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High fashion used to be about battling bad taste, not trumping testosterone. But this has changed further with fashion leader Gucci’s 2020 men’s clothing line, whose goal is to battle “patriarchy” and “macho virility” while advancing a “childhood theme” that some view as uncomfortably pedophilic.
Paper magazine reports that it was five years ago that Gucci’s then-new creative director Alessandro Michele created a fashion line ushering in “a new era of gender fluidity and romanticism.” Now he has gone where no woke, low-T soy boy designer has gone before, with clothing that purportedly captures the “purity of childhood, back when carefree days weren’t tainted by societal norms, particularly those relating to masculine ideals,” Paper tells us.
Boy - Ideals - Girls - School - Constructs
Then, what normal boy doesn’t exhibit “masculine ideals”? Girls were the “other” or icky in grade school, and we boys certainly knew we were different and wanted to be masculine. That this reflects mere social constructs you could argue — unsuccessfully, since not only age-old wisdom but also new science shows that the sexes are different womb to tomb. But it’s laughable fantasy claiming there was a time when kids were untouched by these norms.
Gucci’s Michele is all-in on the fantasy, however, making clear while showing off his new line at a recent Milan show that he’s the wokest wokester there is. “‘In a patriarchal society, masculine gender identity is often moulded by violently toxic stereotypes,’ read the show notes,” Paper informs.
Masculinity - Model - Babies - Birth - Attitudes
“A dominant, winning, oppressive masculinity model is imposed on babies at birth. Attitudes, languages and actions end up progressively conforming to a macho virility ideal that removes vulnerability and dependence. Any possible reference to femininity is aggressively banned, as it is considered a threat against the complete affirmation of a masculine prototype that allows no divergencies.” And thus spake Gucci.
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text: Leading up to Lotusphere, Microsoft, Lotus take jabs at one another Like clockwork, IBM\/Lotus and Microsoft are throwing punches at each other's product lineup just as Lotusphere and its near 7,000 attendees are set to kickoff a weeklong conference.Microsoft rebelsIBM\/Lotus, which opens its annual user conference Monday, said Thursday that Panasonic is rolling out its LotusLive suite of online collaboration software and dropping Microsoft Exchange among other collaboration tools.Microsoft fired back on Friday, announcing free training for the first 500 Notes pros who sign up and a set of new third-party migration tools to help users move from Lotus to Microsoft.The pre-Lotusphere sparring is sort of the traditional gateway into the gathering of the Lotus faithful, which takes place at the end of each January. The two companies have a rich history of battling over e-mail seats, collaboration platforms and now online services.LotusLive is a platform of hosted services such as messaging, conferencing and social networking cast in the likeness of Lotus's on-premises tools. The lineup also includes plug-ins to connect the matching online and on-premises software.Lotus also listed a number of other companies that have adopted its LotusLive platform, including Trajkovski & Partners Consulting, Collaboration Matters Limited and RealConnections.But Panasonic is by far the biggest and will add LotusLive's Web conferencing, file sharing, instant messaging and project management tools. The company, which will roll out the tools to its global workforce, also plans to adopt LotusLive Connections, a collection of social networking tools. Panasonic said it will migrate employees from Exchange or other collaboration software to LotusLive's e-mail, calendaring and contact management.Microsoft officials acknowledged that Panasonic is indeed dropping Exchange, but said the total number of Exchange seats the company has represents less than 5% of its workforce."This is very consistent with how IBM defines a win," said Julia White, director of Exchange marketing.She said Microsoft has a number of offers for Lotus users looking to explore Microsoft's wares.Microsoft will provide free training vouchers to the first 500 Lotus professionals who want to check out Office apps, Exchange and Office Communications Server.In addition, partners such as Quest, Binary Tree and Casahl Technology plan new migration software. Quest is releasing a new version of its Notes Migrator for Exchange, with support for Exchange 2010. Binary Tree and Casahl will release undisclosed migration tools in February.Microsoft also is introducing new methods for migrating customer Notes applications to the Microsoft platform that it says are more cost effective and accurate.January is not the only time the two companies get into heated or public tiffs. In September last year, then-Lotus GM Bob Picciano accused Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and COO Kevin Turner of blowing "a lot of hot wind from Washington" and said the pair wasn't telling the truth in the marketplace about Notes to Exchange conversions.Follow John on Twitter: twitter.com\/johnfontanaThis story, "Microsoft, Lotus throw punches," was originally published at NetworkWorld.com. Follow the latest developments in software at Network World.


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The biggest hurdle for collecting the sales tax on internet sales is being addressed in the U.S. Senate. Out of state businesses target Idahoans for the sale of their goods over the internet but do not collect the sales tax. This costs Idaho millions every year and puts our local businesses at a disadvantage. It is not a tax increase regardless of what some claim. It only collects taxes that already should be paid.
News from The Associated Press:: hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_INTERNET_SALES_...16-13


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The coronavirus pandemic has pushed troubled department store chain J.C. Penney into Chapter 11 bankruptcy. It is the fourth major retailer to meet that fate. As part of its reorganization, the 118-year-old company said late Friday it will be closing some of its stores and…
Source: U.S. News From Newsmax | Pandemic Claims Yet Another Retailer: JC Penney
- David Horowitz to Newsmax TV: Flynn Case 'Failed Coup D'etat'
- Restaurateurs ponder a future under social distancing guidelines


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Google has taken another leap in its quest to provide free internet to Nigerians. The Silicon Valley company launched Nigeria’s second Google Station center, Google’s public WiFi initiative, in Abuja over the weekend.
This development was amongst major trending topics on twitter alongside the #Theexperience13 #TE13 #JesusourPeace throughout the last weekend
This makes Abuja the second location after Lagos to get the Google Station service. In partnership with broadband provider, BackBone Connectivity Network, the new service was expected to go live in Wuse Market Abuja since last Saturday.
Google Station is one of the search engine company’s innovative initiatives to make internet access free and available to millions globally. Google has been slowly rolling the service out to select countries across the world. So far the service is available in 5 countries: Thailand, Nigeria, Mexico, India and Indonesia.
In Nigeria, Google Station debuted in Lagos in July, 2018. Google Station is now available in 6 locations across the state. Some notable locations include the University of Lagos, Muritala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2, Computer Village and Ikeja City Mall in Alausa.
Google expects the service to be available at over 200 locations in Nigeria by the second half of 2019.
The Wuse Market, Abuja launch is just the latest location to get the service.


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The co-founder of Block, Jack Dorsey, suffered a huge blow to his net worth after Hindenburg Research released a report alleging that the payments company had ignored widespread fraud. In total, Dorsey lost $526 million in a single day, which marks the worst decline in his wealth since May. Currently, his net worth stands at $4.4 billion.
This news is sure to come as a shock to many who have followed Dorsey’s career. He has long been considered one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the tech industry, having co-founded both Twitter and Square. With Block, he aimed to create a company that would revolutionize the way we make and receive payments, using blockchain technology to create a more secure and transparent system.
However, Hindenburg Research’s latest report has cast doubt on the company’s ability to achieve that goal. The report alleges that Block has been aware of fraudulent activity taking place on its platform but has failed to take any action to prevent it. Specifically, the report claims that Block’s customer service team routinely ignores complaints of fraud, and that the company’s anti-fraud systems are woefully inadequate.
These allegations are serious and could have significant consequences for Block. If they are proven to be true, it could damage the company’s reputation irreparably and lead to regulatory scrutiny. It could also make it more difficult for the company to attract new customers and investors.
For Dorsey, the loss of $526 million is undoubtedly a significant blow, but it is unlikely to have a major impact on his overall wealth. His stake in Block is estimated to be worth around $3 billion, and he also has a significant position in Twitter, valued at $388 million. Despite this setback, he remains one of the wealthiest people in the world.
However, the news of the report and the subsequent drop in Block’s stock price could have wider implications for the tech industry as a whole. It is a reminder that even the most successful companies and entrepreneurs are not immune to allegations of wrongdoing and the impact that they can have on their business. It is also a warning to investors to be cautious when investing in companies that rely heavily on new and untested technologies, such as blockchain.
The news of Jack Dorsey’s loss of $526 million and the allegations against Block are a significant development in the tech industry. While the impact on Dorsey’s overall wealth is unlikely to be severe, the allegations could have serious consequences for Block and the wider blockchain industry. It remains to be seen how the company will respond to the allegations and whether they will be proven to be true. Investors will be watching closely to see how the situation unfolds and what impact it will have on their investments.


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Aereo Wins Court Battle, Continues Disrupting TV Industry
Reuben is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network -- entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
The Aereo video service, partially backed by IAC/Interactive (NASDAQ: IACI), is surrounded by lawsuits. So far, it's winning. That could materially alter the landscape of broadcast television. IAC is the best way to participate in this potentially disruptive technology.
What is this Aereo of which You Speak?
Aereo is an online video service. It allows customers to receive and record broadcast stations in their home market over the Internet. It is different from Hulu in that it literally streams live television over the Internet, not a delayed or curated version of what appeared yesterday.
That's a big leg up on Hulu and Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX), which don't provide access to live television, particularly sports and news shows. In fact, this failing is one of the main reasons why customers keep paying for cable. However, with a cost of only around $12 a month, Aereo could cause content distributors real problems.
Aereo rents a little antenna to each customer, which only sends information to one customer at a time. The company argues that this is no different than a person sitting in front of a television set with its own antenna. Thus, Aereo doesn't pay for any of the content its customers are watching, believing this set-up complies with all applicable laws.
Not surprisingly, content owners and distributors are taking the issue to court. IAC, seeing an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a disruptive technology, made an investment in Aereo. Barry Diller, the company's Chairman, openly backed the company, too. Investors can tag along with an investment in IAC.
IAC is an Internet holding company that owns dating sites, search engines, comedy sites, and video sharing sites, among others. Well-known brands include Match.com, About.com, Ask.com, College Humor, and Vimeo. It earns money through advertising and subscriptions.
After spinning off its travel sites and Ticketmaster, IAC has grown its top-line in each of the last three years. And it started to pay a dividend in 2011. The dividend has already been increased. IAC is well off its all time highs, but with a price to earnings ratio of about 23 is hardly a cheap investment. That said, for growth and income investors, it's a nice way to get Internet exposure and access to Aereo. It yields around 1.8%.
Who Gets Hurt
The list of companies that could get hurt by Aereo is long. Some, however, have more skin in the game than others. For example, Disney (NYSE: DIS), which owns ABC and cable channels, is backing the lawsuits. Disney clearly wants to protect its ABC content from being redistributed without payment, but sports giant ESPN could see demand fall, too, if customers can get local sports and news.
Disney earns nearly 14% of its top-line from ABC, so Aereo isn't an immaterial threat to its business. And, Disney owns a portion of Hulu, which becomes a less interesting service if Aereo takes off. That said, Disney is one of the giants in the content space. As the industry comes to terms with Aereo, so, too, will Disney. Only that won't happen until after the lawsuits are done.
Disney's top-line has grown in nine out of the past ten years, with earnings advancing from about a $1.10 in 2004 to over $3.10 last year. The dividend has also been increased on a regular basis. A price to earnings ratio around 20 is high but reasonable.
Growth focused investors should take a look, but the yield of around 1.2% isn't enough to attract income seekers. That said, if the Aereo lawsuits start to attract more public notice, a share price drop could present a buying opportunity.
Comcast, which owns NBC and cable systems, could also feel the pinch if Aereo successfully defeats the suits brought against it.
Netflix, however, has a bigger issue. It wants to be an Internet television station. Aereo is one step better, offering all of the stations in a customer's local viewing area. It's possible that customers could pair Netflix with Aereo to get something of a cable-like service with television, but that could be a mixed blessing—Aereo could severely limit Netflix's ability to push through price hikes.
Customer growth is the driving force for Netflix, but that can only last so long in a quickly saturating market before the company needs to earn more from the customers it has. In fact, it just missed Wall Street expectations on customer acquisitions in the June quarter. Growth prospects have driven the shares from around $50 to around $250 in less than a year. The shares have a trailing PE of over 300. The stock is overpriced now, if Aereo gains traction, concerns about top-line growth at Netflix could eventually take the shares lower.
IAC is publicly and financially backing Aereo and is a good way to buy into the upstart. Hulu, Netflix, Disney, CBS, and Comcast, among others, are closely watching the company's progress. As an investor in any of these companies, you should be watching, too. With regard to Netflix, Aereo's success could be an immediate benefit, but a longer-term negative.
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Reuben Brewer has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Netflix and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool owns shares of Netflix and Walt Disney. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is this post wrong? Click here. Think you can do better? Join us and write your own!


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From: 101 East
Genetically modified food in Asia
Research into genetically modified food is promoted in the Philippines.
|This bag of rice contains a genetically
This week 101 East goes to the Philippines where research into genetically modified food is promoted, and asks if consumers are well-informed enough to welcome it.
For more than three billion people around the world rice is a daily food, a simple dependable staple. But today’s consumer might be getting more than they expected.
A bag of rice is as much a product of science as it is of nature. Rice that contains a genetically modified strain is illegal in most of the world, including the Philippines, and yet we found it readily available in a Manilla supermarket just a few weeks ago. It has since been taken off the shelves.
Greenpeace is investigating the ease at which contaminated rice from the US enters the supermarket chains in the Philippines. But the commodification of GM food is not a matter of choice but of weak regulation that enables GM manufacturers to intensify their research and production in Asia.
Does the world need genetically modified rice and is it already too late to stop it?
Daniel Ocampo of Greenpeace and Duncan Macintosh of the International Rice Research Institute join Teymoor Nabili in discussion.
Watch this episode of 101 East here:
This episode of 101 East aired from 30 March 2007
101 East airs at 16:30 GMT every Thursday on Al Jazeera English and is repeated during the week
To contact us click on ‘Send your feedback’ at the top of the page
Watch Al Jazeera English programmes on YouTube


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HIGH street banks lent £312m less to UK businesses in September, indicating new opportunities for the alternative lending sector.
Business lending by conventional banks saw its biggest slump since June, according to figures released on Wednesday by the British Bankers’ Association (BBA), the trade body for the banking industry.
The BBA also said its members approved 38,252 mortgages in September, which is a 15 per cent decline year-on-year, but a slight increase from August’s 21-month low of 37,241.
However, consumer lending is growing at its fastest rate in almost a decade, with a net £175m increase in September, driven largely by demand for credit cards.
With conventional banks tightening their lending to businesses, the P2P sector has urged the government to do more to promote alternative finance options.
“The fall in business lending among Britain’s biggest banks, indicated by today’s figures, suggests that post-Brexit nerves and economic volatility have chipped away at the confidence of both high-street lenders and business owners, who may well have shelved expansion plans since the EU vote,” said Kevin Caley, founder and chairman of P2P platform ThinCats.
“This uncertainty is being made worse by the recent drop in the value of sterling and the inflationary pressure resulting from this.
“With less than a month until the Autumn Statement, it would be hugely encouraging to see the new chancellor place business lending high up on his agenda by encouraging competition from the alternative finance sector.”
The BBA attributed the decline in business loans to a combination of Brexit uncertainty and the interim period before rate cuts reduce the cost of business borrowing.
“Business borrowing decreased slightly again in September, which may be in part down to uncertainty following the EU referendum,” said Dr Rebecca Harding, BBA chief economist.
“There is a longer time lag behind corporate investment decisions so it may take longer for the effect of the interest rate cut to filter through to such borrowing.”


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Blackwell’s is set to open 15 pop-up shops at venues around Oxford to coincide with Oxford Literary Festival.
Altogether the Blackwell’s team will attend 350 events other nine days of the festival, running from 25th March- 2nd April, giving festival-goers the opportunity to buy books through 15 pop-up shops.
Blackwell’s will open the pop-up venues in addition to its specially-erected marquee in the heard of Oxford. As well as hosting the festival bookshop, this year, the marquee will also host a series of 'Marquee Moments', where guest speakers will give free-to-attend 30 minute talks.
Lined up so far to give talks are Archie Brown, Emeritus professor of politics at the University of Oxford, who will be discussing his book The Myth of the Strong Leader, Peter Wilson, professor of History of War at the University of Oxford, will be discussing his book The Holy Roman Empire- A Thousand Years of Europe's History, and local poet Kieron Winn, will be discussing his book The Mortal Man. Representatives of Blackwell’s Rare books team will also showcase some of the most valuable books available to purchase from the Rare Books Department and offer advice about owning, caring for and knowing the value of a rare book.
Zool Verjee, deputy manager at Blackwell’s Bookshop in Oxford, said: “The festival is a thrilling time of year for us. As booksellers, we are always a little star struck by the many writers who make up the festival line-up, but we also have our work cut out at this challenging time of year. There's a good deal of hard graft involved in creating a marquee bookshop in 48 hours, as well as running mini bookshops in so many additional venues around Oxford, but it's also great for morale, as exhaustion is just about kept at bay by the huge adrenalin rush.”
He added: “Above everything else, we love the fact that so many thousands of additional book-lovers visit Oxford during these ten incredible days every year.”
Oxford Literary Festival will this year host authors such as Hilary Mantel, Vikram Seth, Alexander McCall Smith, Penelope Lively and William Boyd as well as Jeremy Paxman, Nigella Lawson and Toby Jones, while the line-up of Children’s events includes appearances by Jessica Ennis-Hill, Giles Andrae, Julian Clary, and Simon Mayo.


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Credit and finance for MSMEs: TReDS platform M1xchange on Monday said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the MSME ministry to enable MSMEs with Udyam registration register on M1xchange to discount their invoices. The MoU was signed during the national seminar on the growth and development of MSMEs in Imphal, Manipur on November 20, 2022.
Amit Sachdev, COO at M1xchange signing the MoU said MSMEs will benefit from a two-way exchange of information between the Udyam portal and M1xchange. While Udyam MSMEs will be able to access liquidity at the lowest possible cost in the country, “the information flow from M1xchange to Udyam will enrich the Udyam database enabling MSMEs to benefit from several MSME-focused government initiatives.”
According to the company, it has facilitated bill discounting of more than Rs 37,000 crores to over 14,000 MSME suppliers across 1,400 towns in India with the payments for the invoices discounted credited to MSMEs within 24 hours.
RBI-licensed TReDS is an electronic platform for facilitating the financing of trade receivables of MSMEs through multiple financiers. According to the central bank, these receivables can be due from corporates and other buyers, including government departments and public sector undertakings (PSUs).
The MoU signing comes days after the company announced raising Rs 38 crores from its existing investors B2B platform IndiaMART and venture capital fund Beenext for an additional 3.4 per cent and 1.99 per cent equity stake respectively. The deal marked the exit of M1xchange’s early investor India Opportunities Fund by SIDBI Venture Capital, the VC arm of SIDBI.
Apart from M1xchange, other TReDS platforms licensed by RBI are RXIL, Invoicemart, and the online marketplace for working capital solutions C2FO.
The aggregate invoices financed in FY22 had recorded a steep rise to Rs 34,362 crore from Rs 17,080 crore invoices financed amid Covid in FY21. The value had more than tripled from Rs 11,165 crore during pre-Covid FY20, according to the data shared by MSME Minister Narayan Rane in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha in March this year. The overall transaction value since the inception of TReDS in 2017 stood at Rs 69,277.93 crore.


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The smartphone world thrives on leaks and rumors so it’s very rarely the case that a new device launches without us having heard about it before. However, HTC has surprised us today, as a new handset has just become officially listed. Read on for details of the HTC One S9, just weeks after the HTC […]
It’s been a while since we heard anything new on the HTC Desire 830, but today we’ve come across a doozy of a leak. The HTC Desire 830 specifications have surfaced ahead of an official announcement, and there are several photos of the handset caught in the wild as well.
There is always plenty of anticipation for new HTC flagships and the company recently revealed the HTC 10. The smartphone is already available to order unlocked directly from HTC in the UK. Now we have details of HTC 10 price plans at Carphone Warehouse and Three UK, and pre-orders are available at both of these […]
For some time now it has been rumored that HTC will be involved in a Google Nexus handset to launch later this year. Then last month it was reported that HTC had signed a 3-year deal to produce new Nexus smartphones as well as tablets running Android N, Android O, and Android P. Now we […]
A week ago HTC unveiled its new simply titled flagship smartphone and announced that it would release at some point in May. If you’re one of the many buyers stateside that are planning to buy this device, you may be pleased to hear that the HTC 10 is heading first to Verizon in the US. […]
We’ve seen several high-end smartphones introduced recently and two of these are the HTC 10 and the Sony Xperia X Performance. In the wait for availability many people may be trying to choose between them, so this HTC 10 vs Sony Xperia X Performance best bits comparison might help you to decide between them. The […]
There has been a lot of anticipation for the latest HTC flagship and the HTC 10 was finally unveiled earlier this week. The phone will release next month and one of its main competitors is Samsung’s latest Galaxy S7 flagship. Today we’re sharing an HTC 10 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 advantages summary that outlines the […]
Some readers will know that the HTC Desire 828 Dual SIM launched in India in December. That was for the model with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage and the launch price was Rs. 19,990. Now the HTC Desire 828 has stepped up in RAM but keeps the same price in India, which […]
Yesterday we told you that there could be a variant of the HTC 10 dubbed the HTC 10 Lifestyle. Well, that rumor proved to be true, and unfortunately, it’s the only flagship you’re going to get from HTC in certain parts of the globe.
As promised, HTC has pulled back the curtain on the HTC 10 today, and the flagship is finally official. That means we’re back to give you a full rundown of what you can expect from the device along with the HTC 10 price and availability.


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The Courier Mail reported State Parliament on Wednesday had lifted the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s jurisdictional limit from $25,000 to accommodate claims of up $100,000 for new and used motor vehicles.
RACQ spokesperson Paul Turner said the reinstatement of warranty protection for used cars was an important step in defending buyers.
“When you buy a vehicle, you don’t expect, or often you can’t afford, expensive and unplanned repairs shortly after handing over your money. When things go wrong with a purchase – it can be financially devastating,” Mr Turner said.
“We welcome the reinstatement of warranty protection which will protect those buying older or higher mileage vehicles. The change means more buyers are now covered, and this will be a great benefit especially for first car buyers and those buying in the cheaper end of the market.”
Mr Turner said if motorists were affected by a faulty car, the first thing they should do was go back to the dealer that sold the car and attempt to negotiate a fair deal.


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Ex-bosses are playing blame game over Tesco decline
Former Tesco bosses Sir Terry Leahy and Philip Clarke have traded blows over who was to blame for the problems at the business which were to foreshadow its alarming decline in fortunes.
Sir Terry, who ran Britain's biggest supermarket for 14 years to 2011 - quadrupling annual profits - accused Mr Clarke of a "failure of leadership".
But Mr Clarke, while acknowledging the "unprecedented success" under his predecessor, said "critical challenges" had been building up when he took over.
He was shown the exit last summer after overseeing sliding sales and a series of profit warnings that contributed to a dramatic fall in the share price.
Mr Clarke was replaced by Dave Lewis, who earlier this month announced a dramatic shake-up including the closure of dozens of stores, the mothballing of others that were planned, and the sell-off of peripheral businesses.
Sir Terry told the BBC's Panorama Trouble at Tesco programme last night that all of the major supermarkets had struggled to some extent during the recession but that it seemed "to have hit Tesco the hardest".
He added: "I think the culture did change under Phil Clarke and not for the better. I think if you talked to people who knew Tesco, worked in Tesco when I was there, actually the culture was pretty positive and it has to be."
He said it was "very damaging" for Tesco to have lost the trust of customers that it would deliver the best price.
Mr Clarke told Panorama: "It was plainly the case when I took over Tesco in March 2011 that it faced a number of critical challenges which had been building for some time.
"It was recognised that this involved achieving cultural changes as well as business ones in order to move the business forward."


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For those still wondering why Xbox wished to be a part of an event whose lineup included appearances from hip-hop celebrities like Amber Rose, Killer Mike, Gucci Mane, and Bobby Shmurda, the statistics from Microsoft’s commissioned survey paint a pretty clear picture: Today’s Black youth are hungry to dive into the gaming industry despite it not highlighting folks that look like them.
According to a recent HBCU poll, 95 percent of the 200 college students and alumni who responded want to work within the game industry. Of those 200 respondents, 34 percent want to be program managers, 24 percent engineers, and 18 percent want to be game developers. I don’t think I’m pulling the rug out from under any reader’s chair by reminding you that the current climate within the gaming industry is still pretty damn white. And for those pearl-clutching at my lukewarm take, Xbox agrees, saying “only 2% of professionals in the video game industry are Black compared with 13% of the U.S. population.”
For folks unable to book a plane ticket to Atlanta in this economy, this is where Project Amplify’s video series comes in. Xbox uploaded a video series under the same name to the ID@Xbox YouTube Channel. Throughout the 16-episode playlist, viewers can watch videos featuring 14 game designers working at Xbox. It features folks from 12 different disciplines of game design, including narrative directors, character artists, and software engineers.
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$10 or more
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Benefit the Starlight Children’s FoundationFor $10 or more, you can help hospitalized kids get access to video games—and get some sweet games for yourself too, including Lego Star Wars – The Complete Saga.
My two cents, as someone who’s (check’s pigmentation) Black and covers the gaming industry as my job: I think this is a good move on Xbox’s part. While I was studying journalism in college, charting a career path within games journalism proved to be nigh impossible for my college advisors to help guide me on considering the only recent success stories they could conjure were Alanah Pearce and Greg Miller, who, although great, ain’t Black. While it isn’t Xbox putting on its hotep hat and rationing bigots on social media, helping kinfolk get their foot in the door of this relatively young and insider-esque industry is welcome. The more the merrier. Good luck to all who apply.
This article was originally published here post


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If there was any doubt that phones are now fashion accessories, last week rammed that thought home. With Apple‘s major unveiling during New York Fashion Week with key fashion press in the front row and Natalie Massenet representing (will she be selling the new Apple devices on Net-a-Porter?), the fashionisation of our everyday tech gear is indisputable.
OK the big fuss was all around the smart Watch but the general consensus among the fashion contingent is it ain’t all that (yet). (more…)
One for the maximalists, this OTT £76,500 smartphone has just gone on sale in the jewellery rooms at Printemps and Harrods. Aimed at wealthy women, the Savelli ‘Black Insane’ white gold phone boasts white pave diamond buttons and a black alligator case with ringtones developed by French DJ Stéphane Pompougnac. I think I’ll stick with my Blackberry thanks… (more…)


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May 4, 2012 |
Yashovardhan Saboo , MD of precision component exporter and luxury watch retailer KDDL , on his biggest ethical dilemma. In 2003, when the Indian government allowed watches to be imported for the first time, we started a luxury watch retail chain called 'Ethos', with a number of high-profile brands like Omega , Tag Heuer , Longines and Rado in our kitty. Right from the beginning we adopted a policy that we would only get watches from the official market and not the grey or black market, as many other watch retailers were doing.
December 23, 2004 |
Over the last three years a number of luxury watch brands have entered India to catch the rising upper class. LVMH Group brought its lifestyle brand Tag Heuer ? the fourth largest luxury watch brand in the world. Vivek Sinha caught up with Jean-Christophe Babin, president and CEO of Tag Heuer in his recent visit to India for trends and strategies in the luxury goods industry. Excerpts How are emerging markets and particularly Asia performing in the luxury goods business?
December 14, 2014 |
Recently, Swiss luxury watch brand TAG Heuer roped in Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor as its brand ambassador. Nothing unusual about that, considering Ranbir endorses major brands such as Panasonic and Nissan; and TAG is known for opting for the best of Hollywood and Bollywood to back its label. To be sure, the brand has had stars from Steve McQueen and Uma Thurman to Leonardo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. Except that never has more than one film celebrity endorsed TAG at the same time.
December 9, 2007 |
Swiss luxury watch maker Tag Heuer has been in the business of fine watch making for nearly 145 years. Currently the fourth largest luxury watch brand in the world, the brand is known for creating the most precise measuring instruments and sports-inspired timepieces. And it has carved a fantastic niche for itself in the industry, easily winning a high recall value. President and CEO of Tag Heuer, Jean-Christophe Babin , spoke to SundayET on what makes the brand so popular even after so many years in the domestic and international market.
June 18, 2015 |
TAG Heuer is paying tribute to football star Cristiano Ronaldo, one of its most recognisable brand ambassadors, with a limited edition watch, the Formula 1 CR7. A TAG Heuer brand ambassador since 2014, Cristiano Ronaldo now has a chronograph named after him. The Formula 1 CR7 is a numbered limited edition, the fruit of the collaboration between the famous footballer and the luxury watchmaker. Based on the Formula 1 Chronograph, the CR7 has a black and g reen col o u r scheme on the bracelet, the dial and the hands, evoking the football pitch that the Real Madrid superstar shines on.The main design flourish of the CR7 is the checkeredpatterned dial, which contrasts with the three circular registers: tenths of a second are displayed by a small counter at 6 O'clock, the small counter at 9 O'clock displays the minutes, and the counter at 3 O'clock, dominated by the large CR7 text, is for the current seconds.
June 7, 2009 |
NEW DELHI: They are cashing in on brand loyalty and how! Leading watch makers such as Tag Heuer, Christian Dior, Omega, Calvin Klein and Fossil are diversifying into the luxury accessory biz in India. While Swiss watch brand Tag Heuer recently launched its cell phone collection, it has also introduced accessories such as wallets, cufflinks and visiting card holders. French designer brand Christian Dior is not far behind. An ultra-premium cell phone range for India is on the cards soon.
August 20, 2007 |
BANGALORE/NEW DELHI: Film star Shahrukh Khan is entering the high-street retail play with some of the biggest global brands in tow. Senior industry sources said that he's partnering real estate major MGF in its retail arm Aryan Lifestyle, which has just picked up the exclusive franchisee rights for Nike and Tag Heuer. Aryan Lifestyle is also in talks to pick up the distribution and store rights of Tommy Hilfiger. The move is interesting as an equal JV between the Murjanis and Arvind Mills holds the brand rights for Tommy Hilfiger in India.
March 4, 2009 |
BANGALORE/MUMBAI: Dubai real estate giant Emaar and Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) are close to selling their highstreet retail distribution company Aryan Lifestyle to Bangalore-based Primus Retail. The three-year-old Aryan Lifestyle operates around 45 exclusive stores for brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Nike and Tag Heuer in the country. People familiar with the development said Primus Retail was set to acquire retail assets, including stores as well as inventory, of Aryan Lifestyle.
December 9, 2003 |
NEW DELHI: The Rs 350 crore-luxury watch segment in India has a new entrant in 'Sintara Superjubile'. The Swiss watch major Rado has launched 'Sintara Superjubile' priced between Rs 1.38 lakh and Rs 1.90 lakh. The new series of luxury watches were launched to celebrate 10 years of 'Sintara' series. The advertising campaign for the watch will start from December 12. There will only be full-page colour ads in select magazines, which will run from now on till the end of March 2004.
February 25, 2009
Just Chill Out HAIER launched new refrigerator models French Door BMR with progressive dual technology priced at Rs 1,44,990 and Empress series starting from Rs 27,990. Sporty Times TAG Heuer unveiled professional sports watch in pink colour. Made of ultra-light titanium and steel it is priced at Rs 56,500 approximately. Musical Tastes FURTADOS India presents a variety of world class pianos. Available are concert grand pianos, medium grand, baby grand and upright pianos.


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Mikhail Parakhin, head of Bing search engine and advertising businesses at Microsoft Corp., is set to step down from his current roles. Following this decision, Parakhin will be on the lookout for a new position within the company after being asked to report to Mustafa Suleyman, who is tasked with overseeing consumer artificial intelligence work at Microsoft.
Prior to this change, Parakhin had been serving as the chief executive officer for advertising and web services at Microsoft. In his quest for a new role, Parakhin will now report to Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott.
As a result of Parakhin’s departure, some parts of the Windows software business that he oversaw will be transitioned to Pavan Davuluri, who had previously been in charge of hardware and the rest of Windows. Davuluri will now take the reins of all Windows and Surface hardware operations, reporting to Executive Vice President Rajesh Jha.
These organizational shifts were revealed in a staff email sent out on Monday by Jha. The changes signal a restructuring within Microsoft’s leadership team, with Parakhin’s exit paving the way for new responsibilities to be distributed among key executives in the company.
It remains to be seen how these changes will impact the future direction of Microsoft’s advertising, web services, and Windows software divisions. As Parakhin embarks on his search for a new role within the company, Microsoft continues to evolve its leadership structure to meet the demands of an ever-changing technological landscape.
“Social media scholar. Reader. Zombieaholic. Hardcore music maven. Web fanatic. Coffee practitioner. Explorer.”


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- US car giant Ford Motor Company (Nasdaq: F) sold shares of EV maker Rivian worth US$214 million.
- Ford is still the fourth-largest shareholder in Rivian, with 94 million shares.
- Rowe Price Associates Inc. is the largest shareholder in Rivian, with an 18.2% stake.
US auto giant Ford Motor Co. (Nasdaq: F) dumped shares worth US$214 million it held in electric vehicle maker Rivian Automotive Inc. (Nasdaq: RIVN). It sold the shares for US$26.80 each, according to its regulatory filing on Tuesday.
Ford is still the fourth-largest shareholder in Rivian. It currently holds close to 94 million shares or a 10.5% stake in the Irvine, California-based company, Reuters reported. Ford's selling price of US$26.8 per share on May 9 was lower than Rivian’s closing price of US$28.79 on Friday.
T. Rowe Price Associates Inc. is the largest shareholder in Rivian, with an 18.2% stake. Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) is the second, with a 17.7% stake.
Amazon’s investment in Rivian led to a first-quarter net income loss in fiscal 2022. The US retail behemoth is expecting to receive 1,00,000 delivery vans from the EV maker by 2024.
On the other hand, Rivian is struggling to fend off the competition from Ford’s F-150 electric pickup truck. Moreover, the global supply chain problem has affected Rivian’s production. As a result, the electric-car maker had to cut its planned 2022 production by half to 25,000 vehicles.
© Vladsseven | Megapixl.com
The US EV market is poised to grow exponentially
In a survey titled “US Electric Vehicle Market, 2021-2028,” Fortune Business Insights reported that the US electric vehicle market would grow to US$137.43 billion in 2028 from US$28.24 billion in 2021. It will grow at a CAGR of 25.4% during the period.
Ford is among the prominent players in the electric vehicle segment in the US, along with General Motors, Tesla, Inc., and Chevrolet, among others.
Some of the world leaders in the EV market with a firm footing in the US are BMW Group, Daimler AG, Audi AG, Nissan Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, Volkswagen, etc.
A markdown in the value of its stake in Rivian led to a Q1, 2022, net loss of US$3.1 billion for Ford. Ford posted operating earnings of US$2.3 billion in Q1, 2022, last month. It was well below the year-ago quarter earnings of US$3.9 billion.


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Chemicals giant Bayer and consumer goods producer Henkel said they are reviewing their Iran business. (Darrel Delamaide, “German firms bend to US sanctions, cutting ties to Iran,” Handelsblatt (Germany), August 9, 2018.)
On Henkel's website, an employee is quoted saying, “Henkel has a great trust in young people. My biggest challenge at Henkel so far has been the introduction of new products in emerging markets. For example, I had the amazing and extremely challenging experience to lead projects in countries in Iran, Lebanon and Guatemala.” (Henkel Website, "Careers")
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Eye on Iran is a news summary from United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), a section 501(c)(3) organization. Eye on Iran is available to subscribers on a daily basis or weekly basis.


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The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Electricity Company-VINLEC is going paperless.
VINLEC who has been in operation for over 60 years has made the decision to go paperless after having to provide over forty-five thousand paper bills on a monthly basis.
Electricity consumers would now receive their bills via an email address of their choice. Customer service manager Stanley Harris said the move is not only an environmental plus but also a matter of convenience to all of its customers.
Harris said that the company anticipates an initial worry from older consumers, however he noted that there will be measures put in place for the elderly who do not have access to smart devices or trusted help.


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Samsung Display is seeking a seven-fold increase in OLED production for Apple this year, with the new facilities starting operations this month.
The display-making unit of Samsung Electronics has installed seven production lines at its A3 plant dedicated to Apple orders only. With the expansion, the monthly capacity will surge from 15,000 sheets of the sixth-generation OLED to 105,000 sheets.
Samsung invested 9.8 trillion won (US$ billion) in the A3 plant last year that produces an additional 300,000 OLED sheets for Samsung Electronics and some Chinese handset makers. In the first half of this year, another 8.7 trillion won was poured into the plant.
The iPhone lines at its full capacity are set to produce 124 million units of the 6-inch screen and 130 million units of the 5.8-inch screen. But due to Apple’s stiff technology requirements, sources said, the yield rate has been lowered to some 60 percent, as compared to 80 percent for Samsung Electronics.


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CTV News Calgary Latest Videos
Sweet success inspires entrepreneur to speak out about inclusion
CTV Calgary Staff
Published Wednesday, January 11, 2017 2:32PM MST
Sheena Small dreamed of owning a candy store ever since she was a young girl.
Sheena and her father were discussing her future while taking a drive in their truck one day and the idea was sparked.
“He said, that, hey what about a candy store? What about owning a candy store? And I said yeah, if I wasn't in my seat belt in the truck I would be like oh yeah, jumping up and down,” said Sheena.
The dream became a reality over a decade ago when she opened Sheena's Sweets n' such in High River.
Sheena was born with a condition called William's Syndrome, a developmental disorder that produces unique personality characteristics.
She is strong on social skills and enjoys dealing with customers and suppliers.
Sheena’s mother, Orvella, shares the retail space for her baby store called Small Things and she is proud of how her daughter has prepared herself for her business career.
“As parents we needed to support that so we worked with Community Futures and Sheena just flew. When she opened the store we knew it was what she wanted to do. She caught on very quickly to the cash register and the money and knowing what products she wanted in the store,” said Orvella.
Sheena has now become a spokesperson for inclusion because of her business success and she enjoys making speeches.
“I made all speeches in Toronto. I went to a conference in Toronto and I also went to a couple of interviews at, couple of speaking engagements at Inclusion Alberta in Edmonton,” she said.
Orvella was inspired to work with other parents to start a support organization called Foothills Snaps, which stands for special needs association for parents and siblings. She's had opportunities to share Sheena’s story around the world.
For making her dream a reality and showing what can be accomplished, Sheena Small is our Inspiring Albertan this week.
(With files from Darrel Janz)


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Shoppers lined up in huge lines in front of stores Friday, March 19, to make time to shop before the lockdown.
The rise in COVID-19 illnesses is leading to the re-introduction of lockdowns around the world. France is no exception; on Thursday, March 18, the country's authorities announced the third lockdown. Strict restrictions were imposed in Paris and its suburbs, as well as in 15 other departments.
As in previous quarantine periods, a full closure is subject to all retailers who sell goods that are not essential commodities. The lockdown is imposed for one month until April 15, when the terms may be revised later.
For retailers, the third shutdown since March 2020, which many in commerce consider arbitrary and unjustified, is another heavy blow. Like the entire French economy, the retail sector is being severely tested, and many stores no longer expect to reopen after the lockdown.
An essential factor negatively affecting French retailing was the lack of tourists from other countries during the year. Traditionally, tourists from China, Russia, and the U.S. provide sales in luxury retail, but in 2020 French luxury houses were forced to rely solely on local tourism.
For shoppers, the news announced at the press conference also came as a surprise, as already on Friday, March 19, huge lines lined up in front of many stores, including fashion retailers and leading street perfume stores like Zara, Uniqlo, and Sephora. Shoppers had hoped to enjoy their last hours of shopping before staying home again.
Photo credit: depositphotos.com.


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Nintendo Co. on Thursday unveiled its second official store in Osaka ahead of its opening Friday, offering over 2,000 items of iconic game-themed merchandise on an 800-square-meter area in a major department store.
Run directly by the company, Nintendo OSAKA is located on the 13th floor of Daimaru department store in the major commercial district of Umeda and is the second official store after its Tokyo shop opened in 2019.
The company invited members of the media and customers selected by lottery to the store where visitors can play Super Mario, Splatoon and other games and purchase original goods not offered elsewhere.
"We want to increase communication with our customers" through the official shops, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa said.
Kaori Sugimoto, a 35-year-old Osaka resident selected to visit the new store on the pre-opening day, said, "I'm so glad that they opened a store in Osaka. It's amazing they have so many colorful stuffed toys."
Capcom Co., another video game company, will also open an official outlet on the same floor of the Osaka department store on Friday.


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We are moving towards increasing digitalization. This process was intensified by a pandemic that turned our attention to digital solutions. The EU’s data-driven economy alone will reach an astonishing 289 billion euros by 2025. This creates completely new development prospects for small and medium enterprises – both in Poland. For example, we can observe the development of smart store technology, ie solutions for smart stores. According to a Digital Shopper Relevancy study conducted by Capgemini IT, more than half of retailers believe that store optimization is critical to their business success.
But it is difficult and expensive to act alone. Kaabka’s franchisees are in a better position than sole proprietors who can use the company’s tested solutions. Innovative technologies tested in kaabka Smart, currently operating in ul. Półwiejska in Poznań is designed to improve the work of franchisees and to manage the operation of installed devices intelligently.
– kaabka is one of the most innovative franchises on the market. We are developing local entrepreneurship on the basis of new technologies so that entrepreneurs can easily adapt their businesses to current challenges and better meet customer expectations. The new, smart solutions used at Pabka in Poznan support our franchisors in managing their stores, while also being energy efficient. As a result, we optimize costs and become more environmentally friendly, says Adam Manikowski, vice president of the board and managing director of Jabka Polska.
Żabka tests smart solutions
The unique Żabka from Poznań “connects” with the Smart franchise and sellers and “performs” some activities for them. Flood sensors, automatic temperature measurement in the store, energy consumption measurement and contact with headphones are checked.
Thanks to the headphones, store employees receive messages about possible malfunctions of refrigeration equipment and the need to protect goods, or situations that require human intervention, such as the lack of coffee in a sausage roll or coffee machine and the need to clean these devices. This solution guarantees the full availability of the offer to the customer and prolongs the life of the devices in the store through proper maintenance and operation.
In turn, thanks to the temperature measurement, you can easily adjust the temperature in the store to the current weather conditions, and the ability to create reports for Sanepid will significantly ease the franchisee. Measuring energy consumption allows you to check the correct operation of devices and look for more efficient ways to optimize energy consumption and management in the store. On the other hand, flood sensors detect faults in the refrigeration equipment, the system automatically notifies the service, which guarantees a faster response time of the service team, allows online testing of its effectiveness, and thus reduces costs and downtime. store.
An important goal of the Smart Network project is to increase the security of both franchisees and retailers. The sight system in front of and inside the store and voice messages in front of the store prevent potential thieves. On the other hand, sensors installed outside will automatically alert the guard.
– The solutions used in the store significantly improve its management and allow us to focus on the work we do best, ie sales and customer service. It’s important to build good, local relationships with our customers, says Martha Tołwińska, the store’s franchisee. Poznan Półwiejska, where smart technologies are being tested.
Among other things, the most effective solutions will be selected on the basis of feedback from Franchise and Poznań employees, and in the next stage of the test will be accepted in more stores belonging to this network. This will be another step in the implementation of a franchise-centric strategy, according to which the network will create innovative solutions to help entrepreneurs manage local businesses.
The technology supports kaabka’s franchisees
The solutions used in Poznań’s kaabka not only free up workers’ time, but also allow them to focus on customer service, but are also good for the planet. Thus, the Smart Network project is part of the Bank’s Responsibility Strategy, one of its main directions is to take care of the natural environment, including achieving climate neutrality by 2025 and increasing the level of satisfaction of franchisees with the network. Smart technology is energy efficient and significantly improves the franchisee’s performance.
It should be noted that today Żabka provides all franchisees with advanced technological tools, such as the Cyberstore program, which allows you to manage the store from a smartphone or self-service cash registers. To further increase the security of operations in the market, kaabka also introduced a new collective insurance for franchisees – “Polisa na biznes” as the first chain in Poland. This is a unique initiative, the goal of which is to minimize the risk of business failure in the course of your business – it allows you to cover any financial losses at the end of the partnership.


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Michael Todd has announced that he is creating a port of Electronic Super Joy: Groove City for Wii U. If all goes according to plan, the indie developer says the platformer will soon be offered through the console’s Nintendo eShop. The game contains 15 levels, several collectibles, eight achievements and 19 secrets and hidden areas. Electronic Super Joy: Groove City is already available on PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android.
“A Giant Robot Stripper called JoJo has smashed Groove City! She’s angry because Dr Swinger stole her Laser-Nipples,” reads the game’s official plot description. “Help JoJo reclaim her Laser-Nipples & defeat the Evil Plans of Dr.Swinger, with the help of Pope Boris the Super Sexy!”


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ZTE sub-brand Nubia took the wraps off of its newest smartphone this week, and it's got a couple of interesting features to help it stand out in the sea of Android phones.
The Nubia Z20 features a 6.42-inch FHD+ display on its front with no notch, hole-punch, or pop-up camera. Since there's no front camera on the Z20, Nubia has given the phone a second screen on the back. This 5.1-inch touchscreen is fully featured and lets you take selfies with the rear cameras of the Z20 as well as show always-on notifications.
The triple rear camera setup on the Nubia Z20 includes a 48MP main sensor, a 16MP ultra wide angle camera with a 122.2-degree field of view, and an 8MP telephoto cam with 3x optical zoom. The cameras also boast super slow motion video capture, a Pro Mode, and a Super Night Mode to help you get better low-light shots.
Another major feature of the Nubia Z20 is its processor. Inside the phone is Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 855 Plus processor that offers a higher CPU clock speed and improved GPU performance over the regular Snapdragon 855. Only a couple of other phones have been announced with the Snapdragon 855 Plus so far, so its inclusion in the Nubia Z20 is notable.
Other specs of the Nubia Z20 include up to 8GB of RAM, UFS 3.0 storage, 512GB of internal storage, and a 4000mAh battery that supports up to 27W fast charging over USB-PD.
The Nubia Z20 will launch in China on August 16th. Pricing will start at 3499 yuan ($495 USD) for the 6GB/128GB model and go up to 3699 yuan ($524 USD) for the 8GB/128GB model.
The exciting news is that it's also coming to the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Europe in September (via Android Police). Sometimes these high-end Android phones with interesting features like a second screen are exclusive to China, so it's great to see that the Nubia Z20 will make its way to other parts of the globe for anyone intrigued by the Z20's dual screen design.


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Lakers sign jersey patch sponsorship deal with Wish worth $12M-$14M per year
L.A. reached a three-year jersey ad patch deal with Wish, a San Francisco-based e-commerce company
A few weeks back, the Golden State Warriors made history by, getting nearly $20 million per year to partner with Japanese tech firm Rakuten.
Now, another of the NBA's big wigs has entered the jersey patch advertisement game. The Los Angeles Lakers have signed a deal with Wish, a San Francisco-based e-commerce company, for a cool $12 million to $14M per year. Via Sports Business Daily:
The Lakers have signed a jersey patch deal with S.F.-based e-commerce company Wish. The three-year agreement, according to a source, is between $12-14M annually, putting it on the top tier of NBA jersey patch deals.
Here's how the patch will look on the Lakers' various jerseys.
It's a pretty slick looking design, with the loose flowing Wish font blending in nicely opposite the Nike logo. Plus, if you glance quickly at it the tail at the front of the "W" almost makes it seem like it says "swish," which is pretty fitting for a basketball jersey.
As was the case with the Warriors' deal with Rakuten, the Lakers' partnership with Wish reportedly also includes sponsorships to other things associated with the franchise, such as the practice facility.
Bryant said that execution is the key to taking on 'the big guys'
KD finished with a career-high seven blocks in the Warriors' win over the Pelicans
Rose left Friday night's game with a sprained ankle, and is expected to miss at least one...
Ball, who finished with 29 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, came up big down the final...
Lakers rookie got his shot to fall, thanks in part to some of the worst defense you will ever...
The singer of the national anthem at the Nets game took a knee at the end


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- Inspire Brand's Sonic Drive-In released a new ad campaign and brand identify that positions the quick service restaurant chain as fun-loving and good natured, according to a press release.
- The new campaign is centered around the tagline "This is how we Sonic," and features commercials about four different families' activities over the span of a day. The spots play up the spontaneous moments shared at the drive-in and feature popular menu items. The ads also serve to introduce a new Reese's Overload Waffle Cone.
- To promote the new branding effort, Sonic has created limited-edition swag boxes featuring exclusive items. Consumers can sign up at www.SONICSwagShop.com to receive one of the boxes, while supplies last.
After changing agencies last year, Sonic Drive-In is out with new ads and a brand refresh that mark a shift away from its long-running "Two Guys" ads. The new approach is likely to boost the chain's storytelling around how real customers engage with the brand every day through a focus on real people and the experiences they have driving to a Sonic and while they are there.
"We want to broaden the aperture to show the whole of America — from the wacky to wonderful — and how our guests own their Sonic experience, because every way is the right way to Sonic," said Lori Abou Habib, Sonic's chief marketing officer, in a statement.
However, Sonic Drive-In isn't completely abandoning the "Two Guys" campaign and will incorporate it in some way, the CMO said in comments to Adweek.
The swag box offers the brand a way to appeal to consumers by giving away exclusive items. By signing up to receive a free box, consumers are also sharing some personal data that Sonic can use in the future to promote new products, offers and merchandise. Burger King has also used swag to lure potential customers with free goods. Last year, the fast food giant ran a "Stranger Things" themed campaign and giveaway.
Sonic, whose sales have been lackluster, was acquired in late 2018 by Inspire Brands, which also owns Buffalo Wild Wings and Arby's. Inspire, which is run by private equity firm Roark Capital Group, has a strong track record around acquiring ailing fast food chains and driving growth through a combination of innovation, PR and marketing.
Sonic Drive-In had worked with Goodby Silverstein & Partners for eight years and then hired Mother last fall to help them develop campaigns that would differentiate the brand in the marketplace, per Ad Age.


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Watchdog Lays Out Plan for Reducing Household Energy Bills Across the UK
March 11, 2016
An influential watchdog has published a report outlining a variety of ways in which household energy bills could be reduced across the UK.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that many thousands of British households have been consistently overpaying for their energy supplies and ought to see them reduced in future months and years.
Among the measures proposed by the competition watchdog is temporary price controls designed to ensure that people who use prepayment energy meters in their homes don’t pay excessively high amounts each year to cover their gas and electricity supplies.
There are currently thousands of households around the UK that pay what the CMA deems to be uncompetitive prices because they have prepayment meters installed.
According to the authority, temporary safeguard measures to protect these meter users would see their energy bills come down collectively by as much as £300 million a year.
Another of the watchdog’s proposals is for a database to be established that lists every UK energy consumer who has been on a standard tariff for three years or more.
The database could then be made available to energy companies who could use it to target their marketing efforts at people who they know are paying more for their gas and electricity supplies than they need to.
“We have found that the six largest suppliers have learned to take many of their existing domestic customers – some 70 per cent of whom are on ‘default’ standard variable tariffs – for granted, not just over prices, but with their service and quality,” said Roger Witcomb, chairman of the CMA’s energy market investigation.
“Yet in those parts of the retail markets where competition is working, customers are benefiting to the tune of hundreds of pounds a year by switching.
“We’re proposing a wide range of bold, innovative measures to enable competition to grow further across the market so that millions more households will benefit.”
Energy bill arrears have become a common source of problem debt in many households throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK in recent years.
If you are having difficulty paying off your monthly bills and managing your debts effectively then Scotland Debt Solutions may be able to help. Call one of our experts today to find out more.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to take stock of your finances and put plans in place for a financially savvy year ahead. While you may feel your problems are insurmountable, there are always things you can do to help, most of them surprisingly easy. Here are 7 ways you can […]
If you have credit card debt which is attracting a high level of interest, moving this balance onto a lower interest card could save you a considerable amount of money. This process is known as a ‘balance transfer’, and if done correctly, this process could save you money and also reduce the time it takes […]
Many thousands of young Brits are being actively encouraged towards taking on debt and spending borrowed money even before they reach their 18th birthdays. That’s according to the price comparison website comparethemarket.com, whose research suggests that roughly one in four 16 and 17 year olds in the UK have been offered credit cards or asked […]
If you’re in serious debt with no hope of repaying your unsecured creditors, you don’t have to wait for a creditor to take legal action against you. You may be able to take matters into your own hands and apply for sequestration (bankruptcy in Scotland). This also prevents your situation from worsening. There are two […]
If you’re looking to save some money it’s a good idea to make a detailed budget that lets you see where your cash is currently being spent, and offers an overall view of your finances. You’ll need to collect together your income and expenditure details, including annual costs such as insurance, car expenses, birthdays and […]
Scotland has a number of formal debt solutions that can help you deal with a difficult financial situation. It’s advisable to take action as soon as possible, however, to prevent your levels of debt escalating when interest and other charges are added. Obtaining professional advice is key in this respect. An approved money advisor or […]


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European Union hopes new regulations will boost cross-border e-commerce
15 / 12 / 2017
The European Union (EU) is hoping new cross-border regulations will help boost e-commerce trade.
Yesterday, EU negotiators reached a provisional agreement that it is hoped will make prices for cross-border e-commerce more transparent and affordable and increase regulatory oversight of the parcel market.
To improve price transparency, the regulations aim to foster competitive pressure by allowing users to easily compare domestic and cross-border tariffs.
Parcel delivery providers will have to disclose prices for the services individual consumers and small businesses often use, which the Commission will publish on a website.
On regulatory oversight, where parcel delivery is subject to the universal service obligation, which ensures important services are affordable, National Regulatory Authorities will assess whether tariffs for cross-border services are unreasonably high compared to the underlying cost.
National regulators will be given new powers to identify better parcel service providers and the services they offer.
“This will allow them to get a better overview also of the many innovative new players in the fast-growing EU cross-border e-commerce market” the EU said.
Vice-president Andrus Ansip, responsible for the digital single market, said: "High delivery prices are a major concern for consumers and companies, especially SMEs.
“With more transparency and a stronger role for the regulators, we are tackling this issue.
“It is good news again for the development of e-commerce in the EU, after a series of agreements to improve consumer protection, simplify VAT rules and fight unjustified geo-blocking.”
Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, in charge of Internal Market, Industry, entrepreneurship and SMEs, added: "Millions of Europeans choose to buy presents online, but still face many obstacles, including high delivery prices and unclear return options.
“With today’s agreement we are one step closer to changing that, helping consumers and companies reap the full benefit of the EU Single Market and cross-border e-commerce within the EU.”
The provisional agreement now needs to be finally approved by the Parliament and the Council. It is expected to formally enter into force at the beginning of next year and it will be fully applicable in 2019.
Read more e-commerce logistics news


text: 1. Samsung has launched its second Smartphone with a folding display called the ‘galaxy Z flip’, this time in the form of a traditional flip phone. 2. The compact device opens out to a large 6.7-inch display made from an ultra-thin glass and features an improved hinge. 3. The new hinge that the company calls the ‘hideaway hinge’ is reinforced with fibers that wrap around the mechanism to protect from dirt and other particles. 4. A small display on the front shows notifications such as who is calling, next to a dual-camera featuring a regular wide-angle and an ultra-wide-angle. It captures 4k Ultra-Hd video at up to 60 frames per second. 5. The Samsung galaxy z flip will be released on February 14 and costs $1,380USD (₹98536.83). It will be available in two colors a mirror black version and a mirror purple version.


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The European Banking Authority (EBA) has called for new pan-EU rules on crypto assets in a bid to heighten consumer protection.
The European Banking Authority (EBA), the EU’s pan-European banking regulator, published the results of its year-long investigation into crypto assets such as bitcoin and ICO tokens on Wednesday.
The report found that “a significant portion of activities involving crypto-assets do not fall within the scope of current EU financial services law (but may fall within the scope of national laws).” As a result, there is the possibility of regulatory divergence between members of the EU.
Adam Farkas, the EBA’s executive director, said in a statement:
“The EBA’s warnings to consumers and institutions on virtual currencies remain valid. The EBA calls on the European Commission to assess whether regulatory action is needed to achieve a common EU approach to crypto-assets. The EBA continues to monitor market developments from a prudential and consumer perspective.”
Pan-European laws may, therefore, be needed for “consumer protection, operational resilience, and market integrity,” according to the EBA.
The regulator called on the European Commission to carry out a cost-benefit analysis to see if action was needed to regulate crypto across the EU.


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A group action lawsuit against Volkswagen, brought by Your Lawyers, is working to secure claimants discounts of up to 100% of the purchase price of their Volkswagen Group vehicles caught up in the emissions scandal.
Your Lawyers is using the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
It provides consumers with the right to discounts of up to 100% on the value of purchases that were made based on misleading practices.
To be eligible to claim the discount, claimants must have purchased or made payments towards affected vehicles after the October 1, 2014.
Barrister Tom Goodhead said of the legislation: “This is a new legal remedy which has never before been tested in a group action in the United Kingdom.
“We are highly optimistic of the potential use of this legislation in defending consumer rights, and urge more individuals to come forward.”
The legal firm, using the website caremissionslawyers.co.uk, currently represent more than 7,000 claimants.
Consumer rights lawyer and founder of Car Emissions Lawyers founder Aman Johal said: “The affected cars were only able to be sold in the United Kingdom due to the presence of defeat devices, and a number of our clients claim that the ‘fix’ offered by Volkswagen in respect of the defective vehicles often causes other issues, including a decline in performance and fuel efficiency.
“Contrary to their public apologies and admissions of misconduct, VW continue to deny responsibility for any wrongdoing, even refusing to admit that defeat devices were installed on their vehicles.
“This is unacceptable from any company, let alone the world’s biggest carmaker.
“In addition to holding Volkswagen to account for their conduct against consumers, we are also seeking punitive damages against VW to compensate for the environmental damage caused by their vehicles.”
This group action was filed by Your Lawyers with the High Court in January 2016, and is being brought by Aman Johal in conjunction with barristers Andrew Onslow and Tom Goodhead.
This action is being supported by global litigation firm Hausfeld LLP.
At caremissionslawyers.co.uk, owners of Volkswagen, Audi, Seat or Škoda vehicles with a 1.2, 1.6, or 2.0 litre diesel engine manufactured between 2008 and 2015 can register to take part in the group action at no cost.


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16.04.2018 – 20:00
Whirlpool is presenting #SensingYourWorld campaign at Fuorisalone
At Whirlpool's dedicated exhibition space at Fuorisalone, visitors can discover the company's latest innovations. With the #SensingYourWorld campaign, the brand will showcase its premium appliances featuring advanced Internet connectivity, sensing and responding to consumer needs. Whirlpool will host an exclusive kick-off event, promoting listening and intuitive technology, as well as a special talk show that will explore the exciting future possibilities of connected homes.
Experience Connected W Collection Appliances
Whirlpool will show how connectivity can enhance user interaction - from planning meals and remotely monitoring and controlling appliances via Whirlpool's effortlessly-intuitive 6TH SENSE Live app, to voice control via Google Assistant for the ultimate hands-free interaction. The new W Collection appliances also work seamlessly together to offer new forms of consumer experience, including the cooker hoods that use lighting to provide notifications from other appliances.
Presenting the #SensingYourWorld Campaign
At Fuorisalone, Whirlpool will be presenting its new #SensingYourWorld marketing campaign through an exclusive event in the heart of Milan's Fuorisalone district. This major campaign celebrates the company's core value of listening and shows consumers the innovative benefits of its Internet-enabled premium products.
Whirlpool will also bring to life an interactive experience that is offered by both the campaign and the new W Collection range. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the Whirlpool "Sensing Your World" experience, which will bring to life the brand's ability to get closer to people's desires.
Whirlpool will also host an insightful and inspiring talk show on April 16 to discuss what the future holds. Entitled, "#SensingYourWorld Connectivity: A Consumer Take on the Future of Connected Appliances", this fascinating dialog will explore new consumer research by Whirlpool that reveals people's views about technology's evolving role in their homes and kitchens.
Whirlpool at Fuorisalone and EuroCucina 2018
For hands on demonstrations of new products and innovations, visit Whirlpool at the Fuorisalone exhibition at Spazio Bergognone 26, or at the EuroCucina booth (Pav. 11 - Stand A11-A15-B14-B18).
For further information please visit: www.whirlpoolcorp-eurocucina2018.eu
Original content of: Whirlpool Corporation, transmitted by news aktuell


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Japanese media news site Bunka Tsūshin published an article earlier this month detailing Toei’s goals and expectations for the Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods film, set to hit Japanese theaters on 30 March 2013. The article, which has been translated in its entirety below, lays out the film’s initial development, its official public announcement via the Shōnen Jump website, its established promotional campaign, and the general strategy to incorporate three generations of Dragon Ball fans.
Dragon Ball’s Goal is ¥3 Billion, Says Publicity Producer
06 March 2013
This year, Toei[‘s lineup] is once again crowded with powerful theatrical animation. Even among that lineup, Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods (a joint production with 20th Century Fox), which opens on 30 March (Sat.), is attracting particular attention. It has been 17 years since the last theatrical release for the Dragon Ball Z anime; by bringing in fans both old and new, its aim is a box-office gross of 3 billion yen.
The production of a new work had been previously considered, but it was not until the beginning of last year that it was officially set in motion. Building upon the success reaped in recent years by works such as One Piece with “the original creator participating in the production”, Akira Toriyama participated in creating the story for the first time. Thanks specifically to the involvement of the creator himself, it was possible to realize a structure deeply linked to the story of the original work. The advertising campaign began last July: aligned with [the beginning of] summer vacation, it was announced on the official Shōnen Jump website. Says publicity producer Masaru Tsuchiya, “The response was big. There was such a flood of accesses from overseas that we rushed to put up an English-translated version. At that point in time, we brought out Toriyama-san’s comment, so we were able to appeal to the fans that they would be seeing ‘the real Dragon Ball’.”
Males ages 20 to 40 who know the original work are seen as the focus of the excitement, but the story’s content [is something that] boys in the higher grades of primary school can also enjoy. Toei Animation’s basic stance is to produce animation aimed at children, and they will follow through on that this time, as well. The serialization of the original work ended in 1995, but even now, it boasts immense popularity among children, centered around an arcade card game; the intent this time is to bring in three generations of paying customers, including the [aforementioned] generation below the parents and children who went to the theater over a decade ago. “Children now have gotten to know Dragon Ball through games, so there is a tendency to be familiar with only the battle aspect. But the original work is firmly packed with comedy, friendship, and drama, and the movie has been finished up to get those charms across,” says Tsuchiya.
Prior to the opening, various tie-ins are set. Major items include a joint campaign between the three companies Lawson, Aeon, and Mini Stop (stamp rally, etc.), Kentucky Fried Chicken, Geo, Ace Cook, Kirin Beverage, and HMV. In addition, as a tactic to increase the desire to see the movie in theaters, limited edition game-cards and QR codes will be distributed to attendees.
The work was completed on 18 February, and is now undergoing preview-screenings for the mass media. Reviews from fans of the original comic are largely favorable as “nostalgic”, and the mix of CG and hand-drawn animation is said to be receiving high marks. After the opening on 30 March, a long [theatrical] run of six weeks is planned, promoting it at the box-office until Golden Week.
So it seems Toei has set themselves with the lofty goal of at least 3 billion yen, presumably over the six week theatrical run. In comparison, the recent film One Piece Film Z grossed just over 3 billion yen in only its first 10 days. Although to be fair, it did also set the record as the highest grossing Toei film of all time.
While there’s plenty of other great tidbits to pull from this article, fans around the world should specifically take note of just how responsive Toei was to the overwhelming international reaction. Although there’s still been no official announcement for international screenings or releases, Toei continues to stress that they are very interested in reaching these markets. So at the very least, it appears to only be a matter of time at this point.


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- BNB Chain launched a number of new tasks in a number of areas, similar to DeFi, GameFi, and so forth
- The blockchain’s day by day lively addresses had been solely second to Tron’s, however the future may be completely different
BNB Chain [BNB] witnessed a serious uptick in its NFT ecosystem, which seemed promising. Not solely that, however BNB not too long ago additionally revealed a weblog highlighting a number of new tasks that launched on the chain and may contribute to additional development over the approaching months.
Is your portfolio inexperienced? Verify the BNB Revenue Calculator
BNB’s NFT ecosystem flourished
As per CRYPTOSLAM, the variety of NFT consumers elevated by greater than 100% within the final 24 hours. Moreover, the variety of transactions and sellers additionally went up by almost 20%. The overall gross sales quantity additionally shot up by almost 10% during the last day.
Santiment’s chart revealed that, although the overall variety of NFT commerce counts declined barely, they had been comparatively excessive all through the final week. Its complete NFT commerce quantity was additionally up.
All of the datasets indicated that BNB’s NFT ecosystem has made commendable progress over the previous couple of days.
BNB Chain onboards new tasks
BNB not too long ago revealed that a number of new tasks launched within the chain in latest days. The checklist was fairly intensive and will have a bigger influence on the BNB ecosystem over time.
Are these tasks future superstars on BNB Chain? 🔮
Learn forward for our weekly weblog that rounds up all the newest dApps launching on our community.
Tell us within the feedback who else ought to be a part of BNB Chain…https://t.co/kivZasHCF7
— BNB Chain (@BNBCHAIN) May 26, 2023
BNB talked about a brand new challenge named Cyber Titans. It’s a new Gamefi challenge, a technique web3 online game within the auto-chess style. It’s the first e-sports sport launched on the BNB Chain, providing high-quality sport content material for customers.
BNB additionally cited the launch of Bidao within the DeFi area. With the launch, the BNB token grew to become a supported token for use as collateral inside Bidao’s DeFi ecosystem. Aside from these, a number of different tasks embrace DanceFit, Fitburn, Popcorn, GPTVerse, Crossmint, and lots of extra.
A broader influence may be enormous
BNB at present boasts an rising variety of day by day lively customers. As per Token Terminal, BNB was solely behind Tron [TRX] on the checklist of lively customers. Nonetheless, contemplating the variety of newly launched tasks and the worth they add, the potential of BNB overtaking Tron within the coming months, can’t be dominated out.
How a lot are 1,10,100 BNBs price at the moment
A take a look at BNB’s state
BNB’s value didn’t transfer a lot final week. In keeping with CoinMarketCap, BNB’s value had solely declined by lower than 1% within the final seven days. At press time, it was buying and selling at $306.28 with a market capitalization of over $47 billion.
The approaching week would possibly convey higher information, as recommended by a number of metrics. The token’s MVRV Ratio recovered considerably, which was bullish. Moreover, after a pointy decline, BNB’s velocity additionally gained upward momentum.
Read the full article here
Discussion about this post


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ATLANTA, Jan. 27, 2009
Specialized freight transporter Bennett Motor Express (BME) announced the winners of its 2008 Drivers of the Year. The annual awards honor the company’s owner/operators who earn the highest safety and performance ratings throughout the year.
The two winners were selected from among BME’s nearly 700 owner/operators based on their safe driving history, customer service record, and total number of years driving. Nominees included owner/operators from both BME’s Heavy Haul and General Freight divisions who previously had been selected as Drivers of the Month during 2008.
“These Drivers of the Year have earned this honor based on their commitment to our safety culture, customer care, and quality service,” said David Lowry, BME president. “We are proud that after more than 35 years in the industry, our winners continue to exceed industry standards for safe, on-time delivery.”
BME Driver of the Year winners will each receive prizes including a plaque, custom jackets and apparel, as well as recognition on the Wall of Honor at the company’s headquarters in McDonough, Ga.
The 2008 Bennett Motor Express Driver of Year winners are:
General Freight Driver of the Year: Robert S. Wilbur of Acworth, Ga. joined Bennett Motor Express in 1987, and he is a member of the President’s Million Mile Club, which honors owner/operators who have driven a million, safe, accident-free miles.
Heavy Haul Driver of the Year: John David West of Raeford, N.C. became a Bennett Motor Express owner/operator in 2006, and was previously honored as the September 2008 Heavy Haul Division Driver of the Month award.
About Bennett Motor Express
Founded in 1974, Bennett Motor Express, LLC (BME) is the largest of nine business lines within McDonough, Ga.-based Bennett International Group, LLC. BME is comprised of five divisions- Flatbed, Stepdeck, Truck Transport (Specialized), Heavy Haul, and Air & Space Services. Specializing in hauling heavy, over-dimensional and unusual freight, BME has transported some of the largest pieces of equipment ever moved on the open road. Bennett International Group, LLC, a woman-owned Women’s Enterprise Business Council (WBENC) certified company, along with its affiliated companies, is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2009. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com.


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The Jordanian government says it will now charge import taxes on its ceramics imports. But the country will exempt 60 countries including Israel and Turkey from the fees, a move described by Egyptian exporters as an attempt to undermine the Egyptian ceramics industry–considered the biggest competitor in the Jordanian market.
President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Sherif Afifi said Jordan’s decision last week will tax nearly US$1.1 on each meter of ceramics, leading to a 30 percent increase in the price of Egyptian ceramics. He said the decision has led Jordanian importers to stop importing from Egyptian companies; the move has encouraged companies to foster deals with Turkish companies instead.
Afifi told Al-Masry Al-Youm local companies, together with Jordanian importers, will appeal the decision in the Jordanian courts. He also called on the Egyptian Government to levy a comparable tax on Jordanian imports.
Afifi said import duties are applied internationally to protect local industries. But Jordan has only one ceramics production company which has halted production for some time now due to the poor quality of its product, according to Afifi.
Afifi described the Jordanian decision as “intransigent”. He also said the Federation of Egyptian Industries sent an urgent note to Egyptian Trade and Industry Minister Rasheed Mohammad Rasheed to put a stop to the expected losses that will be incurred by local companies. Egyptian ceramics are mostly exported to Arab countries. Jordan imports nearly 15 percent of all Egyptian ceramics exports.
This decision does not consider the fact that Egypt exports its natural gas to Jordan at prices very near to local prices, according to Afifi, despite the shortage of natural gas in the Egyptian market.
Translated from the Arabic edition


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Android 12L has been available as a beta for the past couple of months now. For those unaware, the Android flavor is designed for devices with large screens such as foldables, tablets, and ChromeOS devices. That said, phones are supported too. In a bid to tout the usability improvements of apps on large screen devices, Google has now shared some statistics regarding the usage of its Chrome browser.
Google says that in order to ensure feature parity in terms of multitasking and productivity between the desktop version of Chrome and that being used on large screen devices such as foldable and tablets, the development team has been experimenting with several capabilities.
To that end, the team leveraged from Android 12L features such as the taskbar as well as the Samsung edge panel to allow people to open and use multiple Chrome windows simultaneously. The idea was to ensure that users can multitask and that the capability is still usable within device constraints such as memory utilization. Testing revealed that people could comfortable use up to five Chrome instances side by side so the app was updated to support this use-case. The "New Window" shortcut was also more prominently displayed in the menu so users could spot it and use it to their advantage.
Google's results indicate that multi-window usage improved by 18x. This statistic is boosted by the fact that the company's previous research had shown that multi-instance for Chrome is already used 42% more on tablets and foldables as compared to phones. Google hopes that by sharing its learning and figures, it can encourage more developers to build features that are also optimized for large screen devices, especially when it comes to Android 12L.


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International gatherings are cancelled. What has become of the conference interpreting sector?
| Global business issues
The pandemic has ushered in a new era of online conferences. Though initially sceptical about remote simultaneous interpreting, conference interpreters have had no choice. To help their clients, and in the interests of their own survival, they are now working on videoconferencing platforms.


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RTIH Unveils New Retail Technology Website – Retail Technology Innovation Hub
Scott Thompson says: “When I launched RTIH in October 2017, there were a few raised eyebrows and whispers, does the world really need another retail tech-related publication?”
“I continued because I strongly believed the space was underserved and there was a gap in the market for a source of independent retail technology news, analysis and research, written by people with a certain personality and a genuine passion for this fast-moving sector.”
“The response to RTIH has been incredible, and it’s great to see the title grow from just a website into a thriving business including online, a physical title, events and, soon, reports.”
“Thank you to our readers and everyone who has supported RTIH over the past five years. Here are the next five!
ADVERTISE WITH RTIH
Through our website, print editions, events and digital campaigns, we can deliver powerful advertising and sponsorship opportunities to reach key retail technology decision makers.
We have one of the most engaged audiences in retail technology and are committed to helping our customers achieve tangible results, which is why the vast majority of them keep coming back.
For more information, please email: [email protected]
Or fill out the form below to receive our media packs.


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The Commerce Department and eBay have signed an agreement to collaborate on growing trade and investment programs in the U.S.
The partnership is intended to raise awareness of the role small and medium-sized enterprises play in the U.S. export industry, eBay said Wednesday.
Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said the Obama administration aims to help exporters pursue business opportunities abroad, grow export volumes and create jobs for U.S. citizens.
The agreement is part of the Obama administration’s National Export Initiative, which aims to market American goods and services to foreign markets and educate SMEs on available export resources.
John Donahoe, eBay CEO, said the company intends for the partnership to help businesses participate in the global marketplace.
U.S. exports totaled $2.3 trillion in 2013, representing a $700 billion increase since 2009.


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Nike’s new store concept is tailored to the needs of a very specific local community and has been described by the retailer as an “experimental digital-meets-physical pilot”
Global sportswear giant Nike debuted a new data-driven store in July this year, unveiling the first home for its Nike Live concept at Los Angeles shopping district Melrose Avenue.
The 4,557 sq ft shop marks the start of a more localised approach to bricks and mortar for the retailer, and has been inspired by and built for local users of the NikePlus app. Data from the app showed Nike that the Melrose shopper embraces new trends and is particularly interested in running. Accordingly, the new store is stocked with bright, fashion-forward colourways and plenty of running product.
Insights from the app, including buying patterns and engagement, have also been used to decide city-specific styles for the store in an attempt to serve local shoppers “exactly what they want, when they want it”. The retailer says the clothing, footwear and accessories available at Melrose will be tailored to Los Angeles’ needs, “regardless of Nike’s wider seasonal priorities”.
Customers are demanding a more relevant, personalised service because they are used to being able to get anything, at any time
Paul West, strategy director at retail design agency Dalziel & Pow
Nike chief executive and president Mark Parker has previously argued that the future of retail will belong to the company that “obsesses over the needs of the evolving consumer”, and he plans to create a local business on a global scale.
A second neighbourhood-specific store is already planned in Tokyo, before the concept is rolled out in cities around the world. As retailers battle with the question of store strategy – where to open, how many to open and what purpose they should serve – could Nike’s tailored, localised approach help solve some of the challenges facing physical retail?
Good data has underpinned Nike’s customer-centric approach and other retailers could soon follow suit, argues Siu Lan Choi, creative director of retail design agency Household: “Nike are pioneers on many fronts, which is why we’re seeing them make this move first, but I do think we will see lots more of this approach [in the retail industry].
“What’s particularly interesting is that the brand has been able to open up a global community through the NikePlus app, and is now taking that specific information and data back to create something super-local.”
Increased competition in the industry, particularly from agile new brands, is also forcing brands and retailers to take a more personalised approach to stores.
“Brands and retailers all want a closer connection to customers and that’s what is driving these new initiatives [such as Live], argues Paul West, strategy director at retail design agency Dalziel & Pow. “Customers are demanding a more relevant, personalised service because they are used to being able to get anything, at any time.
“It is also safe to say that in some markets big global brands are approached with cynicism, so a more localised approach can be a good strategy. From a customer perspective, shoppers today are bombarded with so much choice that a more edited offer, combined with good service, is appealing.”
Customers are tired of a homogenous approach where everything feels and looks the same
Irene Maguire, director at design agency Caulder Moore
He adds that the real focus for retailers when it comes to stores must be on meeting customers’ needs, regardless of what shape they take: “We are definitely seeing more localised formats and I expect that to continue, but retailers are also trying to create a ‘family’ of different spaces within their portfolios to get closer to customers – it could be localised but it could also be a service-led format or focusing on convenience.”
US retailers are leading the way when it comes to championing new store formats. Department store Nordstrom has launched new concept Nordstrom Local, a stock-free “service hub”, where customers can pick up online orders, and make returns and exchanges, but also make use of an alteration service, visit a nail bar and buy a coffee. The first Nordstrom Local store opened in Los Angeles last year and the retailer has since announced plans for two more in the city, and another in New York.
Denim brand American Eagle has taken an experiential approach with its community-focused store AE Studio, which opened last year in New York’s Union Square. Designed as a hangout spot for local New York University students, the AE Studio has a spacious lounge complete with charging points, dormitory-friendly homeware and free in-store laundry facilities.
Closer to home, the UK high street is also moving away from cookie-cutter stores in a bid to offer customers memorable experiences, agrees Irene Maguire, director at design agency Caulder Moore: “We’re seeing writ large in retail at the moment that customers are tired of a homogenous approach where everything feels and looks the same. They want spaces that are a little bit more special and memorable, or else why bother going into a physical store?
“What we’re seeing is brands who haven’t worked hard to think about what customers want from stores are really struggling. Nike’s initiative is very much about understanding customers’ lifestyles and amplifying the brand through relevant touchpoints.”
However, Dalziel & Pow’s West warns that retailers must balance a more local offer with maintaining their brand identity.
“There is a compromise to be made between creativity and achieving consistency across a store estate. Brands are trying new things, but the flipside of that is that you risk losing who you are.”
The Drapers Verdict
By leveraging the extensive customer data at its well-connected fingertips, Nike has been able to create a store expertly tailored to a specific group of shoppers. Taking a more local approach makes sense in a market where increasingly impatient and time-poor shoppers expect their every demand to be met. Retailer’s bricks-and-mortar strategy can no longer be a “one size fits all” approach. Increasingly, retailers must keep an open mind and consider new formats when it comes to stores, whether they be experiential, localised or service led.