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Billtrust Appoints John Huettel as Senior Vice President of Sales
Enterprise software executive brings wealth of industry experience to company
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. (May 2, 2019) — Billtrust, the leader in B2B order-to-cash solutions, announced today the appointment of John Huettel as Senior Vice President of Sales. He will report directly to Billtrust’s President, Steven Pinado, and is responsible for overall sales strategy and execution.
Bringing more than 25 years of enterprise software experience to his role, John will oversee the entire sales organization at Billtrust and further accelerate organic growth with customers and prospects.
Prior to joining Billtrust, John led a complete go-to-market transformation of TrackVia, a leading workflow management platform. He also transformed PowerPlan’s selling strategy transitioning the company from a transactional, product-based process to a strategic, platform driven enterprise sales methodology encompassing the product family. John has prior leadership experience at JDA Software and Profitlogic.
“I am excited to join Billtrust and lead the company through an even more accelerated growth phase,” said John Huettel, SVP of Sales at Billtrust. “The order-to-cash process is still a highly manual and inefficient process for most companies. Billtrust helps companies optimize workflow, reduce friction through automation, and deliver an enhanced customer experience for our clients and their customers.”
“We are thrilled to welcome John to our leadership team at Billtrust,” said Steven Pinado, President at Billtrust. “He is an accomplished executive and leader, and his wealth of industry experience in the B2B technology space will be a valuable asset to our team as we continue to lead the B2B order-to-cash market.”
John holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from Duke University and an MBA in Marketing & Finance from the University of Maryland.
To learn more about the leadership team at Billtrust, visit billtemp.wpengine.com/leadership.
Billtrust accelerates cash flow by automating credit decisioning and monitoring, invoice delivery, payment capture, cash application, and collections. Billtrust customers improve operational efficiency across the credit-to-cash spectrum via a flexible and integrated cloud-based solution set. Finance executives and A/R specialists love and recommend Billtrust for the remarkable cost savings, ease-of-use, process efficiency, and improved customer satisfaction rates. For more information, visit www.Billtrust.com.


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Fashion giant 'Gucci' just got embroiled in a controversy because of selling a rather 'avant-garde' sweater, which has been accused of being racist.
Social media users expressed their displeasure because of Gucci's rather in-your-face 'ignorance' that could be clearly seen on the sweater design.
Take a look at the controversial sweater here.
The Balaclava black wool sweater is conspicuous in its own right and covers the wearer's neck and most parts of the lower face. It has a cut-out on the lips, which has been fashioned with a red border, that resembles oversized lips.
The sweater costs almost $900 and is supposed to be inspired by vintage ski-masks. People, however, have been trashing the design accusing it of bearing a close resemblance with 'Blackface'. For the uninitiated, Blackface is a form of theatrical make-up used predominantly by non-black performers to represent a caricature of a black person.
Unfortunately, for Gucci, the timing couldn't have been worse because it's the 'Black History Month', and a move like that just made sure that they have been dragged under the limelight, and not in a good way.
Gucci, however, has apologized and has withdrawn the product, as well as taken it off the shelves in their brick and mortar stores.
Interestingly, Prada had also faced a similar controversy recently, where their range of figurines called the 'Pradamalia' range was accused of bearing a close resemblance with 'monkey-like' figures with large red lips, that also evoked Blackface imagery.

domain: news


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In what's become buzz-building standard operating procedure, Unilever took ads for its Dove Pro-Age skin-care, hair and deodorant products to the U.S. broadcast networks, which promptly rejected them -- allowing the marketer to draw traffic to its website to see the "banned" ads.
"We did go to all of the networks to present the ads and discuss our messages several times," Stacie Bright, Unilever senior marketing-communications director, wrote in an e-mail. She said Dove hadn't approached any cable networks.
Spokespeople for Fox and NBC confirmed their networks had rejected the ads, which show side views of several older women but no frontal nudity. Spokespeople for ABC and CBS declined to comment.
One network executive termed the Unilever move "a big, fat publicity stunt," noting that the company originally approached the network in fall 2005 with storyboards, followed by finished ads last July, and was turned down. The network was never approached again with revisions, the executive said, until Dove earlier this month began airing a heavily edited version steering people to the brand website at doveproage.com to see "what we couldn't show you on TV."
The campaign is the latest iteration of Dove's much-talked-about "Campaign for Real Beauty," and the Unilever spokeswoman said the company wanted to "stay true to our message ... that beauty has no age limit and should be celebrated, not hidden or concealed."
Strategy worked for Axe
The "banned" strategy has generated buzz for another Unilever brand, Axe. A 120-second German-language ad for Snakepeel body wash, showing two young, bikini-clad women lovingly bathing one another by a pool, has generated more than 2.1 million views on Google Video. (For other full-body ads, watch the video for Unilever's Vaseline brand that's airing in the U.K.)
But Dove is having trouble infecting the viral video space this time.
A German-language post of the Dove ad on YouTube has gotten only about 600 views since it went up about a week ago. The U.S. TV ads from WPP Group's Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago, have twice been posted on YouTube and twice taken down since Advertising Age inquired about them last week. A spokeswoman said Unilever had the posts taken down because of confusion over whether U.S. YouTube rules prohibit a marketer or agency from posting ads on the site, though she said she believes consumers are free to post them.
Doveproage.com has gotten decent but not huge traffic, rising to around 50,000 daily visitors on Feb. 13, according to Alexa.com.
Ads running globally
While the public can't see the ads on U.S. TV, they are running globally, along with online, print, cinema and out-of-home ads in the U.S. "Oprah" earlier this month showed images of the campaign in an extended segment with the models as part of Ms. Winfrey's latest effort to support the campaign.
The Pro-Age models also have been featured this month on NBC's "Today" show and other outlets.
But the Pro-Age ads have fallen well short of the brand's biggest buzz producers of late, the "Dove Evolution" viral from Ogilvy, Toronto, that generated more than 6 million views, and a 20-second ad on the Oscars, featuring actress Sara Ramirez, from Dove Cream Oil's consumer-generated ad contest .
Overall, Dove continues to grow at a fairly rapid clip in the third year of Campaign for Real Beauty. Sales were up 10.1% to $589.2 million in 2006, according to Information Resources Inc., compared with 12.5% in 2005 and only 2% in 2004, when the campaign launched on a limited basis in the fall.


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Tech stocks lead market lower again as Twitter takes a dive
Technology companies led a slide in U.S. stocks Friday, adding to the market’s losses from another tech-driven sell-off a day earlier.
Twitter plunged more than 20%, its second-biggest loss since going public in 2013, after the social media network said its monthly users declined in the second quarter.
Although tech stocks made up much of the market’s drop, smaller-company stocks fell more than the rest of the market. The losses outweighed gains in banks and phone companies.
Even so, the Standard & Poor’s 500, the market’s benchmark index, had its fourth weekly gain in a row.
The week ended largely as it began, with investors focused on a cavalcade of company earnings reports, most of which have topped Wall Street’s forecasts.
“There were clearly high expectations coming into second-quarter earnings, and we’ve seen where companies have performed well relative to those expectations, they’ve typically been rewarded, and where they have fallen short of those expectations, either in current quarter or future guidance, is where you’re seeing [selling] occur,” said Bill Northey, senior vice president at U.S. Bank Wealth Management.
The S&P 500 slid 18.62 points, or 0.7%, to 2,818.82. The Dow Jones industrial average fell 76.01 points, or 0.3%, to 25,451.06. The Nasdaq composite index, which is heavily weighted with tech firms, sank 114.77 points, or 1.5%, to 7,737.42. The Russell 2000 index of smaller-company stocks dropped 32.02 points, or 1.9%, to 1,663.34.
This was the busiest stretch of the second-quarter earnings season, with roughly a third of companies in the S&P 500 reporting results. Although some companies posted results that fell short of analysts’ forecasts, most delivered better-than-expected results and favorable outlooks.
Of the 49% of the companies in the S&P 500 that had issued quarterly results as of Friday, some 65% reported earnings and revenue that beat analysts’ forecasts, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence.
That has reinforced the underlying perception in the financial markets that the U.S. economy is performing strongly and that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again next week.
The government said Friday that the U.S. economy surged in the April-through-June quarter to an annual growth rate of 4.1%. That’s the fastest pace since 2014, driven by consumers who began spending the money President Trump’s tax cuts saved them and by exporters rushing to get their products delivered before retaliatory tariffs kicked in.
The economic snapshot had been widely expected, so it didn’t have a noticeable effect on the market or the sell-off in tech stocks.
For the second straight day a social media company led a steep decline in the tech sector. Twitter plummeted 20.5% to $34.12 after the company disclosed user totals and issued a forecast that disappointed investors.
Snap, the company behind the Snapchat messaging app, slid 4% to $12.83. Facebook shares slipped 0.8% to $174.89, adding to its huge loss from the day before.
Facebook’s steep drop, which erased nearly $120 billion of the company’s market value, was brought on by its warning to investors that it sees slower revenue growth ahead. With Friday’s losses, Facebook shares came within a hairbreadth of finishing in a bear market, which is defined as a drop of 20% from a recent peak.
Other technology companies also had a rough day.
Intel skidded 8.6% to $47.68 after the chipmaker’s latest quarterly report left analysts concerned about the company’s profit margins and key businesses.
Computer hard drive companies also fell. Western Digital sank 7.7% to $71.13. Seagate Technology slid 5% to $54.69.
CBS dropped 6.1% to $54.01, the biggest one-day loss for the stock in more than six years, following reports of sexual misconduct allegations against its chief executive, Les Moonves.
Investors bid up shares in companies that reported solid quarterly results.
Expedia Group surged 9.5% to $137.79 after the online travel portal’s quarterly earnings topped analysts’ forecasts.
Chipotle Mexican Grill climbed 5.7% to $472.30 after the restaurant chain said sales online and at established stores improved in its latest quarter.
Amazon.com rose 0.5% to $1,817.27 after the online retailer reported its biggest profit ever as its advertising and cloud computing businesses kept growing.
Benchmark U.S. crude fell 92 cents, or 1.3%, to $68.69 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, used to price international oils, fell 25 cents to $74.29 in London. Heating oil slid 2 cents to $2.16 a gallon. Wholesale gasoline was little changed at $2.16 a gallon. Natural gas rose 4 cents to $2.82 per 1,000 cubic feet.
Bond prices rose, sending yields lower. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 2.96% from 2.97%.
The dollar slipped to 111 yen from 111.23 yen. The euro strengthened to $1.1656 from $1.1645.
Gold fell $2.70 to $1,223 an ounce. Silver was little changed at $15.49 an ounce. Copper fell 2 cents to $2.80 a pound.
Major indexes in Europe finished higher. Germany’s DAX advanced 0.4%. The CAC 40 in France gained 0.6%. Britain’s FTSE 100 ticked up 0.5%. In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index rose 0.6%, the Kospi in South Korea advanced 0.3%, and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index edged down 0.1%.
2:30 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.
This article was originally published at 7:10 a.m.
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India’s competition regulator is examining allegations that Tata Motors and two finance firms of its $100 billion parent group abused their market position while selling commercial vehicles, according to three sources and legal documents seen by Reuters.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) is reviewing a complaint which alleges the country’s biggest seller of trucks dictated terms around the quantity and type of vehicles its former dealer in northern India – Varanasi Auto Sales – should stock.
More than a dozen lawyers representing the three Tata companies attended a private hearing at the CCI in January and argued there was no malpractice by the group’s firms, said the three sources, who have direct knowledge of the matter.
The Tata Group has faced antitrust reviews in the past. A CCI investigation last year found units of Tata Steel and other firms colluded on prices of bearings. A final ruling on that case is pending.
The latest complaint, filed last year by a family member of the dealer, alleged Tata Motors broke rules by working in concert with Tata Motors Finance and Tata Capital Financial Services while advancing dealer credit.
The automaker would stop supplying vehicles to the dealer if repayment of loans advanced by the two finance firms was delayed, indicating they were colluding, said one of the sources privy to the complaint.
“(The) model of business adopted by Tata Group helped in sustaining and retaining the market share,” the complaint document said.
In response to Reuters queries, Tata Motors said it had made submissions to the CCI and would provide full support to the watchdog.
Tata Capital Financial Services denied the allegations and said it would also support inquiries, adding it had separately taken legal action against the dealer, which it said had defaulted.
Tata Motors ended relations with the dealership in 2017 due to poor performance, the documents showed.
The CCI did not respond to Reuters queries, but a fourth source aware of the case said the watchdog would reach a decision within six weeks, which could see a wider probe into the allegations or a dismissal of the complaint.
The details of the complaint and the ongoing proceedings are not public.
The CCI has powers to impose a penalty of up to 10% of the relevant turnover of a company in the last three financial years if it is found to have abused a dominant position.
With an over 40% market share in India, Tata Motors is the biggest seller of commercial vehicles such as pickup trucks. It competes with firms such as Ashok Leyland and Mahindra and Mahindra and has over 3,750 sales and service points across India.[“source=moneycontrol”]


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Although Acer's Aspire One has managed to eclipse Asus' Eee PCs in terms of worldwide popularity, the netbook is only available with an 8.9" display. Well, that's about to change. DigiTimes reports that Acer has started "small volume shipments" of a 10.1" Aspire One in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The company will reportedly ramp up production for "major global markets" in mid-February.
Japanese site PC Watch partly echoes this information, saying the system will reach Japanese shores on February 20. The site also quotes some specs: a 1024x600 display resolution (just like on 10.1" Eee PCs), a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, a 160GB mechanical hard drive, 802.11g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and a choice of three- or six-cell batteries. The netbook will tip the scales at either 2.6 lbs or 2.93 lbs, depending on the battery size.
According to DigiTimes, Acer has made it clear that it will promote netbooks more aggressively this year. The PC vendor expects 2009 shipments to reach 12-15 million in total.
|Valve details plans for Steam storefront update||8|
|Google Play Store doors are now open for a few Chrome OS devices||2|
|Updated Roku range starts cheaper and gets HDR-ready||7|
|In Win's 509 full-tower case can swallow massive mobos||9|
|Friday Night Shortbread||25|
|Doom's latest update adds Deathmatch and private matches||15|
|Rumor: Google to showcase mesh networking router soon||11|
|SolidRun MicroSoM offers Braswell CPUs on a tiny package||19|
|Deals of the week: SSD storage and a gaming laptop||15|


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Let’s get in touch.
We’d love to hear from you.
About a year ago, we convened meetings on digitalization. It was attended by relevant stakeholders of the digital ecosystem to get the message across in terms of the tremendous impact of embracing digitalization. I believe that it is the way forward and the key to achieving inclusive growth in the country. This is why, as the presidential adviser for entrepreneurship, my office has been organizing a series of high-level dialogues and consultation meetings to provide an avenue for the players and enablers to raise their concerns, as well as recommendations, in pushing for digitalization in the country.
A side note, during our meeting with President Duterte last April 3, the three pillars (tourism, agriculture, and digitalization) for a more inclusive economy were presented. This is where we are putting our efforts. The tourism summit last May 2, clearly pointed the need to build and modernize our airports which are already happening in Cebu, Bohol, and Clark. The recent NAIA proposal is now up for approval of the National Economic and Development Authority. The full impact of these projects will be felt toward the end of the President’s term, but as this happens, entrepreneurs will begin to invest in these areas through hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast and other businesses.
Going back, last May 20, we gathered more than 30 digital platform brands for the Angat Lahat sa Digital Alliance Meeting. The idea is to form a private-sector led group composed of digital platforms to work closely with the government in influencing and educating more Filipinos about the impact and opportunities of digitalization especially to our MSMEs (micro, small and medium entrepreneurs). The meeting was called to form the alliance and send a strong message of support to the government from the private sector in creating a more enabling environment for digital entrepreneurs to thrive. The alliance will work on creating a roadmap to move the Philippines forward in terms of digital transformation.
One of the main agenda of the discussion is the creation of an intensive information campaign and talk to the common folks- the sari-sari store and carinderia owners, the habal-habal drivers, the masahistas, and all the entrepreneurs in the informal economy- to raise awareness about the different digital platforms and opportunities that they can take advantage of. The goal is to bring about 70 million to 80 million Filipinos to be part of the growing digital economy.
We also shared to the group the initiative we have started on digitalizing the sari-sari stores which we are initially working with Lendr, Mynt and FMCG companies equipping sari-sari store owners with tools and resources so they can access mobile payments and financial services to help them increase their credit-worthiness using transactional data.
But there are still a lot of things to be done and improved on. Concerns were raised during the discussion. One of them is the regulation efficiency from the side of the enablers. Ray Alimurong of Lazada Philippines mentioned that at some point, the digital platforms do not know which national agency governs them. During the crafting of the E-commerce Roadmap of 2016-2020, platforms like Lazada and Zalora were not consulted. Brian Cu of Grab also emphasized the need for sandboxes to allow the platforms to continue innovating and experimenting with what will benefit society.
While the private sector has its own concerns, Pia Tayag from BSP also asked the help of the private sector in making a push from the side of entrepreneurs to have transactional accounts in tandem with the efforts of the government’s National Retail Payment System (NRPS) framework thus creating increased efficiencies and access to financial services for both the consumers and businesses.
Director Senen Perlada of DTI also agreed that moving forward, the group must be part of the consultation especially in the creation of the new E-Commerce Roadmap, after the previous one expires, for additional valuable inputs.
The desire to go forward is evident with the players in the industry, but it is a matter of getting them organized. Platforms shared what each is respectively doing to bring in more entrepreneurs into the digital economy. To create a greater impact for more Filipinos, the alliance hopes to collaboratively work on programs instead of doing things on their own. My office will take the lead in documenting and consolidating the pro-poor programs and initiatives of the digital platforms to be presented to President Duterte in August. We plan to invite the beneficiaries of the platforms to present to our enablers the impact of their platforms on the lives of micro-entrepreneurs and get their continued support.
Aside from the event with the President, we are also planning for a bigger activity in October to officially launch the alliance.
We always anchor our programs and initiatives on the 3Ms of MSME development (mentorship, money, and market). We have been going full blast and nationwide in implementing offline mentorship programs in partnership with the Departments of Trade and Industry, of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform. With the Mentor Me App, we are integrating online mentorship which will eventually become a portal to access the basic curriculum on mentorship and coherently have access to the training of partner digital platforms providing greater access to mentorship for people who want to become digital entrepreneurs.


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Mon, Nov 23, 7:25 AM, Zacks
Stage Stores (SSI) Looks Good: Stock Adds 9.3% in Session
Stage Stores Inc. (SSI) saw its shares rise over 9% on the day.
Wed, Sep 9, 6:59 AM, Zacks
What Makes Stage Stores (SSI) a Strong Sell?
Stage Stores is a stock to drop as it has witnessed negative trend in earnings estimate revisions and has seen its price decline significantly


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KonaRed Corp., Koloa, Hawaii, the manufacturer of premium Hawaiian Cold Brew and Whole Bean Coffee, announced that its comparative revenue grew by 132 percent from $174,000 in Q3 2015 to $404,000 for the three-month period ending Sept. 30. Revenue for the comparative nine-month period grew by 34 percent from $587,000 to $789,000, the company says.
Kalaheo, Hawaii-based KonaRed Corp. reported an 80 percent increase in consumer product sales plus delivery revenues to nearly $1.1 million for 2014, compared with nearly $605,000 the previous year. Net sales for the company, which includes consumer product sales, delivery fees and raw material ingredient sales, increased 39 percent to nearly $1.3 million, compared with nearly $906 million in 2013.
Flashing back to arts and crafts projects from childhood, a common instruction from parents and teachers was to “use what you have.” Shaun Roberts took that concept a step further when he developed KonaRed juices.
Sales and marketing agreement to complement distribution relationship
April 28, 2014
KonaRed Corp., Koloa, Hawaii, announced that it has formally expanded its relationship with Splash Beverage Group Inc., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., by signing a sales and marketing agreement to complement the duo’s distribution agreement.


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We all want our world’s children to be safe. That’s why this story is an important one to share with anyone you know who has kids two-years-old or younger and who has one of these recalled baby bathtubs. Baby product company Summer Infant issued a voluntary baby bathtub recall due to impact and drowning risks.
In conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Sargent Art recalls bacteria contaminated crafts paints. Roughly 2.8M units sold in the U.S. contain the harmful, but not publicly identified bacteria. So far, no problems have been reported due to the contamination; however, those with compromised immune systems face a greater risk of developing serious
Stryker issued hazard alert for LFIT Anatomic CoCr V40 hips in conjunction with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia’s equivalent of the U.S. FDA. At the time of this writing, no such action has been taken by the FDA.
Talk about making waves in the fashion industry. Bionic Yarn, an eco-friendly company whose co-founder and creative director is multi-talented entertainer and entrepreneur Pharrell Williams, has figured out a way to look good while still doing good for the planet. Using reclaimed plastic bottles, many of which are removed from ocean shores, Bionic Yarn turns
In what I’m sure comes as a surprise to no one, Donald Trump allegedly pushed his workers to fire any female employees he found unattractive and replace them with “pretty ones” at the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos, California. According to a 2012 lawsuit, employees alleged they were constantly pressured by Trump to
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a preliminary nationwide settlement approval on August 31, 2016, in the class action lawsuit against certain Johnson & Johnson Bedtime Bath Products. Any objections to the settlement must be filed with the court by December 19, 2016. A final approval hearing will be held
Thanks in large part to Senator Elizabeth Warren’s indefatigable efforts to hold “too big to fail” banks accountable for their part in the financial crisis that devastated the country in 2008, Wells Fargo’s CEO John Strumpf is being forced by the bank to forfeit $41 million dollars as a result of his role in the
Ah, Whole Foods! The retailer that greets you with a bounty of flowers and fresh produce when you walk through their doors, inviting you to pile your cart high with their cornucopia of organic products, fair trade coffees, and healthful hot meals and bulk medicinal herbs. The retailer that posts their Core Values right on the wall for all to see, like “We Practice and Advance Environmental Stewardship” and “We Satisfy, Delight and Nourish Our Customers.” One could be forgiven for thinking they had stumbled into an ecotopia of conscious capitalism, or at least a place where the products and practices that the shopper votes for with their dollars are less guilty than other, more sullied retail grocery stores.
The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which is responsible for providing accreditation to for-profit colleges, has officially been stripped of its authority by the Department of Education (DOE). The news regarding the DOE’s decision was made public on Thursday, September 22, 2016. The Department of Education previously released a report in June
The former vice president of operations improvement and integration, Edward Lacey, filed a whistleblower lawsuit against Visiting Nurse Service of New York, VNSNY. Lacey left the employment of the agency in January 2016. That agency has played a key role in Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, administrations overhaul of the state’s Medicaid program. The


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updated 01:20 pm EST, Thu January 12, 2012
Global roaming coming during 1st half of year
Earlier this week at CES, LG and Motorola unveiled two new phones destined for Verizon's 4G LTE network. Phone Scoop has learned that the two phones, the Motorola Droid 4 and LG Spectrum, will be able to roam globally using GSM as well as CDMA, Verizon's core wireless technology. This capability should be available sometime during the first half of this year.
Currently, none of Verizon's LTE phones support access to GSM networks. That limits them to about 40 countries where CDMA works, Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney said. Some "network enhancements" are needed to make the switch.
The LG Spectrum integrates a dual-core 1.5GHz processor and a 4.5-inch, 720p IPS touchscreen. It will get ESPN streaming video as one of its Verizon-specific touches. Pricing for the Spectrum will be $200 with a two-year contract.
The Motorola Droid 4 sports a four-inch, 540x960 display protected by a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass layer. It comes powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core TI OMAP processor. Although Verizon hasn't officially announced pricing, Droid Life has posted an internal Verizon promotional roadmap showing the price as $250 with a contract.
Motorola Droid 4


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The Lafayette Square Area Coalition, now known as the International Marketplace Coalition, has worked hard to revitalize the Lafayette Square Area. Promoting and celebrating the international cultures in this diverse area with more than 70 languages spoken and more than 100 ethnic restaurants and markets has helped create a new destination. This fall, new gateway structures and bus shelters featuring local faces, foods and fabrics will identify the area as Indy's International Marketplace.
Perhaps less known is Walmart's role in this revitalization. In 2005, when Walmart announced it would build a store at West 46th Street and Lafayette Road, Mary Clark, president of the coalition, presented hundreds of petition letters welcoming Walmart. When Walmart opened its doors in 2008, businesses, thinking about leaving, stayed and saw sales pick up. Others, such as Best Buy, Staples and Shoe Carnival, chose to reinvest next to Walmart. In just a few years, Walmart has helped to stimulate a significant revitalization of the Lafayette Road, Pike Plaza area.
This month, Walmart celebrated its grand re-opening marking its renewed commitment and investment in the area. We have been and continue to be appreciative of Walmart's contributions to revitalizing the Lafayette Square Area. We look forward to our continuing partnership to bring people from near and far back to Indy's International Marketplace to shop, learn, eat, play and work.
President, International Markeplace Coalition
Board member and president of City-County Council


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ICICI Direct has given Hold recommendation for Vardhman Textiles with a target price of Rs. 300 in its research report issued on Jul 26, 2022
ICICI Direct’s research report on Vardhman Textiles
Vardhman Textiles (VTL) (earlier known as Mahavir Spinning) is part of the Vardhman Group, a large textile conglomerate with a presence across the textile value chain. Vardhman is among few textile companies that have been able to maintain a debt equity ratio below one despite continuous capacity addition • Healthy cash flows have enabled VTL to maintain reasonable debt levels. We expect the D/E ratio to stay at ~0.3x in FY24E.
We downgraded the stock from BUY to HOLD in our sector update released on 20th June 2022 and maintain HOLD recommendation on the stock. We value VTL at Rs 300 i.e. 7x FY24E earnings.


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In this episode of TSB, the crew remains dropless as they continue to get settled in at their new studio home. They also give their thoughts on the recently revealed Air Jordan XXX3.
Guru delivers some more of his workplace stories, including one where a customer may, or may not, have died just to avoid paying his restaurant bill.
In Sneaker News, Under Armour is cutting 3% of their global workforce; which equates to about 400 employees. Making matters worse, Dick’s Sporting Goods blames them for their decreased sales.
Brands are finding out that just having random celebrities, or influencers, hawk your product doesn’t always work. Just ask UGGs about their deal with Lil Yachty.
Golden Goose Luxury Brand caused some controversy with the release of their new $530 sneakers that appear beat up, torn up, and covered in duct tape, with people accusing them of “glorifying poverty”. Only rich people would pay so much to look so poor.
Athletes from all over the sports would have teamed up with sneaker marketplace “Grailed” to give away their sneakers for charity.
And finally, one of the most priceless shoes on the planet, the Ruby slippers from “The Wizard of Oz”, have finally been found since being stolen from a Minnesota museum 13 years ago. Something about the story doesn’t sit right with the crew, leaving them to speculate that the theft might’ve been an inside job.


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Carrefour, the second-largest retailer in the world, has launched an online shopping portal for the UAE in a move analysts say will help to usher in a new era of e-commerce in the region.
Carrefour opens door with new portal
Carrefour, the second-largest retailer in the world, has launched an online shopping portal for the UAE in a move analysts say will help to usher in a new era of e-commerce in the region. On the French retailer's new website, www.ic4uae.com , consumers from the Emirates can buy more than 3,000 non-food items such as electronic goods, homeware and beauty-care products.
"We live in the age of the internet and as Carrefour is committed to offering customers choice, flexibility and convenience, launching an online store seemed the next natural step for us in the region," said Henry Changeux, the head of Carrefour for the GCC. The French retailer has 37 hypermarkets across the Middle East, including 13 in the UAE, through a partnership with the UAE-based retail conglomerate Majid Al Futtaim.
It has also opened several Carrefour Express stores in the Emirates to expand its brand in medium-sized locations. While other internet start-ups such as Nahel.com and Aido.com have found relative success with UAE customers, Carrefour's entry into e-commerce marks a significant milestone in the regional development of the industry. There has been an online retail boom this year with at least eight e-commerce websites launched since January. But Carrefour is one of the first multinational companies to launch an e-commerce portal in the Middle East.
"Major brands entering into e-commerce with shipping will be a major boost for e-commerce volume in the region because these brands already have brand recognition and massive volume in terms of gross sales and clients," said Jawad Abbassi, the founder and general manager of Arab Advisors. Mr Abbassisaid that with Carrefour's big-brand status, its shopping website might harm smaller online retail players that competed with it on the same products.
But Sanjay Amarnani, the chief executive of Aido.com that sells electronic gadgets, mobile phone accessories, DVDs and games, said the entry of a major retail name such as Carrefour would help to overcome regional consumers' security concerns when using credit cards online. Most online purchases in the UAE are usually paid for by cash on delivery, retailers say. "I think it's a good thing," said the Dubai-based entrepreneur. "It will be healthy competition, and it will build up confidence in the economy that online is the way to go forward."
Carrefour plans to allow online shoppers to buy goods using credit cards and some debit cards, depending on the bank. The transactions will be handled by Emirates NBD, Mr Changeux said. "We don't expect everyone to start shopping online overnight," he said. "We are catering for a relatively small group of shoppers at the moment … this is still a new concept for the region and it is early days but we expect it will be successful."
Another problem for online retailers is delivering the goods to consumers homes in the UAE, where there is no addressing system. Mr Changeux said Carrefour would use the UPS shipping and tracking system to deliver to a home or workplace. The retailer will ask customers for as much information as possible when placing an order. Delivery will be free if the total cost is more than Dh500 (US$136), or UAE consumers will be charged about Dh12.
Other online retailers such as Nahel.com and Souq.com are expanding their delivery range to outside the UAE and across the region by the end of this year. Mr Changeux said Carrefour would deliver only to the UAE for the foreseeable future. There were no plans to expand its online offerings to include groceries as Carrefour "does not feel comfortable delivering grocery items because of the hot climate in the UAE".
Online shopping in the UAE represents only a small portion of the total retail market. Last year consumers spent about $19.6 million online compared with an estimated total of $10.9 billion of non-grocery retail spending, data from the research company Euromonitor shows. But by 2014, e-commerce in the UAE is expected to grow by 72 per cent to about $33.7m, the research company forecasts. @Email:firstname.lastname@example.org


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This One Ingredient May Be Doubling Your Fat Production, Says New Study
You might be reading food labels for info like calories, carbs, fat, and sodium already, but according to a recent study in the Journal of Hepatology, you may want to look at how many added sugars are in there, too.
Researchers in Switzerland recruited 94 healthy young men and had half consume a sweetened drink every day for seven weeks. The drinks contained either fructose, glucose, or sucrose—all common sweeteners that are added to a range of products, from cookies to salad dressing. The other half of the participants were a control group, who didn't have the beverages.
Overall, even though the first group didn't consume more calories than before the study, the results with fructose and sucrose—which is table sugar, a combination of fructose and glucose—were particularly striking. (Related: The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now).
Within weeks, participants with those beverages showed twice as much fat production in the liver compared to those having glucose-only drinks. Also, this effect remained for more than 12 hours after the last drink. That means not only does added sugar double the amount of fat production, but it also keeps that process going long after your last sip or bite.
Keep in mind that added sugar is not the same as the natural sugar occurring in foods like fruits, grains, or dairy products, according to dietitian Martha Lawder, RDN, adjunct professor of nutrition at California State University, Sacramento.
In fact, Lawder says, fruit can be a great way to get your sweet fix and still stick to your weight loss or weight management goals, because all fruits are rich in micronutrients that help numerous systems in your body.
For example, she says mangoes may be high in natural sugar, but they're also packed with choline, an essential nutrient that's key for central nervous function. But added sugars don't have those nutrient advantages, she adds.
Even more problematic, the type of fat production highlighted in the recent study does more than add to your waistline, it boosts your risk of fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes, the researchers report.
"Limiting your consumption of added sugar is definitely an important strategy for better health," says Lawder. "Adding in options like whole foods, healthy fats, and quality protein can help to curb consumption of sugary foods."
For more, be sure to check out The 15 Best Low-Sugar Yogurts, Approved by Dietitians.
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BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The Mall of America on Thursday is celebrating three decades of being an economic engine for the state.
It’s also been the site of many gatherings, weddings and celebrity sightings – bringing a little bit of Hollywood to the Bold North.
WCCO’s Reg Chapman was there for the celebration and has more on where MOA has been and where it hopes to go in the future.
The Bloomington mall first opened its doors on Aug. 11, 1992. It’s still the largest mall in the country.
“It was crowded here, wall-to-wall people, it was busy, it was a good time. Bloomingdales was here, Sears, Macy’s, Nordstroms. A lot of big stores, a lot of people,” said Bloomington native Sam Snyder
Snyder was one of the first to walk through the doors when it opened. He was also one of the first in line to celebrate its 30th birthday.
Hundreds gathered on the third floor to celebrate with cupcakes – all with their own special memories.
“We had to wait in this long line outside of Macy’s and we got this canvas bag,” said Sandy Young.
Young and her sister-in-law Linda Hughes have a tradition of meeting up at the Mall of America. They’ve been coming since day one.
“The mall has…
Read Full Article from www.cbsnews.com


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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the Nigeria Data Protection Bill, 2023 into law, marking a significant milestone in the country’s data protection and privacy landscape. The bill, which was sent to the National Assembly by former President Muhammadu Buhari in April 2023, establishes a robust legal framework that safeguards personal information and regulates data processing practices within the country.
The bill also creates the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), which replaces the Nigeria Data Protection Bureau (NDPB) that was set up by Buhari in February 2022. The NDPC will be headed by a National Commissioner who will be responsible for overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the law.
The main objectives of the bill are to protect the fundamental rights, freedoms, and interests of data subjects, as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; to promote data processing practices that prioritize the security and privacy of data subjects; to enforce fair, lawful, and accountable handling of personal data; to provide recourse and remedies for data breaches; and to foster a culture of data protection and compliance among data controllers and processors.
The bill also aims to bolster the legal foundations of the national digital economy by ensuring the trusted and beneficial use of personal data and enabling Nigeria to actively participate in regional and global data markets.
The bill is expected to have far-reaching implications for various sectors and stakeholders, such as government agencies, private organizations, civil society groups, media outlets, and individuals. Some of the key provisions of the bill include:
– The definition of personal data as any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person, such as name, address, phone number, email address, biometric data, etc.
– The requirement for data controllers and processors to obtain consent from data subjects before collecting, using, or disclosing their personal data, except in certain circumstances such as legal obligations, public interest, vital interest, etc.
– The obligation for data controllers and processors to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.
– The right for data subjects to access, rectify, erase, restrict, object to, or port their personal data from one service provider to another.
– The duty for data controllers and processors to notify the NDPC and affected data subjects of any personal data breach within 72 hours of becoming aware of it.
– The power for the NDPC to investigate any violation of the law and impose sanctions such as warnings, fines, suspension or revocation of licenses, etc.
– The establishment of a Data Protection Tribunal to adjudicate disputes arising from the application or interpretation of the law.
The Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 is seen as a landmark legislation that aligns with international best practices and standards such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union. It also fulfills one of the campaign promises of President Tinubu to create one million jobs in the digital economy sector by providing opportunities for training and licensing of data protection professionals and service providers.
The NDPC has announced that it will soon issue regulations, guidelines, and codes of conduct to operationalize the law and provide clarity on its implementation. It has also urged all stakeholders to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the law and comply with its requirements.


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Not long ago, buying a class ring was a simple yes-or-no decision.
Each member of a school’s graduating class would choose whether to buy an identical piece of gold jewelry, adorned with the year of graduation and the school’s mascot or other emblem, and a large stone of the school’s traditional color set in the middle. Each student would pay the same price, around $60, and the only customized feature would be the initials engraved inside the ring band.
Today, though, buying a class ring is all about choices and the personal touch.
Customization is now the norm. Students choose from a variety of ring styles with names such as Minuet, Vanguard, and Endeavor, and metals from 18-karat white or yellow gold to less expensive jeweler’s alloys. A ring can be encrusted with real or imitation diamonds, and a variety of semiprecious stones are offered as a ring’s centerpiece.
Most class-ring companies have several hundred images for the ring’s sides in their catalogs, ranging from baseball, basketball, and band, to calf roping, dart throwing, and mariachi musicians. Jostens Inc., the Minneapolis-based leader in high school class-ring and yearbook sales, boasts of having 500 “Design-A-Side” icons for its customers to choose from.
And the graduation-products provider Herff-Jones Company of Indiana Inc., based in Indianapolis, tells potential customers on its class-ring Web site: “Your class ring is an expression of who you are.”
Some Cost $500
But are students really buying?
Jostens’ director of communications, Rich Stoebe, reports that although the company’s profits from high school rings “have been fairly stable,” the number of students purchasing rings has fallen over the past few decades. Since the early 1970s, when ArtCarved—now owned by the second-largest producer of class rings and yearbooks, American Achievement Corp. of Austin, Texas—became the first company to offer personalized rings, the share of high school students buying rings has dropped from one-half to one-third, Mr. Stoebe said.
One reason for the drop in sales is soaring prices. Sales representatives estimate that the average high school student now spends $250 on a class ring, usually made of sterling silver. A 14-karat gold customized ring can cost as much as $500.
Although high school students generally have more disposable income than they did a generation or more ago, many also have other hefty school-related expenses. After paying for senior photos, proms, yearbooks, college-application fees, and college-admission tests, many students aren’t able to shell out an additional $250 for a ring, that, as Mr. Stoebe said, “tells a personal story.”
Plus, the marketing of school rings as a personal statement rather than a shared symbol of academic attainment has curbed sales, some people in the class-ring business say.
“In the long run, [customization] has hurt sales,” said Tom Scarry, the owner of the class-ring and graduation-products provider National Quality Products, based in Fairfax, Va., and a former sales representative for Austin-based Balfour, a division of American Achievement. “It has taken away the uniqueness of a particular school’s ring.”
Mr. Scarry said he has higher sales in schools that limit or don’t allow customization—usually private schools that have a traditional ring or a ring ceremony.
Mike McClanahan, a Balfour sales representative in Kansas and Missouri for the past 30 years, said that he often has his highest sales in schools where a ring is still associated with academic achievement.
Students in poorer districts, where smaller percentages of students go to college, tend to buy more rings and spend more money on the ones they buy, he said, because high school graduation is a highly valued accomplishment.
But, he added, “the ring means less when it’s so personalized.”
To offset the declining interest among high school students, ring makers are employing an arsenal of marketing techniques.
For instance, to address soaring prices, nearly every ring producer offers inexpensive jeweler’s alloys as a metal alternative to the traditional gold and silver. Bentonville, Ark.-based Wal-Mart, the country’s biggest retailer and a recent entrant in the class-ring business, offers a minimally personalized ring, with the school name and mascot appearing on one side and a selected activity on the other, for $70 when made of an alloy and $250 when made of 14-karat gold.
Makers are now targeting younger students, with the pitch that they’ll have several years to wear the ring before graduation, when many students consign their high school rings to the jewelry box, dresser drawer, or pawnshop. Many schools allow sales representatives to sell to high school students as young as 14. Some companies, such as Wal-Mart, are even offering junior high and middle school rings.
Most companies also work with home schooling organizations and offer products to view and purchase online specifically for home-schooled students.
But the fastest-growing sector of the business is championship rings, according to people in the class ring industry. In the past five years, ring makers across the board report a tremendous increase in sales of customized rings for boys’ and girls’ high school teams, both athletic and academic.
Inspired by professional championship rings, most of which are manufactured by Jostens and American Achievement, high school teams are clamoring to mark their accomplishments in jewelry form, for regional, state, or national championships. Sales representatives carry replicas of Super Bowl and World Series rings with them when visiting schools, and they approach local coaches when their teams win championships.
According to Mr. Scarry, the rise in championship rings is easily explainable: “It goes back to what makes a ring important—a symbol of achievement.”


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Consumer confidence is everything, especially during the Covid era. But to establish that assurance among shoppers, brands must take some critical steps to modernize their fulfillment processes—and their returns.
During PSFK’s Retail Innovation Week event on Monday, Amit Sharma, founder and CEO of logistics software solution Narvar, and Tracey Strober, global director of retail solutions and customer experience for Urban Outfitters, Inc., sounded off about the services and features that have saved shopping over the past year.
“There are so many learnings from 2020,” Strober said, but the need to enable an efficient returns process during a global pandemic forced Urban to “really start to think outside of the box.” The company’s portfolio of brands includes Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, BHLDN and Free People, and with the exception of subscription service Nuuly, most boast a wide and dense store footprint. “A good number” of e-commerce returns end up coming back to those store locations, Strober said.
Amid 2020’s undulating waves of retail shutdowns, Urban brands were forced to speed up returns processing at distribution centers to satisfy shoppers who were used to the instant gratification afforded by in-store transactions. The company is also working with Narvar to implement a number of solutions, like item drop-offs outside of stores, that would allow for fast processing while eliminating the “friction point” of going to a cash register.
“There is for customers this new idea of speed and convenience,” she added, and retail businesses in the Urban portfolio have had to adjust to offering a more flexible suite of options beyond simply buying in store or online. “Using stores in new ways” was a primary objective for Urban during the Covid crisis, Strober said, pointing to omnichannel solutions that the company has rolled out in recent months.
Shoppers can now pick up orders curbside, and can have their online orders shipped to their nearest store location for pickup, too, if their desired products aren’t already available there. “We really tried to focus on the customer experience piece, and how we can make it better and more seamless,” she said. Scheduling delivery timeframes is something the company is also working on, as well as pickups for returns, with Narvar’s help.
“Shoppers are willing to pay for the convenience of same-day delivery to their homes,” Narvar’s Sharma echoed, saying that consumers have demonstrated an appetite to spend $5 or more for the service, which gives them “peace of mind” knowing that they will receive their items when they need them.
Shoppers are also quickly taking to mobile solutions like QR codes, which are used by logistics providers like FedEx, UPS and USPS, to scan packages for return in lieu of affixing shipping labels. “Prior to Covid, they may have had access to printers at their work locations,” Sharma said, but now that consumers are spending much of their time at home, they might not have the option to print out labels. Narvar’s data shows that nearly one-third of shoppers are now using QR codes and cutting out printing entirely, he said, and the technology is “accelerating the time to getting the inventory back from consumers,” making for a better overall experience.
The process of tracking both pickups and returns is also undergoing a metamorphosis, Strober said. “I think for anyone who oversees a retail business, the number one question a call center gets is ‘Where’s my package?’”
Over the years, Urban has implemented multiple touch points by email and text message to let shoppers know when their order has been dispatched and alert them to different steps on its journey. “We’ve also spent a lot of time working on chat features on the site so that you could get your status update on your package just by simply chatting, and not even necessarily talking to an associate,” she said.
The company has now implemented similar features for the curbside pickup process, she said. An email lets customers know when their order is ready for pickup, and they are directed to a landing page that allows them to check in once they’ve arrived at the store parking lot. They are instructed to fill out the make and model of their car, as well as their license plate number, so that an associate can pull their order and walk it out to them without any face-to-face contact.
According to Sharma, the key to shopper satisfaction with both fulfillment and returns is this kind of communication. Fielding shopper inquiries through texts and emails “can provide the information to set expectations,” he said, ensuring that they feel bought into the process from start to finish.


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German automotive supplier Bosch says it’s the first and only supplier to offer water injection to reduce vehicle fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Bosch’s new WaterBoost system is geared to drivers accelerating quickly or driving on highways, where the additional injected water reduces fuel consumption up to 13 percent. The higher compression ratio in the engine also leads to a carbon reduction of up to four percent in WLTC (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedures), Bosch said in a press release.
Midsize cars will see the best WaterBoost fuel economy performance, with the system ideal for three- and four-cylinder downsized engines typical in new car models, the company said. The new water injection system can also make cars more powerful, especially by providing more kick to turbocharged engines, according to Bosch.
“With our water injection, we show that the combustion engine still has some tricks up its sleeve,” said Dr. Rolf Bulander, chairman of the Bosch Mobility Solutions business sector and member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH.
The BMW M4 GTS, a high-performance luxury coupe capable of hitting 493 horsepower, is the first production vehicle to use a water injection system. Bosch said it’s supplying water injection parts for the car. That offers the turbocharged six-cylinder engine improved performance and consumption even at full load.
Bosch WaterBoost uses a port injection system that only requires a small amount of water to be kept onboard. It uses a separate water tank filled with distilled water that will need to be refilled about every 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles).
WaterBoost was designed on the concept of being a tuning formula using demineralized water that boosts power generation and lowers fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In most gasoline engines these days, additional fuel is injected to cool parts of the engine block.
Bosch said that its engineers were able to exploit this physical principle. Before the fuel ignites, a fine mist of water is injected into the intake duct by the WaterBoost system. Water’s high heat of vaporization means that it provides effective cooling, according to Bosch.
If the driver has forgotten to refill the WaterBoost tank, not a problem. The engine will still run smoothly – though without the higher torque and lower consumption provided by water injection, Bosch said.


text: Latest News EssilorLuxottica Posts Adjusted Proforma Revenue of €16.16 Billion in 2018, but Net Profits Slip By Staff Friday, March 8, 2019 9:45 AM CHARENTON-LE-PONT, France—In its first joint financial release since merging last year, EssilorLuxottica, reported today that its 2018 net profit declined when adjusted for the combination of its two component businesses, causing shares of its stock to fall more than 6 percent on the Paris exchange. EssilorLuxottica posted €16.16 billion in adjusted pro-forma revenue for the year, representing a 1.2 percent year-on-year decline. EssilorLuxottica said this represented 3.2 percent revenue growth at constant exchange rates, and that both the Essilor and Luxottica businesses contributed to the result.EssilorLuxottica's (Reuters: ESLX.PA) reported net profit was €1.16 billion compared with €1.04 billion the prior year. On an adjusted pro-forma basis, net profit was €1.87 billion, down 1.7 percent from 2017. “We are proud to present strong Luxottica and Essilor combined results. The contribution of Luxottica is significant: net sales, profitability and free cash flow all show positive growth, excluding the exchange rate effect. From a qualitative standpoint, its simplicity, entrepreneurial spirit and speed of execution continued to pay off. Today, Luxottica is well organized and energized for its future as part of EssilorLuxottica. We come to the integration process in the best possible way, bringing with us the most beloved brands, excellent operations capabilities and a digitized business inside and out. Our legacy will continue to grow in this way for years to come. Once we are fully integrated with Essilor and our synergies have taken effect, together we will redefine a revolutionary service model for the benefit of Wholesale partners and consumers everywhere," commented Leonardo Del Vecchio, executive chairman of EssilorLuxottica.“Since EssilorLuxottica was formed on Oct. 1, 2018, it has fully embraced its mission to help people see more, be more and live life to its fullest. To reach this powerful goal, the Group can rely on an outstanding performance from Essilor, which delivered strong business growth at all of its divisions in 2018 and surpassed its growth targets for the year while continuing to work on numerous innovations that will benefit the entire ophthalmic optics and eyewear industries. These achievements reflect the vibrant culture of entrepreneurship within Essilor and the creativity of its employees, whose interests are fully aligned with those of shareholders thanks to employee share ownership at every level of the company. This powerful value creation model will facilitate the generation of synergies going forward and will be rolled out across the entire EssilorLuxottica Group,” said Hubert Sagnieres, executive vice chairman of EssilorLuxottica.EssilorLuxottica also reported separate 2018 figures for each of its two constituent businesses. Essilor's 2018 revenue was €7.46 billion, up 0.8 percent from 2017. Essilor cited several factors that contribute to the growth, including a strong performance by its lenses and optical instruments division, where revenue rose 4.2 percent like-for-like as a result the momentum of new Transitions, Varilux and Eyezen products and an 8.1 percent sales increase in its sunglasses and readers division, driven by its Xiamen Yarui Optical (Bolon) brand in China and its Costa brand in the U.S.Luxottica's 2018 sales were €8.93 billion, down 2.8 percent from the year before due to “currency headwinds.” Luxottica's net income for the year was €900 million, down 13.5 percent year-on-year, EssilorLuxottica said.Sales for the Luxottica’s Wholesale business were €3,194 million, down 1.1 percent at constant exchange rates and a 5.2 percent drop at current exchange rates. In 2018, Luxottica’s Retail division grew by 3 percent at constant exchange rates, down 1.4 percent at current exchange rates. The growth was primarily fueled by Sunglass Hut, the optical Retail business in Australia, Target Optical and the e-commerce platforms, EssilorLuxottica said. Comparable store sales were up 0.5 percent, growing in all regions excluding North America, where they were flat. Sunglass Hut’s strong performance drove global sales up by 5.7 percent at constant exchange rates with a positive contribution from all geographies, Luxottica said. LensCrafters sales in North America were in line with last year.In 2018, sales from Luxottica’s e-commerce platforms, representing approximately 5 percent of total sales, were up 14 percent at constant exchange rates. Ray-Ban.com confirmed it is the main driver of the group’s online business.Both Essilor and Luxottica reported gains in fourth quarter, 2018.Essilor’s revenue rose to €1.92 billion in the fourth quarter, up 6.4 percent excluding currency effects, with like-for-like growth accelerating from the third quarter, to 5.7 percent. Fourth quarter sales were up on a like-for-like basis at all of Essilor’s businesses: Lenses and Optical Instruments (+5.4 percent), Sunglasses & Readers (+5.5 percent) and Equipment (+12.1 percent).Luxottica generated net sales of €2.16 billion in fourth quarter 2018, up 2.2 percent at constant exchange rates and 3 percent at current exchange rates. Its Wholesale business generated net sales of €732 million, up 3.4 percent at constant exchange rates and 3.0 at current exchange rates. Luxottica’s Retail division posted net sales of €1.43 billion, a 1.6 percent increase at constant exchange rates and 3.5 percent at current exchange rates.EssilorLuxottica executives are maintaining a positive outlook for 2019, projecting sales growth of 3.5 percent to 5 percent at constant currency rates, an adjusted operating profit of 0.8 to 1.2 times sales, and adjusted net profit of 1 to 1.5 times sales. The company said it plans to fuel growth through a “wholesale digital transformation” that involves “a further shift from commercial relationships to partnerships with customers, more effective sell-in-tools, digital sample bags” and “new digitized showrooms worldwide.”Mergers and acquisitions will also drive the company’s growth in 2019. During a conference call today with financial analysts, Hilary Halper, Essilor CFO and co-CFO of EssilorLuxottica, said the company is ramping up its mergers and acquisition strategy following a relatively quiet period leading up to their 2018 merger of Essilor and Luxottica.EssilorLuxottica executives confirmed to the analysts that a search is underway for a new CEO, and that the search committee is looking both outside and inside the company for appropriate candidates. However, they declined to specify a timetable for concluding the executive search or provide any information about possible changes in EssilorLuxottica's governance. They also declined to provide details about how plans for integrating the two companies are progressing.


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It would appear Chrysler Group is on the right path with the redesign of many of its models, its new Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 engine, and recently announced eight-speed transmission.
Read This Article
Chrysler celebrates its ninth consecutive month of positive net income.
It’s ironic that the Jeep Liberty’s airbags might actually cause an accident.
The Center for Auto Safety, founded by consumer advocate and previous presidential candidate Ralph Nader, is calling upon Chrysler to recall its Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.


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Internet service Preply, that was designed for searching of local and online tutors, announced the release to the Brazilian market. For this purpose, the company made a localization to Portuguese, implemented the accepting of payments in reais, and hired a Brazilian student Lucia in Kiev office. Her responsibilities will include support for tutors in the Portuguese language and the study of market in native language.
The company said that they have already received the first payments from Brazil. Currently the database of Preply already includes about 300 teachers from Brazil. Although this is a small figure, the co-founder of the CEO startup, Kirill Bigay hopes to quickly build up a base due to “moderate level of competition in the local market.”
Interest in Brazil Preply explained by the level of development of its economy and scales. In terms of GDP on the continent this country is second after the United States, occupying the ninth place in the top of the 10 largest economies in the world. In addition, Brazil is the fifth country in the world in terms of population – according to the World Bank, in 2014 it amounted to 206.1 million people. “Only in San Paulo live 11 million people – more than in all Uruguay, for example. We just focus primarily on major metropolitan area”,- said Bigay.
“We have ambitious plans: in the course of the year to enter the top three in our niche in the Brazilian market. For comparison, the share of the Polish market for the year in the Preply income structure was 5%. The population of this country is roughly comparable with Ukraine, while in Brazil live in 5-6 times more of our potential customers “, – said Kirill.
There are features of this market. According Statists, in Brazil there are more than 55% of the population have access to the Internet, and the proportion of the population connected to the network continues to grow by about 5% a year. Despite the relatively high level of Internet penetration in the country continues to maintain the popularity of the traditional model, which involves individual meetings with student tutor. Therefore, the Preply platform has implemented a teachers search engine in the immediate vicinity of the interest mailing index.
Ukrainians continue to conquer the most different countries of America, both South and North. Earlier, the Dnipropetrovsk development studio GOS Systems has entered the market of Mexico with the payment application.
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IT giant Google and Singapore’s state-owned investment company Temasek have invested in Indonesia’s largest online store Tokopedia, writes Nikkei Asian Review. The amount of investments is not disclosed. In October, Bloomberg reported that Tokopedia was going to raise about $ 350 million from Google and Temasek. This is Google’s second investment in the Indonesian unicorn. […]Next
Tesla is recalling about 50,000 Model S and Model X cars manufactured in the United States in different years and imported to China due to the identified suspension problems. This was reported on its website by the Chinese State Administration of Market Regulation. According to the statement of the Chinese regulator, almost 30 thousand Model […]Next
World oil prices at the auction on Thursday, June 3, updated for a maximum of four months. Thus, August futures on Brent reached $ 71.84 per barrel, which is the highest since January 2020. July futures on the WTI are trading above $ 69 per barrel – a maximum of October 22, 2018. Quotes are […]Next
Shares of BlackBerry jumped sharply on auction on December 1 after the news of a partnership with Amazon Web Service. TechCrunch writes that together they will develop and sell a service for connected cars – IVY platform. Stock quotes at the beginning of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) rose by 35%. The […]Next
Press service of the international financial group VTB-Ukraine has confirmed the information about the planned sale of BM Bank. According to the official statement of the company, approval of decisions on the operation are going to realize till the 1 of March 2017 year. It is also worth noting that potential investors have already received […]Next
According to Bloomberg sources, state oil company Saudi Aramco of Saudi Arabia has stopped investing in a project of building oil refinery and petrochemical complex in China, estimated at $ 10 billion. The decision to terminate the investment was made after talks with Chinese partners and it is associated with high uncertainty about the prospects […]Next
The American producer of vegetable meat products Impossible Foods expects that investors will estimate it at $ 10 billion during the listing. The company plans to go public this year, but has not yet decided how to become a public company, reports Reuters, citing knowledgeable interlocutors. According to them, the company is now exploring the […]Next
Founder of the platform for online auctions of the eBay Pierre Omidyar will leave the company’s board of directors and receive the title of Director Emeritus, according to release in the eBay. “For 25 years I have proudly watched as the company that I created, opened up the economic opportunities for people around the world. […]Next
Radisson Hotel Group is proud to be the world’s first hotel group to make all meetings and events across 400+ hotels in its EMEA portfolio carbon negative. For every event taking place at its participating hotels, Radisson Hotel Group will offset double the carbon footprint, to ensure that every meeting has a positive impact on […]Next
German automaker Daimler AG and its US subsidiary Mercedes-Benz have agreed to pay $ 1.5 billion to the US government and California regulators as part of a friendly settlement of a dispute over the manipulation of data on the content of a harmful substances in the exhaust gases of the company’s diesel engines. This stated […]Next
Gas reserves in Ukraine decreased to 15.47 billion cubic meters, which is 50% of underground storage capacity. This is evidenced by the data of the GTS Operator of Ukraine. As of April 17, gas reserves were 4% lower than a year earlier. It will be recalled that Ukraine has started the heating season with record […]Next
International Company – manufacturer of optical equipment and lenses Essilor International S.A. will buy the Italian company – the manufacturer of glasses Luxottica Group S.p.A., which owns the brand Ray Ban. The acquisition price is $ 24 billion. About the transaction has informed agency Bloomberg L. P. in the early part of the week on […]Next


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Ryan is described as a true real retail pioneer, who innovated and was never complacent, despite many successes. After 40 years leading the retail chain, Ryan stepped down from his role as CEO in 2009 but remained deeply involved in the company in his new position as chairman.
Primark is a low-cost global apparel retail giant. Founded in 1969, Primark has since developed into a retail empire consisting of more than 350 stores employing over 75,000 people in 12 countries, spread over both Europe and North America. Primark is owned by Associated British Foods. Primark is driving sales growth by expanding new stores at a breakneck pace. AB Foods expects better purchasing and fewer discounts to help offset a recent recovery in the dollar in the second half. The company has forecast a higher operating margin this year and has been reducing markdowns and benefiting from a weaker dollar that makes it cheaper to source garments from Asia. A stronger July is expected due to the improving weather. Last year had the feel-good factor, with the hot weather, the royal wedding and soccer World Cup, which boosted sales for Primark. A huge new Primark outlet in England is designed to be a concept store for the future.


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Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Mice problem resolved at Dollar General
BAKERSFIELD, CA - A Kern County Health Services inspector paid a visit to a local Dollar General Monday morning. The visit came after a 17 News viewer released disturbing pictures showing the store may be riddled with mice.
But, the inspector concluded Monday there is no infestation of mice at the Dollar General Market on the 2900 block of Niles Street. However, the inspector said the store admitted to having an issue in late March, early April.
Kern County Public Health said store staff found 14 mice in the Dollar General in the spring, but since then the Dollar General Market had pest control come out and the store said there wasn't any evidence of mice in May or June.
"At this time, there is no indication that there is an active infestation of mice," said Diana Wilson of Kern County Public Health Services. "There was in the past. It's been corrected. We did not seen any contamination of food, and it seems to be a very clean store, so I would not have a problem shopping at that location."
Dollar General corporate out of Nashville released a statement saying "Dollar General is committed to taking the appropriate steps to ensure a clean and pleasant shopping experience for our customers, as well as a clean and safe work environment for our employees."
If you see a health issue in the community. Kern County Public Health Services said there is an easy way to alert inspectors. It's an App called Safe Diner that you can find on the App Store on either the iPhone or Android. Using the app you can send in a complaint, pictures, and even video.
You can also call Kern County Public Health during normal business hours at 321-3000.


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Category Archive For "Cryptocurrency Exchange"
Major U.S.-based crypto exchange Coinbase has discontinued its “Bundles” crypto investment offering, the platform’s updated FAQ site reveals
Blockchain and cryptocurrency company tZERO has announced three new executives for issuance, investor relations and communications
In the premiere episode of the new Cointelegraph series “Coffee and Crypto,” Olivia Capozzalo and Molly Jane Zuckerman discuss the latest news in the crypto industry
Binance crypto exchange has upgraded its mainnet, successfully completing a hardfork that includes a new feature for businesses looking to timel-ock tokens
Two subsidiaries of crypto derivatives firm Seed CX — Seed Digital Commodities Market and Zero Hash — have received Bitlicenses from New York regulators


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Dematic will host its Material Handling & Logistics Conference from October 27–29, and for the first time in its 35-year history it will be entirely online and available globally.
For many years Material Handling & Logistics Conference (MHLC) has consistently been a signature event for supply chain education and information.
This year the theme is Future Forward – with insightful educational seminars, keynotes, roundtables and networking opportunities for organisations and individuals looking to stretch their imaginations and plan for future success.
The three-day virtual event will be jam-packed with presentations, discussions and resources that will address merging and traditional supply chain challenges, show how to reach new heights in an uncertain business environment, and reveal how AI, machine learning, big data and robotics are transforming retail and logistics operations.
Scheduled speakers include Founder and CEO of Stellar Capacity and Young Global Leader at World Economic Forum, Claudia Olsson, former Alibaba executive Porter Erisman, Iron Maiden leader singer Bruce Dickinson and Formula-1 driver & 13-time Grand Prix winner David Coulthard.
“Future Forward is a method and a mindset for supply chain professionals to take on the unanticipated disruptions of 2020,” said Hasan Dandashly, President and CEO, Dematic.
“By bringing MHLC onto a virtual platform and inviting global participation, we hope to empower attendees with the insights, strategies and innovations that will propel them to future success.”
MHLC 2020 has been designed specifically for supply chain and logistics professionals who want to achieve more — both for their businesses and for themselves — and organised into four themed tracks:
- Reset: Maintaining relative balance between supply and demand without sacrificing profitability or customer satisfaction.
- Shift: Knowing when to make the quick pivots that can make or break your business.
- Disrupt: Recognising the software and technology trends that are transforming commerce.
- Transform: Continuously reframing problems, reassessing options, restructuring operations.


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Hyundai will be bringing three cars to the Frankfurt Motor Show next week demonstrating the company’s commitment to produce environmentally friendly vehicles. Seen earlier last week, Hyundai will unveil the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Concept, Veloster and the i30 estate.
The Hyundai i-Blue concept is a D-segment 2+2 crossover, hydrogen-powered, zero-emissions concept that was built at Hyundai’s Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan. The car used Hyundai’s third-generation fuel cell technology that is currently being developed at the company’s Eco-Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea.
The Hyundai Veloster coupe will also show face at the Frankfurt show. The Veloster, which is targeted towards the Y-generation, is a front-wheel-drive car powered by a 2.0 liter DOHC 4-cylinder with 5-speed automatic.
Hyundai will also be showing the i30 Estate, a 5-door hatchback for which Hyundai will release full details and pricing near the model’s UK launch in early 2008.
Hyundai’s Green Lineup for Frankfurt Gallery:
[tags]Cars, Car, Auto, Automobile, Vehicles, Technology, Auto News, News, Automotive, Hyundai[/tags]


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Rob Reaks , February 26, 2019
MOVE over Ibiza and Magaluf, Bournemouth is the number one destination for stag dos. Bournemouth Echo
According to data from hen and stag experts Red7, the town is five times more popular than London and accounted for 16 per cent of stag bookings in 2018 while London had just three per cent,
Bournemouth was crowned the king of stag dos in a list of top UK destinations, followed by Liverpool Brighton, Bristol and Newcastle.
It is four times more popular than Magaluf and twice as popular as Ibiza.
Bournemouth’s plethora of activities such as escape rooms, quad biking and bubble football were all credited for drawing stags to town. Find out more here
Sarah Chapman at Red7 said: “After a decade of reinvention as a party hub, Bournemouth has leapt in popularity to hit the top of the list of the UK’s stag destinations.
“Warmer weather led to a big increase in domestic travel in 2018 compared to 2017, with half of our stags choosing to holiday in the UK rather than travel abroad.
“Travel to Bournemouth is far cheaper than flights abroad, but it still boasts the Blue Flag and friendly atmosphere that Brits love on holiday.”


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Demojo’s Tabloid Tuesday – Issue #5
Every week, we will be sharing news related to the advertising industry, changes coming to our favourite social media platforms, and other relevant news which might be of interest to you! Here’s this week’s top headlines:
Instagram is developing a customisable ‘AI friend’
Instagram has been spotted developing an “AI friend” feature that users would be able to customise and converse with. Users would be able to chat with the AI to “answer questions, talk through challenges, brainstorm ideas and much more.” Screenshots indicate that users would be able to select the gender, age, ethnicity and personality of the AI chatbot. You will be able to select a name and avatar for the AI friend, and even choose its interest, which will “inform its personality and the nature of its conversations.” Instagram declined to comment.
YouTube is cracking down on ad blockers
YouTube is cracking down on ad-blocker usage globally by showing warnings about breaking the platform’s terms of service. In some cases, the company is preventing users from viewing more videos unless they disable ad blocks. The platform started experimenting in June, when it showed a message to users saying that the video player would be blocked after three videos if the ad blocker wasn’t disabled.
X is testing ‘Grok’ AI Chatbot
X is officially testing its first chatbot, “Grok”, with a view to a wider launch in the near future among X Premium+ subscribers. X owner Elon Musk plans for Grok to be “anti-woke”, with a less censorship of potentially sensitive topics. Musk believes that Grok will be a more accurate source of truth, particularly on real-time news topics, because it will source its data from X, with X’s updated user agreement allowing it to use people’s posts to fuel the system.
That’s enough social news for now, so let’s move on over to other marketing news.
Japanese drink Calpis names MY AI DJ as new brand ambassador
Malaysian AI radio DJ, Aina Sabrina, has been appointed as the newest brand ambassador for Calpis, a Japanese cultured milk drink. As the official sponsor for the first AI radio show in Malaysia, Calpis will be using Sabrina to promote its newly launched Calpis Chewy Grape drink. Titled “Calpis with Aina”, the show will be in line with Sabrina’s characterisation as someone who loves all things Japanese. Through this, it aims to bring Sabrina closer to listeners and consumers.
In Other News
Perodua ushers in the Festival of Lights as they have launched its Deepavali ad, reminding Malaysians that the hours spent preparing for the celebration make it all the more meaningful and joyful. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs are gearing up in anticipation of this year’s Deepavali. Also known as Diwali, the festival falls on November 12, but preparations have already begun weeks ahead of the festive season.
In case you missed it, BIG Pharmacy apologises for insensitive promo ad on social.
Also for an extra piece of information, ‘Grab stands on the side of humanity’, it says following controversial post by co-founder’s wife.


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Orlando’s top bankers are not shy about what they believe is holding back their industry, the prospects for the area’s economy and how technology is likely to change banking.
When Orlando Business Journal sat down with 17 top Orlando bankers for a 90-minute discussion on April 8, several themes emerged on what those banking executives view as their greatest challenges:
• Increasing federal regulations, such as the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform & Consumer Protection Act, and the cost banks will have to pay to comply with those rules still being written.
• What banks must do to maintain — and grow — market share in an increasingly competitive environment.
• Whether banks’ commercial customers will be strong enough to withstand the predicted rise in inflation in 2016 or 2017 as the economy continues to improve.
• What bank operations will look like as consumers flock to the Internet and mobile banking — and the likely impact of those changes on branch operations.
To find out what these banking leaders had to say, see stories on Pages 29-31. We also asked the banking industry leaders for their assessment of the region’s economy, and those answers can be found online at www.orlandobusinessjournal.com.
By the numbers
the Bank Industry Roundtable on April 8:
30M: Bank of America national online users
12M: Bank of America national mobile app users
1.6M: Bank of America national customers who deposit their check by taking a picture of it with their mobile phone
$3.88: amount a bank saves when a transaction occurs online instead of through a bank teller
Sources: Bank of America and Hancock Bank


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Model: Model A
Number of Cylinders: six
Drive Type: Rear wheel
Melbourne, Florida, United States
This is a nice Sedan, this car has been on the road for years, it was redone about 7-9 years ago, new paint, interior, rebuilt engine. Added power brakes. Runs great, cold air, 4 inch drop axel, GM disc brakes on front, Ford rear, 1932 Grill shell. This Delivery was used as a delivery for a Flower shop, when they pulled the stickers off it did take some paint of.last picture, there are some chip and scratches, but it shines great. Get in and go any where. The engine is a 2.8 L out of a Mustang from the early eightys. CAr has a 4 inch axel Durrnat mono spring, East wire harness, Quarter eliptical rear springs, Ford rear. Thanks for looking, car is in Melbourne Fl. 321-205-8214
While most of us believe that small, fuel efficient cars are the key to global expansion for US automakers, Jim Farley, Ford's vice president of Global Marketing, thinks otherwise. Last week, we attended an exclusive sneak preview of the Ford Edge Concept in advance of the Los Angeles Auto Show, and Farley told us that it's actually utility vehicles that will help the Blue Oval gain market share overseas. "There is no other segment in our industry that is growing like utilities," he said. "We expect over the next five years this full family of [utility] vehicles to really drive our growth as a company."
And Farley has the numbers to back it up, too. Ford projects overall automotive sales to grow 23 percent from 2012 to 2017, but the company's utility vehicles are expected to boom by an impressive 41 percent during that same period. Much of that growth will be in China, where Ford estimates its utility sales will explode. "The biggest opportunity for us globally for utilities is in China," Farley said. "China utility growth is expected to more than double from where it is today to 2017, which isn't that far away." Most astounding is that Ford projects its own utility sales in China will eventually increase by more than 2,000 percent when smaller crossovers, such as the EcoSport and Kuga (sold as the Escape in North America), and the Edge and Explorer, are factored in.
Ford's VP also expects utilities to lead the way in the struggling European market. "With all the difficulties of the European market, there is one segment that has actually expanded in volume over the last several years even though the market is way down, and that's utilities," Farley told us. Ford estimates that their utility sales will grow 65 percent in Europe from 2012-2017. "The utility segment is projected to grow we think about thirty percent between now and 2017 in Europe, and we think we are going to grow twice that rate as a brand," Farley continued.
We love a good barn find here at Autoblog. We like that there's a palpable excitement and sense of mystery surrounding barn finds. Each case has its own uniqueness to it, and this latest discovery is no different: an unrestored, one-owner 1969 Shelby GT500 with just 8,531 miles on it.
In the case of this particular barn find, many of the typical questions have already been answered. For example, we know who owned it - his name was Larry Brown. He recently passed away, and as he had no wife or children to inherit the estate, the car he purchased at Pennsylvania Ford dealer in May of 1969, will be auctioned off by Ron Gilligan Auctioneers.
The car was fastidiously maintained, having never been driven in the rain. In fact, Brown never even washed it, out of fear of it rusting. According to the auction website, the last time this car saw water was probably when it was detailed ahead of being delivered to Brown. If that doesn't sound like a fanatical sense of maintenance on the part of this GT500's owner, this next part will. The interior has been treated to a similarly painstaking attempt at preservation, with garbage bags covering the seats and two layers of floor mats over the carpets. The result is a car that, aesthetically, is in remarkable shape considering it's spent so long in a barn.
Last year in Monterey, we met GTR1 for the first time. Galpin Auto Sports pulled the wraps off its Ford GT-based supercar, powered by a twin-turbocharged 5.4-liter V8 good for a whopping 1,024 horsepower and 739 pound-feet of torque. The thing was totally custom-made and reportedly took some 12,000 man hours to create. And there it sat on the Pebble Beach grass, $1,000,000-plus price tag and all.
This year, the Galpin was back, albeit with one big change. That twin-turbo engine? Gone. In its place, a 5.4-liter V8 with a 4.0-liter Whipple supercharger bolted on, delivering an astonishing 1,058 hp and 992 lb-ft of torque on 110-octane fuel. 0-60? 2.9 seconds. Top speed? Somewhere above 225 miles per hour.
"Some things to keep in mind: no stability control, no traction control," were the only warnings given by Galpin's Brandon Boeckmann before taking me on a quick spin in the supercar. And after having my eyes thrown into the back of my skull a few times, laughing hysterically and trying to regain full use of my hearing after my ear drums being bombarded by the apocalyptic roar behind me, Brandon pulled over and said it was my turn, if I was ready to take the wheel.


text: The Belltown space that housed a furnace repair shop in the 1950s is still cranking out hot goods: This time, they're smaller, hole-ier, and edible. You guessed itTop Pot's deliciously cakey doughnuts. The voluptuous O's started rolling out the door at 6 a.m. at last Friday's grand opening. Don't worry, Capitol Hillersthe Top Pot at 609 Summit Ave. E. isn't going anywhere. With every other cafe in town lining up to sell Top Pot's signature doughnuts, the little doughnut maker that could simply couldn't anymore; their wholesale operation outgrew their tiny Summit Avenue space. The new flagship store (2124 Fifth Ave. between Lenora and Blanchard streets, 206-728-1966) is at least four times as big as the first store, and it's stylin', toothe glass-fronted, two-story space served as a high-end architect's showroom and frame shop for the last decade or so. The wholesale doughnut-making and coffee-roasting operations are tucked neatly in the back of the building, while the cafe serves doughnuts, coffee, soup, and sandwiches at the front of the house. According to manager Gina Mainwal, the Summit Avenue store sells 50 to 90 dozen doughnuts a day! She expects to triple those numbers at the new location. EXPONENTIAL GROWTH Thanks in part to a recent expos頩n these pages, the W Hotel's monthly happy hour deluxe, S.I.P., is on the rise. Encouraged by an undercover SW report on rampant yuppie commingling, wardrobe snobbery, and countless other evils on display at S.I.P., the event's promoters have redoubled their effortsliterally. S.I.P. is now a twice-a-month affair, renamed S.I.P.2. So the next time you're at the W sipping a lemon drop and munching on guava-scented pretzels, take a moment to recognize the impact one weekly paper can have upon the wider cultural landscape. PR NIPPING AT YOUR NOSE Neither showers nor gray skies nor gloom of midday can keep the Kathy Casey public-relations machine from moving forward, and if that means promoting winter holiday events in September, then so be it. The latest press release from Kathy Casey Food Studioswhich begins: "Dashing through the Studios, on a one-stop shop parade, over the thrills we go, buying all the way"is enough to make Christmas scary. The gist is that on Dec. 13 and 14, the Studios will hold holiday-themed sampling sessions wherein the curious and the damned may gobble "lavender blueberry chutney," sip Dish D'Lish's hot buttered rum made from Dish D'Lish's mix, and somehow consume Casey's signature "over 21" SoCo fruitcake. Truth be told, we at the Weekly are eagerly awaiting the Christmas season, when Casey and co. will unveil their plans for the Fourth of July. Food and/or beverage news? E-mail Hot Dish at email@example.com.


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Indian-born Banga took the top job at MasterCard last year after a stellar career at Citigroup. Today about a third of the world's credit cards bear the MasterCard brand, making it the second-biggest card network after Visa. MasterCard has perhaps the strongest brand in its sector, and its stock price is up 49.5% in the past year. But Banga recently estimated that the company could face at least $500 million in liabilities relating to price-fixing suits currently pending against MasterCard and Visa.
He rescued the coffee chain. It had record financial results this year. Now the CEO is on a campaign to save the country from its politicians. Here's how he blends capitalism and activism.
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