in the retail sector.
“Advantages for the trade include speeding up transaction processing times, convenience, and the range of security measures which have been incorporated to mitigate possible risks, ensuring that cardholders and merchants are protected by banks to further minimise fraud and misuse,” he said.
According to Burrows, the majority of contactless devices do not actually transmit the names of cardholders in order to limit the amount of information communicated during the transaction, with some transactions not even using the cardholder’s account number.
Barclaycard is one of the UK companies to have introduced contactless payment technology for its customers.
Richard Armstrong, Barclaycard’s head of payment acceptance, said the biggest benefit to the licensed trade is a “quicker customer turnover, and a reduction in those abandoned purchases by people fed up of queuing at the bar”.
“Barclaycard has championed contactless technology, taking the lead in assisting vendors in having the correct terminals in place, and providing customers with cards which facilitate contactless payments,” he said.
“They also worked alongside Orange last year to produce the first mobile handset in the UK capable of making contactless payments, and, more recently, released PayTag, a sticker which can be applied to any flat surface, effectively bringing mobile payments to a much wider audience.
“There is growing sentiment among customers and businesses alike that contactless payments will soon become mainstream and the preferential means of payment for the masses.”


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Healthy, fresh food consumption has consistently been on the rise, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With consumers opting for healthier options in-store, many retailers have seen a huge increase in their sales, especially Costco. The retailer recently published its fourth-quarter earnings report, which ended August 30. Trends spurred by the pandemic have led the retailer to report nearly $53 billion in sales, with fresh food was one of the main sales drivers.
“Looking at the core merchandise categories in relation...to only their own sales, so core-on-core, if you will, margins year over year were up by 70 basis points,” said Richard Galanti, Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer. “Fresh foods was the biggest driver of the year. With the strong sales in fresh, we benefited from efficiency gains in both labor productivity and significantly lower, what we call, D&D or damage and destroyed or products spoilage.”
Costco’s net sales for the quarter increased 12.5 percent, jumping to $52.28 billion from $46.45 billion last year, according to the report. Net sales for the fiscal year increased 9.3 percent, increasing from $149.35 billion last year to $163.22 billion. Another contributor to this growth was Costco’s e-commerce division.
“Total online grocery grew a very strong rate in Q4, several at 100 percent,” Galanti continued. “Overall, our e-comm sites were [running] relatively smoothly during the quarter despite the dramatic volume increases and we were able to improve...on delivery times throughout the quarter as we adjusted to the ramped-up order volumes.”
Deli Market News will continue to report on the latest in the retail sector, so keep a tab open for more updates to come.


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Top brands are introducing digital and social elements to summer road tours and live events to continue interaction with consumers well after the appeal of the in-person experience has worn off. ?
Shoe company Keds conducted a road tour to university campuses to reintroduce its brand to college-age consumers. Although the live events positioned Keds in front of its target audience, the company also wanted to connect with consumers in all 50 states after the nine-city tour ended in late May, said Laurie Heller, brand marketing manager at Keds. ?
“That’s definitely what we looked to digital to drive,” she explained. ?
To expand the reach of the “How Do You Do?” campaign, Keds developed an online shoe design contest that consumers could enter on-site or online. The submission form also featured an email opt-in to receive product information, offers and future event alerts. ?
“We did build up quite a marketing database, so now that the tour is over, we’re talking to an audience who has that one-to-one connection with the brand that historically we wouldn’t have had,” said Heller. “Without the digital component, I don’t think it would have been impactful.”?
Adding a digital element is critical to ensuring lasting ROI from a live event, said Ron Rogowski, principal analyst at Forrester Research. “The road show may be the more effective means for connecting with a group of people, but what happens after? Are you content to just leave it at that? How do you continue the engagement with people?” he said. “You’re going to have to do that through some sort of digital means.”?
A mix of digital with live events can also help introduce a new brand. HBO worked with agency Campfire to commandeer New York and Los Angeles food trucks in April to promote the debut of the Game of Thrones series. Consumers had to follow the show’s Twitter and Facebook accounts to locate the trucks.?
Mike Monello, executive creative director at Campfire, said HBO decided to use the two social networks because a digital campaign would be more valuable than just assuming consumers would find the trucks by chance. ?
“It’s almost like a chance encounter could be perceived by a consumer as a promotion that HBO’s doing, while the tweet has a closer feel to word-of-mouth,” he said. “That spread is really important if you design the physical aspect of a campaign to help people tell a story.”