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Cloud-based nonprofit software developer Aplos Software LLC has added the ability for nonprofits and churches to accept one-time and recurring donations online to its Aplos Donor Management solution.
The online donation platform includes a custom donation form that users can brand and link to a donation button on their Web site, or on their e-mails and in social media.
“Donors that set up a recurring donation online are more likely to continue giving, so including this option in every fundraising campaign can mean a significant boost in giving and stability for a nonprofit,” said CPA and Aplos co-founder Tim Goetz, in a statement. “Nonprofits can set up their account, customize their donation form and share it with their donors in less than five minutes.”
Goetz noted that in a recent survey, an “overwhelming majority” of Aplos’ nonprofit accounting software users said they needed an online donation platform with competitive transaction rates. “Their donors expect convenient and secure platforms to donate online and these nonprofits weren’t happy with the options in the marketplace, so we listened and built it for them,” he said.
Credit card processing fees for Aplos Donor Managemet will be 2.2 percent plus 30 cents for recognized 501(c)(3) organizations for the first $25,000 in donations, and 2.7 percent plus 30 cents for all donations above that amount. Rates for organizations that are not recognized as 501(c)(3) will be 2.9 percent plus 30 cents per transaction for the first $25,000, and 3.4 percent plus 30 cents above that amount.
For more, visit Aplos’ Web site or (888) 274-1316.
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Rapido Bike Taxi has recently announced the launch of Rapido Local, an on-demand delivery service through which customers can request pick and drop of supplies like food, groceries and medicine on the App from one person to another. The said person to person (P2P) on-demand delivery service will let people exchange food, groceries or medicines with their friends and family in the current situation during which it is a bit tricky to step out of the houses keeping safety in mind. The company said in a press statement that it will leverage its existing fleet of Captains (riders) to ensure the quick deliveries across three cities namely Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
The newly launched Rapido Local service will also be aiming at boosting utilisation & revenue of the Captains on road, during the ongoing lockdown. The company has also revealed the prices for the newly launched service. The base price will be Rs 35 for 2 kilometres after which the user will be charged Rs 15 per kilometre. By using this service, the users will be able to track their orders through Order Tracking URL that is shared with them through SMS after placing the request. In order to get this service, the customers need to update their Rapido Android app.
In addition to this, Rapido says that it has accelerated its Rapido-Delivery services for the delivery of essential goods during lockdown. The company has also been operating delivery services for multiple B2B clients like Zomato, Swiggy, Delhivery.com, Myntra and more. Moreover, Rapido has partnered with Big Bazaar, Big Basket and Spencer’s for the delivery of essential goods and is also supporting the Delhi Government in delivering essentials. Rapido has also joined hands with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) Covid-19 Home Delivery Helpline as a delivery service partner to resolve supply-chain challenges during lockdown.
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The Vietnamese Ministry of Construction has requested three cement firms to seek more export markets for their products amid the country’s forecast glut of 1Mt-2Mt this year.
Chinfon Cement Corporation, Nghi Son Cement Corporation and Phuc Son Cement Company were urged to export between 100,000 and 150,000t of cement each in the second half of 2010, 50% of their output in 2011 and all their products from 2012, the MoC said on its website.
The ministry required cement joint ventures to coordinate with Vietnam Cement Industry Corporation (Vicem) to transport cement and clinker from the north to the central and southern regions to stabilize prices.
Vicem, which holds about 40% of Vietnam’s cement market share, targets to sell export one million tons of cement abroad in 2010, aiming to reduce the country’s foreseeable surplus. The corporation, however, failed to export half of the volume in the first half.
The corporation’s affiliates such as Cam Pha, Hoang Thach, Ha Tien 1 and Ha Tien 2 have exported cement to America, Africa, Asian countries and the Middle East in recent years but the volumes remain modest.


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BlockFi, the New York-based crypto platform, conducted a survey of American women to gauge their appetite for digital assets. What are their motivations? Are women less inclined towards this universe? Do they feel comfortable and confident about their investments? Reaction elements.
Investing in crypto: where are the Americans?
BlockFi questions the real perception of women towards crypto investments. The reason why the platform has set up Real Talk. This is a series of surveys that try to understand how consumer perceptions of cryptocurrencies and crypto as a whole are changing.
This September survey, the third in the series, focuses on women’s motivations, behaviors and attitudes toward crypto investing. BlockFi surveyed 1,075 American women between the ages of 18 and 65. In general, it appears that all generations participate in this new financial system, although with a certain delay depending on the age group. In addition, many still remain in their reserve.
Crypto as the first investment: millennials in charge
Studies on general consumer perception of cryptocurrencies have multiplied in recent years. Most surveys identify one constant: millennia are more focused on cryptography compared to other generations. A trend confirmed in this recent study conducted by the BlockFi team.
The survey reveals that one in ten women have chosen to bet on cryptocurrencies for a first investment, 17% of them are millennials and 11% of women from generation Z. Even the oldest (those of generation X), sometimes out of step. new technologies, are partially convinced to invest in crypto. The survey also reveals that 33% of respondents have chosen to invest in cryptocurrencies for retirement.
Investing in crypto: building and maintaining trust
A quarter of American women surveyed, or 25% of survey participants, say they have never invested in digital assets. Furthermore, 77% see crypto as a risky investment. According to Flori Marquez, BlockFi’s chief operating officer, a lack of trust partly explains this reserve.
While 45% of American women surveyed feel confident about their investment, one in four say they doubt their strategy. BlockFi also finds that 81% of respondents remain on the fence, viewing crypto as confusing. For Flori Markez, the idea would be to improve the interaction between the skeptics and more optimistic to expand the virtuous circle of belief.
Crypto: American Women Appreciate HODLing
In terms of strategy, the vast majority of American women, 69% of those who have invested in crypto, say they are satisfied with the strategy of HODLING. In other words, they buy and then hold their assets. Compared to the first step in the market, 21% of Americans consider the cryptosphere to be user-friendly. However, more than half of respondents (52%) are skeptical.
According to experts, this is due to a clear lack of knowledge and information about the market and the community. Regardless, one in five women still believe investing in cryptocurrencies can protect them from inflation. This, despite a noticeable slowdown in the market. Some (20% of Generation Z) also think that bitcoin remains a better investment compared to real estate investments for example or individual stocks.
For women, crypto investing is still far from the craze of their male counterparts. However, this BlockFi survey has highlighted some resilience on the part of American women in the face of the crypto winter. Experts interpret this attitude positively. It’s promising, they say.
Get an overview of news in the world of cryptocurrencies by subscribing to our new service ofdaily and weekly so you don’t miss any of the essential Cointribune!
I stumbled into the cryptosphere by accident and witnessed the birth of a new era, that of DeFi. It’s all about economic freedom, transparency and opportunities available to all. This is a universe that deserves to be known.


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THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018, KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) calls upon Malaysian companies particularly the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to boost their engagements with the Government agencies such as MATRADE and utilise the financial assistances available to help their export business.
In this regard, MATRADE organised a seminar titled “How to Leverage on the Financial Assistance Provided by MATRADE”. The event is timely to enhance the SMEs awareness on MATRADE’s financial assistance especially because financial constraint has been identified as one of the key issues hindering SMEs from international expansion. The seminar was attended by over 190 participants from various industries including business services.
MATRADE provides financial assistance through its various initiatives such as the Market Development Grant (MDG), Services Export Fund (SEF) and eTRADE, among others. MATRADE’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Puan Sharimahton Mat Saleh said MATRADE regularly conducts engagement to promote its financial assistances. However, there are still a number of companies who are unaware of the assistances. “The offerings are in the form of reimbursable grant or fund and some are paired with handholding activities aimed at building the SMEs ability and skills in exporting,” she said.
One of MATRADE’s most popular financial assistance is the Market Development Grant (MDG). It is a scheme to assist SMEs, service providers, trade and industry associations, chambers of commerce and professional bodies to undertake export promotion activities. Companies can apply for a reimbursable grant based on the eligible export promotional activities up to a ceiling of RM200,000. To date, the MDG has benefitted 7,811 Malaysian companies that have penetrated markets such as ASEAN, China, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Turkey and Japan, just to name a few.
Apart from the MDG, companies in the services sector can apply for MATRADE’s Services Export Fund (SEF). It is a financial assistance introduced in 2015 in collaboration with Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF) to assist Malaysian services providers expand internationally. The assistance is in the form of reimbursable grants and soft loans up to RM5 million per company. The SEF has assisted 88 Malaysian companies in industries such as education & training, oil & gas services, engineering services, ICT and e-commerce solutions, among others.


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Adults, on average, should be consuming between 1,600 and 2,400 calories a day, but some of these restaurant meals could shatter your daily allowance with one plate.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest, a Washington, D.C.-based food watchdog and consumer advocacy group, released its annual "Xtreme Eating Awards" Monday, a list they call the biggest "nutritional nightmares" in the restaurant industry.
The group tallied up calorie data from chain restaurants to determine the worst offenders. Each year, the list varies, but usually includes a variety of breakfast dishes, dinners, appetizers, desserts and beverages.
"These meals are extreme, but even the typical dishes served at restaurants are a threat to Americans' health because they increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and more," Lindsay Moyer, CSPI senior nutritionist, said in a statement.
That said, restaurants often note that it is up to consumers to make choices about what they eat and, even with an occasional indulgence, many can have a healthy overall diet. Also, some of the items on the list are made to be shared by more than one person.
"While we applaud the Center for Science in the Public Interest's efforts to educate Americans on making healthier food choices, it's misleading to single out the highest possible meal combinations without informing people about the wide range of choices offered at our restaurants, including the ability to customize any item on our menu to meet a variety of dietary needs," Stephanie Peterson, spokeswoman for IHOP, told CNBC.
Here's a look at CSPI's list of dishes with the highest calorie counts.
Buffalo Wild Wings' Cheese Curd Bacon Burger is a cheeseburger topped with Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds, bacon and a mayonnaise-based "cool heat sauce."
With a serving of fries this meal has 1,950 calories, almost a full days' worth, and is the equivalent of about five Bacon Double Cheeseburgers from Burger King, CSPI said.
The Cheesecake Factory's Flying Gorilla is a chocolate banana milkshake with a kick. The restaurant adds banana liqueur and a 20-ounce Budweiser to five scoops of Breyers Chocolate ice cream.
The CSPI said this concoction has about 950 calories.
There's a reason that Uno Pizzeria calls this slice of chocolate cake the Ridiculously Awesome, Insanely Large Chocolate Cake. It's a whopping 1,740 calories.
"'Nuff said," the restaurant says of the cake on its website.
"At UNO Pizzeria & Grill, we offer over 100 menu options, from indulgent treats to more healthful choices, so our guests can have whatever they're in the mood for," the company told CNBC. "We like to give our guests the choice of how they want to eat and they tell us every day what they prefer in the menu items they purchase."
Texas Roadhouse's 16 oz. Prime Rib will set you back 1,570 calories, and that's before you order the two complimentary sides that come with the meal.
CSPI added a loaded sweet potato — topped with marshmallows and caramel sauce — and a Caesar salad, bringing the total calorie count to 2,820.
Dave & Buster's pizza-quesadilla appetizer is a 12-inch quesadilla filled with cheese, pepperoni and Italian sausage and topped with even more pepperoni and Italian sausage. It also has bacon, marinara sauce and cheese sprinkled on top.
The "shareable" meal is 1,970 calories.
The Cheesecake Factory's second item on CSPI's list is Pasta Napoletana, a 2,310-calorie dish of buttery pasta covered with Italian sausage, pepperoni, meatballs and bacon.
IHOP's Cheeseburger Omelette is stuffed with hamburger meat, hash browns, tomatoes, onions, American cheese, ketchup, mustard and pickles and served with three buttermilk pancakes and syrup.
CSPI said the meal, which is 1,990 calories, is the equivalent of eating four McDonald's Sausage Egg McMuffins.
The Ultimate Smokehouse Combo from Chili's asks diners to "choose any three meats" and comes with roasted street corn, homestyle fries, chile-garlic toast and garlic dill pickles.
The folks at CSPI stacked up their plate with hand-battered chicken crispers, Texas Dry Rub ribs and sausage. This meal combination, including the sides, will run you 2,440 calories.
Buffalo Wild Wings, The Cheesecake Factory, Texas Roadhouse, Dave & Buster's, and Chili's did not immediately respond to a request for comment.


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Apple and Microsoft are working together to fix iCloud issues that have emerged with the October 2018 Update for Windows 10.
Apple refutes claims by a hacker group that its systems have been breached and customer information accessed.
Apple has gotten rid of a feature that helps prevent users from accidentally buying a stolen iOS device.
The latest version of Apple's mobile operating system wants your help improving its products and services.
Updated The new version of OS X, Yosemite, ties the desktop OS closer still with Apple's mobile OS.
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Jacksonville is keen on seeing its tourism industry surge, and the city is changing its budget to make it happen. Growth in tourism, and growth in general, means many other industries are headed up, and new jobs you might be interested in could appear.
A Jacksonville City Council committee recently voted 5-0 to update the city’s tourism allocations, according to Florida Politics. The new portions aren’t expected to go into effect until late November, but the changes would emphasize more modern approaches to tourism promotion.
Jacksonville is seeing growth in a wider range than just tourism. Here are some other jobs in high-profile companies that are growing in the city, and what they might mean for you and your wallet.
A big growth area is delivery. UPS and Domino’s both use delivery drivers, and are expanding their operations. UPS is spending $190 million in Jacksonville, according to the Florida Times-Union, and Domino’s is looking for 200 new delivery drivers, plus other positions from a WJXT report.
UPS already has a sizable operation in the city, and won’t be adding too many jobs, but Domino’s is looking to improve the quality of their service in Northeast Florida, according to reports. Delivery drivers get customers their products as the front line for consumer interaction. There are more than a dozen Domino’s in Jacksonville, so be on the lookout for opportunities.
Tipping varies for pizza delivery drivers, but Glassdoor reports they usually only make a little over minimum wage nationally. Keep in mind the state’s minimum wage is higher at $8.05/hour, so make sure you’re keeping track.
Delivery drivers are the final step in a long process of getting goods to your door. The interaction often means wearing a uniform, and dealing with tips. Some companies require you to pay for your uniforms, but those payments can’t take you under the minimum wage, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
Above your wage are tips, and tip are the sole property of the employee, according to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. This isn’t true of required charges like delivery fees, but employers can still use them to meet the minimum wage.
Delivery drivers are just one of Jacksonville’s growth areas. Many behind the scenes jobs are coming to the city as well.
Several employers use Jacksonville as a jumping off point to Florida and the rest of the East Coast. UPS is a big one, but Amazon has a fulfillment center opening Winter 2017 expected to host 1,500 employees, according to News4Jax.
Supply chain jobs like Amazon’s fulfillment center see associates picking out, packing, and labelling products before shipping. The work can be exhausting. Hourly pay is pegged at a little more than $12, according to Glassdoor, but the Amazon facility is expecting at least 500 of its new employees will make $50,000 a year at its Pecan Park Road site, according to News4Jax.
Fulfillment employees usually face a full workday, but the holidays are approaching and you might have to work longer than intended. Keep track of your hours, and if you go over 40, make sure you’re getting paid overtime if you’re eligible.
One move proceeding with fanfare is the city’s new IKEA, slated to open next year at I-295 and Gate Parkway. The closest IKEA had previously been in Orlando. Now, residents won’t have to hoof it four hours just to get some affordable, highly sought-after furniture or delicious Swedish meatballs. Other retail jobs exist in the city, of course, but workers report IKEA pays around $11 an hour.
Retail work is especially vulnerable to violations, and during the holidays the DOL finds register prep and closing, break violations, and the always-relevant overtime mixups to be the biggest ways employees lose out on wages.
Your job might misclassify you, skimp you on overtime, or other practices. It’s our job to help you out.
Our labor and employment attorneys can investigate if your company is adhering to the Fair Labor Standards Act, which lays out important wage and overtime standards, or if it’s adhering to relevant Florida law. An attorney representing your best interests is a powerful ally when you’re trying to get what you’re owed. If you’re ready today, fill out our no-risk, no-cost case evaluation.


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Many who were once ambivalent toward working in the gig economy reconsidered their stance in 2020 as the pandemic wiped out many traditional jobs even as it added accelerant to the gig worker fire.
One of the more unexpected results of the pandemic-related lockdowns of last year was that many discovered they could get more done by working remotely. Freed from unnecessary meetings and workspace distractions, more than a few found their removal from the office routine liberating.
Additionally, a corresponding rise in reputable businesses creating freelance jobs encouraged many to give it a go. Employment websites responded quickly by catering to the needs of those searching for side hustles out of curiosity or necessity. In research conducted in December 2020, Monster found that a whopping 92% of respondents felt that the time was ripe to begin looking at gig work either full- or part-time.
No one can predict with any certainty what a return to workplace normalcy will look like. That said, it’s safe to say that ongoing advances in technology coupled with shifts in perceptions about work/life balance have secured a stable spot for gig workers. Now that people realize that it is possible to achieve financial security as well as flexibility, many are choosing to stay in this sector post-pandemic.
The traditional office setting may not be a thing of the past quite yet and, while it likely will never vanish entirely, it won’t stage a full comeback, either. Here are five trends to keep in mind as we emerge from the pandemic-driven scattering.
1. Fewer workers will go back to a 9-5 routine.
Employees who were able to meet or exceed workload expectations while working from home found fewer and fewer reasons to return to their previous work setting. Employers, for their part, scrambled to find ways to keep their top-tier performers safe, satisfied, and productive.
Google helped lead the way toward reshaping the American workforce in July 2020 when it announced that approximately 200,000 of its employees would remain remote workers until the summer of 2021.
Now that businesses and employees have both discovered the benefits of remote work, it stands to reason that many uprooted workers will push back when called to return to their cubicles. While a mixture of in-person and remote work seems likely for many, workers not given the choice to stay at home may well take their skills elsewhere.
2. The perception of gig workers will improve.
It wasn’t that long ago that the phrase “gig worker” was thought by many to be synonymous with an Uber or Lyft driver who couldn’t find real work elsewhere. The common perception was that anyone working in the gig economy was either between jobs or earning extra money on the side.
The credibility gap between “freelance” and “gig” seemed to be one of prestige. Freelance workers were thought to be highly skilled veterans of the workforce who parlayed their years of expertise into an ability to pick and choose when and where they worked. Gig workers, on the other hand, were delivering pizzas, running shopping cart orders for grocery stores, or picking up drunks with their cars at 3 a.m.
Now that high-power executives have begun entering the gig economy, this inaccurate preconception is on the fast track to change. As the gig workforce continues to grow, diversify, and encapsulate workers from every level of labor, we can look for any remaining stigma to evaporate quickly.
3. More companies will move to “online-first” (or online only).
More than one business owner was surprised to find that it was possible to retain customers without offering an in-person presence. Many of those same employers might never have chosen to shut down their stores had pandemic lockdowns not forced their hand.
Today, everyone is seriously re-evaluating the need for expensive retail or office space. Some have chosen to abandon brick-and-mortar altogether. Others have found it advantageous to prioritize an online presence as those revenue streams offer 24/7/365 income and open up products and services to previously untapped markets. Connecting online saves customers commute time and related expenses. Once our priority to stay physically safe was added to the mix, the speed with which consumers were ready to give up a Saturday afternoon at the local shopping mall caught our attention.
4. The market for providing worker benefits will evolve.
One of the biggest stumbling blocks for those reluctant to join the online workforce has been the acquisition and administration of traditional benefits such as healthcare, 401(k) plans, and life insurance. Predictably, the need created a demand that fueled innovation. Financial planners, healthcare providers, and insurance companies have all taken notice and begun rolling out new products and services designed to serve online workers. As the gig economy grows, look for the cost of new benefits packages to become an ongoing consideration as workers negotiate their rate of compensation.
5. Legal protections for remote workers will become a priority.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, abuse of employees was traditionally countered by the rise of worker unions, whose chief weapons were strikes and picket lines. While collective bargaining on behalf of those in the gig economy seems an unlikely prospect, our online world has brought other pressures to bear.
For starters, technology has given rise to a new form of collective bargaining in the form of social media, user reviews, access to legal information, and a previously unthinkable ability to interact directly with advocates. Whole new areas of law practice are opening up on behalf of gig economy workers who have been treated unfairly, and established brands are keen to avoid bad news going viral.
While employers are seeing the economic advantages of doing right by their workers, legislators are also stepping into the fray. Still reeling from the economic impact of Covid-19 lockdowns, lawmakers will increasingly work to protect their constituents who earn their livelihoods (and pay their taxes) as gig economy workers.


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WE all know that ecommerce is growing and the Internet is becoming accessible by more and more people on a daily basis. But sometimes we should look at the actual figures to make sure that we have a clear overview of the picture.
There are now over 35m people online, 68% of the total GB Adult population
15.8m households now online in the UK. A surprising fact is that women between the ages of 25 and 34 now spend more time online than men in the same age group. 12.8m people accessed the Internet whilst at work in the last month.
Sites where people can buy products or services are still showing that they are the most popular online destinations with 20.7m people doing so in the last month
The most well-liked online activities are; Using email 29.9m, Sourcing info on activity/interest 24.5m, site of a particular brand or product 22.6m, comparing prices 20.8m, making travel plans 17.8.
14.2m households in the UK have a broadband connection. This accounts for 92% of all Internet users, up from 90% a year before. Almost three quarters (70%) of home broadband user services are now above 2MB. Broadband penetration is expected to continue rising, it is predicted that broadband will be in 98% of all homes by 2012.
76% of Internet users are currently going online every day or most days. UK Internet users are spending an average of 23 hours a week online. The average length of each user session is almost I hour.
The UK online advertising industry is valued at £1,682.5m for the first half of the year, taking an 18.7% share of the UK advertising industry. Search accounts for 58.3% of all online advertising; display 19.8% and classifieds 21.5%. Search revenues grew by 28.7% year-on-year, display by 16.3% and classifieds by 30.2%
£48.6bn was spent online. 23.3m people now shop online in the UK. By 2012 32m UK consumers will be shopping online. The value of goods they buy online in 2012 will add up to almost £52bn.
Although figures are a little dry they are pretty impressive I would say. And they show that it’s not too late to start your own ecommerce enterprise…the growth is still there.


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The Infinix Note 5 To Launch on June 24th, Rumored To Be Part of Android One Project
Infinix Mobility as it set to launch the two successors to the Infinix Note 4 in Dubai on June 24th, 2018, rumors around the web claim the new flagship will be part of the Android One Project. However, we’re not so certain about this, as it was reported some time back that Infinix vowed to stay away from the mobile OS after seeing less sales for the Infinix Hot 2 which was the first Infinix mobile to have Android One.
Android One Project was launched in 2014, meant for entry-level smartphones, but it has now been seen on some mid-range, and high-end smartphones, like Nokia 7 Plus, Nokia 6.1 (2018), Moto X4, Xiaomi Mi A1, HTC U11 Life, to mention a few. For what is worth knowing is that Google offers software services like the Android One to OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) like Nokia for instance – because they haven’t gotten the experience to doing software.
Enough about the Android One project.
The Infinix Not 5 as per rumors is said to come with Android 8.1 while other suggested that it will be part of the Android One Project. The flagship is said to come coupled with 4GB RAM and 32GB internal storage expandable with a microSD card of up to 128GB, supported on a massive 5,000mAh non-removable battery. Main highlights is the 18:9 screen ratio with Full HD+ display, as well as the XPen. The stylus XPen was first seen on the Infinix Note 4, and it seems the feature will only be available to Infinix Note series. While the feature is said to come with the Note 5, its rumored to be more improved compared to what its predecessor has. On the other hand, the 18:9 screen ratio isn’t a new feature as most flagship this year come with the screen ratio to provide more room for content display, and less bezel.
On issue of the camera, its rumored that the flagship won’t have a dual rear camera setting, as it’s said the rear camera will be a 18MP sensor while the front facing camera will be 13MP.
We expect a FaceID and fingerprint features for security and privacy purposes.


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Ecotile Is Opening A New Warehouse In Europe
Ecotile Flooring are embarking on a new opportunity to cement our expansion plans in Europe. In a joint venture with long term Dutch distributor Floormaxx, we are opening a new warehouse in Deventer, Netherlands on May 15th.
Warehouse space at our factory in Luton has been seriously depleted to make room for our fourth injection-moulding machine arriving at the end of June. We are utilising another unit on our industrial estate to hold UK stock but the warehouse in Deventer significantly increases our stock levels and reduces the cost and lead-time for deliveries to our customers on mainland Europe.
Looking ahead this development gives us a certain amount of security when Brexit is finalised. With the withdrawal process started on the 29th March this year, it is vital that we continue to do everything we can to keep a healthy and productive relationship with our clients (both present and future) in Europe.
Our CEO, James Geyde previously released a statement in regards to his thoughts about Brexit:
“Ecotile are a UK based manufacturer of interlocking floor tiles, approximately 40% of the tiles we manufacture are exported to the EU, 10% to the rest of the world and the balance fulfills our UK orders so the vote to leave the EU potential could have serious ramifications for us.
I will freely admit that when I woke up on Friday to hear the result I was nervous. A week later and a trip around Europe meeting my customers and I have to say I feel a lot more confident about the future”.
We are confident that we will continue to have strong links with our partners in Europe and around the world and want to reassure our customers that we are doing everything possible to make doing business with them as easy as possible.


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Thursday, February 28, 2008
Touch Bionics expands in US to meet demand for prosthetic hand
Technology for Healthcare
27 February 2008
Scottish company Touch Bionics, developer of the world’s first commercially available bionic hand, has set up a US subsidiary, Touch Bionics, Inc. to help meet the growing demand for its revolutionary prosthetic hand.
The i-LIMB prosthetic hand
The company opened new headquarters and a development and manufacturing facility in Livingston, Scotland in January this year.
Touch Bionics launched the i-LIMB Hand in July 2007, and the product has now established itself as one of the hottest devices in the world prosthetics market. The company expects that its clinical customers will have fitted more than 100 patients, from all over the world, by the end of February 2008, representing very strong performance in such a specialist field.
“The level of global enquiries since the launch of the i-LIMB Hand has resulted in a very busy six months for Touch Bionics and we are hitting the top end of our expected sales growth,” said Stuart Mead, Touch Bionics CEO. “The response from patients and clinics alike has further convinced us that the market is ready for our product, meaning that this new facility is vitally important to helping us maintain our rapid growth.”
“We are performing well in export markets — 94% of our business is coming through exported product, and the USA is proving to be our biggest market,” added Mead.
Following its commercial launch, global market perception of the i-LIMB Hand has evolved from exciting new technology to a widely accepted clinical option in the space of six months. Touch Bionics has now established relationships with a wide range of clinical companies – from the world’s largest to smaller, independent clinics.
“Having a stronger US presence enables Touch Bionics to better serve its growing network of partner clinics in America, the company’s biggest market,” said Touch Bionics CEO Stuart Mead. “With more US clinics offering the i-LIMB Hand, growing numbers of American amputees will have the option of being fitted with the most advanced prosthetic hand on the market. The fact that we’re at the top end of our sales projections shows there is a ready market for our product.”
More than 70 patients worldwide have been fitted with the hand and the company anticipates reaching the milestone of 100 fitted patients by the end of February 2008.
Jake Wood, CP, FAAOP, sole certified prosthetist and co-owner at Orthotics and Prosthetics Associates, Inc. in Milwaukee, WI said, “I am so appreciative of what they have made available for my patients. Touch Bionics technology allows me to do my job better, providing patients with a solution that enhances and improves their day-to-day lives. Due to the anthropomorphic, dexterity and functional capabilities of the i-LIMB Hand, it’s in a league of its own, technology-wise.
“This is the first time in my 30 years in the prosthetics business that I felt I was truly delivering an arm to the patient,” continued Wood. “I never thought in my lifetime that I would ever see this technology.”
In addition to the developments in the US, Touch Bionics has also now cemented European partnerships with clinics and distributors in Germany, Turkey, Hungary, Romania and the Benelux region, with more global partners signing up in countries such as South Korea, Argentina and Brazil. In the space of just six months, global market perception of the i-LIMB Hand has evolved from exciting new technology to a widely accepted clinical option.


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EU Member States debated at a meeting held on Thursday on the European Commission's proposal to introduce a new procedure for establishing the minimum import price for Chinese solar modules.
Under the new system, which was originally proposed by the EC in July, the EU will no longer use the Bloomberg index to set the minimum price in the future, while minimum import prices for solar cells and modules will be gradually reduced based on the price level of the Taiwan PVInsight index by September 2018. This proposal was supported only by one member state, while 13 countries opposed and 14 abstained, according to Solar Power Europe. Therefore, the EC is now free to implement the proposal in the current form or to change it before the final publication.
To find a good solution for all interested parties, however, remains difficult. The trenches run directly through the photovoltaic industry. On the one hand, Solarpower Europe, which calls for an end to the anti-dumping measures, and on the other EU Prosun, which in the name of the photovoltaic manufacturers demand effective protection for the domestic industry.
There is also no unanimity between the two sides on new minimum import prices for solar modules or solar cells. A document from the EC, to which pv magazine had access, shows that the next adjustment of the minimum import price is scheduled for October 1. The minimum import prices for solar modules should then drop to €0.39/W for multicrystalline solar modules and to €0.44/W for monocrystalline solar modules, by two cents respectively. Further reductions may be introduced at a later stage, if the new regulation comes into force. Then the minimum import price for solar modules would then be €0.37 and €0.42/W for modules and €0.19 and €0.23/W for solar cells. By July 1, these prices should be €0.18 and €0.21/W for the cells, and €0.30/W for both multi- and monocrystalline solar modules.
Christian Westermeier, President of Solar Power Europe, said on Friday: “The Directorate-General for Trade felt the pressure and reduced the MIP price just days before the vote.” He agrees with EU Prosun that no one in the photovoltaic industry believes that the proposed the regulation is a good solution. The planned reduction of the minimum import prices, SolarPower Europe said, set a price of solar panels around 30% higher than today's market price. The association added it does not know yet the exact date of entry in to force of the new regulation, but it is likely that it will be applicable as of October.
“The new antidumping prices are below international manufacturing costs. They are de facto dumping prices themselves. This makes a farce out of EU antidumping law,” said Milan Nitzschke, President of EU Prosun. Moreover, there is doubt that the proposal supports the intention to end the antidumping measures by September 2018, Westermeier from SolarPower Europe said: “We are seriously concerned with the effect the new MIP will have on solar in Europe. Prices that are significantly higher than the market will obviously harm solar deployment.”
As for the cost bill, Milan Nitzschke explains: ” The prices of solar installations in Europe have fallen by 72 percent in the last 10 years. Without minimum prices, it would be 74 percent – hence, only 2 percent more, since the minimum import prices apply only to solar cells and modules, which make up only a part of the solar power system. The abolition of antidumping measures would be marginal for customers but disastrous for producers.” As a consequence, EU Prosun called on the EU to change its plans for the protection of the European solar industry before the final decision.
The EU Commission is expected to publish the final results of its interim review in September. It had initiated the proceeding in March after which it previously decided that the minimum import prices, anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures for the Chinese photovoltaic producers in Europe should be continued for 18 months.
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Map: Who pocketed close to €10,000 in BPS advance payments?
Farmers in Co. Waterford have received the highest on average advance payment under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the Greening payment, new figures reveal.
According to an official breakdown of the €700 million advance BPS payments, which started arriving in the bank accounts of 111,000 farmers last week, farmers in “The Deise” county received an average payment of €9,957.
More than 90% of these vital support payments for eligible farmers have now been paid. The Department of Agriculture is continuing with regular pay runs as more cases are cleared.
Farmers in Co. Kilkenny acquired an average BPS payment of €9,700, farmers in Co. Kildare got an average payment of €9,400, while farmers in Co. Carlow received an estimated €9,300.
Farmers in counties Dublin and Wexford secured approximately €9,000 each.
The Department of Agriculture figures show that farmers in counties Tipperary, Wicklow, Laois and Meath received between €8,500 and €9,000, while those in counties Cork and Louth gained between €8,000 and €8,500.
Into the west
In the south-west region, Limerick farmers grossed and average advance payment of about €6,500, Kerry farmers pocketed an estimated €5,700, while farmers in Co. Clare got an estimated €5,300.
An advance payment of between €4,500 and €5,000 was paid out to farmers in counties Cavan and Monaghan.
Farmers in the west and north-west region, including counties Mayo, Galway, Roscommon, Sligo and Donegal received an estimated advance BPS payment of between €4,000 and €4,800.
At the bottom end of the scale, farmers in Co. Leitrim received the lowest BPS advance payment of just below the €4,000 mark.
Confirming the commencement of the 70% advance in BPS payments last week, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “I am particularly pleased that these payments, worth some €700 million to 111,000 farmers, have now commenced issuing.
“Every year, the advance payment of the BPS is a vital support for farmers across sectors in terms of maximising cash-flow. It is a priority for my department that these payments issue in the most efficient manner possible, and that they commence on the earliest date possible under EU regulations.”
“I am happy to confirm that the 111,000 farmers paid in the initial tranche of advance payments represent an increase over the 109,000 farmers paid at this stage last year.
Over 90% of eligible applicants for the BPS have now been paid in this first tranche. As we move to full online application by 2018, my department will be able to introduce further efficiencies into the processing of payments which will be of direct benefit to farmers.
Payments under the Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (ANC) also continue to be issued as cases are cleared for payment.
“The advance BPS payment and the ANC payments taken together, mean that over €880 million has now been issued to Irish farmers in the last month.
“These payments provide a significant financial boost for individual farmers and the wider rural economy. I was delighted to secure an increase in the ANC scheme allocation for 2018. This €25 million increase will provide direct financial support to farmers in the most marginal areas of the country,” he added.


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Higher tariffs rev up Helphire profits
Helphire, which supplies hire cars to non-fault victims of motor accidents, saw profits jump 52% in the first half of the year thanks largely to an increase in tariffs.
The company said there had also been an increase in the number of days on which its cars were being hired as it won new business.
The combination of the two factors led to an underlying increase in profits from £13.5m in the first half the previous year to £20.6m.
Turnover jumped 41% to £126m and shareholders will get an interim dividend of 5.2p a share.
Helphire pointed out that the tariff increase it had imposed was approved by the Association of British Insurers.
Further growth came from its personal injury claims management services.
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A class action lawsuit filed against Molson Coors alleges that the company mislead consumers over the health benefits of its Vizzy hard seltzer.
Complainant Jennifer Marek alleged that the company had added “an insignificant amount of Vitamin C” to its Vizzy hard seltzer, “and then blanketed the labels and advertising with statements affirmatively promoting antioxidant Vitamin C from a ‘superfruit,’” according to a federal complaint filed on Thursday.
The complaint calls the action “misleading and dangerous to consumers.” It also alleged that the practise was “unlawful” due to labels ignoring U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Congressional policies.
Molson Coors had aimed to profit from increasing interest in a healthy lifestyle among consumers, the lawsuit alleges.
“Intending to profit from consumers’ increasing desire to consumer healthy food and drink, (Molson Coors Beverage) fortified its alcoholic beverage by sprinkling nutrients into a beverage that is lawfully required to disclose harmful health effects. Of course, adding an insignificant amount of nutrients to an alcoholic beverage will do little to overcome the harmful effects of alcohol,” it states.
“Attempting to overcome the deleterious health impact of its (products), (Molson Coors Beverage) added Vitamin C” to its Vizzy hard seltzer Marek alleges in the complaint.
“Aimed squarely at the health and wellness trends fueling the food-and-beverage industry, Vizzy represents MillerCoors’ biggest big yet on the ascendant hard seltzer segment, which is estimated to reach $2 billion in sales next year,” reads a press release from around the time of Vizzy’s launch.
Read More: Boston Beer co sued over seltzers


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Dell has established a US$300 million venture fund that will promote the development of technologies important to the company's product portfolio.
Most Chromebooks on the market rely on Google for online services, but Dell's new Chromebook 11 adds another cloud option to extend file sharing across desktops, laptops and mobile devices.
Dell said it would join a growing market of thin-and-light Chrome OS laptops with the new Chromebook 11, but the system will initially be available only to educational institutions.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating a report alleging that Dell computers have been sold to the Syrian regime despite the trade embargo in place, according to a July filing by Dell to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC...
Storage vendors struggled with a decline in spending by the U.S. government and increased investment in public cloud capacity during the third quarter, according to IDC.
Dell has started selling a thin and light touchscreen laptop called the XPS 13 Developer Edition, which will have Ubuntu Linux OS and Intel's fourth-generation Core processors, code-named Haswell.
Health care providers are just beginning to figure out how big data, mobile platforms and integrated software can deliver better care at lower costs, according to speakers at The Economist's Health Care Forum in Boston.
Workers at four Dell suppliers in China are allegedly enduring long overtime hours and facing exposure to toxic fumes, according to new reports from watchdog groups.
A deal to buy out Dell has been completed, officially taking the company private.
Dell will give its first public demonstration of a 64-bit ARM server this week, the latest step in an industrywide effort to build servers based on low-power chips like those used in smartphones.
Dell is serving up long battery life and a touchscreen with its latest Precision 3800 laptop, which the company calls the "world's thinnest and lightest" mobile workstation.
Dell has revealed pricing and availability of its new range of products, including the Venue tablet range and the XPS 11, at an event in Sydney.
Dell's XPS 10 tablet and Lenovo's Yoga 11 hybrid with Windows RT have been discontinued, but the companies will provide customers free upgrades to the latest Windows RT 8.1 when the OS is released later this month, according to representatives from t...
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The PC market remained weak in the third quarter, but the expiration of Microsoft's support for Windows XP in April next year may have prompted users to look at upgrades, which eased the slump.
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My first impression after unboxing the Q702 is that it is a nice looking unit. Styling is somewhat minimalist but very effective. The tablet part, once detached, has a nice weight, and no buttons or switches are located in awkward or intrusive positions.
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So far, Intel Corp.’s acquisition of Altera Corp. has not affected either supplier’s relationship with global distributor Arrow Electronics Inc. Although neither company was mentioned by name, Arrow CEO Mike Long told analysts on a quarterly conference call this week that consolidation in the semiconductor market — which also includes NXP/Freescale and Avago/Broadcom — has not adversely affected the distributor and there has been no fallout on Arrow’s linecard.
Arrow is not the most likely company to feel an impact from Intel/Altera—it has had a long relationship with both suppliers. However, within the broader distribution channel the acquisition could set off a chain reaction that impacts buyers and the status quo. For decades, Altera and its nearest competitor Xilinx Inc. could not be procured through a single distributor. Avnet Inc. has had a long relationship with Xilinx; Altera and Arrow are firmly established partners. Altera and Xilinx, because of the competitive nature of their product lines, will not be sold side-by-side at one distributor.
Intel’s acquisition of Altera could change that. Intel has sold its products through both Arrow and Avnet for decades. Even if Intel were to absorb Altera’s product lines under the Intel brand, Altera and Xilinx could technically be sold side-by-side at Avnet. Competitively, that might be a disadvantage for the FPGA makers. For buyers, it could mean a broader choice in FPGAs or the ability to consolidate purchases under a single distributor.
Would that then leave Arrow and Xilinx at a disadvantage? Is consolidation a big priority for buyers? My sense is that buyers do not want all their eggs in one basket. Dealing with multiple distributors just makes sense. It lowers the risk of being without product; it provides an opportunity for price comparison and leverage, and it’s just good business sense. While there may be some shift in BOM items if Avnet sells both Altera and Xilinx, buyers will still do business with both distributors.
So where does this leave the Altera-Xilinx distribution roster?
Intel could force Avnet to choose between Intel/Altera and Xilinx. In the past, chip makers’ refusal to be sold side by side meant a distributor would be dropped from the post-merger roster. That practice has largely gone by the wayside, and few chipmakers have the wherewithal to dictate to a $20-plus billion partner. Intel is one of those chipmakers. However, Intel has historically distanced itself from past practices in which Japanese and U.S. companies couldn’t be sold by the same distributor and maybe has just moved beyond such methods.
Xilinx could also ask Avnet to choose. But disentangling from Avnet—or Avnet dropping Xilinx—would be a difficult and painful process. Avnet has actively supported Xilinx’s products by sponsoring an annual X-fest which brings engineers and Xilinx products together and has featured Xilinx products in numerous reference designs and kits. Both companies have invested significantly in one another.
Xilinx could also seek out a distributor that does not have a conflict with Altera. WPG, an Asia-based distributor and Future Electronics Inc. of Canada are the largest global broadline distributors, by revenue, after Avnet and Arrow. Neither one carry Intel in the Americas. Both would likely welcome Xilinx to their linecard.
It’s also possible the last example of refusing to share shelf will just fade away. Intel is important to Avnet and Arrow, but they are also the two largest electronics distributors in the world. So far the relationships have been a win-win-win. Could Altera dislodge Xilinx from Avnet’s linecard? Given the level of partnership and support Avnet and Xilinx have historically had it would be an uphill battle for Altera, but maybe the best technology will determine the winner.
Consolidation is inevitable, it seems, and conflicts will arise no matter who is aligned with whom. But it is still a big factor in the distribution channel, and one analysts asked Arrow’s Long about several times. Long said for Arrow, consolidation has created new opportunities to sell a broader line of products. And, he added, the distributor is bringing value to suppliers.
“We’ve been able to navigate through the consolidation because our suppliers value our engineering capabilities,” Long said. Arrow has invested in its engineering resources and Long said Q2 was a very active period for Arrow in terms of design wins. “We have seen robust design activity in Q2 and approved designs were up in the double-digits year over year,” he said. “That’s up from single digits in Q1.”
Maybe the industry is ready for a competitive landscape based on value or the best technology rather than who else is on a distributor’s shelf.


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Windows Phone 8.1 GDR 1 on schedule for a July release?
Microsoft may not be famous for its late announcement of Windows Phone 8.1, but the amount of features included were enough to justify its timing. Microsoft’s new mobile operating system is finally on par with its leading competitors in almost every relevant feature, and it seems that the guys at Redmond are now focusing on speed when it comes to the major updates to Windows Phone 8.1.
A couple of weeks ago, we reported that Windows Phone would receive two GDR updates in 2014, Windows Phone 8.1 GDR 1 happening in July and GDR 2 happening some time in November. Some new rumors have it that the Consumer Experience (CXE) team should be wrapping up with GDR 1 next week, which would mean that it should reach carriers and OEMs very soon for further testing. This sadly doesn’t mean that you’ll be getting the update in July, but it does mean that Microsoft is doing its job in getting updates in a timely manner to its partners.
Details on what Windows Phone 8.1 GDR 1 will bring to the table are scarce at the moment, but we do know that native folder capabilities will be part of the update. It’s hard to predict when this update will reach your specific devices though, and mainly because we know that there are still a lot of Windows Phones that haven’t been updated to Windows Phone 8.1. We’ll keep you posted as more progress becomes public.


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TOKYO, Reuters – Asahi Naguchi (Bank of Japan) stressed the importance of the central bank “patiently continuing” its current monetary easing. It takes a while to reach its 2% inflation target during the coronavirus pandemic.
Noguchi spoke cautiously about Japan’s economic outlook in a speech. She said it would be clearer by the end of the year as more vaccines are being distributed to lessen the COVID-19 effects.
Noguchi said that there are also downside risks, such as the spreading of variants and its impact on supply chain logistics in the auto industry. Uncertainty remains high.
Yoshimasa Maruyama (chief market economist, SMBC Nikko Securities) said that “What is most striking about today’s speech was the fact Noguchi suggested Japan is unique from other countries facing rising inflation.”
It’s clear that global inflation was on G20 agenda. Japan, however, is still suffering from disinflation. Noguchi did not signal a need to alter monetary policies immediately.
Noguchi, an academic advocate for massive easing, joined in April a board split by members concerned about rising costs of continued easing and those who support stimulus.
A policy known as yield curve control, the BOJ keeps short-term interest rates low at 0.1% while 10-year yields hover around 0%. The BOJ also invests in government bonds to reach its goal of 2% inflation.
However, decades of loose policy has failed to increase inflation. Weak consumption means that firms can’t charge more for goods and services. This keeps inflation at a low 2% target.
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Demand for commercial real estate soars nationwide amidst economic expansion and stock market volatility, according to RE/MAX® Canada Brokers
Investors flock to ‘bricks and mortar’ as hedge against inflation in Q1 2022
With North American stock markets dangerously close to correction, bricks-and-mortar commercial real estate continues to resonate with institutional and private investors, particularly those who are personally vested, across almost every commercial asset class in major Canadian centres, say RE/MAX brokers.
The RE/MAX Canada 2022 Commercial Real Estate Report found demand for industrial, multi-unit residential—particularly purpose-built rentals—and farmland was unprecedented in the first quarter of 2022, with values hitting record levels, while retail and office are starting to show signs of growth in multiple markets.
The report examined 12 major Canadian centres from Metro Vancouver to St. John’s. Regional highlights include the following:
92 per cent of markets surveyed (11/12) reported extremely tight market conditions for industrial product in the first quarter of 2022. Newfoundland-Labrador was the only outlier.
67 per cent of markets surveyed (8/12) found challenges leasing industrial space. Included in the mix were Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area, Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara and London. Some realtors are recommending tenants start their search for new premises at least 18 months before their current leases come up for renegotiation.
While demand for overall office space in the core remains relatively soft in 92 per cent of markets (11/12) across the country, Metro Vancouver continues to buck the trend.
Suburban office space continues to prove exceptionally resilient in 67 per cent of markets surveyed (8/12). Those markets include Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara, Ottawa, Halifax-Dartmouth and Newfoundland-Labrador.
Development land remained sought after (industrial/residential) in 67 per cent of markets surveyed (8/12) including Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Ottawa, the Greater Toronto Area and Halifax-Dartmouth.
End users are encountering challenges in terms of expanding their businesses due to land constraints/shortages, with specific mentions of this noted in Vancouver, the Greater Toronto Area and Regina.
Retail is on the rebound in 75 per cent of major Canadian markets (9/12), with strong emphasis on prime locations in neighbourhood microcosms. The trend has been identified in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Hamilton-Burlington-Niagara, Toronto and Ottawa.
“The overall strength of the Canadian economy continues to propel massive expansion in commercial markets across the country in 2022,” says Christopher Alexander, President, RE/MAX Canada. “What began as heightened demand for industrial space to accommodate a growing e-commerce platform during the pandemic has blossomed into a full-blown distribution and logistics network that encompasses millions of square feet in markets across the country. Recent volatility in the stock markets has also prompted a shift to greater investment in the commercial segment as investors look to real estate as a hedge against inflation.”
Given the current shortage of land/space, commercial real estate developers and end users looking to build, have become increasingly creative in 58 per cent of markets surveyed (7/12), including Metro Vancouver, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, London and the Greater Toronto Area. The supply/demand crunch has proven the adage, ‘necessity is the mother of ingenuity,’ as new solutions emerge in the marketplace. In Metro Vancouver, Oxford Properties introduced the first industrial multi-storey industrial/commercial space in 2019 and a second stratified multi-storey facility—Framework by Alliance Partners—is planned for False Creek Flats. The first building is nearing completion and leased to Amazon while the first and second phase of the False Creek development is sold out and a third phase is currently selling at $725 per square foot.
In the future, municipalities may also consider industrial land reserves, registered areas dedicated to industrial in municipalities that are experiencing land constraints, given overwhelming demand.
“Land development is pushing city boundaries in major centres and municipalities are scrambling to accommodate residential and industrial intensification,” says Alexander. “At present the process is painfully slow in most centres, even where land is already serviced. Given the on-going likelihood of demand, policy that helps availability or fast-tracking of approvals would certainly be a boon to the market.”
The RE/MAX Canada 2022 Commercial Real Estate Report also identified a growing trend in infill land assembly that targets retail storefront/strip retail malls in mature areas for mixed-use developments by institutional and private investors. These new developments almost always have a residential housing component on top, often purpose-built rentals or condominiums, given the shortage and need for greater densification. Smaller investors and end users are largely shut out of this market and tenants are having difficulties securing long-term leases in these key areas. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) is offering an exceptionally attractive financing package for multi-unit, purpose-built residential construction, with a 50-year-amortization rate, low loan-to-value ratios, and favourable interest rates.
Institutional and private investors remain exceptionally active in the commercial real estate market across the country, spurring demand for industrial/office/retail product on a large-scale basis. Extensive portfolios are a primary target, especially those containing 10 or more properties. Spillover from activity in major centres is also serving to bolster smaller, secondary markets, where affordable price points, in relative terms, prove attractive, especially as savvy investors anticipate future needs and potential, given urban sprawl, density, population growth, pricing and inventory trends.
While retail is making a comeback in prime neighbourhoods, the return of foot traffic should have a positive impact on the market moving forward. Revitalization of older retail spaces and malls is underway to enhance the shopper experience and influence the return to in-person shopping. This, in turn, is attracting tenants. The sector is expected to continue to strengthen as markets move past former pandemic constraints and more favourable conditions emerge to support retail growth.
RE/MAX Canada has found that cannabis outlets are largely over-represented in most major Canadian centres. As the industry amalgamates, there could be an influx of retail inventory returned to the market over the next 12 to 18 months.
Other trends noted in the commercial market by RE/MAX Brokers include novel ways to expand exposure and streamline the selling process. As inventory of farmland dwindles and price per acre has risen, realtors have turned to auctions with great success in Saskatchewan. Saskatoon, for example, which typically has about 300 listings for grain farms for sale at this time of the year, has seen available properties drop to below 90. Realtors have turned to auctions as a more effective way to increase exposure to a wider audience, generating offers from across the country, as well as the US. The trend is another sign of a heated marketplace where buyers are willing to compete for the right product in the right location in a transparent process.
“The soaring price of commodities has bolstered Western Canadian markets, with resource-rich provinces such as Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba experiencing unprecedented growth as industries emerge from their slumber,” says Elton Ash, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Canada. “Saskatchewan, in particular, is reinvigorated, with the economic engine just heating up in agriculture, mining, forestry, and potash.”
Continued strength is forecast in commercial markets, supported by population growth and further economic expansion. According to the RBC Economics, Provincial Outlook published in March, GDP growth is expected to climb to 4.3 per cent in Canada, led by BC, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 2022. An unquenchable demand for product in the industrial, multi-unit residential and farmland sectors will persist as intentions remain strong, despite a serious scarcity of inventory. Buyers, large and small, will continue to seek opportunity as investors increasingly favour tangible assets. Dollar volume is up across the country in almost every market as the principals of supply and demand impact values. Lease rates are also edging upward. With the pandemic fading quickly from memory, the return to the workplace—either full-time or in a blended/hybrid format—is expected to spark the next wave of growth, revitalizing downtown office buildings and breathing new life into the core.
Senior Manager, Public Relations & Content | RE/MAX Canada
Lydia McNutt is an award-winning writer, editor and public relations professional, with a focus on all things real estate. At RE/MAX Canada, Lydia translates market data and trends into educational and entertaining content for homebuyers and sellers, while furthering the RE/MAX brand's reach, nationally and globally. Explore timely news articles, market trend reports and thought-leadership on blog.remax.ca. Lydia has been published nationally on topics ranging from real estate to architecture, design and decor, finance, business, technology, entertainment and lifestyle topics. Email Lydia at email@example.com


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Here's why the Los Angeles auto show is good for car buyers: everyone wants to be here to show off their wares. The almost perpetual sunshine of southern California is quite a pull for denizens of Detroit or New Jersey, where so many European car companies have their North American bases, but that's the least of it.
There are always some world premieres happening at the L.A. show, so the public can get to see many of their future cars well in advance. And not just the exotic stuff, like the Bentley Continental GTC or distinctly un-mass-market things like the Honda Fit electric vehicle. Or, indeed, the plain weird, such as the Dok-Ing mini luxury three-seater electric car from Croatia that puts the driver in the middle.
The 2011 Los Angeles event sees new generations of cars that many people really plan on buying, especially compact crossovers like the 2012 Ford Escape and the 2012 Honda CR-V. And since there are quite a few well-heeled folk out on the left coast, it makes sense to introduce accessible luxury vehicles like the all-new 2012 Infiniti JX crossover and the 2012 Lexus GS executive sedan.
Speaking of rich people, there are some marques whose clientele are centered around the swisher parts of L.A., but don't take the city's car show so seriously. Ferrari, we're looking at you. The Prancing Horse hasn't set up a stable for a few years running. Lamborghini sometimes has a presence, or will occasionally make a launch deeper in Hollywood proper when it suits. Aston Martin has another on-again/off-again relationship with the show.
Which is a big mistake for all three concerned, even if they can pre-sell every car they make. Because southern California is an important market worth wooing.
At Jaguar's press conference, the company's global brand director, Adrian Hallmark, referred to Californian buyers influencing not just the whole country, but automotive tastes around the world. Porsche thinks of the Golden State as "a second home" for its 911, recognizing it as the largest sports car market in the world. Bentley sells half its convertibles in SoCal. And Audi admires the Californian belief that "technology can overcome challenges." More fool Ferrari if show-goers fall in love with an Audi R8 supercar instead.
Rich kids, early adopters of new technology, waiters who are only doing the job because they're actors, TV executives, hipsters, families with adopted kids from Ulan Bator and even regular people - they all live in and around Los Angeles. Because of this place's peculiar confluence of topography and freeways, they all need cars. And they can find the latest ones at the 2011 Los Angeles auto show.
See more LA Auto Show news.


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Yum earnings are out, and on the EPS line they're a miss.
Earnings came in at 67 cents per share, which is weaker than the 70 cents that analysts had expected.
On the other hand, revenue of $3.17 billion was a hair ahead of expectations.
Same-store sales rose 7% in the US and 10% in China.
However, Yum China operating profits decline 4% excluding currency effects.
More to come in a moment.
ORIGINAL POST: Yum Brands is one of our favorite companies to watch to get a read the Chinese economy, since there are so many KFCs there.
The company also owns Pizza Hut and Taco Bell.
It's also popular in other places around the world, so just generally it's a company whose earnings we like to pay attention.
The company reports after the bell. Analysts expect to see 70 cents in earnings on revenue of $3.12 billion.


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Amazon is searching for new headquarters, and L.A. wants to be in the running
Amazon.com is shopping for a city to house a second headquarters — and mayors across the country already are lining up to bid on the crown-jewel prize.
The online retailing giant’s new campus would deliver an economic boost well beyond the $5 billion in construction costs and 50,000 jobs anticipated at Amazon’s “HQ2.” Not only would Amazon’s direct spending at its future second home be the stuff of city planner dreams, but there’s also the indirect benefit created by spawning more business for suppliers, nearby vendors and others.
It would be particularly rewarding for Los Angeles, which has suffered an exodus of corporate headquarters in the last two decades because of the area’s relatively high business taxes and housing costs.
“I welcome the opportunity to compete for this remarkable investment, and the tens of thousands of good-paying jobs it is sure to bring with it,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement Thursday.
“L.A. is the perfect place for a company like Amazon to find talented workers, and an environment that nurtures growth and innovation,” Garcetti said.
Amazon launched the search for its second North American base because its current headquarters, which covers 33 buildings in greater Seattle, is brimming with 40,000 workers following the company’s remarkable growth that lifted its sales to $136 billion last year.
Many mayors wasted no time making their pitches, signaling that a fierce battle among many of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas may be looming.
“We’re all abuzz this morning about Amazon’s announcement,” said St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She said city officials were “putting together a team right now to make a very competitive” proposal.
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto simply tweeted, “On it,” with a link to Amazon’s proposal-submission page.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has spoken to Bezos several times about bringing HQ2 to the Second City, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Chicago’s unmatched workforce, world-class universities and unparalleled access to destinations throughout the world make it the perfect headquarters location for companies large and small. That’s also why Chicago has led the nation in corporate relocations for the last four years,” mayoral spokesman Grant Klinzman said in an email to the newspaper.
And Nashville Mayor Megan Barry told the Tennessean that she was “confident that our socially progressive, pro-business climate, talented workforce, and overall great quality of life offers the type of environment that they are looking for.”
Amazon expects the winning city to grant lucrative perks to the e-commerce leader. In its “request for proposal” to prospective bidders, the company asks them to identify state and local incentives available, including tax credits and utility incentives.
“The initial cost [of the project] and ongoing cost of doing business are critical decision drivers” in which area would be selected, Amazon said.
Regardless, “if I’m the mayor and the governor, I’m all over this opportunity like a bear on honey,” said Lloyd Greif, head of the Los Angeles investment bank Greif & Co. and a former chair of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.
“This is a huge opportunity for the city” of Los Angeles, Greif said. “In terms of the importance to the city, I think the Olympics [in 2028] would pale against this.”
“We expect HQ2 to be a full equal to our Seattle headquarters,” Amazon Chief Executive Jeff Bezos said in a statement Thursday. “Amazon HQ2 will bring billions of dollars in up-front and ongoing investments, and tens of thousands of high-paying jobs.”
Amazon said it would give priority to areas with more than 1 million people that are within 45 minutes of an international airport.
In addition, “a highly educated labor pool is critical and a strong university system is required” in the area, Amazon said.
“We want to invest in a community where our employees will enjoy living, recreational opportunities, educational opportunities, and an overall high quality of life,” the company added.
Amazon’s sales have doubled in the last four years and it now employs about 380,000 people, including thousands at nine fulfillment centers in California, including five in the Inland Empire. Earlier this year it announced plans to build two new centers, in Redlands and in Eastvale, near Riverside.
The company also has a film and television production arm, Amazon Studios, based in Santa Monica.
The TV division of the studio shoots many of its shows in the Los Angeles region, including “Transparent,” “Bosch” and “The Last Tycoon.”
Amazon Studios has become a major Hollywood player in just a few years. The studio produced last year’s Academy Award-winning “Manchester by the Sea” and has been successful in luring prestige talent, including Woody Allen, Matthew Weiner and Richard Linklater to create original movies and TV series.
Los Angeles and Orange counties might appear to be viable candidates: They have a large available workforce, nearby airports, nearby universities and access to the West Coast ports, which are among the busiest in the nation.
“The biggest advantage L.A. has is the concentration of talent,” said Kevin Klowden, executive director of the Milken Institute’s California Center and a managing economist at the Institute. “L.A. is a center for standard media and entertainment but also for newer media and online content.”
Still, L.A.’s high housing costs might work against it.
Rent and home prices have soared in recent years in the region, putting a strain on family budgets and the ability to take out a mortgage, although Amazon noted that employment at its second headquarters would be “high-paying jobs.”
“Too expensive — it doesn’t solve anything,” said Michael Pachter, an analyst at Wedbush Securities in Los Angeles. “I personally think this is more about housing than anything else. So, Riverside makes more sense than L.A. Or Bakersfield.”
But Chris Thornberg, founding partner of Beacon Economics, said L.A.’s high housing costs are unlikely to deter Amazon because many of its employees are paid well and the company already has experience in Seattle, also one of the country’s most expensive cities.
“They pay a lot of money,” Thornberg said. “They are the reasons home prices go up. They are the cause, not the effect.”
Thornberg said there is a simpler reason Los Angeles is unlikely to land the Seattle firm — it already has a headquarters on the West Coast.
“Bezos is looking to take over the world,” he said. “My guess is he is going to aim for the East Coast.”
Gov. Jerry Brown’s Office of Business and Economic Development, known as GO-Biz, is aware of the Amazon headquarters proposal, Deputy Director Sid Voorakkara said.
“It is fair to say we work closely with the city on all business opportunities from attraction, expansion and retention,” he said.
Amazon did not specify why it needs a second headquarters, and the company declined to elaborate. But the move might simply reflect Amazon’s relentless growth, both internally and by acquisitions.
Late last month, Amazon completed its $13.7-billion purchase of Whole Foods Market Inc., a chain of 470 grocery stores that focus on organic and natural foods.
The scope of Amazon’s search to house 50,000 workers is considered staggering in the commercial real estate industry. Amazon has more than 8 million square feet in multiple buildings in Seattle, according to the Seattle Times, and is still growing fast.
It would presumably require multiple buildings in Southern California as well. Downtown L.A.’s U.S. Bank Tower, for example, one of the tallest office buildings in the West, contains 1.4 million square feet and is already about 80% leased.
“It’s tough to get your head around the magnitude of the scale of this opportunity,” said real estate broker Nico Vilgiate of Colliers International.
Downtown Los Angeles has some of the largest blocks of space available in the region, he said, such as Broadway Trade Center. The former department store on Broadway is under renovation and will have 1 million square feet of offices when completed.
Even with its recent economic renaissance, however, downtown has a dearth of big tech-oriented office tenants. Well-heeled technology and entertainment companies more typically hunt for space in Santa Monica, Hollywood, Burbank, El Segundo, Playa Vista and Culver City.
Brokers say Amazon has already agreed to rent at least a large portion of the 14-acre Culver Studios in Culver City, where famous movies including “Gone With the Wind” and “Citizen Kane” were filmed.
Warner Center and Torrance are also considered viable for big firms. In Torrance, the longtime North American headquarters of Japanese car manufacturer Toyota is for sale as the company consolidates U.S. operations in Texas. The 110-acre Toyota campus has about 2 million square feet of office and industrial space and room for further development.
The scramble to get Amazon’s real estate business will be intense. Three of the largest national brokerages, CBRE Group Inc., JLL and Cushman & Wakefield have instructed brokers not to speculate about what Amazon might do. They presumably do not want to offend the tech giant.
Times staff writers Andrew Khouri, David Ng, Patrick McGreevy and Roger Vincent contributed to this report.
4:40 p.m.: This article was updated throughout with additional analysis.
11:50 a.m.: This article was updated with details about L.A.’s housing costs, analyst comment and how other U.S. cities are vying for Amazon’s project.
10 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from investment banker Lloyd Greif and more details about Amazon Studios.
9:30 a.m.: This article was updated with Los Angeles planning to bid for Amazon’s second headquarters.
7:55 a.m.: This article was updated with details about West Coast prospects for Amazon’s second headquarters and Amazon’s current California operations.
7:15 a.m.: This article was updated throughout with staff reporting and additional details.
This article was originally published at 3:40 a.m.


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Posts tagged with "Nintendo NX"
Nintendo NX Officially Unveiled as Nintendo Switch
Oct 20, 2016
After nearly two years of anticipation, Nintendo has unveiled Nintendo Switch, its next-generation video game system set to launch in 2017.
Nintendo NX Preview Video Coming Tomorrow
Oct 19, 2016
Nintendo will finally reveal the first glimpse of its new Nintendo NX platform via short preview video on October 20 for fans worldwide.
The Pokémon Company Suggests Nintendo NX is Hybrid
Sep 20, 2016
Details surrounding Nintendo's next video game platform, codenamed "NX," have been scarce, but The Pokémon Company suggests it's a hybrid.
SEGA Announces Project Sonic 2017 for Nintendo NX
Jul 23, 2016
The Blue Blur's next main series game, codenamed Project Sonic 2017, will arrive on Nintendo NX and other consoles in 2017, SEGA announced.
Nintendo NX Won’t Launch With a New Super Mario Game
Jun 17, 2016
Nintendo's next home video game console, codenamed "NX," won't launch with a new Super Mario title when it debuts worldwide in March 2017.
Just Dance 2017 Singing to Wii U and Nintendo NX
Jun 14, 2016
The next game in the Just Dance series, Just Dance 2017, arrives this October on numerous consoles, with a confirmed release on Nintendo NX.
Indie Developer Removes “Nintendo NX” Logo From Trailer
Jun 5, 2016
Developer VD-Dev Games has removed the "Nintendo NX" logo from a recent announcement trailer for their upcoming game, RISE: Race the Future.
RISE: Race the Future Announced for Wii U, 3DS & NX
May 31, 2016
RISE: Race the Future, from developer VD-Dev Games, is coming to Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in 2016, with a Nintendo NX version also planned.
“MH” Reportedly Nintendo’s Next Portable Gaming System
May 24, 2016
Nintendo is developing their next generation portable video game hardware under the codename "MH," according to multiple financial reports.
Elite Beat Agents Creator Hopes for Nintendo NX Version
May 10, 2016
The creator of Elite Beat Agents, a popular rhythm game on Nintendo DS, would like the series to continue on Nintendo's next platform, "NX."
NX Price, Features, Launch Titles to be Introduced in 2016
Apr 28, 2016
The Nintendo NX price, features, and launch titles will be introduced some time this year ahead of its planned worldwide debut in March 2017.
Zelda Wii U Will be the Only Playable Game at E3 2016
Apr 27, 2016
The next Zelda game will launch simultaneously on Wii U and NX in 2017, and the Wii U version will be Nintendo's only playable game at E3 2016.
Page 1 of 3
SteamWorld Heist Review (Wii U)
Nov 30, 2016
Gurumin 3D: A Monstrous Adventure Review (3DS eShop)
Nov 12, 2016
River City: Tokyo Rumble Review (3DS)
Oct 14, 2016
Titan’s Tower Review (Wii U eShop)
Sep 26, 2016
Jotun: Valhalla Edition Review (Wii U eShop)
Sep 15, 2016
Catching the Spirit With the Yo-kai Watch 2 Demo
Sep 23, 2016
New Pokémon GO Update Makes Several Changes
Jul 31, 2016
How EarthBound Helped Me Battle Mental Illness
Jul 29, 2016
How to Catch a Fake Mew [Trainer] in Pokémon GO
Jul 14, 2016
Five 3DS Games to Play on Your Summer Road Trip
Jun 20, 2016
Giving Pokémon Sun & Moon an HD Makeover
Oct 21, 2016
Slime-san is a Joint Indie Effort Squirming to Wii U
Oct 4, 2016
Skunk Software on the Costly Mistake of Overpricing eShop Games
Sep 26, 2016
Yono and the Celestial Elephants Could Come to Wii U
Sep 22, 2016
Back to Bed Still Set to Sleepwalk on Wii U in 2016
Sep 19, 2016
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes
Latest Blog Posts
Gold Goombas Event Arrives in Super Mario Run March 30
Mar 29, 2017
Discover New Pokémon Sun & Moon Details on October 27
Oct 26, 2016
Network Maintenance Planned for Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Oct 25, 2016
3DS System Update 11.2.0-35 Now Available
Oct 24, 2016
Monster Hunter Direct Announced for October 27 in Japan
Oct 24, 2016
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WARNING: This article contains strong language
On Wednesday night (September 13), South Park kicked off it's 21st season with an episode that tackled the issue of Confederate flags, and poked fun at the growing popularity of voice activated assistants such as Google Home and Amazon Echo.
Throughout the episode, Cartman and the other boys had fun getting Alexa to repeat inappropriate and childish phrases that young kids find hilarious. It turns out that Cartman was able to speak through the television set as many people watching from their couch reported that whenever a character on the show asked Alex or Google to do something, their own device turned on.
It got so bad that some people had to unplug their devices.


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updated - June 25, 2021 Friday EDT
White Castle is getting in on the truck food business by launching two food trucks later this month. The "CraveMobiles" will be available for events in the Louisville, Ky., and Columbus, Ohio, markets, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.
Subway is already the world's largest fast food chain, overtaking McDonald's in 2010, but with its nearly 39,500 restaurants in 102 countries, the franchise is still not satisfied. It's looking to have 100,000 stores by 2030, with 10,000 of those opening by 2017.
The franchise sector is expected to continue on an upward swing and grow at a slightly faster rate than other businesses, but the rate of growth remains unchanged from the 1st quarter 2013 forecast, according to IFA's 2nd quarter update to The Economic Outlook for Franchise Businesses report
How can you qualify for a free meal at Dunkin Donuts? Go in with a camera, a business degree and say you received bad customer service after the employee failed to give you a receipt and of course, post it all on Facebook.


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Grand Forks Herald
Klobuchar optimistic as Congress approves $1 billion opioid initiative
Your fleece jacket might be polluting the Mississippi River
Somali-American lawmaker from Minneapolis says D.C. cabbie harassed her
Update: Family makes emotional plea to find Minnesota hunter's killer
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crime and courts
Wild hold off surge by Maple Leafs
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UND takes a 74-56 win over NDSU in men's basketball
Prowlers looking for another trip to state tournament
NCAA Men's Hockey Regional tickets on sale Thursday morning
Marilyn Hagerty: Samosas, chicken kebabs popular at Steer's
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'The Story of the World in 100 Species' available at Grand Forks Public library
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Helen M. Puffe
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Port: Meet the guy who thinks the blizzard was a government attack on #NoDAPL protesters
Port: Congrats #NoDAPL; thanks to Dakota Access delays, more oil to be shipped by train
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GMO bill could save money for farmer and consumers
MITCHELL, S.D. -- Families and farmers alike could soon benefit from federally set food product labeling framework thanks to a bill that passed through the U.S. House Agriculture Committee earlier this week. According to Patrick Delaney, of the American Soybean Association,...
July 16, 2015 - 10:30pm
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Montana energy economy dims, but consumers benefit
SIDNEY, Mont. -- Montana’s energy economy is dimming, according to reports from both alternative and fossil fuel industries. Coal is on the ropes as U.S. coal energy consumption hits a 24-year low, oil drilling has dropped dramatically in the Bakken and wind energy construction...
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January 16, 2015 - 4:30pm
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U.S. retail sales drop biggest in 11 months, but seen as a blip
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March 19, 2012
Massive spike in long-term care costs hits Minnesota seniors
MINNEAPOLIS Premiums are soaring by 20 to 90 percent for thousands of Minnesotans who carry long-term care insurance, and many older people are struggling to figure out what to do. "I guess we'll just bite the bullet," said Peter Wyckoff, 67, of Shoreview, a retired advocate for...
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March 12, 2012
Biofuels: Even when Minnesota-made, they're not offered at state pumps
MINNEAPOLIS Minnesota's newest biofuel wants a place at the pump. It's called isobutanol, and like ethanol it is made from corn and can be mixed with gasoline as a motor fuel. But the state's fuel-blending law was written years ago with ethanol in mind -- and new biofuels don't...
March 12, 2012 - 10:46am
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Up to $27 billion at stake in historic Canadian tobacco suit
MONTREAL -- In the country next door, tobacco companies have been convicted in a landmark racketeering case and been forced because of other lawsuits to pay out at least US$206 billion over a quarter-century -- a sum bigger than the annual GDP of most countries. The legal skies have...
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Crude oil from N.D., Canada eases gas price rise in mid-continent
MINNEAPOLIS As gasoline prices soar on the coasts, less expensive crude oil from Canada and North Dakota is easing the pain for Minnesotans. The average pump price in the state, running this week around $3.60 per gallon for regular, remains 75 cents behind California, where gas...
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February 28, 2012
New low-cost air carrier to fly from MSP International
MINNEAPOLIS Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport has landed another low-cost airline, the culmination of government efforts to foster competition and reduce fares. While airport officials would not reveal the company, it appears to be Spirit Airlines, which flies to a variety...
February 28, 2012 - 9:07am


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Volkswagen-owned British luxury carmaker Bentley has followed up earlier production cuts by axing 220 jobs, or almost 6% of its British workforce, and temporarily cutting pay 10% for remaining staff.
“We are taking action to sustain the long-term viability of the company and retain key skills for when we emerge from the economic downturn,” a spokeswoman told Agence France-Presse (AFP). “We will do everything we can to support those affected.”
Bentley had earlier said it would suspend production for up to seven weeks from March because of falling demand, although staff would still be paid during the closure.
“Bentley, along with other motoring manufacturers, has been hit by the global economic slowdown,” the spokeswoman said.
“With the situation likely to remain like it is throughout 2009 we thought it sensible to reduce our outgoings and headcount.”
She also revealed that salaries for remaining workers – including CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen – would be reduced by 10% from April until the end of 2009.
UK car sales fell 30% in January and recent events include the axing of 1,200 jobs at Nissan, cutbacks at Toyota, a four-month closure of Honda’s plant and a GBP2.3bn government loan package for the beleaguered automakers.