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A regulated cryptocurrency exchange in Japan has partnered with two companies to enable cryptocurrency payments for their businesses. Hinomaru Limousine has started accepting payments in cryptocurrencies for its airport taxi service while Carchs Holdings allows crypto payments at its used car dealerships.
Airport Car Service by Hinomaru
Bitpoint, one of Japan’s 16 regulated crypto exchanges, recently announced two business alliances to increase merchant cryptocurrency adoption in the country.
On Tuesday, the exchange revealed a partnership with Tokyo-based Hinomaru Limousine to trial cryptocurrency payments for the company’s airport taxi service between Nov. 6 and Jan. 9.
Established in 1981, Hinomaru operates a fleet of 362 limousines and 161 taxis, Bloomberg reported. A source familiar with the matter told the news outlet that if the trial “is successful, it may be expanded to include regular taxi rides.”
According to Bitpoint’s announcement, crypto payments are accepted for the service between Tokyo’s 23 wards and the city’s two major airports: Haneda and Narita. The types of vehicles available are “High-grade type (Tesla Model S)” for four passengers and “Minivan type (Toyota Alphard)” for four to six passengers, the exchange described.
The fares range from 19,020 yen ($168) to 37,020 yen for Narita and from 8,300 yen to 15,600 yen for Haneda. To pay with cryptocurrency, passengers need to have a Bitpoint account and use the Bitpoint wallet app, for either Android or iOS, on their smartphone. The exchange’s wallet currently supports payments in BTC, BCH, and ETH.
Carchs Used Car Dealerships
On Nov. 1, Bitpoint announced a business alliance with Carchs Holdings Co. Ltd. to enable cryptocurrency payments at its dealerships.
Established in 1989, Carchs Holdings currently operates 48 dealerships throughout Japan. Eight locations are in the Hokkaido and Tohoku area, 17 in Kanto, 10 in Kansai, 10 in the Hokuriku and Chubu area, and three in the Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu region.
With the assistance of Bitpoint, two Carchs dealerships started accepting crypto payments on Nov. 1 and will continue to accept them till Jan. 9 next year. The two stores are Carchs Mega Sendai in the Hokkaido/Tohoku area and Carchs Nangang in the Kansai area.
The announcement further states that the two companies “plan to develop virtual currency payment at all Carchs stores in the future.”
As with Hinomaru Limousine, Carchs customers need to have a Bitpoint account and use the Bitpoint wallet app to pay with cryptocurrency.
In December last year, a major Japanese automotive group, Idom Inc., partnered with the country’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, Bitflyer, to enable bitcoin payments at its dealerships across Japan.


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The system remains a horror show of confusion, duplicity, and unnecessary complications. There's no reason why electricity companies should get the better of regulators and consumers, but they do it time and again.
If you look at descriptions of more than 300 electricity plans from 55 companies, you see a jumble of garbage language, terms, conditions, and small print—your eyes bulge. And you won't learn your exact price until the bill arrives.
Why does this matter? This duplicity leads to you paying more.
Electricity companies also confuse shoppers with tiered pricing—different rates for different usage levels—but they make sure that the lowest prices to show up early in search results.
So, to cut a long story short, Big Energy is running a massive racket, and as long as they are not regulated, they'll continue to get away with it.
But the war isn't lost for the ordinary consumer. Thankfully, clever new technology can help average consumers reduce their electric bills by up to 90% a month after the first month >>>
A Japanese-based startup company has come up with a new innovative and inexpensive gadget that helps you not only lower your electric bill, but can also increase the lifespan on expensive household appliances. Within just one month, the device would pay for itself.
What is This Device?
It's called Watt Rescue and its tech was originally created by no other than the legendary Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, and futurist, Nikola Tesla.
Initially it was concealed from the general public because it offered average families the opportunity to save on their monthly energy costs. Watt Rescue is a small, compact, affordable, and easy-to-use plug-in unit that stops unnecessary power from entering the electrical cables and overloading the network.
Watt Rescue is your power company's worst nightmare. They have been trying to hide Watt Rescue from the everyday consumer and have even banned it in retail shops.
Big Energy is threatened by this device and its potential to cut into profits.
However, thanks to the Internet, the secret is out, and everyday people are now reaping the rewards of less power consumption overall, as well as that used by household appliances.

domain: news


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Kentucky native Jack Harlow is not only making waves in the music industry but also in the fast-food business with his recent collaboration with the famous fried chicken chain KFC.
The American rapper teamed up with the brand for a limited edition collab, which will be a new meal under his name.
The Jack Harlow Meal, which is available at all KFC outlets in the United States starting Monday, 6th of June, contains KFC’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Secret Recipe Fries, Mac & Cheese, a side of ranch, and a lemonade. In addition, the meal will be provided in unique packaging.
The Jack Harlow Meal
— Jack Harlow (@jackharlow) June 3, 2022


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DDR2 memory prices have been incredibly low these past few months, but the trend could finally be reversing, much to the relief of memory makers. DigiTimes reports that prices for fully tested 1Gb DDR2 memory chips went up 7% on April 15 and "soared over 6%" yesterday, ending up at around $1.20. Right now, memory market research firm DRAMeXchange quotes a session average of $1.18 with a high of $1.22.
Is DDR2 RAM just going to keep getting more expensive? Reportedly, DRAMeXchange believes DDR2 contract prices will go up 15-20% between the first and second quarters. DigiTimes also quotes industry sources who say memory manufacturers expect 1Gb DDR2 chips will eventually reach $1.50.
In any case, we might be seeing the impact of this week's increases already. The 4GB Kingston DDR2-800 memory kit we recommend in our system guide has gone up from $43.99 to $47.49 at Newegg since we published, even though it was sitting comfortably below $40 last week. We're seeing fewer sub-$40 offerings from other vendors, too.
|Alphacool Eiswolf 120 GPX-Pro takes the RX Vega to the pool||5|
|Deal of the day: a 144-Hz IPS FreeSync monitor for $400||22|
|The Tech Report's summer 2017 mobile staff picks||36|
|Go pro with the Asus ROG Strix XG27VQ gaming monitor||13|
|VivoBook W202NA is ready to brave the toughest of classrooms||6|
|MSI Infinite A desktops flaunt their gaming chops||14|
|Dual chambers and glass meet in the Lian Li PC-Q39||9|
|Razer Atheris is ready to strike on the move||14|
|Alphacool goes big with Eisbaer 420 AIO liquid cooler||6|
|I know you're joking but the numberpad is nothing more than a bad-habit crutch for hunt-and-peck, two-finger typists. Touch-typists don't even use it....||+14|


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Meta pulls the plug on stablecoin wallet Novi
Amid a troubling crypto winter, Meta has opted to pull the plug on its digital currency wallet Novi.
Three years after the tech giant’s stablecoin gamble, the pilot platform will no longer be available from September 1.
Before it closes up shop, Novi is guiding users on how to remove their remaining funds, which they can either transfer to their bank account or withdraw as cash.
Originally known as Calibra, the wallet housed the libra stablecoin (later known as diem), which faced intense regulatory scrutiny upon its unveiling. Meta’s ability to tackle money laundering, safeguard users, and ensure platform security was called into question by financial authorities and the general public.
Overall, the project faced intense backlash from government regulators, particularly in the European Union and the US.
In 2020, Novi shifted into a money-transfer pilot for digital asset-based remittances. Thanks to a rocky start, the platform’s potential market expansion plans were hampered, and it remained in U.S. and Guatemala only.
Guatemalan users are able to withdraw cash from locations in the capital city, for which they will need a government-issued ID to link to their Novi account.
The crypto wallet is urging users to transfer their coins “as soon as possible”, because from July 21, they will no longer be able to deposit money into their accounts. Novi’s app and WhatsApp presence will also become unavailable, and eventually, users will not be able to access their transaction history and other information.
Despite the closing of the Novi/Calibra chapter, Meta is by no means finished in the digital asset space, as the company still working towards other Web3 goals, including its metaverse initiative.


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Apple is now planning a less-ambitious design that will include a steering wheel, pedals and only support full autonomous capabilities on highways: Bloomberg
Apple Inc has decided to scale back its plans for self-driving electric cars and also delayed the launch of its much-anticipated Apple car. According to a report in Bloomberg on Tuesday, November 6, “Apple is now planning a less-ambitious design that will include a steering wheel and pedals and only support full autonomous capabilities on highways”.
Work on the autonomous electric car, known as Project Titan, commenced in 2014, when the company first announed its plans to enter the sector. The report said, Apple announced last year that the company was planning to push the launch of the electric car by as early as 2025. Apple had also earlier announced that they were refocusing the project around full self-driving capabilities.
While discussing the technology of the car, Apple, according to the report, had also announce that their ideal car would have no steering wheels or pedals with interiors designed in a way that would require hands-off driving.
Now, the report states, “Apple plans to develop a car that will allow the driver to conduct other tasks while driving on the freeway, and be alerted with ample time to switch over to manual control”.
The report also said, Apple shares fell by 2.4% following the recent report about its electric car project.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, do remember to come back and check out the EuroNews247 website for all your up-to-date European news stories.


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Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine has summarized the results of its work on combating illicit tobacco trafficking for 6 months of 2023.
Detectives focused on detecting the movement of large batches of illegal cigarettes, supply and distribution chains and searching for counterfeit production sites. The analysts in turn identified gaps in the legislation and provided proposals that would reduce the possibility of creating schemes for the illegal production of tobacco products.
The Acting Director of the ESBU emphasized the role of industry experts, business associations and representatives of manufacturers whose involvement in discussing the problems gives a positive result.
"Meetings with business representatives are becoming regular. This is a significant help with information we need to get feedback from white business. Our task is first and foremost to stop illegal schemes and ensure an increase in revenues to the State budget of Ukraine. Those who work within the law should not lose volumes due to counterfeiting," said Eduard Fedorov.
In the first half of 2023, the ESBU's performance in combating illicit tobacco trafficking increased significantly: 76 criminal proceedings were initiated, 42 people were notified of suspicion and 26 cases have already been sent to court. Fifteen verdicts have been handed down and the remaining proceedings are under active investigation.
Detectives of the ESBU seized 6 industrial production lines in Odesa, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Zakarpattia, Kyiv, Poltava and Poltava regions. In the latter region a workshop for the manufacture of handicraft equipment for mini-productions was also found.
A large batch of e-cigarettes and tobacco mixtures worth almost UAH 100 million was seized in Kyiv region.
In Lviv region ESBU stopped the activities of an illegal channel for the supply of e-cigarettes from the Far East and their illegal transportation in Ukraine. As a result of 15 searches the ESBU seized products worth UAH 96 million.
ESBU initiated the blocking of 38 websites through which illegal tobacco products were sold by applying to the State special communications service.
A total of 1.7 million packs of cigarettes and 321 thousand e-cigarettes were seized in the first six months of 2023. In addition, hookah mixtures, excise tax stamps with signs of counterfeiting, liquids for filling electronic tobacco devices, raw materials, etc. were seized.
The total estimated value of the goods and equipment seized over six months is over UAH 750 million. Together with the results of 2022, it already reaches UAH 1.4 billion and the number of seized cigarettes is 6.1 million packs.
"Analysts estimate the state's losses from illegal tobacco trafficking at billions of hryvnias. We have to reduce this figure step by step and return the production and sale of cigarettes to the legal channel with the payment of all taxes," said Eduard Fedorov.
Based on the results of the ESBU's information and analytical activities and assessment of threats to the economic security of the state, letters were sent to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Verkhovna Rada committee on finance, taxation and customs policy regarding changes to the regulatory framework.
Analysts of the ESBU propose to develop a mechanism for regulating the payment of excise tax on tobacco raw materials during its import as well as to amend the Tax code of Ukraine in terms of setting deadlines for the manufacture of excisable goods from imported raw materials and streamlining their application.


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- Apple's Siri-powered smart home assistant may be announced in June.
- Apple is reportedly planning to launch it during the second half of this year.
- Amazon also has a new Echo on the way, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said.
may finally kick the tires on its first smart home assistant in June.
"There is an over 50 percent chance that Apple will announce its first home AI product at WWDC in June," KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said in a note to investors obtained by MacRumors on Monday.
Kuo said Apple will begin selling the device during the second half of the year, when he expects Amazon to introduce new Echo products.
Besides , is the only other major player in this space. It sells the Google Home which offers similar functionality to the Amazon Echo in a compact speaker. It's unclear what Apple's device will look like, but it's likely to be powered by Siri.
WWDC is Apple's annual developer conference, and Apple would be wise to unveil the product in a room full of the folks who can help develop software for it. The Amazon Echo and Google Home both tie in to third-party applications, for example.
Kuo didn't explain what might hold Apple back from launch. It's possible Apple might want to save the device to unveil at the same time as its new iPhones in September.


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NEW DELHI: In a relief to lakhs of motorists seeking to convert their petrol-run cars to CNG mode, Delhi Transport Minister Satyendar Jain today said that government will revoke its ban on the retrofitting of CNG kits in "in-use" cars in next one or two days.
Last week, the Transport department had issued an order banning the retrofitting of CNG kits in "in-use" cars in the view of some CNG kit manufactures supplying "unapproved and uncertified" CNG fuel kits.
"We have registered complaint of spurious CNG kits being retrofitted in cars, with the Delhi Police which is now investigating the matter. In one or two days, we will revoke the ban on retrofitting of CNG kits in cars," the Transport Minister said.
Asked about the allegations of "spurious" CNG fuel kits being retrofitted during the odd-even scheme aimed at reducing the city's pollution levels, the minister refuted the charges, saying that it was going on for a long time.
While issuing its ban order on June 20 this month, the department had directed its motor licensing officers (MLOs) not to register vehicles that have been retrofitted with CNG kits till further orders.
"There were allegations that some CNG kit manufacturers are supplying unapproved/uncertified and sub-standard CNG kits for retrofitting in the in-use vehicles, thus cheating the vehicle owners by charging them prices of original kits.
"In this connection, all MLOs are hereby directed not to endorse CNG fuel in vehicle registration certificates till further orders," the department had said in its order.
The workers union filed a case at the industrial court in Pune on July 15, challenging the retrenchment of service and sought a stay on the sale of the factory to Chinese SUV maker Great Wall Motors or any other party. GM had stopped production at the factory in December 2020 and had agreed to sell it to Great Wall, though the deal had been stuck in part due to the labour issue at the plant.
Consequently Suman Mishra , sr VP ,Business transformation , Insight and Analytics , automotive sector will take over as chief executive of MEML and chief executive designate of Last Mile Mobility business with effect from August 14.


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Tired of the same old business organizations advocating austerity-at-all-costs, gutting environmental regulations, and other right-wing "pro-business" measures? Looking for a business organization that advocates for a more educated workforce, renewable energy, and other progressive values that are actually pro-business?
In Wisconsin, a new, more exciting, business organization is emerging. It's called the Wisconsin Business Alliance, or the WBA for short. You may be wondering, who exactly is behind this new organization? Well, the founder and executive director of the WBA is none other than Lori Compas, a wedding photographer-turned-political activist who attempted to recall the Republican leader of the Wisconsin State Senate, Scott Fitzgerald, earlier this year.
You may be wondering exactly what the WBA's agenda is. Well, Compas is going to officially launch the WBA, as well as its official website, tomorrow with events in Milwaukee, Madison, and Janesville, but the WBA already has active Facebook and Twitter pages, and Compas wrote this op-ed in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel:
As pragmatic Midwesterners, we all know that in difficult moments we need to put aside our differences and face our problems rationally. For Wisconsin's business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, this is one of those moments.What is Republican Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's response to the launch of the WBA? Well, he's going to run $500,000 worth of television ads via the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation trying to encourage private-sector job growth in Wisconsin. The Walker/WEDC ad campaign is titled, "In Wisconsin".
Small business owners lack access to affordable health care. Main Street businesses are closing up shop. Our economy relies on consumer spending, yet our state's most prominent business association advocates for policies that drive down wages.
For too long, Wisconsin has been operating in a 21st-century economy with a 20th-century mind-set. Now more than ever, we need a new voice for Wisconsin businesses.
That's why I'm pleased to announce the formation of the Wisconsin Business Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit membership organization representing business owners statewide - including entrepreneurs, small businesses and farm-based businesses - who are committed to broad-based prosperity and a modern economy that's built to last.
The alliance will be made up of member businesses large and small that honor Wisconsin's traditions of education, cooperation and smart government. It's for people who build community and drive innovation in an increasingly complex world.
In the media and at the state Capitol, we'll advocate for common-sense, results-oriented policies that benefit our members, our communities and Wisconsin's business climate.
We'll work with businesses on the ground in their communities as well as with legislators on both sides of the aisle. Following Thursday's launch events in Milwaukee, Janesville and Madison, we'll work with our charter members and other civic, community and philanthropic leaders to expand our reach.
In Wisconsin's highly charged political environment, we've seen that everyone suffers when ideology trumps the spirit of cooperation. In order to rebuild bridges and start healing our state, we need to acknowledge that true prosperity comes from collaboration, not contention.
Wisconsin works best when we all work together, and the Wisconsin Business Alliance is poised to help put us back on the path to a strong and prosperous Wisconsin.
Milwaukee: 9 to 9:30 a.m., Stowell Associates, 4485 N. Oakland Ave.
Janesville: Noon to 12:30 p.m., original YMCA building, 400 W. Milwaukee St.
Madison: 2:30 to 3 p.m., Planet Propaganda, 605 Williamson St.
In Wisconsin, there are businesspeople who want a better workforce and stronger economy for Wisconsin, and they are willing to band together to advocate progressive pro-business ideals. In Wisconsin, there's a different kind of business organization, and it's called the Wisconsin Business Alliance.


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Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone
said in the filing on Tuesday that the company board has approved the proposal for the buy-back by the company of up to 3.92cr equity shares from the equity shareholders of the company as on June 21, 2019, at a price of Rs500 per equity share for an aggregate amount not exceeding Rs1,960cr.
The board also, recommended a final dividend at 10% per equity share of Rs2 each for the financial year ended March 31, 2019 subject to the approval of the shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd is currently trading at Rs425.75, up by Rs1.85 or 0.44%, from its previous close of Rs423.90 on the BSE.
The scrip opened at Rs423.80 and has touched a high and low of Rs429.60 and Rs417.65, respectively.


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Over the holiday season, Target and Nieman Marcus joined forces for a "Holiday Collection Look Book." A spokeswoman for the Galleria upscale chain wouldn't estimate how many shoppers may be affected but said the company is notifying customers whose cards it knew were used fraudulently.
The news follows word of a massive data theft at Target stores that originally said 40M credit card holders' information was compromised. Friday, Target released new information, saying there could be up to 110M Target customers affected. The retail giant is now offering a free service to prevent future hacking.


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Whether you call it 11.11, Double-11 or Singles' Day, Alibaba's big event Saturday (officially called the '11.11 Global Shopping Festival') is nearly impossible to overhype. We've been previewing this year's sale from a marketer and agency point of view this week, and this reporter will live-blogging from the epicenter Saturday. Before the virtual cash registers start to ring, we've gathered forecasts and insights into key questions surrounding China's epic carnival of consumption.
How are consumers planning to fill up their online shopping carts this year?
Despite being able to preorder three weeks in advance, 96% of Singles’ Day shoppers say they will shop on the day itself, 11 November, according to a survey by Fung Global Retail Tech (FGRT), with apparel the most popular category.
How much will people spend?
On average, Singles Day shoppers plan to spend US$324 (RMB2,126) this year, found FGRT. Those who indicated they will start shopping early tend to have a higher budget: up to US$454 (RMB2,981).
Separate research from YouGov Omnibus finds that around six out of ten Chinese consumers budgeted more than RMB1,000 this year. This is up from 49% who said the same last year.
Does Alibaba own the entire day?
While Tmall or Taobao will make the most revenue, 61% of consumers plan to shop on rival JD.com, according to the same Fung Global Retail Tech survey.
What sales milestones are expected, and will the numbers be reliable?
Last year, presales and actual purchases during the 24-hour period represented over one-fiftieth of China's annual ecommerce sales, with some brands even making half of their annual turnover on the day, according to China Skinny.
This year, one sales prediction, from consulting firm Oliver Wyman, came up to RMB152 billion (US$22.9 billion). Citigroup's estimate was even higher: RMB158 billion (or US$24 billion). In context, Alibaba touted a total of US$17.8 billion from last year's shopathon, US$11 billion more than Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.
However, Alibaba's big number is not pure revenue, but "gross merchandise volume" (GMV), which the company has defined as:
...the total value of orders settled through Alipay on Alibaba's China and international retail marketplaces. It is reported on a real-time basis and includes shipping charges paid (where applicable).
The numbers have been questioned in the past by the US Securities and Exchange Commission, and there have been accusations of inflating by “brushing”—the practice of merchants sending out empty boxes.
GMV clearly does not account for returns. Almost one in four shoppers surveyed by Fung Global Retail Tech said that they had requested either a refund or exchange of goods they purchased during last year’s Singles’ Day. More than half said they expect to request a refund or exchange this year.
According to Alibaba CEO Daniel Zhang, GMV is a "very efficient way" to measure the results of 11.11, but the "number of participants, the level of service, the number of new products and number of people who are impacted online and offline" are all possible evaluations.
How are the companies integrating online and offline?
Alibaba created what was then called Bachelors' Day in 2009 and took ownership of the show by trademarking the date combination in Chinese for 11 November. Alibaba’s closest competitor JD launched its own Singles’ Day sale one year later, but is unable to use the Chinese-language trademark. Its sale this year is roughly translated as '11.11 Global Goodies Festival'.
JD is unable to match Alibaba's clout of 549 million active users, so it has struck alliances with Walmart (one of its shareholders), Tencent, Baidu, Toutiao, Sogou and NetEase to target shoppers accordingly. The 'JD-Tencent Retail Marketing Solution', for example, will combine purchasing history with data on Tencent social platforms and give online discounts to WeChat Pay users who are shopping in JD's physical stores. Two, users searching for product information on Baidu’s app can buy items directly from JD.com. Also, JD will be able to fulfill customer orders from Walmart’s inventories, thus improving operational efficiencies.
The highlights for Alibaba come in the form of 'smart stores' this year. More than 100,000 physical stores have converted their premises to incorporate RFID tech; facial recognition; mobile gamification with the Tmall cat mascot; VR and AR technology including product displays, 'magic mirrors' and 'cloud shelves'; and cashier-less purchasing.
However, even if Alibaba has been parading its VR and AR interactions, those were voted as the least popular tactic among consumers surveyed by Nielsen, compared to direct discounts—the simplest and clearest marketing method, they felt.
Any noise from smaller retailers, like Amazon China?
Last year Amazon held only 1.3% of the Chinese online retail market. This year it put out very little in the way of 11.11-branded ads, but has its eye on cross-border sales. In October Amazon set up China's first 'Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area', which helps 100 brands based in Hangzhou sell products overseas on the Amazon Global Selling platform.
Who's most effective at wooing the most lucrative merchants/brands?
Alibaba's platforms will list 15 million products from more than 140,000 brands this year, out of which 60,000 are international brands. They've been lured with incentives such as site placements and lower service fees, but not without some controversy. According to reports, 40 or so brands were pressured to quit selling on JD in favour of Alibaba.
As for JD, it's a different business model. It's not a platform, but a large retailer, so shouting about the number of brands involved in the sale and comparing itself with Alibaba doesn't make sense. "We deliberately control our number of sellers to maintain quality. [Alibaba] is a free-for-all, including many low-quality merchants that wouldn't be allowed on our site," according to a JD international spokesperson.
Will the 'new retail' movement shift people's purchasing behaviour?
The 'New Retail' strategy is Alibaba’s long-term plan to unlock a portion of the currently 82% of Chinese retail sales generated by physical stores.
The term, coined by Alibaba founder and chairman Jack Ma in a letter to shareholders in October last year, means "the integration of online, offline, logistics and data across a single value chain”.
An example of that being manifested in real life will be how followers of L’Oreal’s Tmall online store can receive a push alert on their phones letting them know where the closest L’Oreal counter is offline. This kind of path-finding technology isn't new as it's based on location-based services, although the integration of real-time geo-data is a new wrinkle.
'New retail' goes by many names in the West, such as 'O2O shopping' or 'omnichannel commerce', and while JD hasn't been too high-profile about its own 'new retail' plan, it has been executing it since late last year. It's now planning to open up to 300 bricks-and-mortar stores mainly selling consumer-electronics products by the end of this year, using a franchise model. JD calls its offline stores 'retail experience shops'.
Here's a timeline of the two e-commerce giants' expansion into 'new retail'.
|Date||Alibaba events||JD's events|
|Jan 2016||Alibaba opens first physical store in Tianjin|
|Jun 2016||Alibaba increases its stake in mall operator Intime from 10% to 28%||Wal-Mart sells its Chinese e-commerce business to JD in exchange for a 5% equity stake|
|Oct 2016||Alibaba sets up JV with Suning|
|Nov 2016||Alibaba announces acquisition of 32% stake in supermarket chain Sanjiang||JD rolls out first offline retail experience shop in Changsha|
|Jan 2017||Alibaba announces a bid to privatise Intime to further integrate with physical stores|
|Oct 2017||Alibaba pilots Hema grocery stores||JD teams up with Wal-Mart to improve supply chain integration and co-develop offline stores|
With ‘new retail' comes the emergence of new shopping modes—online orders with offline delivery, and online promotions with offline sharing. Online and offline shopping become each other’s channel, with logistics as the link.
In the future, online and offline shopping may no longer result in hostile competition but in a complementary relationship, according to Tommy Hong, vice president of Nielsen China. "Physical stores may offer discounts as great as those of e-commerce platforms,” he said.
Nielsen's report from earlier this week found many reasons why consumers are willing to take part in offline shopping during this year’s Single’s Day. One of the major reasons is “to better judge the quality of products in offline stores“, cited by 69% of respondents. The phenomenon of younger people, under 35, being more active in turning from online platforms to offline is also interesting, pointed out Nielsen.
What issues still remain to be solved?
Logistics systems have come up short in the past few Singles' Days, and efforts to increase delivery capacity continue.
Of more concern to marketers, discounting always means a difficult balancing act. In the frenzy of ‘buy, buy, buy’, brand loyalty is at the back of the queue, said Doreen Wang, global head of BrandZ at Kantar Millward Brown. To reap long-term rewards, brands need strong digital CRM systems so that loyalty programmes kick in right after the event. This must be reinforced with delivering a unique brand experience so that shoppers select their brand over a competitor’s regardless of whether the price is discounted in the next Singles Day, she added.


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Beware the Google+ Experts
JULY 18, 2011
The “experts are taking advantage of people who feel like they’re going to be left behind if they don’t figure out Google+. As of this writing, it has been 24 days since Google+ launched. If that’s the case, I want their jobs because that means they’ve spent 11 hours, every day, for the past three weeks using Google+. Pay attention to Google+.
Google News Lab, Algorithms, and Content Creation
JULY 7, 2015
Introducing Google News Lab. And now Google News Lab has launched, which is billed as, “a new effort at Google to empower innovation at the intersection of technology and media.” It’s been three years since Narrative Science launched and now Google is getting into the space. Go play in the Google News Lab tutorials. By Gini Dietrich.
Google+: The Social Platform We All Love to Hate
MARCH 16, 2016
Kimberly Erskine says Google+ is not dead and makes the case on why businesses are discounting their SEO efforts if they don't use it consistently. The post Google+: The Social Platform We All Love to Hate appeared first on Spin Sucks.
Should You Rely On Google Alone for Online Visibility?
MAY 9, 2016
Could you be relying on Google too much for online visibility? The post Should You Rely On Google Alone for Online Visibility? Chris Hickman explains why you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket and how to diversify. appeared first on Spin Sucks. Comments Please forgive me for starting off the comment thread with a.
Six Tips for Using Google+ Now
AUGUST 1, 2011
Well, much to my chagrin, I just saw that PRNews is offering Google+ training for $329. The first thing you want to do is create a Google profile, if you don’t already have one. Go to Google Profiles , sign into your Gmail account, and click on the edit profile button. Google+ is set up with what they call Circles. This is so disappointing to me. So I give in.
10 Things to Consider As You Move to Google+
JULY 5, 2011
Something interesting is happening with Google+. Yes, you need to have Twitter and Facebook and (now) Google+. We don’t know yet what or if Google will be providing businesses, in terms of data on its customers, so best to collect it yourself now. 10 Things to Consider As You Move to Google+ originally appeared on Spin Sucks on July 5, 2011. You have to know this.
4 Ways to Leverage Google Analytics for PR Measurement
JULY 22, 2016
By now, you’ve probably heard how Google Analytics can help PR and marketing professionals expand their reporting capabilities, telling a much more holistic story about target audiences. As with most tools, Google Analytics can provide a lot of data. Google Analytics has a handy dandy feature that allows you to insert annotations, or notes, for specific events. Use Annotations.
The Google+ Project Is Here
JUNE 29, 2011
Well, the Google+ Project is here (sort of – they’re rolling it out slowly to high influencers first) and I don’t know what to make of it. But you can share with people in your Circles or, with your permission, Google will upload them to a private cloud where people with similar interests can view them. Yes, this is their answer to Facebook. Ai yi yi! The Breakdown.
The Future of Google+: Social Network or Search Enhancer?
NOVEMBER 15, 2011
I’ve been thinking a lot about Google+ since they launched their business pages last week. Google+ announced at 1 p.m. Here is what I think is going on: Google has been working with companies, behind the scenes, to build their brand pages and collect followers through search and employees, so at launch the perception is everyone is flocking to Plus.
What the Heck Is Google+?
JULY 4, 2011
I’ve spent the past four days in Google+ , trying to figure out if it’s a Facebook killer , a Twitter killer, or just one more social network we have to use. I can say with certainty it’s none of the above, but I haven’t yet figured out what the heck it is. What the Heck Is Google+? Chris Brogan has 10 reasons he thinks it will be a Facebook and Twitter killer.
Google’s Search Algorithm is Like a Soccer Team
FEBRUARY 16, 2017
Google’s search algorithm was created to help users effectively and efficiently find the content they are looking for. The post Google’s Search Algorithm is Like a Soccer Team appeared first on Spin Sucks. This algorithm can be explained by comparing it to a soccer team. World Cup
Creating Content Google Loves
MARCH 4, 2015
A couple weeks ago I had the express pleasure of meeting up with Sally Falkow, founder of Meritus Media, at the PR News Google Conference in San Francisco. Industry Insights & Trends content creating content Google Meritus Media PR PR Tech PRTech quality content Sally Falkow search engines
How To Use Google Apps to be More Productive and Awesome
FEBRUARY 13, 2017
Recently, Google announced that it is updating its Google Voice App for the first time in five years. I use Google Voice in conjunction with Google Hangouts for calling and texting, and it struck me how integrated into my daily routine this one Google App is (and the update is AWESOME!!!). Google Voice. Google Contacts. Google Docs. YouTube.
Using Google AdWords to Test Your Messaging
OCTOBER 10, 2011
The blog post discusses how to use Google AdWords to test your messaging before you go to your customers and prospects with it. While a huge advocate of the many free Google tools available, I’m not a Google AdWords fan, unless it’s tied specifically to search engine marketing and landing pages that create a call-to-action to generate qualified leads. Mars, Inc.
Google+ Changes Reinforce Importance of Owned Media
Rock the Status Quo
MARCH 2, 2015
Water coolers all over the globe are buzzing today with news of a pending Google Plus demise. The rumors started to fly as early as last April. (“ Google Plus is Walking Dead ,” TechCrunch, April 2014). Why it is so important Google Plus, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest – all of these social media platforms belong to someone else.
Analyzing Google Analytics: The Best Features for PR Professionals
NOVEMBER 7, 2016
To ensure your PR tactics are succeeding in all the right ways, utilize Google Analytics to measure the effectiveness and outcomes of PR efforts. Google Analytics functions as a measurement program that utilizes data collection and reporting features to track activity on webpages. Measure the Strength of PR Relationships . Measure Types of Relationships.
Using Data from Google Tools to Boost Your PR Pitches
DECEMBER 26, 2016
As one of the only public relations agencies that is a Google Analytics Certified Partner, we are always looking to see how we can use Google’s tools and programs to strengthen both our PR and marketing teams’ efforts. Google Trends, Google Correlate and Think with Google are three of the tools we use most often. Google Trends. Google Correlate.
Get Twitter Follow and Google +1
JUNE 5, 2011
It may not come as a big surprise to you that Google is trying to beat Facebook. And it’s been a big week for both with Google +1 and Twitter follow launching. Likewise a person can like your website or blog, just like they would for Facebook, but this time it hits their Google profile. You’ll want to make sure you’re logged into Google. Viola!
Google Search Plus Your World: The Debate
JANUARY 23, 2012
Today’s guest post is written by Molli Megasko. I’m sure you’re as overwhelmed as I am with all Google+ search and looming FTC investigation stuff, but as marketers, it’s our jobs to stay on top of what is happening and how it can affect our clients or our companies. Fairness for Company Brands Not On Google+. Privacy for the Google+ User. My Take.
Little-known facts about Google
FEBRUARY 9, 2015
You probably didn''t know Google''s original name was Backrub. That''s just the beginning of the interesting facts about Google this infographic by WhoIsHostingThis? The first Google Doodle was an out-of-office message. Google''s homepage is simply designed because when Page and Brin launched the site, they didn''t know enough about HTML to dress up the homepage.
Airtime Rivals Skype and Google Hangouts
JULY 11, 2012
This time with a video chat service that is said to rival Skype and Google Hangouts. I’m not sure it’s better than either of those services, but it’s Justin Timberlake’s alter ego so we have to talk about it, right?! Social Media Video airtime google hangouts sean parker shawn fanning skype video chat video conferencingThe Airtime Story. think not).
Google +1 and the Future of Search
MAY 5, 2011
At face value, the new Google +1 seems like their latest foray into the world of “social” but it’s really much more than that. The +1 button is an incredibly important play for Google, one that will help build the future of their algorithm if widely adopted by Internet users. threat to the Google juggernaut in terms of the search game is Bing. Google +1.
Google Analytics Quiz
SEPTEMBER 23, 2015
Google Analytics can be an amazing tool…if you know how to use it. Think you’ve got the chops to tackle Google Analytics’ toughest questions? If you’re looking for more details around how PR Pros can put Google Analytics to work, download our free eBook today – Google Analytics Basics for PR Professions. Take our quiz and find out!
Cross-Domain Tracking In Google Analytics
DECEMBER 12, 2011
Google analytics offers a wealth of tools for tracking website performance. You’re in luck, Google has a powerful data tracking app for this. Luckily, Google analytics offers tools for treating a visitor who clicks from your website to a third-party system on another domain as a single visit. This will allow Google to track domain-to-domain traffic as a single visit.
Some Google Changes and Google Plus Tips
FEBRUARY 28, 2012
I have read a few “How to use Google Plus for Business” posts and presentations. They all focus on search results and the power of Google. While I do not have a Facebook Page, my Google Plus result comes up third in search: I did a test for Chobani and Pepsi. But it is safe to say Google Plus will rank for you if you have enough content. This is true.
How Indian Politicians are Using Google+ Hangouts
APRIL 19, 2013
But Google has completely changed the way we “hang out” with our near and dear ones. With the advent of Google+ (G+) multi-party video chats or Hangouts, not only can we now hang out with our friends and family, but, if we like, with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, or the President of the country. Image: SatishAcharya via Google, CC 3.0.
Is this the end for Google+?
MARCH 5, 2015
In a vague post late Sunday night, it was confirmed that Google was heading in the direction of dismantling Google+ into separate products – Streams and Photos. It is projected that over the next few months, Google will continue to improve its technology to fully build out Streams and Photos as separate entities. Google+ did exactly what it was meant to do.
Google Hangs Up on Popups and Hangouts [UML]
Sword and the Script
AUGUST 27, 2016
Few companies have ushered in the error of online influence like Google. Google influences online marketing. It shapes publishers. Google has done and continues to do interesting things. And so Google is the theme for this week’s Unscripted Marketing links. Below are three carefully vetted articles worthy of your perusal. 1) Google’s War on Popup Ads.
Beginners guide to google analytics for PR Teams
The Resolution Blog
JUNE 17, 2015
So many PR measurement gurus talk about the benefits of Google Analytics. Let’s start with the basics: See if your online coverage drove traffic: Fire up Google Analytics for your site or client you’re working on. Cmon Google. They decide to dwell on it a few days then come back to the website via a Google search. Or not. If you don’t have one. Bingo.
Content and Links – Google’s Top Ranking Factors
The Proactive Report
JULY 20, 2016
A new study published today by Stone Temple Consulting shows that inbound links are still one of the top ranking factors in the Google algorithm, despite many changes in the recent past. The results showed that relevant inbound links are an almost perfect correlation to high rankings in Google. Online PR google online PR SEO web content strategyWatch this video. Who knew?
Google May Penalize Your Crisis Communications If Your Website Is Not Mobile-Friendly
JANUARY 29, 2015
And I’m not the only one who thinks so, Google thinks so as well. Google has actually started to penalize websites that don’t provide mobile users with a mobile-friendly experience. Google provides you with a tool to check, simply click here and enter in your website URL. It involves your website. Tweet this!) Good optimization is important in a crisis.
How Disney, Google & Snapchat Are Changing The Game For Native Ads
DECEMBER 6, 2015
Forget placing your content in-stream as a native ad, Disney has partnered with Google to place ads inside its applications. Google has welcomed that by helping Disney create a Chrome Extension application that rebrands Google Translate, Gmail, Maps and YouTube with Star Wars promotions for anyone who installs the extension. Co-promotion of unknown value.
How To Use Google Analytics for Same-Day Content Promotion
APRIL 13, 2015
You can have that, and you only need Google Analytics(tm) and an alarm clock to do it. Open up Google Analytics. Go to your general audience overview in the regular Google Analytics reporting. Set the time frame in Google Analytics to today, then go to Acquisition > Source/Medium. Will a blog post go viral? Is a tweet less or more likely to work? Strategy. Remember this!
3 branding insights from Google's logo change
SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
Google, the company that has become the key to information's front door, has changed its logo a few weeks after it introduced a major restructuring through their new parent company, Alphabet. Google’s new font, known as “Product Sans,” is the same used for Alphabet. It’s truly amazing to consider what Google has accomplished over the past 17 years. A new era, a new logo.
Google’s Mobile Update and Online Visibility
The Proactive Report
APRIL 11, 2016
Friday’s #DigitalPR Twitter chat with Rafferty Pendery was all about the need for businesses to embrace mobile and prepare for Googles’s next mobile update. Q2: Google has another mobile search update scheduled for May. And since Google has almost 70% of all search traffic it might be a smart move to pay attention to what they say and do. :).
Friday Wrap #176: Google gets podcasting, RBS gets Facebook at Work, marketers get Moments
Holtz Communication + Technology
OCTOBER 30, 2015
Google Play Music will offer access to podcasts —I hope you’re a listener to at least one of the shows on the FIR Podcast Network. Google Play Music will offer a variety of podcasts through its interface. The takeaway: Google’s move is clear evidence of podcasting’s surging popularity. And yes, I’ve already listed For Immediate Release.) Read more.
As Google Authorship Ends, Finger Pointing Begins
Sword and the Script
AUGUST 29, 2014
Googler John Muller announced in a Google+ update that Google was ending its Authorship project. After over two years of Google encouraging webmasters to add authorship to their pages, Google drops the feature cold,” read the subhead a Marketing Land article about the announcement. Google is the web. Google Authorship ends and so it is. It’s not optional.
Fix Google Analytics Referral Spam
AUGUST 27, 2015
Attention Google Analytics: you have a problem that desperately needs your attention. While we wait for a permanent solution from Google, we’ve developed a way for our clients and friends to avoid this issue from affecting their decision-making. In other words, someone is kidnapping your traffic on its way to Google Analytics. Google is working on a solution.
3 Google Analytics Issues to Correct for Better Data
DECEMBER 16, 2015
In between those times where you use Google Analytics to do reporting, there is plenty of maintenance to do to ensure that the data that you rely on to make decisions is accurate and will lead to the best decisions. I’m going to cover three Google Analytics issues that come up regularly in our work for clients that everyone should address. It’s Fighting Referrer Spam.
PR and the Google Customer Journey to Online Purchase
MARCH 7, 2016
In 2015, Google released its Customer Journey to Online Purchase insights tool and there was much rejoicing. Marketers and communicators found great value in Google’s generic models for how customers made decisions with marketing inputs. Google’s starting model tells us a little about an industry, but won’t help us improve a business. Download your copy now! Chel Wolverton.


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The originator of a popular online dating service plans to open a new lakefront winery in West Kelowna.
Markus Frind, who created PlentyofFish.com, is developing a winery on a farm at 1475 Pritchard Dr. He bought the 5.3-hectare property last September for $7 million.
Plans call for a 5,400-square-foot tasting room with retail sales and both indoor and outdoor lounges with a capacity for 130 people, overlooking Okanagan Lake.
West Kelowna city council is expected today to endorse Frind’s application for the lounges, which has been submitted to the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch.
Access to the winery will be via a new road built at the edge of an existing vineyard on Frind’s property to connect directly with Boucherie Road, known as West Kelowna’s Wine Route.
“The Wine Route has become a major tourist attraction with positive economic benefits to the community,” reads part of a report to West Kelowna city council from municipal planners.
“Frind Winery is situated between existing operators and will create a positive linkage for the Wine Trail,” the planners say.
Staff say neighbours have been advised of Frind’s plans for the winery and no objections have been raised.
“I think a winery is very well suited for the property and, based on my discussions with Mr. Frind, will fit well alongside the existing Pritchard neighbourhood,” reads part of a letter of support submitted to the city by nearby resident Les Jourdain.
Frind’s winery venture conforms to the city’s goal of encouraging agri-tourism and protecting existing farmland, city staff say.
Frind founded PlentyofFish in 2003 and sold it to Match.com in 2015 for $575 million. At the time, PlentyofFish had 90 million registered users with 3.6 million active daily users.
When he sold the company, Frind told BusinessInsider.com that he had created his website in just two weeks and was surprised when people started signing up in droves.
“It wasn’t like I had a plan to create a dating site. It was just a side project I created that got really big,” Frind told BusinessInsider.com.


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BISMARCK — The North Dakota Department of Commerce announced today the launch of a new campaign to bring opportunity awareness for North Dakota’s small business owners and entrepreneurs while referencing South Dakota’s controversial methamphetamine awareness ads.
Titled “Meth: We Make It, They Buy It” with an arrow pointing towards South Dakota, the North Dakota Department of Commerce hopes to attract new business owners to the state and those seeking lucrative opportunities.
“While South Dakota see’s the meth situation as a problem, we see it as an opportunity,” says Dan Coke, ND Commerce Senior Alternative Business Venture Manager. “Our new awareness campaign highlights North Dakota’s ingenuity and ability to adapt to our nation’s growing needs, whatever they may be. And with miles upon miles of wide open spaces in North Dakota, there’s plenty of opportunity here for folks to move in and start their own businesses in their campers, vacant barns, or wherever opportunity leads them.”
The North Dakota Department of Commerce says they are working closely with the Bank of North Dakota to provide financial guidance on the region’s lucrative opportunities.
“For now, our friends at the Bank of North Dakota recommend accepting cash-only payments for entrepreneurs hoping to cash in on South Dakota’s unique needs,” says Coke. “Should businesses run into any issues however, we have assurances from the North Dakota Ethics Commission that they are not interested in reviewing any complaints in the immediate future.”
In response to the North Dakota Department of Commerce’s ad, a surge for propane demands has impacted the entire state of North Dakota.
Crystal Hethhouse, a spokeswoman at the North Dakota Department of Commerce says the propane shortage is proof the state’s meth advertisements are working.
“People are flocking here thanks to our realtively loose business standards, wide open spaces, and South Dakota’s increased needs. It’s no secret why folks are buying propane,” says Hethhouse.”
More on this story as it develops.
The Flickertail Times is a satirical humor blog featuring all things North Dakota. Feedback? We’d love to hear it. Send it all to: firstname.lastname@example.org


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Late last year, we heard about Microsoft's next big move: The planned acquisition of Nokia's Devices & Services division. As you can imagine, back then there was a lot of back-and-forth, most of it focused on the fact that Microsoft was planning to eat the only company that was actually supporting their mobile platform, Windows Phone. On the flip-side, though, Microsoft's aspirations to become a bigger hardware and services company, as they've showcased with their Surface-branded devices, was pretty clear in the move.
Microsoft doesn't want to be the company that just creates the software and lets it out into the world. They're not going to stop doing that, obviously, but they're also not going to just let that be the only thing they do. The Surface tablets were grouped shots over the bow, and now Microsoft has set their sights on the mobile market.
Right after the announcement of Microsoft's plans, I wrote up a quick piece that we're now one step closer to a Surface phone, and that's obviously still the case. We're now a few months into 2014, but I have no doubt that Microsoft has already been hard at work on their first in-house smartphone, of which will more than likely adopt the Surface branding. In a perfect world, I'd like to see this handset get launched later this year, but I won't hold my breath. Checked expectations are important.
The thing is, Windows Phone needs new hardware.
Don't get me wrong, we have seen new smartphones launch with Microsoft's mobile platform on board, but none of the launches have garnered much attention. Samsung and Nokia recently launched new handsets, but they were both Verizon exclusives, so that immediately dropped the devices from a lot of people's radar. There have been other launches, but some of them were just international releases, and others were quiet as church mice.
With the acquisition complete, Microsoft's gobbled up the only manufacturer that was genuinely supporting Windows Phone. The Lumia brand was pushing Windows Phone into the hands of consumers, more so than any other out there. This immediately puts a lot of pressure on Microsoft. Now it's up to them, and they've got to figure out a way to harness that momentum Nokia has built up.
The Lumia brand will stick around for awhile, I think. There are still those reports floating around that say we've got two more Nokia Lumia-branded devices headed through the pipe, to land sometime around June running Windows Phone 8.1 right out of the box, but they've dropped out of circulation through the Rumor Mill as of late. Even if the Nokia tag is removed and replaced with Microsoft on the final products, I'd still wager that they carry the Lumia name.
I'm honestly very excited about this merger, because it's putting a lot of the focus on Microsoft, where it should be when it comes to Windows Phone. The competition is heating up, because Microsoft isn't going to aim low here. Microsoft, if they can realistically launch their smartphone this year, should pit it against LG's upcoming device, Motorola's, Apple's and Samsung's, too.
That would be an incredibly hard fight, though. All of those companies are releasing successors to previously launched devices, and handsets that were pretty popular, too. The Surface phone would be brand new in all of the ways that matter, but there's a lot of focus and positive talk for Windows Phone 8.1, which I'm sure will only continue throughout the year. With a hardware design worthwhile, it could potentially take off.
We'll just have to wait and see what happens, though. Like I said, I'm not holding my breath to see a Surface phone this year, but I'd love to welcome it with open arms. Whatever happens, I'm just happy Microsoft is now gearing up to launch their own devices. Here's to hoping it's worth the wait.


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The Jonas Brothers go on a national tour starting June 20 and will perform at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 in Atlanta's Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The three brothers will be touring in support of their new CD, which will be released June 15.
The concert will include a huge 140-foot-plus stage and features a one-of-a-kind circular water screen, multi-color laser effects, motion-automated video screens and a giant crane over the audience.
“This tour is going to be about really connecting with our fans,” Joe Jonas said in a statement. “We’ve got new music that’s taking us in new directions plus a mind-blowing production that’s going to surprise everyone. We want to give the audience the summer concert they’re not going to ever forget.”
In 2008, the Jonas Brothers tour included 113 concerts and drew more than 1 million fans.
The band may be more popular than ever since they have a a new movie, album, TV show and book which will be released this summer.
Also performing with the Jonas Brothers are "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks and up-and-coming group, Honor Society.
Tickets are $29.50, $49.50, $69.50 and $89.50.
Tickets will be available at all ticketmaster sites, including area Publix grocery stores and the Columbus Civic Center box office. Remember that if you're buying tickets at a local site, it's cash only.
You can also go to www.livenation.com, www.philipsarena.com or www.ticketmaster.com
You can charge tickets by calling 404-249-6400. Locally, you can call 706-494-8330.


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Cincinnati, Ohio-based Frisch's Restaurants Inc. (FRS) recently posted third quarter 2012 earnings of 57 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but 54.1% higher than the year-ago quarter earnings of 37 cents per share. The year-over-year earnings growth was driven by higher same-store sales, margin expansion and lower effective tax rate.
Inside the Headline Numbers
The restaurant chain reported total revenue of $68.4 million in the third quarter, up only 1.4% year over year, owing to the shutdown of six underperforming Golden Corral stores in August last year and unfavorable weather conditions. However, excluding the closures, revenue jumped 5.5% on the back of strong performance of the Golden Corral segment.
The company primarily operates under two segments namely, Big Boy – full service family-style restaurants and Golden Corral - grill buffet style restaurants. Same-store sales rose 1.7% at Big Boy based on a 2.5% jump in sales, benefiting from unit growth. Comparable restaurant sales climbed 12.4% at Golden Corral, due to the chain’s national marketing campaign and higher traffic.
The company’s gross margin expanded 120 basis points (bps) to 10.6%, despite food cost pressure, particularly for beef. Gross profit rose 14% year over year to $7.3 million as payroll and related cost fell 0.4% and other operating cost declined 3.2%, partially offset by 2.4% spike in food and paper cost.
The company currently operates 95 company-owned Big Boy restaurants and 25 franchised Big Boy restaurants. The company also operates 29 Golden Corral restaurants.
However, Frisch has recently inked an asset purchase agreement with NRD Holdings LLC for the sale of its Golden Corral operations in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Financial terms of the deal remained undisclosed. Frisch’s is expected to seal the deal by the end of its fiscal year on May 29, 2012.
At the end of the quarter, cash and equivalents were $5.2 million, long-term debt was $17.6 million and shareholders’ equity was $127.4 million.
We remain optimistic on the stock as the company continues to focus on new products to drive traffic and enhance shareholders’ value via dividends every year since 1960. However, stiff competition and food cost inflation are expected to remain headwinds for the company.
In the last 30 days, estimates have not budged, implying that the analysts do not see any near-term catalyst. The Zacks Consensus Estimates for 2012 and 2013 stand at $1.97 and $2.07, respectively.
Frisch's, which competes with Texas Roadhouse Inc (TXRH), currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, implying a short-term Hold rating.
More From Zacks.com


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As the San Francisco Giants(R) begin the final stretch of the regular 2011 season, they will have an added incentive to produce one, two, three innings for fans. That’s because Bank of America, the Official Bank of the Giants, launched an integrated marketing program that ties the game’s ultimate defensive play with the new BankAmericard Cash Rewards(TM) credit card that automatically rewards customers with 1 percent, 2 percent and up to 3 percent cash back on their most common purchases.
In response to customer requests for a program that rewards consumers for the spending categories they use most, such as gas and groceries, Bank of America created the new BankAmericard Cash Rewards credit card as a solution for their everyday purchases. BankAmericard Cash Rewards customers automatically earn 1 percent cash back on all purchases, 2 percent cash back on grocery store purchases, and 3 percent on gas station purchases. Customers earn the 2 percent and 3 percent cash back on gas and grocery purchases on the first $1,500 they spend in those combined categories per quarter. After that, they continue to earn one percent on purchases.
The BankAmericard Cash Rewards card includes a 10 percent bonus when customers deposit their cash rewards into their Bank of America(R) checking or savings account. The new card has no expiration on rewards.
As part of the new campaign, Bank of America will tie the cash-back rewards credit card to baseball’s ultimate defensive display: the one, two, three inning, in which a pitcher retires the side without allowing a base runner. Starting September 9 and lasting through the end of the Giants’ regular season, select fans at AT&T Park will receive a $5 credit towards concessions and at the team’s store anytime the Giants have a one, two, three inning through the end of the seventh inning. The credit will be provided to randomly selected sections following the inning.
“Having worked with San Francisco Bay Area customers and clients for over a century, we value our sponsorship with the San Francisco Giants as a connection to the community, our heritage with the game and as an opportunity to showcase the ways we are providing straightforward financial tools for card customers to earn additional cash back,” said Raquel Gonzalez, Regional Consumer executive, Bank of America.
Bank of America has partnered with Giants pitcher Ryan Vogelsong to help launch the program by surprising fans at a local Safeway with free groceries, autographed items and other baseball-themed giveaways to highlight the value of the new rewards program.
Information about rates and fees and applications for the new BankAmericard Cash Rewards credit card is available now on bankofamerica.com and in all Bank of America banking centers nationwide.
The new campaign is supported by a variety of integrated creative elements, including a mix of TV, online and radio advertising, in-stadium signage and branded kiosks.
Bank of America began sponsoring the San Francisco Giants in 1976 when the team played at Candlestick Park. Today, Bank of America is the Official Bank of Major League Baseball, and a proud sponsor of the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals, along with several Minor League(TM) clubs. Bank of America is also recognized as a leading financial advisor across the global sports landscape, and our Sports Finance and Advisory Team helps owners, leagues and franchises address their full range of financial needs.
Bank of America
Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small- and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 58 million consumer and small business relationships with approximately 5,700 retail banking offices and approximately 17,800 ATMs and award-winning online banking with 30 million active users. Bank of America is among the world’s leading wealth management companies and is a global leader in corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business owners through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations in more than 40 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock BAC -0.95% is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.


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Symbol Technologies said Pacific Cycle has successfully deployed Symbol RFID (radio frequency identification) mobile computers and tags to "track its bicycles as they move from its distribution centers to the backrooms of the nation’s leading retailers."
See earlier stories on BikeBiz.com about Pacific Cycle’s use of RFID chips.
"Pacific Cycle will use the Symbol MC9000-G with RFID, a versatile, rugged mobile computer that combines RFID capabilities, bar code reading, imaging, and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as Symbol’s fixed RFID readers (Symbol AR400 series) and EPC Class 0 read/write tags," says the tech release.
"The Symbol RFID solution gives us unparalleled visibility for our products throughout the supply chain," said Ed Matthews, information systems director of Pacific Cycle.
"We have experienced near-perfect read rates with Symbol’s RFID readers and tags, far surpassing the results of other equipment we tried. And Symbol’s ability to go beyond our needs has made our experience with RFID one that we’re looking forward to building on as the technology matures."
Phil Lazo, general manager and vice president of RFID marketing, Symbol Technologies, Inc.,. said:
"RFID technology is clearly the future of retail supply chain tracking and Pacific Cycle has clearly taken a lead in this application. As major retailers begin to employ the speed, reliability and efficiency of RFID, suppliers are realizing benefits that the technology can bring to the bottom line."
Pacific Cycle’s Matthews said: "We anticipate that RFID will not only enable us to monitor our bikes in real time as they move from manufacturing to retail inventory, but will give us an accurate picture of what’s out there on the floor at any given moment. That will mean higher shipment accuracy, a reduction in our inventory and lower labor costs — it will revolutionize the way we do business."
A release from Symbol says "users are just beginning to assess the impact of tagging individual items on the retail sales floor."
Indeed they are. There have been many media scare stories about chipped products, such as those on shaver and baby-wipe packs.
Spychips.com warns: "[A] tracking system uses sensors hidden under Gillette shelves to detect when products are picked up. Whenever a shopper picks up a packet of razor blades from a spy shelf, SNAP! A hidden camera secretly takes a closeup photo of the shopper’s face. Gillette’s spy shelves have been uncovered in England and we suspect they have been tested at various locations around the United States and other countries."
Consumer concerns about RFID chips:
What will the supermarket of the future look like?


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Executives of Etsy applaud as they open the Nasdaq MarketSite forward of Etsy’s preliminary public providing in New York, April 16, 2015.
Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Photos
On this weekly collection, CNBC takes a have a look at firms that made the inaugural Disruptor 50 listing, 10 years later.
In 2005, Chris Maguire, Jared Tarbell, Rob Kalin and Haim Schoppik had been sick of constructing web sites for shoppers and needed to construct one thing of their very own. Ultimately they made an internet site for an internet group known as GetCrafty.com.
“It was largely girls who had been crafting and sharing their ideas and the right way to make issues. And we thought it was actually enjoyable” says Chris Maguire, co-founder of Etsy and present shareholder. “They saved saying on the [GetCrafty] boards on the time, ‘I want there was a spot to promote issues that I made, like eBay’s too costly and unwieldy. And there is not likely a complete lot on the market that, you already know, caters to only us,'” he recollects.
That was what led Maguire and his co-founders to say, “We might construct that.”
Etsy has grown from that concept into one of many largest e-commerce firms on the planet. Roughly 95 million folks used Etsy in 2021 to purchase or promote gadgets, in line with the corporate’s 2021 annual investor presentation. Maguire stated it’s surreal how frequent the identify Etsy has grow to be, and isn’t one thing he and different founders ever anticipated.
However as Etsy has grown effectively past its authentic objective – to create a sustainable place for folks to purchase and promote the issues they make – it has grow to be tougher to keep up its do–it-yourself ethos. Maguire says being emotionally concerned with the crafting group made the founders wish to construct one thing that might go well with their wants, and immediately, whereas Etsy nonetheless makes positive that there is a purchaser and vendor connection that goes past a transaction, he has seen that the corporate has grow to be extra like a machine for making gross sales.
“They’d this playful aesthetic. And I do not see that as a lot on Etsy now,” Maguire stated. “It is form of extra geared in direction of, ‘We’re promoting stuff and we’re promoting as a lot as potential, and that ought to be the driving objective.’ But it surely’s, you already know, there’s not fairly as a lot playfulness.”
Nowhere has this stress grow to be extra obvious than through the present furor amongst sellers after Etsy introduced plans to extend its vendor charges by 30%, from a complete of 5% to six.5% as of April 11.
The corporate’s administration – which might solely reply to requests for remark through electronic mail – has harassed the entry it supplies to over 95 million customers and says enhancements it makes instantly translate into extra gross sales for its greater than 5 million sellers.
Sellers stay unconvinced, and prior to now week, in an indication of how some really feel concerning the firm, they eyed forming a union and went on selling strike. An online petition that was created and outlined sellers calls for has garnered over 80,000 signatures.
“We’re form of navigating uncharted territory,” Kristi Cassidy, the strike’s lead organizer, advised CNBC.
Nicole Lewis, who has sold handmade crayons on Etsy for 15 years, advised CNBC she would not blame Etsy for climbing transaction charges. “I feel a whole lot of the OG sellers which can be upset with Etsy nonetheless see it because the Etsy of 2004, 2005, 2006,” Lewis stated. “It is not that anymore and it may possibly’t be.”
Certainly, the e-commerce business has modified within the decade since Etsy first appeared on CNBC’s inaugural Disruptor 50 listing.
Maguire, who now owns and operates the Tubby Robotic Ice Cream Manufacturing unit in Philadelphia, a home made ice cream store and arcade, says that in contrast to ten to fifteen years in the past, the business is managed by a number of main gamers.
“After I was first getting within the web, I believed it was wonderful that anybody might make their very own web site, put up their very own HTML and have their very own area, they usually had full management over it. That is wonderful,” Maguire stated. “And that is one thing I feel that we have misplaced over the previous decade. A few of that individuality.”
On the time of Etsy’s IPO in 2015, which priced shares at $16, a $1.8 billion valuation, it had a bit of over a million sellers.
“The success of our enterprise mannequin is predicated on the success of our sellers,” then-Etsy CEO Chad Dickerson told the New York Times. “Which means we do not have to select between folks and revenue.”
However that has grow to be an more and more tougher line to stroll as a public firm with Wall Road on watch. The adjustments at Etsy go a lot deeper than the most recent transaction payment will increase.
In 2017, Dickerson, who had led the corporate since 2011, was ousted and board member Josh Silverman was introduced in as CEO at time when personal fairness companies and hedge funds had been amassing shares. The fears of a possible takeover had been matched by fears concerning the firm’s mission being misplaced.
A New York Times feature from 2017 famous that whilst financials improved, in different respects, “Etsy is barely recognizable.”
Although Dickerson got here to Etsy from Silicon Valley, the corporate was and stays primarily based in Brooklyn, and its multi-billion-dollar IPO was a milestone for the New York Metropolis start-up world. It was additionally among the many most notable start-ups and CNBC Disruptor 50 firms to go public as licensed B Corp. (others embrace Warby Parker, Lemonade Insurance coverage and Coursera), a rigorous certification course of to show an organization is aligned with social objectives, however dropped that standing after Silverman took the reins of the corporate.
Etsy has additionally made a string of acquisitions beneath Silverman which have grown geographic markets and in dimension. His first deal in 2018 was a $35 acquisition of German retailer DaWanda. Final 12 months, Etsy spent $1.6 billion to amass resale retailer DePop.
“Depop is likely to be for Etsy what Venmo was for PayPal: The selection of the following era,” Silverman stated in an interview with CNBC’s Jim Cramer.
By some monetary metrics, Etsy has proven spectacular development, particularly through the pandemic, with gross sales development topping 100% in 2020.
And it has continued to submit robust numbers, with its most up-to-date quarterly gross sales whole coming in over $4 billion and its income topping $700 million. But it surely did forecast a slowdown in sales for the primary quarter and the heady days of its pandemic-driven inventory increase have ended. Etsy, which noticed its market capitalization attain over $300 per share final 12 months, has since seen two-thirds of that worth erased as buyers have run from the pandemic’s largest winners.
Maguire holds out hope that whereas it is onerous to compete with the pricing and the comfort of the monolithic operators, in some unspecified time in the future folks will get uninterested in what e-commerce has grow to be.
In a CNBC interview on IPO day in 2015, Dickerson, stated, “We actually consider Etsy as a market for artistic entrepreneurs to make, purchase and promote distinctive items. … We’re solely in our tenth 12 months as an organization and we wish to function for many years and a long time.”
Lewis, the Etsy vendor who is not on strike, appears uncertain there’s any going again for e-commerce. Amongst her causes for not becoming a member of the sellers’ strike, she advised CNBC: “We compete with Amazon.”
—CNBC’s Annie Palmer contributed to this report.
Sign up for our weekly, authentic e-newsletter that goes past the annual Disruptor 50 listing, providing a more in-depth have a look at firms like Etsy earlier than they go public, and founders like Maguire who proceed to innovate throughout each sector of the economic system.


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Starting Thursday, paper tickets will no longer be sold at Expo Line stations. Instead, passengers will only be able to purchase reusable Transit Access Pass cards in order to ride the line.
Ticket vending machines will no longer sell paper tickets and passengers will instead purchase TAP cards for a one-time $1 fee. These plastic payment cards allow Metro users to buy and electronically load Metro passes, participating transit line passes and cash directly to their card.
Exclusive use of TAP cards is part of Metro’s transition to include locked turnstiles in all subway and rail stations.
Come November, Metro Rail will also begin the process of locking turnstiles, including those at the Expo Line stations near USC. Tapping a TAP card on a turnstile will simultaneously unlock the gate and charge the train’s fare.
The process started last winter, Metro spokesperson Anna Chen said. After conducting a 10-week gate locking test along the Red Line, Metro slowly began converting all ticket vending machines to TAP card machines, a process that will be completed by early next month. Pending approval from its board of directors, Metro will begin to incorporate the locked turnstiles starting in November.
“If all goes as scheduled, this should be completed by May of next year,” Chen said.
Many stations currently use unlocked turnstiles that allow passengers to enter without tapping their TAP card. Though the fine for fare evasion is up to $250, Chen said this has not stopped some users from taking advantage of the unguarded system.
“Fare evasion is definitely something we want to discourage,” Chen said. “For a $1.50 flat rate, our fares are the lowest in the nation. There’s no reason why people shouldn’t pay the fare.”
Chen believes Los Angeles is finally catching up to other big cities by locking turnstiles.
“This is something that should have happened a while ago,” Chen said. “If you take the subway in New York or Chicago, the gates are locked. It should be that way here in Los Angeles.”
The first station set to feature locked turnstiles is the Wilshire/Normandie Station on the Purple Line. Depending on the response, Metro hopes to continue locking the remaining stations until they are all secure. The stations will continue to be unguarded, but Metro staff will be available to assist new TAP users.
The Expo Line stations near USC are not currently equipped with turnstiles but now feature the new TAP system. Anisha Veer, a junior majoring in business administration, thinks the TAP card makes using Metro more convenient.
“It makes it easier for people to travel on the Metro,” Veer said. “The TAP card is great for me because I’m a frequent Metro user and this way I don’t have to wait in line to get a ticket. I use it for the Expo Line, but I can use it for other lines as well.”
Other students, like freshman communication major Matt Cheung, see even more potential in the card.
“In Hong Kong, they have a similar card called the Octopus that is used for the metro, buses, airport shuttles and [convenience] stores,” Cheung said. “One thing I think TAP could work on is integration with privatized companies like Zipcar and Prime Time Shuttle, which would make things a lot easier.”
Regardless of the potential drawbacks some see in the new system, others said the Metro is a useful took for students.
“The Metro [system] is something all students should learn how to use, especially in a big city like Los Angeles, not just for a matter of convenience, but as a safety precaution as well,” said Isabel Lemon, a sophomore majoring in theater. “I know which line I need to take to get back to USC from wherever I am.”
Looking forward, an investment in a TAP card could be a smart choice for USC students, especially those without cars. For students, Metro offers a college/vocational TAP card. The card, priced at $36, allows unlimited rides for 30 days, including on the Expo Line, which goes between Downtown Los Angeles and Culver City.
“I really hope the line from Culver City to Santa Monica finishes soon,” Veer said. “Then USC students can get to Santa Monica in 30 minutes.”
Starting next month, Metro stations will only accept TAP cards.


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From the video of the teaser, it seems like the Samsung galaxy M02s will have a design textured in the back for better grip unlike its predecessor
Samsung announced today will be launching its budget device Samsung galaxy M02s on 7th January,2021, at 1 PM.
The latest entrant to the popular Samsung M series will be priced under 10,000 rs. The smartphone south Korean maker confirmed, the product page for the affordable smartphone is already live.
Samsung Galaxy M02s has a 6.- inch infinity HD+ V display. Which looks similar to a waterdrop-style notch to home the front snapper.
From the teaser video, it seems like that the phone will have a textured design on the better grip back. The rear module camera is a rectangular one setup triple camera.
Underhood, it will be powered by a Qualcomm processor of snapdragon, which hasn’t been specified yet.
It will be coupled with RAM 4Gb, which should good for gaming. All of this backed by a mAh battery-backed.
It isn’t yet clear whether the phone will sport a Type-C sport,
support charging fast, or not, in the teaser, a speaker grill is too visible,
which can come in handy while content consuming on the device Samsung galaxy M02s.
it will be competing like 20A, Redmi 9, Nokia 2.4, Realme Nazro and many more.
The Samsung company M02s will be a considerable improvement over the M01,
which has thicker bezels and a chin in the front. On the backside, it has a dual-camera with a 13mp main camera with a 2MP depth sensor. It also has a smaller 4,00 mAh battery.
The Samsung company expected to launch their Samsung galaxy M12 which allegedly packs a 7,000 mAh massive battery to the M51. As per reports, the M12 is in mass production in India already and could soon launch.
The geekbench listing suggests that it may be powered 3Gb RAM, Exynos 850 processor,
run also android 11 with one UI Samsung on top.


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Deadmau5 breaks Roseland Ballroom consecutive show record, has cake and eats it too
This past Tuesday night marked the beginning of deadmau5’s six day stint at Roseland Ballroom. From October 4th – 9th, the mau5 will be bringing the Expert Griefing Machine to sold out crowds in New York City. If you want proof that electronic music is taking over — look no further than deadmau5 dethroning Rage Against the Machine for the venue’s consecutive performance record. It’s not everyday that a band as big as the Rage Against the Machine is overshadowed by one man in a mau5 mask.
To celebrate the occasion, Carlo’s Bakery of Hoboken, NJ (aka the “Cake Boss” bakery) created an edible version of the mau5head, complete with light-up accents. After examining the cake, Patrick Moxey, the President of Ultra Records, David Waxman, Ultra’s GM, and Jessica Risling-Sholl, the Sr. Director of Marketing, presented Joel with a plaque and gold album commemorating “Ghosts n Stuff” for selling 500,000 copies in the US. Of course, he jokingly commented that it would have went platinum if they counted all the illegal downloads. Jason Miller, Sr. Vice President of LiveNation, was also in attendance to congratulate deadmau5, awarding him with 6 framed tickets to honor the occasion.
In case you were wondering, that new mau5head Joel is wearing is the winning design created by Lance Thackeray for the “Design for Deadmau5” contest… and yes, the cake was delicious.


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The government is conducting a review of the National Curriculum, which could lead to design and technology (D&T) being taught to a far smaller number of children than at any time since its inception in 1989.
The review has prompted the creation last month of the We Believe in D&T campaign, coordinated by business leaders alarmed at the implications of design and technology being downgraded as a subject.
The Chilled Food Association (CFA) is one of the campaign’s signatories and along with the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) is playing an active role in promoting food science in schools.
In September the Chilled Food Association launched Chilled Education, a set of free classroom resources and lesson plans for primary and secondary school children.
Lessons will cover every aspect of chilled food production from new product development to packaging and marketing.
Kaarin Goodburn, CFA secretary general, said: “The one thing we have to be able to do in this country is feed ourselves yet the food industry is taken for granted. It’s not recognised by the government that the food industry is such a huge manufacturer and has a great need for skills. It’s not seen as very sexy.
“People should be aware that there are massive opportunities and very rewarding careers in food. UK chilled food scientists and technology are sought after worldwide. People are being poached from our limited supply and we need to increase the pool.”
Angela Coleshill, FDF’s director of competitiveness, told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “Given our current shortage of food scientists and technologists, with around 20% of these positions classed as ‘hard to fill’ in the food and drink industry, we believe there is a need for a more modern, forward-looking D&T curriculum that captures the imagination of young people.
“We have had anecdotal feedback from school teachers that students think qualifications in food science and technology lead to jobs working in kitchens, so there is clearly a lot of work that needs to be done to address these misconceptions and inform young people of the wide variety of exciting opportunities available to them in the food and drink manufacturing industry.”
The FDF is involved in a number of careers initiatives in collaboration with industry partners such as the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, as well as promoting apprenticeships and a new degree course.
Coleshill said: “Our sister association, the Scottish Food & Drink Federation, has also been going into schools, engaging with teachers on the curriculum and delivering subject lessons which are directly related to the curriculum but also to the industry.
“Better communication between business and schools is needed so that business can help teachers and careers advisors in schools to illustrate to students potential job opportunities and different pathways available to them while continuing to deliver the curriculum.”
Louise Davies, deputy chief executive of the Design & Technology Association, said: “The current National Curriculum review places serious question marks over the future of food technology teaching in schools.
“Without this we will not have the product developers, food technologists and food scientists that are so important for the industry and country. The Chilled Education project is making a significant contribution to the future of the subject in the classroom and brings the subject to life in a way that reinforces the case for the subject to retain its position


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“We are encouraged by the strong reception of the Model Y in China and are quickly progressing to full production capacity,” Tesla said in a statement.
“The new Model S and Model X have also been exceptionally well received … and we are in the early stages of ramping production,” it added.
Tesla’s Shanghai factory started production of the Model Y late last year in the key market where it already produces Model 3 sedans. In February, Tesla’s China sales jumped from the previous month even as demand usually falls during China’s Lunar New Year holidays which occurred that month.
The electric-car maker delivered 184,800 vehicles globally during the first quarter, above estimates of 177,822 vehicles, according to Refinitiv data.


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An Illinois lawmaker is pushing to put a ban on the sale of "Grand Theft Auto" and other violent video games following a spike in carjackings.
The Grand Theft Auto series might be controversial but perhaps that's why it's one of the best-selling video game series of all time. Since its introduction in the late 90s, it's drawn much criticism from people who believe that it promoted crime and violence, influencing the youth to mimic some of the things they're able to do in the game itself.
One Illinois lawmaker is now trying to make an example out of Grand Theft Auto along with other violent games in an attempt to ban them from being sold. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Rep. Marcus Evans Jr. is pushing to introduce a new bill that would ban certain games that showcase "psychological harm" such as "motor vehicle theft with a driver or passenger present."
The introduction of the bill arrives in the wake of a spike of carjackings happening across Illinois. Evans suggested it was these games that have promoted violence and crime in the community. "The bill would prohibit the sale of some of these games that promote the activities that we’re suffering from in our communities," Evans said.
This arrived after Evans was reached out to by Early Walker who launched Operation Safe Pump, a company dedicated to preventing carjackings at gas stations and shopping centers. "I feel like this game has become a huge issue in this spectrum,” Walker said. “When you compare the two, you see harsh similarities as it relates to these carjackings.”
Do you think banning GTA and other video games will decrease carjackings? Sound off in the comments.


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CANNES — While Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan attends the Marche du Film screening of his movie “Cheeni Kum” (Less Sugar), up the boulevard a new generation of Indian filmmakers is rocking to the bhangra beat at the Croisette Beach.
Calling themselves the Indian Independent Filmmakers Worldwide (akin to the American indie scene), this band of indie filmmakers is at Cannes to introduce their kind of cinema, far removed from the “masala” Bollywood style.
Spearheading the group, veteran director Ketan Mehta (“The Rising”) says that the goal is to form a global network that would nurture emerging talent and foster India’s indie cinema. “We want to create an organic and a collective voice,” Mehta said at the launch party at the Croisette Beach.
Mehta introduced a lineup of young directors — many of them first-time Cannes attendees, whose films are in development and/or production. Among them were Rajan Khosla (“Mother Tongue”), Deepa Sahi (“Colors of Passion”) and Anjali Bhushan (“Apricot Sky”).
This group of 50-some filmmakers, formed in March, includes filmmakers such as Sudhir Mishra, Anurag Kashyap and Rahul Dholakia, names familiar on the international film fest circuit. IIFW has set out ambitious plans to raise an indie fund of $100 million to finance films, awards and a festival. Plans also include a Web portal, theater chain and a sales agency specializing in indie films.
Meanwhile at the Cannes Market, business is brisk for Indian distributors.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Eros International’s booth boasts titles such as “Drona,” Eros’ first co-production with Rose Movies; “Cheeni Kum”; and “Namastey London” (Hello London), a romantic comedy about a British brat and a “Funjabi” boy.
London-based iDream Independent Picture’s lineup features crossover titles such as “Americanizing Shelley,” “Karma Confessions and Holi” and the reincarnation love story, “Bombil and Beatrice.” Rohit Sharma, president of international sales, said that they are repackaging Bollywood titles for the international audience. “We edit the songs out,” he said. The company is doing extremely well in international sales with “Dalai Lama,” a five-part documentary.
Sunstone Entertainment’s Sanjay Jumani is busy selling steamy titles such as “Kama Tantra,” and “Hottest email@example.com,” films that fare well internationally as well as in India, especially in rural areas. “There is more demand in villages for such films,” Jumani said. From its vast Bollywood library, a package of 15 titles is sold to Iran and Romania by midfest.
A joint venture partner with Sony Pictures Entertainment for the past 15 years, Shemaroo Entertainment, set up its booth for the first time at the market promoting the animation film, “Ghatothkach: Master of Magic.”
The company is also buying non-English language films for India. “There is now an audience developing in India for Iranian, Brazilian and Chinese films,” Shemaroo’s Hiren Gada said. The company is collaborating with the French Consulate in India to create a cinema club.
India’s presence is further seen at the busy India Pavilion, promoting not only films but Assam tea and Peroni beer. In addition, the Cinema du Monde sidebar includes seven alternative films from masters such as Mani Ratnam (“Guru”) and Rituparno Ghosh (“Dosar”).
Meanwhile, at the AmPav, New York-based Prashant Shah’s Bollywood Hollywood Production is offering “insourcing services” — assisting Bollywood and other European filmmakers with below-the-line services in the U.S. and helping U.S. and European producers with postproduction in India. By midfest, Shah signed up with producers from Croatia, Sweden and Japan to assist with filming in the U.S. and in India.
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text: KARACHI - Animal sellers across the City are not ready at all to sell even a feeble goat of just 15kg for less than Rs18,000. They are demanding Rs20,000 to Rs30,000 for normal size goat and sheep, while demanding Rs40,000 to 80,000 for an average bull or cow.Dozens of citizens seem frustrated roaming in the market due to irrational demands of the traders for an ordinary animal, revealed a survey conducted by The Nation.A majority of people may not be able to sacrifice animals individually on Eidul Azha due to increasing prices for last two years. Just ahead of Eid, the cattle market packed with multiple colours of animals with different prices and ranges, where buyers overcrowded, but high prices goats, sheep, and cow compel them to opt for collective sacrifices. On the other side people are planning for buying their sacrificial during 2nd or 3rd day of Eid where prices come down and seller who comes across the country try to sell their animals at any cost to save their expenses. According to unofficial reports, around 0.4 million sacrificial cows, 150,000 goats and 3,000 camels exist in the City for the holy religious festival. Several sacrificial animals have been brought here from different parts of the country, including Thatta, Larkana, Rahim Yar Khan, Bhawalpur and Multan, he added.Talking about the reason of price hike, the traders were of the view that the sharp increase in petroleum prices during the last few months in the country was the main reason behind the issue, while the huge charges on account of logistics provided by the administration was another reason. He added that the price hike in POL products has badly affected the animal trade as the fares of transportation has been augmented up to Rs70,000 per trailer, coming from Punjab as compared to the last year. Unjustified increased in the fares of transportation was major reason in the soaring prices of animals. Animal trader, Hadi Buksh said that the merchants had no hand in the inflated prices. “We buy them at high prices, so we are compelled to sell them at expensive rates,” he said. Another animal trader Gul Nazir, while controlling a cow with the help of a rope, said he bought the animal from Punjab. He said he would charge Rs10,000 over the cow’s original price as it took him five days to bring the animal from Punjab to Karachi due to transportation issues. “I have no other way to recover the transportation charges, except by increasing the price,” he argued.According to some customers, the price hike is the direct result of greedy traders wanting to exploit the Eid season and other special occasions to make quick gains. Other customers believe that the remarkable increase in animal prices is caused by high demand and low supply.However, customers believe that the traders were taking advantage of the season and robbing them.


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The TwitchTV Java Library by mb3364 allows developers to integrate the TwitchTV API v3 into their Java applications. This library's dependencies are the Java Async HTTP Client v2.1.2 and Jackson JSON Processor v2.4.5.
Topsy, a leading social analytics solutions provider, has just announced the launch of a brand new set of social data APIs that have been added to Topsy API Services. The new set of APIs allow developers to integrate social metrics, insights, and content from any time period or in real time directly into applications.
Topsy, a search tool based on real-time social media activity, has unveiled a new service called Topsy Social Analytics that tracks the rise and fall in popularity of specific pieces of online content as well as broader trends in online discussion. The analytics tool, like the Topsy API, uses publicly available data from Twitter to rank content and identify trends.


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Court approves creation of new Chrysler Group
The U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of New York, has approved Chrysler LLC's request to sell all of its operations to Chrysler Group LLC, a new company formed in alliance with Fiat SpA.
The new company "will soon begin operations with significant strategic advantages, such as a wage and benefit structure for active and retired employees that is competitive with those of transplant manufacturers; a reduction of debt and interest expense; the disposition of idle assets; a rationalized and more efficient dealer network; and sound agreements with our suppliers," says Chrysler Chairman and CEO Bob Nardelli.
Chrysler officials report that work with Fiat to develop "the next generation of environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, high-quality vehicles" is underway.
Chrysler's Mexican, Canadian and other international operations also will be acquired by the new Chrysler Group.