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By Dinny McMahon
It has been a banner year for Chinese companies launching initial public offerings in the U.S. But even as the 2010 class of newly listed stocks celebrate a string of strong debuts, other Chinese firms have been reconsidering their decision to list overseas.
Industry professionals say small Chinese companies, frustrated by a sense that their shares are underappreciated in their adopted home, are looking longingly toward China and the higher valuations seemingly on offer in Hong Kong and in the mainland bourses.
Some are even doing something about it.
In recent months the chairmen of Nasdaq Stock Market-listed companies Harbin Electric Inc. and Fushi Copperweld Inc. declared their intentions to take their firms private with the support of private-equity funds. Meanwhile, Chemspec International Ltd. and Tongjitang Chinese Medicines, which have American depositary shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange, said their chairmen have proposed taking the companies private as well.
While it is still early days, market watchers suspect the companies may ultimately list again, possibly in Hong Kong, where the IPO market has just finished a strong year. “We have certainly seen an uptick of this [sort of] inquiry,” says Rocky Lee, a partner with law firm Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in Beijing.
Almost 40 Chinese companies listed in the U.S. this year, with Internet companies among the standouts. But for many other Chinese firms, often in more traditional industrial businesses, their U.S.-listed stocks are trading at a significant discount to their counterparts in similar industries in Hong Kong or mainland China, as well as in the U.S. For companies that need to raise capital and are thinking about selling stock, that means they wouldn’t be able to raise as much money in the U.S. as they would elsewhere.
John Ma, director of China research at Roth Capital Partners, a research house that covers small Chinese companies, says the frustration is most acute for those firms that originally listed in the U.S. through a reverse takeover—a process that involves merging with a dormant shell company. The result is that the Chinese company gets a public listing in the U.S. without being subject to the same rigorous disclosures as an IPO.
But past accounting irregularities and a perceived lack of transparency have weighed on the reputation of companies that listed via a reverse takeover. Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has begun an investigation into reverse takeovers and is targeting individual Chinese companies for accounting violations and lax auditing practices. It isn’t clear which companies are being looked at.
“They’re so frustrated by all the negative publicity surrounding companies that went through a reverse takeover,” Mr. Ma says. “The market doesn’t differentiate between the good and the bad.”
The price/earnings ratio for Fushi Copperweld—which makes wire products—based on Mr. Ma’s forecast of 2011 earnings is 6.2, well below 20.3 for Shanghai-listed Jiangxi Lianchuang Optoelectronic Science & Technology Co. according to data from Thomson One Analytics. Harbin Electric, which makes motors, has a 2011 P/E ratio of 5.6, significantly lower than the 17.2 of Hong Kong-list China Automation Group Ltd. Shanghai-based Mr. Ma covers both U.S.-listed companies and counts Jiangxi Lianchuang and China Automation as their respective peers.
Another Chinese company, Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd. listed its shares in Hong Kong in October after having delisted them at the end of last year from the Singapore exchange, where analysts say company valuations have lagged those in Hong Kong in recent years.
The move seems to be paying dividends. Prior to its Hong Kong IPO, Sihuan Pharma sold shares at a price equal to 26.7 times forecast 2011 earnings, considerably higher than the five times expected annual earnings it was trading at in Singapore. The stock closed Friday at 5.63 Hong Kong dollars (72.3 U.S. cents), up 22% from its IPO price.
“Delisting is certainly one way to alleviate [the] frustration [of] small Chinese companies, many of which are excellent companies in China but went to the wrong exchange at the wrong time with the wrong expectations,” CWT’s Mr. Lee says.
If the Chinese companies leave the U.S. and relist, it is likely to be Hong Kong that benefits most. Foreign companies still aren’t allowed to list on China’s domestic exchanges. That category includes overseas-listed Chinese firms that restructured into offshore entities, even though their operations and assets are predominantly in mainland China.
Beijing has signaled its intention to set up an international board in Shanghai, which may open the way for Chinese firms to come home. The international board would allow companies to sell stock directly in yuan, rather than raise funds in a foreign currency and then negotiate with the foreign-exchange regulator to bring them into the country. But it is unclear when that might happen.
Companies leaving the U.S. for a venue closer to home also may not have much time. Some poor debuts and pulled offerings have raised questions as to how long the IPO rush will last.
And in some ways, local results still pale in comparison to what a Chinese company can reap in the U.S. Youku.com Inc. more than doubled on its first day of trading on the New York Stock Exchange this month.
– Prudence Ho contributed to this article.


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The stock is Maruti Suzuki, the largest maker of passenger vehicles in India.
The major reason behind the rally seems to be another price hike that the company is seeking, though it has not announced the quantum of the hike. When announced, it will be the third such hike by the company in this calendar.
The models in which this hike will be effective has not yet been decided. What has been decided though is that a price hike is necessary considering that the input costs have gone up substantially due to the increase in steel and other commodity prices,” said Shashank Srivastava, ED, Maruti Suzuki, in a recent interview to ET Now.
The company in January had increased the prices of its vehicles by roughly about 1 per cent, followed by a 1.3-1.2 per cent hike in April.
The rally in Maruti Suzuki comes at a time when the analysts are downgrading other auto stocks. Ambit Capital recently came out with ‘sell’ recommendations for Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp--both two-wheeler makers.
Ambit believes that these two companies will feel the heat as startups including Ather Energy and Ola Electric are expected to launch electric vehicles in the segment. Many governments, the latest being Gujarat, have come out with incentives to encourage adoption of such vehicles.
Market performance-wise, all peers of Maruti Suzuki have lagged in the recent one week. BSE data show shares from auto block have given 1.5 per cent to minus 3 per cent returns in the period.
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Japan’s SoftBank and NewQuest Capital Partners are among investors seeking to sell shares of IPO-bound FirstCry in the secondary market, valuing the omnichannel baby products retailer in the range of $3.5-4 billion, according to several people in the know.Nitish Quits NDA, Joins Hands with RJD to form Govt
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar parted ways with the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) for the second time in eight years and resigned as CM on Tuesday, turning the clock back as he joined forces with the opposition alliance of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress and Left parties to stake a claim to form the next government.
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NYTCO, McClatchy Post Smaller Losses In 1Q
NYTCO said the company's total revenues declined 3.2% to $587.9 million, while McClatchy reported an 8.2% drop to $335.6 million.
NYTCO's total advertising revenue fell 6.1% to $313 million in the first quarter of 2010, the smallest decline in years -- holding out hope that the period of steep declines has ended, and that a recovery may be in the offing.
As in previous quarters, print advertising declines led the way, with a 12.3% overall drop. This was partly offset by an 18% increase in digital advertising revenues, which grew to $80 million. (Revenues at the About.com group, which is counted separately, increased 29.3% to $34.7 million.) Circulation revenue also increased 3.5% to $237 million.
McClatchy's declines were slightly steeper than NYTCO's, but still noteworthy as an improvement over the last couple of years. Total advertising revenues fell 11.2% to $252.9 million, compared to a 20.5% drop in the fourth quarter of 2009 and a 28.1% drop the quarter before that.
Digital advertising revenues rose 2.2% in the first quarter to $46.8 million -- a relatively modest increase, but a welcome change from the depths of the 2009 downturn, when digital revenues joined the print collapse. Circulation revenues increased 1.7% to $69.7 million.
The newspaper industry could use some good news after the longest, steepest decline in ad revenues in U.S. history. After peaking at $49.3 billion in 2005, total newspaper ad revenues declined 44% to $27.6 billion in 2009, according to the latest figures from the Newspaper Association of America.


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Sony says no
Sony rejected a proposal from activist investor Daniel Loeb to spin off part of its entertainment business.
FB gets CMO
Facebook hired Gary Briggs, a veteran of Google and eBay, to be its first chief marketing officer as it seeks to expand its global brand.
Revlon is buying back its former professional products division, Colomer Group, from CVC Capital Partners for about $660 million. It sold Colomer to CVC in 2000.
Supermodel Cara Delevingne has been quietly dropped by clothing chain H&M after being photographed with a bag of mystery white powder outside her home in May, The Sun reported.
CFO on Time
Time Inc. has named Jeffrey Bairstow chief financial officer, succeeding Howard Averill, who is transitioning to exec VP and CFO of Time Warner.
The new owners of Drake’s cakes say Coffee Cakes, Devil Dogs, Ring Dings and Yodels will return next month.
John Crudele is off this week.


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The number of college students seeking mental health services and accommodations has been steadily increasing over the last few years– and even though the pandemic has intensified this unfortunate trend to a seemingly critical point, it most certainly wasn’t the sole driver of the mental health crisis currently plaguing institutions of higher education today. And although it’s not just students facing struggles with depression and anxiety, this epidemic appears to be more acute in younger, college-aged people with nearly 30 percent of people between ages 18 and 25 reporting a mental illness in 2019 and 25% of 18- to 24-year-olds surveyed reported thoughts of self-harm according to reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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In today’s age of invention, businesses are constantly looking for the next big idea or solution that will have consumers lining up at the register and sharing their praise with their friends and followers. But with this eagerness to hit the jackpot and discover the hottest new trend, there are sometimes missteps – new product developments that miss the mark or worse, are openly criticized across social media channels.
3 min read
Even before “The Great Resignation”, the manufacturing industry had been struggling with filling open positions, with job openings increasing at double-digit rates since 2017 according to a Bureau of Labor Statistics employment survey. Post-pandemic, Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute predict that 2.1 million manufacturing positions will go unfulfilled by 2030, costing the U.S a loss of about $1 trillion in GDP. Without a drastic reversal in this downward trend, this deficiency could set the U.S. manufacturing industry back by decades.
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The aftermath of the last two years has left sales teams with a remarkable challenge they haven’t encountered ever before – building and maintaining relationships with their customers in the absence of in-person connections. We’ve seen lockdowns, reopenings, and then mini lockdowns again, leaving businesses to pivot and adjust on what seems like a monthly basis. Even as we look forward to the future, it’s likely that the ‘new normal’ will bring an entirely different way of doing business than sales teams have been accustomed to in the past.
2 min read
In a world where personalized consumer experiences are not just appreciated but expected, many businesses and organizations are using some form of personalization in their marketing strategies. And when 97% of marketers report a measurable lift from their personalization efforts (Salesforce, 2020), they should be. Personalized marketing is here to stay – especially as the tech-savvy Gen Z generation now makes up 40% of total U.S consumers. But the landscape has changed since the early days of buyer persona building and some argue that these old-school personas built mainly on demographic information are antiquated and useless because they are full of information that has nothing to do with the reasons why people buy your products.


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WWE 2K22 is slated to release in 2022, quelle surprise!
It's only a couple of months until release; it's about time 2K started letting us in on the WWE 2K18 wrestler roster.
Rocket League creators Psyonix, and WWE, reveal details of wide-ranging sponsorship deal.
Can you imagine the excitement a headline like that would have caused 20 years ago? Well, prepare to be disappointed.


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MLC OUTLOOK CONFERENCE - Forequarter imports could suffer - MLC
The UK beef sector and industry trends from the recent past were presented by MLC economics manager, Duncan Sinclair.
The economist outlined the likely changes the industry would face in light of the ending of the over-thirty-month scheme (OTMS) and the re-opening of export markets.
Mr Sinclair gave a synopsis of how the UK beef sector had fared in recent years including the fact that prime cattle supplies were estimated to have risen by almost one per cent in 2005 to 2.23 million head and prices for the year were up 1.7 pence or one per cent to 187.9 pence per kg dw.
He said, in the year to October, imports fell by 18 per cent largely due to reduced trade with the Irish Republic. However, the proportion of imported beef sold at retail level averaged 24 per cent in 2005 compared with 19 per cent in 2004.
Looking ahead to 2006, Mr Sinclair said an estimated 535,000 cows were forecast to re-enter the food chain producing 155,000 tonnes of beef.
He said with an extra 10,000 cattle a week to process for the food chain, some displacement of imports of forequarter meat, in particular, destined for the retail and food service sectors was expected.
He said the Irish Republic was the country likely to be most affected by the OTM rule change.
The EU-25 net import requirement is set to rise to 350,000 tonnes in 2006 after the OTM rule change in the UK is taken into consideration.
Prime cattle supplies are forecast to fall by over four per cent in 2006 to 2.13 million head.
"This is largely associated with a decline in retention of pure dairy bull calves for beef production following the removal of the Beef Special Premium," Mr Sinclair said.
27 October, 2016, 8:30
Next steps for tackling obesity: prevention, sugar consumption a
01 - 03 November, 2016
China Foodtech 2017
07 November, 2016
Butcher’s Shop of the Year
01 December, 2016, 8:30 - 13:30
Policy priorities for the UK food, drink and farming industry


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|Bid||101.62 x 800|
|Ask||101.75 x 800|
|Day's Range||101.61 - 102.17|
|52 Week Range||77.09 - 102.17|
|Beta (3Y Monthly)||0.40|
|PE Ratio (TTM)||21.77|
|Forward Dividend & Yield||1.68 (1.68%)|
|1y Target Est||N/A|
Will Domino’s Pizza Outperform Analysts’ Expectations in Q1 2019?(Continued from Prior Part)Analysts’ estimatesOf the total 21 analysts who cover Domino’s Pizza (DPZ), 71.4% have given the stock “buy” recommendations, while 28.6% have
Will Domino’s Pizza Outperform Analysts’ Expectations in Q1 2019?(Continued from Prior Part)Analysts’ estimatesAnalysts expect Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) to post adjusted EPS of $2.09 in the first quarter of 2019, which represents a rise of 4.4%
Will Domino’s Pizza Outperform Analysts’ Expectations in Q1 2019?(Continued from Prior Part)Analysts’ expectationsAnalysts expect Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) to post revenue of $849.2 million in the first quarter of 2019, a rise of 8.1% from
Will Domino’s Pizza Outperform Analysts’ Expectations in Q1 2019?Stock performance Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) will announce its first-quarter earnings results before the market opens on April 24. On April 16, the company was trading at a stock price
Domino's (DPZ) top line in first-quarter 2019 is likely to be driven by increase in sales at domestic and international stores.
Chipotle's (CMG) sales-building initiatives and greater digital innovation are likely to result in revenue growth in the first quarter of 2019.
Maxim Group maintained its buy rating of the company, citing expected solid growth in the first quarter and margin expansion, according to Briefing.com.
Since YUM! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) released its earnings in December 2018, it seems that analyst forecasts are fairly bearish, w...
Shares of fast casual Mexican eatery Chipotle (NYSE:CMG) have been on a tear since February of 2018. At that point in time, Chipotle stock bottomed at $250 before former Taco Bell executive Brian Niccol took over as CEO.Source: Shutterstock Ever since, Niccol has executed flawlessly on multiple growth initiatives, the sum of which have driven Chipotle to report its best numbers ever since the infamous E. coli outbreak. Consequently, CMG stock has nearly tripled over that same stretch, and today finally trades near its pre-E. coli highs.Although the Chipotle turnaround is very real, and the company is firing on all cylinders, this mega-rally in CMG stock may be on its last legs.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading TipsWhy? Many reasons, ranging from valuation to slowing growth concerns. Put together, all these concerns paint an outlook for CMG stock that isn't all that great. * 7 AI Stocks to Watch with Strong Long-Term Narratives With that in mind, let's take a look at four reasons to sell CMG stock on this big rally. Too Far, Too FastBroadly speaking, CMG has simply come too far, too fast.The stock has nearly tripled over the past fourteen months. That's a big rally on its own, but a big portion of this rally has happened recently, with the stock up 85% since Christmas 2018. That's a near 100% rally in just over three months.Because of this big rally, Chipotle stock is now in technically overbought territory, with a Relative Strength Index that is as high as its been pretty much ever and a stock price that is nearly as far as its ever been above its 200-day moving average.All of these overbought conditions, and the stock is heading into earnings season. That means the numbers need to be really good in order for the stock to hold onto its gains. If they aren't really good, the stock could drop in a big way. Valuation FrictionI follow a lot of stocks, and Chipotle is now close to being the most richly valued restaurant stock I've ever seen that isn't growing revenues at a 20%-plus rate.Chipotle stock trades at nearly 60-times forward earnings. The giants in this space, like McDonald's (NYSE:MCD), Yum (NYSE:YUM), Jack in the Box (NASDAQ:JACK), and Domino's (NYSE:DPZ), trade around 20- to 30-times forward earnings. The sector average forward multiple is 24.To be sure, the fast growers like Shake Shack (NYSE:SHAK) and Wingstop (NASDAQ:WING) trade around 100-times forward earnings, but both of those companies are projected to do 20%-plus revenue growth this year. Chipotle is projected at a much more mundane 9% sales growth this year, which is pretty much the same as McDonald's and Domino's.True, there is a big margin expansion narrative at play here, but even if you model that narrative out, there still isn't enough long term profit power here to justify a $700-plus price tag. Economic Slowdown and Chipotle StockAlthough stocks are rallying to all time highs, the economy is still slowing, U.S. consumer sentiment is still below where it was for most of 2018, and sales across the restaurant industry haven't been all that great to start 2019.Inevitably, this slowdown will catch up to Chipotle. The company is firing on all cylinders right now thanks to digital business expansion, menu innovations, and a new marketing campaign. But, those tailwinds will cool in 2019 as they mature and come against tougher laps. When that happens, a slowing economy will start to show up in Chipotle's numbers, and that could have a materially negative impact on the stock. Mysterious E. coli OutbreakTo be clear, there has been an E. coli outbreak in the United States, a source has not been identified, and Chipotle hasn't been mentioned by any reports. It's also highly unlikely that Chipotle is the source of this outbreak.Having said that, there is an E. coli outbreak happening right now, and the last major E. coli outbreak in the U.S. was Chipotle's fault. I don't think consumers have entirely forgotten that. Consequently, when consumers hear E. coli outbreak today, they naturally get a little bit worried about Chipotle. This worry may have a negative impact on the numbers in April and May, and that could provide a drag on Chipotle stock.As of this writing, Luke Lango was long MCD and DPZ. More From InvestorPlace * 2 Toxic Pot Stocks You Should Avoid * FAANNG Stocks, Ranked From Cheapest to Most Expensive * 7 Stocks With a Lot on the Line This Earnings Season * 7 Marijuana Companies: Which Pot Stocks Should You Buy? Compare Brokers The post 4 Reasons to Sell Chipotle Stock While It Still Is Riding High appeared first on InvestorPlace.
Uber Technologies Inc's restaurant delivery business has grown revenue to $1.5 billion in just three years, the company disclosed in its IPO filing on Thursday, dwarfing the revenue of its profitable, and already public, rival Grubhub Inc. Uber also spelled out the struggle its food delivery business faces: "Cumulative payments to drivers for Uber Eats deliveries historically have exceeded the cumulative delivery fees paid by consumers," it said. Uber Eats, and its rivals DoorDash and Postmates - who are also candidates for initial public offerings (IPOs) - are offering discounts and incentives to diners and restaurants in a race to grab the biggest piece of online restaurant delivery sales that investment firm William Blair & Co expects to grow to $62 billion in 2022 from around $25 billion today.
In an effort to stand out in a wildly competitive job market, Taco Bell is applying the same kind of whimsy that customers usually see in the chain’s marketing campaigns to something far more routine: job applications. Taco Bell’s hiring parties, first tested last summer in four company-owned locations in Indiana, have been a welcome […]
Has Domino’s Stock Bottomed Out?(Continued from Prior Part)Analysts’ expectation For 2019, analysts expect Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) to post adjusted EPS of $9.38, which represents a rise of 11.4% from EPS of $8.42 in 2018. The revenue growth,
Has Domino’s Stock Bottomed Out?(Continued from Prior Part)Analysts’ recommendationsOf the total 21 analysts that cover Domino’s Pizza (DPZ), 66.7% are favoring a “buy” rating, while 33.3% are favoring a “hold” rating. None of the
Has Domino’s Stock Bottomed Out?Stock performance As of April 8, Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) was trading at $247.5, which represents a fall of 11.1% since the announcement of its fourth-quarter earnings on February 21. Also, the company is trading at a
The CEO of Yum Brands Inc. got a 13 percent compensation increase last year, but not all of the company's top executives were so fortunate. CEO Greg Creed's total compensation rose to $14 million in 2018, according to the company's proxy statement filed ahead of its May 16 annual meeting.
Taco Bell is testing a three-item vegetarian menu at nearly 200 Dallas restaurants, Nation’s Restaurant News reported. Two new items, the Vegetarian Crunchwrap Supreme and the Vegetarian Quesarito, will join the 7-Layer Burrito on the special menu. Taco Bell's food choices already include 38 vegetarian ingredients, 28 of them also vegan, the company said.
GPS Hospitality is adding some dough to its franchise portfolio through a deal with Pizza Hut's parent company.
GPS Hospitality, a franchisee that has more than 400 Burger King and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurants in 11 states, has added 75 Pizza Hut locations to its portfolio. Burger King and Popeyes are part of Restaurant Brands International Inc. ; Pizza Hut is part of Yum Brands Inc. . The acquired Pizza Huts are in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee. GPS has appointed Kent Dawdy, its vice president of operations, to head up this new division in the company. Yum Brands stock has rallied 9.3% in 2019. Restaurant Brands International is up 26% for the year to date. And the S&P 500 index has gained 11.3% for the period.
Dave & Buster's (PLAY) unique business model and various sales-boosting initiatives along with continual expansion plans are expected to drive growth despite high costs.
In order to drive revenues, BJ's Restaurants (BJRI) is focusing on restaurant opening and other sales-building initiatives.
Yum! Brands Inc NYSE:YUMView full report here! Summary * Perception of the company's creditworthiness is positive * ETFs holding this stock are seeing positive inflows * Bearish sentiment is low Bearish sentimentShort interest | PositiveShort interest is extremely low for YUM with fewer than 1% of shares on loan. This could indicate that investors who seek to profit from falling equity prices are not currently targeting YUM. Money flowETF/Index ownership | PositiveETF activity is positive. Over the last month, ETFs holding YUM are favorable, with net inflows of $10.54 billion. Additionally, the rate of inflows is increasing. Economic sentimentPMI by IHS Markit | NeutralAccording to the latest IHS Markit Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) data, output in the Consumer Services sector is rising. The rate of growth is weak relative to the trend shown over the past year, however. Credit worthinessCredit default swap | PositiveThe current level displays a positive indicator. YUM credit default swap spreads are near the lowest level of the last one year and indicate improvement in the market's perception of the company's credit worthiness.Please send all inquiries related to the report to email@example.com.Charts and report PDFs will only be available for 30 days after publishing.This document has been produced for information purposes only and is not to be relied upon or as construed as investment advice. To the fullest extent permitted by law, IHS Markit disclaims any responsibility or liability, whether in contract, tort (including, without limitation, negligence), equity or otherwise, for any loss or damage arising from any reliance on or the use of this material in any way. Please view the full legal disclaimer and methodology information on pages 2-3 of the full report.
Yum! Brands (YUM) continues to transform its business through refranchising, and has raised its percentage of franchised restaurants to 98%, explains John Staszak, equity analyst with Argus Research.
New York equity firm Bessemer Investment Partners LLC has acquired the assets of KorMex Foods Inc. and formed a new portfolio company to operate 73 Taco Bell restaurants in the Houston area.


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By Toni Pennello, Wilkes-Barre Times Leader
WILKES-BARRE — “Shop small” and “shop local” are the themes of Small Business Saturday, and there are plenty of places to do just that in downtown Wilkes-Barre.
The Midtown Village’s Holiday Pop Up Shops, where Christmas bargain-seekers can find items from local businesses all in one place, debuted Saturday.
One of the shops, 3GirlsOils, is owned and operated by Denise Ogurkis, who runs her business from her home in Harveys Lake. The shop has a selection of essential oils, diffusers and more.
Ogurkis takes shopping small and local very seriously.
“(Shopping) local, you’re putting bread on people’s table. You’re helping someone pay for dance lessons for their kids. You’re helping someone take a vacation that they haven’t been able to take in years because the parents are working,” she said.
“The more money (shoppers) dump into communities, we can keep little shops and restaurants and things like that in the communities,” added Joanna Gover, owner of Buka, a contemporary women’s clothing store in Shavertown who also has a Pop Up Shop.
“It may cost a little more money, but it’s worth it to keep some of these mom-and-pop shops alive. We’re losing a lot of them these days, but I do think it’s swinging back … a lot of people are supporting these small shops and hopefully continue to,” Gover noted.
She believes customer service sets her business apart.
“We know a lot of our customers, we build relationships with them,” she said. “I text people when special items come in, certain brands they like.”
The Pop Up Shops will be open 5 to 7 p.m. every Thursday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday through Dec. 16.
Saturday’s grand opening included a special appearance by the Times Leader’s mascot, the TL News Bear.
‘The day for you’
Meanwhile, over at the F.M. Kirby Center, Small Business Saturday was being celebrated with the annual Holiday Art Market, an event featuring the work of local artists for sale in the lobby of the theater. There was also an appearance by Santa Claus, performances by the Music Box Dinner Playhouse and the Gaslight Theater Company, a Christmas carol sing-a-long, a tree lighting and a screening of the 1947 film “Miracle on 34th Street.”
“We started this three years ago,” said Anne Rodella, director of sales and marketing at the Kirby.
“We partnered with the the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association, Diamond City Partnership and the Chamber (of Commerce), and really made a big effort to promote Small Business Saturday in downtown Wilkes-Barre with the stores,” she explained.
Rodella said she’s worked with Wilkes-Barre’s Third Friday Art Walk and knew several local artists from that experience.
“We decided to fill the lobby with those artists so you can shop for those things that you maybe can’t order online or get at a big department store. It’s a good use of our space,” she added. “We are a small business, we support small business, and we really like ‘Shop Local.’”
Rodella said the synergy of local businesses is what keeps them all afloat, along with community support.
“… You buy something up at Beehive, you can go have dinner at Rodano’s and then come pick up tickets at the Kirby Center.”
One of the artists selling work at the market was Billy Brandenburg, a Pittston native and resident of Wilkes-Barre.
Brandenburg’s collection of drawings and photography, as well as mixes of the two, are sold under the name “Inspired Slacker.” This was his second time at the market.
“You’re not gonna find this stuff in every store. I always like going to the little out-of-the-way places to get stuff,” he said of shopping for local art. “If you’re an art lover, and you like things that are one-of-a-kind, this is the day for you.”


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Google Kills Pixel Pass Before Delivering Promised Device Upgrades
Aug 31, 2023, 7:16 AM by Rich Brome
Google has ended its Pixel Pass subscription bundle after just 22 months, even though the offering was advertised as including a new phone after two years. The news comes as Google prepares to announce a new lineup of Pixel phones (presumably the Pixel 8 series) on October 4th. The monthly fees paid so far did cover the cost of an initial Pixel phone, plus a bundle of cloud services. Google is also offering a $100 credit to affected customers. But those customers are losing access to special discounted rates for streaming music and other services. Google has a long history of killing off products more quickly than other companies.
Google has added two key new features to its existing Pixel Buds Pro: Bluetooth Super Wideband and Conversation Detection. Bluetooth Super Wideband offers wider bandwidth, covering a wider range of audio frequencies.
Google has announced its Pixel 8 series flagship phones with many expected upgrades, but most of the headline-grabbing new features are exclusive to the larger, more expensive Pixel 8 Pro. In a major shift, Google is promising seven years of full OS updates and Feature Drops for the 8 series.
Sep 7, 2023
Google has posted an official page on its web site for the forthcoming Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel Watch 2. The page includes a few photos plus a short video with a all-around views of both phones.
Aug 10, 2022
Alongside its new foldable phones, Samsung has revealed its newest smartwatches and Bluetooth earbuds, each with significant engineering improvements. The new Galaxy Watch5 has a 13% larger battery and 60% more durable face compared to the Watch4.
Sep 7, 2022
Apple has revealed the iPhone 14 series, with new features, improved specs, and new size options. In place of a Mini option, the iPhone 14 will come in the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen size options as the Pro models.
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The 2020 Toyota Tundra redesign rumors have been circulating around for years. However, latest reports suggest we are about to wait for another couple of years to see a completely redesigned version of the famous truck. There is no doubt that the current generation is on the market for way too long time, almost 12 years.
However, this model is still a pretty solid money maker for Toyota, so the Japanese manufacturer definitely won’t rush with this redesign, especially if we consider that the competition is pretty tough and that engineers have to put a lot of attention on every aspect of the new model. Therefore, don’t count on 2020 Toyota Tundra redesign in the next year. The next-year model will continue in the same way, though there are some pretty nice novelties to come, new engine particularly.
2020 Toyota Tundra Redesign
Despite the fact that 2020 Toyota Tundra redesign is just a rumor that won’t happen, we are getting a lot of insider reports about the new generation. Without any doubt, a new model is already under development. Of course, it is in an early stage, but we are pretty sure that you know what has to be done if Toyota wants to remain competitive in the segment.
The current generation has been updated for a couple of times. However, we are still talking about the chassis from more than a decade ago. It is made completely of steel, so you can imagine how the current Tundra is actually heavy. In most models, the curb weight goes over 5.500 pounds. For comparison, heaviest versions of the F-150 don’t go over 4.800 pounds. Therefore, we count on a new chassis and body that will utilize lots of advanced, lightweight materials that should save hundreds of pounds.
Another important aspect of this redesign should be interior. The current cabin definitely shows its age. Despite being very spacious and practical, its dashboard looks very outdated. Even the advanced tech features weren’t of big help. This cabin is still archaic. Therefore, count on a completely new layout, with modern lines and significantly finer materials. On the other side, we have no doubt that the new model will continue to shine in terms of safety. The current model is already a class-leader in this aspect, with all those advanced systems that are a part of the famous Safety Sense suite.
Another important aspect of the interior will be cabin design. The current model isn’t available in single-row layout, but we are pretty sure it will come with the upcoming 2020 Toyota Tundra redesign. On the other side, familiar Double Cab and CrewMax layouts will definitely carry on.
The powertrain is another big issue. The Toyota Tundra full redesign should bring significant improvement in this aspect. Latest reports suggest that a familiar 5.7-liter V-8 will carry on, but with significant modifications, especially in terms of a fuel injection system. These changes should significantly improve the fuel economy, which is currently the lowest in the class. Also, a max output should go higher. Some reports suggest it will go all away up to 450 hp. Besides new engine, count on a new transmission too, probably a 10-speed automatic gearbox.
At this point, all we know is that the next generation should arrive in a couple of years, probably in 2021. More details about the 2020 Toyota Tundra redesign date will be known in the future.
The 2020 Toyota Tundra redesign won’t happen but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be any novelty. Moreover, we count on one significant change. It looks like the 2020 Toyota Tundra is about to come with a diesel engine, which will definitely improve towing capacity and fuel economy. We should see a familiar 5.0-liter turbodiesel V8 from Cummins, which delivers around 310 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque.
Other than a new diesel engine, things will probably remain the change. The upcoming model will feature a familiar design, which has been significantly updated three years ago. For that occasion, we have seen a whole bunch of visual novelties, as well as a new 8-speed transmission.
Besides a new diesel engine, the Tundra will continue with two well-known gasoline engines. Both feature eight cylinders. The base one is a 4.6-liter unit with around 310 horses, while a bigger 5.7-liter engine delivers 381 horsepower and 401 pound-feet of torque.
On the inside, count on a familiar cabin layout. It may look old but still has a lot to offer, particularly in terms of space, practicality and standard features. Speaking of standard features, this truck beats the competition in terms of safety systems. Of course, the Safety Sense suite in the highlight. This package includes advanced systems like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring etc.
When it comes to the price, base models go around 31.500 dollars.


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Consumer group action to tackle bank penalties is having a major impact, with the NAB the latest bank to respond. The NAB today announced it would cut direct debit dishonour fees from $50 to $30. It will also launch a mainstream transaction account that allows consumers to avoid bank penalty fees altogether.
This follows on from last week’s announcement by the ANZ Bank says it will waive the first penalty fee incurred by customers. Consumer Action’s chief executive, Catriona Lowe, says NAB has gone further than ANZ to set a new benchmark in the way penalty fees apply on transaction accounts.
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The announcements by NAB and ANZ follow the June launch of a nationwide campaign against unfair bank fees.
Penalty fees are charged when consumers don’t have enough money to cover a direct debit or cheque payment, go over their credit card limit or make a late payment. Other banks and financial institutions are continuing to charge penalty fees as high as $50 for each default. NAB executive director Ahmed Fahour says the message from Australian had been clear. “Banks need to offer greater choice, better value and more simplicity in banking.”
He says the bank’s next step is to introduce a range of accounts that will lower the cost of banking for many Australians and cut fees.


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Filed in Truckload
Tuesday, April 01, 2014
Common denominators of our 2014 Top 50 include strong leadership, a growing list of diversified service offerings, and the desire to partner with their shipper customers—all essential characteristics for continued success in the new era of tightened capacity.
Monday, March 24, 2014
The freight brokerage market has another behemoth in the mix, with the recently announced definitive merger agreement of two non asset-based third-party logistics (3PL) service providers Chicago-based Coyote Logistics and Access America Transport (AAT), which is out of Chattanooga, Tenn.
Posted on 03/24 at 08:54 AM
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Echo Global Logistics, a non-asset based freight brokerage company and a provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services, acquired Jacksonville, Fla.-based Comcar Logistics, a non-asset based truckload brokerage.
Friday, February 28, 2014
Three months of mediocre growth regarding the market environment for shippers came to a halt in December, based on the most recent edition of the Shipper Conditions Index (SCI) from freight transportation consultancy FTR.
Posted on 02/28 at 09:20 AM
FTR Associates •
Friday, January 10, 2014
Keeping an eye on over-the-road capacity at its current levels and speculating on what its future levels may be has become more than a passing interest for freight transportation and supply chain stakeholders.
Wednesday, January 01, 2014
While truckload shippers can brace for modest rate increases in the 2 percent to 4 percent range in 2014, carrier executives and analysts say that the boost will only offset the consistently rising costs that continue to hamper the sector.
Shippers who are facing pricing pressure from driver shortages, new regulations, and rising fuel and equipment costs frequently ask me: “How can we get the carriers to be more efficient?” I interpret more as: “How can I save money without suffering from poor service?”
Tuesday, October 01, 2013
Phoenix-based Knight Transportation, one of the top and most profitable truckload companies, says it is “disappointed” that USA Truck has rejected Knight’s $9 per share, all cash offer to take over the financially ailing Van Buren, Ark.-based TL carrier.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
These short 5 questions address the business basics, or essential questions that a shipper should be able to answer for every carrier they use.
Posted on 09/18 at 04:40 PM
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Monday, August 12, 2013
Last week, Rotunda Capital Partners, a middle market private equity firm, announced it sold off global logistics services provider Worldwide Express to an investment group, which included a significant investment from Worldwide’s management team.


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Farmers in the state would have to use BT seeds for the kharif season as the non-BT ones are not available in the market at present, according to industry experts. Maharashtra agriculture commissioner Sachindra Pratap Singh had stated the state has decided to stop renewal of licences for the long duration varieties and had notified seed companies to provide a list of short-, medium- and long-term varieties of cotton earlier this year. Singh said that CICR has recommended short-duration varieties of cotton and there are several such varieties of Bt cotton available in the market.
Senior CICR officials said they have been issuing advisories to farmers to avoid long-duration varieties hybrids in rain-fed farms, especially in the absence of any form of protective irrigation. The government has directed agriculture universities and research centres to develop non-BT seeds as said by the agriculture minister.
The institute has been attempting to force farmers to go in for a very high density planting of early-maturing, short-duration varieties at the rate of 44,000 plants per acre for Vidarbha, Marathwada and Telangana which, it accordingly, will help the crop escape bollworm infestation altogether and leave more on the table for farmers.
The state had suffered from a severe pink bollworm attack last season, Maharashtra agriculture minister Pandurang Phundkar had stated that around one lakh non-BT seed packets will be available for this kharif season at a recent kharif review meet The demand, however, from Jalgaon district alone is more than 2.25 lakh packs.
According to industry experts, farmers in the state would have to use BT seeds for the kharif season as the non-BT ones are not available in the market at present.
The institute has been conducting research to promote non-BT varieties of cotton VN Waghmare, acting director, Central Institute of Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, said. However, since many companies do not come forward for commercial production, large scale output of such seeds becomes an issue. â€œOf the several varieties of cotton that we have been conducting research on, around 4 varieties were identified for Maharashtra. Some of these varieties may be given to the Maharashtra State Seed Corporation for large scale production for the next season,â€ Waghmare added.
Even as BT variety continues to account for over 96% of the cotton crop in the country, the demand for desi ones is slowly growing, in Maharashtra.
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HARARE – When the government ordered internet service providers to shut down the internet in an effort to curb anti-government protests, it also plunged homes into darkness because people cannot pay their utilities online.
Most Zimbabweans use Econet’s Ecocash mobile-phone payment system for daily transactions. They mostly buy electricity in units of $5 or less and almost all domestic users are on prepaid meters, so many buy for $1 at a time.
According to Zimbabwe’s Finance Ministry, less than five percent of commercial transactions in the country involve cash, mainly because it is hard to find. Instead, Zimbabweans use Ecocash or bank cards.
“Tonight will be spent in darkness,” said 42-year-old John Pedzesai, who sells plants on a sidewalk in the capital, Harare.
Econet, Zimbabwe’s biggest mobile-phone company, confirmed that the government ordered it to take down its internet service to its 6,5 million customers.


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BBB Holiday Scam Alerts for December 2012
In an effort to keep the public informed, Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina offers Holiday Scam Alerts:
E-cards are being used by scam artists as a disguise for phishing e-mails. With typical e-cards, the recipients receive an e-mail with a hyperlink that will take users to the e-card, which is housed on a Web site. Unfortunately, this is an easy way for scam artists to direct consumers to their Web site, which may install a virus on their computers.
Package Delivery Scam:
Hackers are sending phishing e-mails, with phony tracking numbers, informing consumers that there was an error with the delivery of their package. The e-mails instruct consumers to open an attachment to print out the correct delivery label and then to take the label to the nearest UPS or FedEx office. Upon opening the attachment, their computers are infected with malware. BBB advises consumers to delete the e-mail immediately.
Holiday Gift Card Scam:
BBB has received numerous calls regarding a text message offering a gift card from large retailers such as Best Buy, Target and Walmart. BBB warns that this is a scam and urges consumers to avoid responding to the message or clicking on any links. In most cases, the text message claims that the consumer has won a $1,000 gift card from the retailer and instructs the consumer to follow a link to claim the gift card. Once the user clicks on the link, they are asked for personal information that could be used to steal his or her identity.
Bogus Charitable Pleas:
BBB reminds consumers to do their research before donating to a charity this holiday season, as the holidays create a great opportunity for scam artists to solicit for donations. Beware of solicitations from charities that may not deliver on their promises or are ill-equipped to carry through on their plans. It is also important to resist demands for on-the-spot donations. Visit bbb.org to view reports on charities this holiday season.
Online Shopping Scams:
When stores sell out of this season’s hottest items, you may find them online at sites such as Craigslist or eBay, but for a much steeper price. BBB reminds consumers to use caution when shopping for these items online, as some sellers may take your money and run. If you shop on Craigslist or other classified sites, look for local sellers and conduct transactions in person. Also, avoid wiring money as payment. When shopping on auction sites such as eBay, research sellers beforehand and avoid deals that sound too good to be true.
About BBB serving Eastern North Carolina
Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from more than 3,000 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit bbb.org.


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Fred Segal, the tony California store best known for outfitting celebrities, is breaking new territory in interactive shopping, with an immersive 3D shopping experience introduced in Los Angeles at Refinery 29’s latest 29 Rooms experiential event.
Working with Mastercard and Next Retail Concepts, the retailer created a 3D digital experience that invites shoppers to browse. Not unlike Google’s Street View, it lets people enter the store, breeze by the clothing racks and click on products that appeal to them, taking a closer look or viewing a runway video. From there, it’s a simple click to purchase.
The initiative comes at a time when many retailers are experimenting with interactive technology, scrambling to build bridges between online and physical offerings.
Companies like Macy’s, Wayfair and Ikea, for example, are tinkering with augmented-reality offerings to help people imagine furniture in their own homes, while stores like Lowe’s and the North Face are experimenting with virtual-reality concepts. And of course Amazon and others have mastered easy checkouts.
“But we think this is the first time linking the interactivity of 3D product views, immersive shopping and frictionless checkout, bringing all three of those things together,” says Aaron Kopelowitz, senior vice president of strategic partnerships at Next Retail Concepts.
He tells Marketing Daily that the goal of the Fred Segal experience, which brings the famous West Hollywood store to life, “is to deepen the connections between consumers and brands they love.”
And as fashion brands become increasingly commoditized, particularly when shopping online, “these immersive experiences are a good way to tell the designer story, for example, or the season story, or talk about best-sellers. We’re hoping it accentuates what’s special about both the retail brand and the products.”
The experience is enabled for headsets. “But adoption just isn’t there yet,” he says. “We need to meet consumers where they are, and that means making it easy for them to access on their desktops, devices and IoT.”
The collection was curated with Refinery29, and shoppers who pay with Mastercard can earn a $30 credit when they spend $200 or more on the holiday collection.


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Iliad Posts 78% Jump in First-Half Net After Boosting SalesMarie Mawad
Iliad SA, the French low-cost mobile-phone carrier that has drawn competitors into a price war, reported a 78 percent increase in first-half profit after adding customers and boosting revenue.
Net income jumped to 141.8 million euros ($187.2 million) from 79.6 million euros a year earlier, Paris-based Iliad, which operates under the brand name Free, said today in a statement. Sales gained 27 percent to 1.83 billion euros, compared with the 1.8 billion-euro estimate of analysts.
Free began service in January 2012 with packages starting at 2 euros per month. Competitors faced with falling phone revenue have opted to cut costs. Bouygues SA this week said second-quarter profit rose 10 percent after it reduced spending. Vivendi SA’s SFR unit has simplified its structure and eliminated jobs as part of plans to cut expenses by 500 million euros by the end of 2014.
Bouygues and SFR have also started talks to share parts of their mobile networks to limit costs.
At Orange SA, France’s former phone monopoly and still the largest of the country’s four carriers, Chief Stephane Richard has forecast that cost-cutting efforts will help the company beat an initial goal of 600 million euros in savings this year.
Iliad rose 1.1 percent to 181.50 euros at the close in Paris. The stock has gained 40 percent this year.


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BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (June 8, 2021) –CONTROLTEK, a leader in retail asset protection technology, will attend NRF Retail Converge, a virtual conference presented by the National Retail Federation, to showcase its EAS and RFID solutions in the virtual conference expo.
“2020 has shown us that the digitization of retail isn’t slowing down anytime soon, and that includes how we approach asset protection,” said Tom Meehan, CFI, CONTROTLEK’s chief strategy officer and chief information security officer. “We’re looking forward to learning from retailers and other AP experts how they have adapted to the changing retail environment.”
“One of our top priorities is to help retailers combat current challenges while preparing for the future,” said Rubin Press, vice president of global sales at CONTROLTEK. “Our team’s technology expertise, specific to asset protection, enables us to support retailers on the latest security trends as well as identify the right solutions to future-proof their business.”
NRF Retail Converge will take place from June 21 to 25 and bring together retailers, law enforcement agencies, and solutions providers in all areas of retail security. CONTROLTEK will be featured in the virtual NRF Converge Marketplace, where solution providers demo new products and technology.
For more information about NRF Retail Converge, visit their website.


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"SC was expensive, so that was how I was starting my company. I used all that cash,” Giannulli told the blog.
They both pleaded not guilty on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, as well as conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli were indicted on conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, plus conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Loughlin is hesitant to take any plea deal that would result in prison time and has struggled to grasp the seriousness of the charges.
"She feels like she's lost nearly all of her friends because of this. She's barely speaking to her parents."
The "Full House" star has yet to release a public statement regarding her alleged role in the scam.
“She refused to accept any jail time and thought the DA was bluffing.”
“They weren’t ready to accept that. They’re really not seeing how serious this is,” a source familiar with the legal discussions said.
The "Full House" star and hubby Mossimo Giannulli were among 16 parents charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud among other charges.
Olivia Jade Giannulli hasn't given up on her beauty trademarks.


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Even in developing countries, aspirational young people are looking for ways to move forwards and upwards, to be connected and to be part of an exciting, innovative future. But the younger generation is also well aware of the challenges facing the world – from climate change to hunger and food security issues – and they are both able and willing to make a difference.
When it comes to food security in Africa, the rapidly growing population is putting increasing pressure on the need for higher food production. And the answer lies in building increased skills in the industry, that can be used to deploy smart technology to deliver greater efficiencies.
In South Africa, AGRICOLLEGES international offers young students, existing farm workers and those wanting to learn more about the industry, an exciting opportunity to build a foundation of knowledge from the ground up through agriculture courses and bursaries – giving them the chance to become part of the solution.
For those who wonder about the value of technology in developing world agriculture, this article from the Wall Street Journal tells a fascinating story about entrepreneur Srikumar Misra, who moved back home to India from London in 2010 to launch a milk company, armed with social media, smartphone apps and big-data analytics.
As the article describes: “Technology is taking on one of India’s biggest economic challenges: modernizing the country’s massive informal economy. Tech is especially being put to the test by a tangle of millions of independent labourers, farmers and tiny companies that make up the lumbering farm sector.”
It’s a scenario we’re familiar with in Africa. Mr Misra proves that with a combination of tenacity, knowledge and the help of technology and social media, it is possible to overcome challenges and build a brand, market your products, gain community trust and literally change lives, even in the remotest of areas.


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Why are you in Albany?
It’s a question 30-year-old Apprenda CEO Sinclair Schuller has fielded numerous times, typically from potential investors. Most recently, a writer from "Entrepreneur" magazine posed the question.
Under the headline “How the young founder of Apprenda landed $16 million from Albany, N.Y.,” Schuller describes how he started Apprenda seven years ago “in one of the most unlikely places" if you're a CEO looking for funding.
“It’s something I’ve dealt with the whole time I’ve been at Apprenda: 'Why are you in Albany? How can you build a company there?' ” Schuller told me.
Apprenda’s software is used to build next-generation cloud applications. Companies pay as much a $1 million a year to license the software, depending on the number of users a client has.
Schuller has a number of Fortune 500 customers, including Honeywell Inc. (NYSE: HON), the $37.5 billion diversified tech and manufacturing company, and Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC), the $6.7 billion Internet security company.
The 40-person Apprenda is now targeting clients with annual revenues of $4 billion or more.
“There’s a perception that you can’t build a company anyplace but NYC, Silicon Valley or Boston,” Schuller told Entrepreneur.
But he said being in upstate New York has some benefits as well—and it's not just being close to places like Boston, Montreal and New York City, a typical answer people give about the advantages of being in Albany.
There are fewer distractions here, he says.
“It becomes very easy [in places like Silicon Valley] to lose focus on the original thing you wanted to solve because something shinier came in,” Schuller told me.
Rich Honen, co-chair of the law firm Phillip Lytle LLP’s venture capital group in Albany, loved Schuller’s answer.
“There’s less pressure to be the next big thing [here],” he said. An entrepreneur can just work.
Honen said he has had to defend the region when he represents startups seeking funds.
“You have to explain yourself [to the potential investors], but that’s OK,” he said.


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In a bid to decrease the number of returned CD-ROMs, 42 companies including Apple, CNN, IBM, Intel, and Macromedia have joined The Interactive Multimedia Association's (IMA) CD Match program that aims to educate consumers about the configuration of their PCs and system requirements for CD-ROM titles.
The program has set a standardized labeling procedure for companies that IMA claims will inform consumers of the system requirements needed to run each CD-ROM title. The program also created a software application that gives consumers system information on their PC that can be compared to the CD-ROM label. Guidelines on coding practices and installation procedures are available to CD-ROM developers.
The program began as a result of the high rate of CD-ROM returns. According to analysts at Simba Information, only 6 percent of the 3,500 consumer CD-ROM titles made a profit because of returns. IMA officials say they expect the program to take off in time. "Anything will be better than it is now," said Steve Mitchell, director of systems information for IMA.
Program documents and beta software are currently available for downloading at the IMA site.


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A New Player in the Micro-mobility Game
In what the Washington Post is saying may be the next big trend in micro-mobility, Bird will pilot a two-seater, electric vehicle with an LCD screen, hydraulic disc brakes, and a 52-volt battery.
The Post called the Bird Cruiser, “a hybrid between a heavy-duty dirt bike and a slimmed down moped,” while the company says, “The 20-inch wheels and full suspension make for a ridiculously fun—and comfortable—ride.” Bird says the Cruiser will feature instant acceleration. The vehicles, which seat two adults, will debut in test markets this summer. Read the Post story here, and check out the press release from Bird here. Then, let us know–would you consider adding the Cruiser for your operation?


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Trade tensions between the EU and the United States (hereinafter “the US”) have intensified in recent years, particularly against the backdrop of the Airbus-Boeing dispute and the surtax implemented by the US on steel and aluminum.
Since 2018, the EU has taken a number of restrictive measures against imports of products originating from the US. These measures have been the subject of several Regulations, imposing additional ad valorem duties on a wide range of products (Implementing Regulation 2018/886 of June 20, 2018; Implementing Regulation 2020/502 of April 7, 2020). The measures imposed were severe: additional duties of at least 10% and, for certain products, up to 50% of the value of the product (see the Annexes to the above-mentioned Regulations detailing the relevant Combined Nomenclature tariff headings).
These restrictions were intended to counter the US safeguard measures introduced in 2018 for an unlimited period of time, targeting a number of steel and aluminum products originating in the EU. The US relied on Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, a rarely used tool that allows them to impose any measure against imports that would jeopardize the national security of the country concerned.
However, the US and the EU appear to be on the way to finding common ground. On May 17, 2021, through a joint statement, both parties attested to their desire to put an end to the disputes raised before the WTO (DS548: United States – Certain Measures on Steel and Aluminium Products).
Following this declaration, the Commission adopted on May 31, 2021, Implementing Regulation 2021/866, which suspended the application of the additional ad valorem duties listed in Annex II of the above-mentioned Implementing Regulation 2018/886. However, this suspension was limited in time, as it was to end on November 30, 2021. The objective was to see if on US side, easing measures on restricted products originating in the EU would also be adopted.
On October 31, 2021, the US announced important changes to the safeguard measures, which are to take effect on January 1, 2022. As of that date, the existing tariffs of 25% on steel products and 10% on aluminum products from the EU will be replaced by a tariff rate quota. The US has also decided not to apply Section 232 duties on imports from the EU of steel and aluminum products.
Accordingly, the Commission adopted on November 29, 2021, Implementing Regulation 2021/2083, suspending the application of the ad valorem duties imposed by the two above-mentioned Regulations 2018/866 and 2020/502, for a period until December 31, 2023.
The purpose of this suspension is to advance cooperation with the US with final goal to eventually eliminate the additional customs duties that the two parties impose on each other. The Commission specifies, however, that it may modify this Regulation if it deems it necessary, in view of developments likely to deteriorate the situation of EU exports still subject to US safeguard measures.
DS Avocats International Trade and Customs team is at your disposal to provide you with any additional information.


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However as streaming has grow to be the dominant format for music, artists have begun complaining, loudly, that they don’t seem to be receiving their fair proportion of the bounty. In response to business estimates, Spotify pays document labels, music publishers and different rights holders about one-third of a cent for each click on of a music; what portion of that cash makes its means right into a musician’s pocket is set by their offers with these labels and publishers.
On Bandcamp, alternatively, artists can add their very own work and set the pricing guidelines for downloads of their very own work — pay-what-you-wish pricing is frequent. Through the pandemic, Bandcamp has waived its charges as soon as a month on “Bandcamp Fridays,” bringing the corporate waves of goodwill. Much more stunning, Bandcamp says it has been worthwhile since 2012. (Final yr, Spotify had $10.7 billion in income and misplaced about $276 million, in line with firm studies.)
Epic Video games, which is predicated in Cary, N.C., and is privately owned, mentioned little about its plans for music, and an organization spokeswoman declined to reply additional questions concerning the deal. However Epic’s assertion on Wednesday indicated that it was fascinated about Bandcamp as a direct-to-consumer market. “Epic and Bandcamp share a mission of constructing probably the most artist-friendly platform that permits creators to maintain the vast majority of their hard-earned cash,” the corporate wrote.
Fortnite, Epic’s flagship sport, has been one of the progressive shops for music in video video games, permitting artists to seem just about, usually in elaborately produced segments. In April 2020, the rapper Travis Scott made what was broadly seen as a breakthrough look, drawing 28 million gamers to his digital efficiency. For Halloween that yr, the Latin pop star J Balvin gave a campy live performance dressed as a green-haired Frankenstein’s monster, backed by dancers in costume as ghosts and zombie Cyclopes.
Epic has additionally taken heart stage in one of the high-profile debates in present tech coverage. The corporate sued Apple in 2020, saying that the phrases of its App Retailer — which takes fee commissions of as much as 30 p.c — had been unfair. Epic additionally fought the public-relations battle round that lawsuit with slick, meme-ready content material like “Nineteen Eighty-Fortnite,” a parody of Apple’s well-known “1984” TV advert that launched its Mac laptop as a joyful disrupter of grey tech monopolies.


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On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced legislation that could give the Federal Trade Commission authority to update the nation’s privacy laws for the internet era.
The American Data Dissemination Act, as it’s called, would task the FTC to update the nation’s 1970s privacy laws. However, unlike online privacy bills introduced last year, Rubio’s doesn’t create a clear framework right away. Rather, it would task the FTC with developing a list of rules and regulations related to data privacy. Then, after 180 days, the FTC would submit suggestions to Congress for approval. If lawmakers don’t pass legislation within two years, the FTC could approve and enforce their own rules without final Congressional approval.
The bill could jumpstart the conversation around the issue of online data privacy. After a series of data privacy scandals in 2018, lawmakers have become increasingly vocal about their concerns ranging from how Facebook and Google collect and use data for advertising to how companies protect sensitive information from being stolen. Just last week, several lawmakers called on the FTC to consider investigating telecom giants after a report discovered companies including AT&T and T-Mobile had been selling user location data. (Most quickly announced they would stop the practice by March.)
Rubio said Congress needs to create legislation that creates “a transparent, digital environment that maximizes consumer welfare over corporate welfare.”
“There has been a growing consensus that Congress must take action to address consumer data privacy,” he said in a statement. “However, I believe that any efforts to address consumer privacy must also balance the need to protect the innovative capabilities of the digital economy that have enabled new entrants and small businesses to succeed in the marketplace.”
Rubio likely won’t be the only lawmaker introducing their version of a privacy bill this session. In addition to holding Congressional hearings for executives from Facebook, Google and Twitter to talk about their companies’ data practices, several members of Congress submitted their own version of federal data privacy legislation. Last year, lawmakers including Democratic U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) all sponsored various bills related to online privacy. Several of those lawmakers could reintroduce legislation again this year.
While comments from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and others drew concern, the bills failed to get traction—at least so far. But online privacy isn’t just a one-party issue. Along with Rubio, other Republican lawmakers have also voiced their support for some sort of action, including Senators John Thune, (R-S.D.) and Roger Wicker, (R-Miss.), have also said it’s time for Congress to consider legislation.
Omer Tene, chief knowledge officer of the International Association of Privacy Professionals, said it’s “refreshing and good” for Senate leaders such as Rubio to be involved with privacy legislation.
“I fully expect this to have much more energy from both sides of the aisles than just Sen. Rubio,” he said.
Last year, California led the way with pushing privacy at the state level by passing a sweeping online privacy bill in order to pre-empt an even stronger proposal from being voted on as a ballot measure last November. However, while the law is scheduled to go into effect next year, the American Data Dissemination Act would supersede it and any other state’s bill. While some say having state-by-state privacy bills would make compliance too confusing and burdensome on brands and advertisers, a vague federal bill could allow for a watered-down version that doesn’t end up protecting users as strongly as privacy advocates would like.
While Congressional hearings have helped to raise the profile of internet companies’ data practices, a recent study suggests that most U.S. consumers still don’t realize how much their data is being collected and used to show them ads on social media platforms and websites. According to the Pew Research Center, 74 percent of the nearly 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed last fall said they didn’t realize Facebook maintained a list of their interests and traits for use in data-driven advertising. Meanwhile, 51 percent of respondents said they weren’t comfortable with Facebook compiling the information, and 27 percent said the profiles created about them “do not very or at all accurately represent them”—perhaps raising the question of whether ad-targeting is even always accurate in the first place.
The issue isn’t going away any time soon. Today, Time magazine published a letter by Apple CEO Tim Cook, pressing the need for federal online privacy rules. Along with calling for data collection to be minimized, accessed and corrected or deleted by whoever it belongs to, Cook said the FTC should create a “data-broker clearinghouse” that would require all data brokers to register so that consumers could track what information of theirs is collected and sold.
“In 2019, it’s time to stand up for the right to privacy—yours, mine, all of ours,” he wrote. “Consumers shouldn’t have to tolerate another year of companies irresponsibly amassing huge user profiles, data breaches that seem out of control and the vanishing ability to control our own digital lives.”
Some privacy advocates don’t trust the FTC to do its job. A coalition of organizations released a list of proposals ranging from federal legislation to a “data protection agency” that would run independently of the FTC.
“The United States confronts a crisis,” wrote the coalition, which includes the Electronic Information Center, Color of Change, and Public Citizen. “Digital giants invade our private lives, spy on our families and gather our most intimate facts for profit. Bad actors, foreign and domestic, target the personal data gathered by U.S. firms, including our bank details, email messages and Social Security Numbers.”


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In his column on logistics John Bevacqua, VP of Logistics at AMS Fulfillment, often refers to the decisions and the direction taken by the parcel duopoly of FedEx and UPS. These two companies have been the powerhouses in getting our packages delivered and the decisions they make have a significant impact on fulfillment.
Recently the headlines have pointed to some interesting changes in logistics. For example, an article in SupplyChainDrive.com talks about Amazon passing FedEx in volume. In an effort to understand what this might mean for AMS and its clients, and what it might mean for shoppers who are increasingly concerned about the supply chain, we have asked the “Freight Freak” if he would comment on this change. Has Amazon Logistics passed FedEx in volume?
John B was happy to comply, and his viewpoint is as follows:
Amazon Logistics’ fast growing logistics network has recently, or will soon, surpass the duopoly’s market share. It has surpassed FedEx for the total packages delivered to consumers and with the additional assets being added to their network, soon to surpass UPS. It comes as no surprise that even though Amazon has not yet fully completed a direct compete with the duopoly throughout the US, it’s definitely going to be their next big step in the logistics industry. AMS will be one that’s ready to add this service once it is offered.
Is there room for another small package powerhouse carrier to compete with likes of UPS, FedEx, and DHL? Absolutely! As every small parcel carrier is challenged with capacity issues, it’s exactly what is needed in the industry to harness the out of control rates and surcharges offered by what I refer to as a duopoly – FedEx and UPS.
Several years ago we heard rumors about Amazon purchasing a shipping company. Some were thinking it could be UPS, but it didn’t seem possible. Fast forward to the current day and Amazon Logistics has become a formidable threat to the duopoly. The hub and spoke infrastructure that has been built in almost every major city, citing what the article from CNBC calls a “fly wheel effect” will only propel this logistics network to be one of the world’s most efficient and fastest “end- to- end” delivery systems, meaning from warehouse to the consumer’s doorstep.
As Amazon independent delivery drivers are beginning to flirt with the idea of handling outside shipments, I can only conclude that we soon will see a third powerhouse to compete with the Duopoly.
Thank you John B. “Freight Freak” for the insider view!
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About the Freight Freak: John Bevacqua is the VP of Logistics at AMS Fulfillment. His area of excellence is in creating distribution and fulfillment operations that function as a capable interface between suppliers, retailers, and wholesale distributors. His experience includes developing and leading FedEx/ Kinko’s Distribution Services into the FedEx post acquisition, USA Wireless Technologies, and a top Logistics Management company. He has also worked with third party fulfillment companies, preparing him for his current position with AMS Fulfillment.


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Catherine’s outfit for the royal couple’s flight to Canada set off a buying frenzy Thursday, with the blazer selling out quickly in many stores.
The Duchess of Cambridge chose a sleek, navy blazer by Toronto label Smythe les Vestes to complement her Roland Mouret “Manon” dress.
Smythe publicist Deb McCain said co-designers Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe were notified Thursday morning — shortly after fashion bloggers spotted Catherine in the one-button affair — that the jacket had sold out on net-a-porter.com, a popular online luxury retailer. By early afternoon, before the royal couple had even landed in Ottawa, the blazer was no longer available on Saks’ online store.
“The traffic has crashed the Smythe website,” she added.
The blazer had been purchased directly from Smythe, but “we didn’t know when she would wear it,” McCain said.
“We design with a woman like Catherine Middleton in mind,” the co-designers said in a statement, adding that they’re “thrilled” she chose to wear the blazer on her first day in Canada. Smythe has also been spotted on Rachel McAdams and Blake Lively.
The blazer retails in Holt Renfrew for $550, according to Barbara Atkin, vice-president of fashion direction.