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Despite the region primarily being known for its tourism sector, farming remains one of the main staples of the local economy. "Agricultural income has been much higher on the western side of the Mediterranean resort of Antalya, which extends through the province's Kumluca, Finike, Demre and Kas districts," the newspaper said.
It quoted Kumluca Chamber of Trade and Commerce head Murat Hudavendigar Gunay as saying that the problems pertaining to Turkey's ties with neighboring countries had already damaged the agrarian sector in the past few years.
The situation, however, has deteriorated even further "since the jet crisis erupted between Turkey and Russia last November," according to Hurriyet Daily News.
"We unfortunately expect huge problems in the sector in the coming days and months. As farmers fail to find markets to sell their products, we will see collateral damage across all sector players," the newspaper cited Gunay as saying.
He urged the Turkish government to take steps so that "we could reach lively and luxurious markets in distant regions, which use air transportation quite effectively."
In January, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said that the country will lose $3.1 billion worth of trade in 2016 due to Russian economic sanctions.
Earlier, Ankara appealed to the World Trade Organization, arguing that the sanctions allegedly violate trade rules. Moscow responded by saying that its economic actions are fully within the framework of WTO rules.


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Will a ‘skyscraper’ store change how groceries are delivered in cities?
Grocery stores that manage their back-end operations with busy hives of robots have gone from speculative fiction to reality. One recent entry into the space has made headlines with its plans to build up instead of out.
A startup called Urbx has announced plans to launch a robotic grocer that is 150 feet tall (nearly as tall as an average water tower) and only 1,800 square feet around, according to Grocery Dive.
As planned, the pick and pack duties carried out on the upper floors of the building will be managed by automated robots, which will carry orders down to an area to be collected by delivery people. The startup promises one-hour delivery. At ground floor, Urbx markets will feature a small storefront where customers can order products and have them procured and delivered within five minutes by a robot.
Urbx’s vertical grocery store is hardly the only vision of an automated grocery concept to hit the scene recently.
The automated micro-fulfillment center, Fabric, formerly CommonSense Robotics, features hundreds of robots in a warehouse one-tenth the size of a football field, according to a Marketplace report. Robots navigate shelves stacked with bins to automatically pick and pack orders. As with Urbx’s space efficient layout, the Fabric warehouse is designed to fit into an urban landscape. The startup touts a five-minute time period from when a customer places an order to when the order is ready to be delivered.
While these robot hives are smaller and suited for fulfilling online orders in high-density urban areas, some big name grocers are using robotic fulfillment at a much larger scale.
In the U.S., Kroger has been making big moves in this space. The chain announced in 2019 that it would be partnering with Ocado to build 20 robot hive warehouses in Central Florida and the Mid-Atlantic.
Earlier this month, Kroger opened the first of the facilities in Ohio, according to the Dayton Daily News. The warehouse is able to assemble a 50-item order in six minutes. Manual picking of an order of that size takes an average of 30 to 45 minutes.
- Meet the vertical automated grocery store – Grocery Dive
- Pandemic innovation: Supermarkets invest in robot pickers as online ordering takes off – Marketplace
- Kroger opens first $55 million automated warehouse in Butler County – Dayton Daily News
- Will robotic fulfillment centers reshape Kroger’s business? – RetailWire
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Do you see a vertically-oriented, automated grocer like Urbx and other automated facilities being able to make good when it comes to fast picking, packing and delivery? Do you consider some of these solutions having greater advantages compared to the others?

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Why Lyft is eating Uber’s dust3 min read 07 Oct 2022, 12:30 AM IST
Postpandemic, the battle between Uber and Lyft is looking a lot more one-sided
Compared with Uber Technologies, and its global reach and businesses other than rideshare, the purported benefits of a more localized, focused company certainly made sense. But, as the dust settles on the pandemic, Lyft is emerging a little dusted itself. Its distinctions are now looking more like reasons to sell.
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Sherbeck points out that traditional barn construction involves spacing the exterior siding boards a bit to allow some light and samsung s8 purse phone case airflow. “It’s really a screen wall,” she says. DuPont Co., where Trian took an samsung s8 purple phone case active stake last year, is a complex company that still needs simplifying, Peltz said. He is continuing talks with DuPont, and will know before the end of summer whether those are or case samsung s8 pink not.
The confession came as part of a plea agreement in which Heinrich will likely get 20 years in prison on a federal child pornography charge when he sentenced in November, but will not be prosecuted on state murder charges. Following his prison sentence, a civil commitment is possible, meaning he could spend the rest of his life in custody..
My family went to great s8 case samsung glass screen protector expense to rearrange the schedule so that the children could be s8 personalised flip case samsung at the funeral. He doesn think bumper phone case samsung s8 he has done anything inappropriate. That said, they are likely a necessary samsung s7 survivor case evil phone samsung s7 shell case battery case samsung s8 for consumers. Essentially, the caps are shock proof case samsung s8 plus a disincentive that stops your neighbor from starting a web hosting business in his garage.
In addition, there’s a Wi Fi samsung s8 plus running case remote clip on the body of the pole. samsung s7 wireless case The whole stick weighs a mere five ounces. Cole designer phone case samsung s8 Hazellief, of Just samsung led s8 case Fishin’ charters out of Anchor’s Aweigh at Taylor Creek Marina in Fort Pierce, said the snapper fishing has been excellent. His clients Tuesday caught a snapper slam consisting of lane snapper, yellowtail snapper, mangrove snapper, mutton snapper and genuine red snapper.
After the current handset hit power banks case samsung s8 the market, reports had surfaced that Apple was planning on releasing a smartphone with a display size of samsung s8 plu phone case 4 inches or larger and more reports, more recently have metal case samsung s8 plus been suggesting that the Cupertino brand was set to launch the next iPhone with a 4.6 inch display, rubber case for samsung s7 much like their Android counterparts that release handsets measuring over 4 inches diagonally. However, as per a report by iMore, it appears that Apple will in fact stick to the same size they have used all this while on their iPhones….


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The Saucy Fish Co, the Grimsby UK-based manufacturer that is part of the Icelandic Group, has announced its expansion into the US market through a deal with American supermarket chain Giant, owned by Ahold, the Dutch retail group.
The Saucy Fish will be selling its products in 390 US stores and in time for Lent, which is stated to be a time when seafood consumption in North America typically increases.
Seven Saucy Fish products will be made available as part of the launch, including two new designs specially made for the US market. The products will sell in Giant Carlisle and Giant Landover stores, which have outlets in eight states across the north-east of the USA.
“We are confident that The Saucy Fish Co. will secure further US listings this year, and we expect this to be the first in a line of international announcements over the next 18 months”, said Simon Smith, sales and marketing director for Icelandic Seachill.
Smith continued: “There are the same barriers to consumption as exist in the UK”. As in the UK, he believes that, while consumers in the USA are keen on eating more fish, they lack the confidence to cook it. The Saucy Fish concept of fish and sauce packed together, combined with eye-catching branding, would make the range a success, he asserted.
Source: Undercurrent News


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Manufacturing exports, boosted by the weak pound, grew at their fastest pace in more than two years over the past three months, a new report shows.
The latest Confederation of British Industry (CBI) industrial trends survey showed that manufacturing output grew at a "healthy pace" while demand expanded in the three months to October.
The survey explained that sterling weakness played its part in boosting exports.
"Respondents who experienced greater overseas appetite for their goods attributed it to the depreciation of sterling," the CBI said.
It added: "Firms' perception of their competitiveness within the EU climbed to an all-time high and competitiveness in countries outside the bloc improved at its fastest since April 2009."
Sterling has fallen nearly 20% against the dollar since the referendum vote, raising hopes that cheaper UK goods would be more competitive on the global market.
"Still, the pound's weakness came as a mixed blessing as average unit costs climbed at the fastest pace in three-and-a-half years," the survey said.
"Accordingly, there are signs that this may be passed on through higher prices: manufacturers' expectations for domestic price inflation rose to the highest since April 2014."
But the survey, which polled 459 manufacturers, showed that the demand outlook for the next three months was "generally positive."
New orders are expected to rise to a balance of 12% over the next three months, with foreign demand the main driver of growth.
It comes after the export order balance rose to 8% in the three months to October, marking the highest balance since April 2014 when it reached 16%.
CBI chief economist Rain Newton-Smith said: "Manufacturers are optimistic about export prospects and export orders are growing following the fall in sterling
"However, the weaker pound is also feeding through to costs, which are rising briskly and may well spill over into higher consumer prices in the months ahead."
The pound was trading around 1.14 against the euro and 1.28 versus the US dollar when the survey was conducted, but has fallen even further in recent weeks. Sterling is now worth around 1.12 euro and 1.22 US dollars.
Looming costs as a result of a weaker pound have not dampened business investment plans.
Manufacturers' investment intentions rose to a balance of 23% compared with the previous 12 months, with spending on product and process innovation, as well as workforce training, on the rise.
But while investment on employee training rose, jobs were slashed. In the past three months the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector dropped to the lowest level since April 2010.
Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, said the survey paints a "mixed picture."
He said: "Although optimism has recovered to pre-referendum levels, manufacturers have cut employment over the last three months for the first time since 2010, and plan to cut jobs at a faster rate over the next three months.
"The balance of firms intending to increase plant investment improved only to zero, from minus 5 in Q3, and so remained well below the plus 17 balance before the referendum.
"In short, manufacturers largely are treading water, as weakness in domestic demand offsets to the boost from the lower pound."
Going forward, Mr Newton-Smith said manufacturers would be watching Brexit negotiations closely for signs that trade or access to labour pools might be disrupted, which could cause further pain for the sector.
"Access to skills clearly remains a high priority, so manufacturers will be looking to the Government to implement a new migration system that meets the needs of business while responding to clearly stated public concerns."
He added: "Maintaining a preferential route between the UK and the EU, our largest trading partner, will be important."


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O'Neill launches his consultancy venture
Published 13/01/2010 | 05:00
Sean O'Neill, the former head of investment at DTZ Sherry FitzGerald, has left to set up a boutique commercial property consultancy, O'Neill Strategic Property Advice.
He has advised many leading companies and has been involved in some of the market's largest deals. He advised Tesco on the sale of their distribution centre in Donabate, as well as the sale of Wilton Shopping Centre in Cork.


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The 2014 Greece Award Winners are Nikolas Minoglou and Christina Martini of Ancient Greek Sandals
20th November 2014
SIR STELIOS' SUPPORT FOR GREEK ENTREPRENEURSHIP TOPS €350.000 IN SEVEN YEARS
Last night Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou announced the winner of his Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece – 2014, at the Kouros Awards ceremony hosted by Leshi Epiheirimatikotitas, at the Athenaeum Intercontinental Hotel.
The easyJet founder awarded the €50.000 cash prize to Nikolas Minoglou & Christina Martini, the entrepreneurs behind Ancient Greek Sandals. The company, which has its headquarters at Inofita, creates high quality leather handmade ancient sandals using the best raw materials.
In the past seven years, Stelios has presented €350,000 to seven new businesses based in Greece showing his faith in the abilities and potential of young Greek entrepreneurs despite the current troubles.
This year's winner, Ancient Greek Sandals, was selected by Sir Stelios for the excellent quality of raw materials used, and the fact that it is one of a few Greek companies almost exclusively export orientated. Since 2011, when they started to operate, the Ancient Greek Sandals has managed to become a top foreign fashion brand synonymous with the style from ancient times. Moreover, the fact that the company is completely self-funded with zero debt, makes its success even more impressive.
Sir Stelios told distinguished guests, that young entrepreneurs were the country's future lifeblood. He said: "For seventh time in a row, I chose to support the vision, the creativity and the pioneering ideas of the promising young entrepreneurs who dare to invest in their country by setting long-term plans and goals - despite the rough financial weather. The willingness of young entrepreneurs to export and build new markets is really impressive - the example of the three finalists show us that when there is boldness and faith, there are also solutions. The Ancient Greek Sandals had a creative idea, based on a sound and viable business plan, listened to the market, developed the business of watching it grow and bear fruit even in a tough business environment. They deserve our congratulations."
The Stelios Award for Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Greece – 2014 is now in its seventh year. It aims to encourage young entrepreneurs (up to 40 years old) who have spotted a unique business opportunity, taken the risk and have successfully developed their company.
In 2013, the Prize was awarded to the company Nanobionic. The company is the only company that has developed the most efficient innovative high-tech fabrics.
14/12/2014 - huffingtonpost.gr
You can filter the news items on this website to view stories based in individual countries simply by clicking the flag below...


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Capitalizing on the idea that it’s never too early to teach children about money, a slew of startups is offering kids access to cold, hard plastic.
Greenlight got greenlit… by Series B investors
The fintech startup just hauled in $54m from big-money players including Drive Capital, JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Founded in 2014, Greenlight is a card/app combo that lets kids spend and save independently… under parental supervision.
It works like this: Junior gets a preloaded debit card and a companion app that lets him check balances, set savings goals, ask the ’rents for more money, and receive alerts when said money lands.
Parents get an app of their own to check in on the kid’s spending, schedule recurring allowance payments, make one-time deposits, set limits on spending categories and — if little Icarus flies too close to the sun — shut the whole thing down. Fees are $5/month.
And there are plenty of other companies digitizing the piggy bank
Backed by Spanish bank Banco Sabadell, a startup called Mitto makes a similar product designed to teach Generación Zeta financial literacy: The company has 150k registered users and a waitlist of 80k more.
In the UK, kid card issuers include GoHenry or Osper. And back in the US of A, Current and Step are giving Greenlight a run for its, er, money.
The kids are all right… or, at least, not worse than you were
Surveys show that many a Boomer has bailed out an adult child — and now that those adult children are having children of their own, they’re looking to help their progeny be smarter about spending.
Although early iterations of the kid card were viewed as potentially predatory, recently launched kid cards have been careful to include educational resources related to personal finance, investing, and charitable giving in their apps.


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In January 2023, Samsung released the brand new 200 million-pixel image sensor ISOCELL HP2, which employs enhanced pixel technology, and can help mobile devices capture stunning photos. At the Galaxy Unpacked event in February, Samsung launched their newest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S23 Ultra, equipped with ISOCELL HP2. With the aid of 200 million pixels, … Continue reading Samsung has released its flagship phone Galaxy S23 Ultra, which is equipped with ISOCELL HP2.
With the fast-paced lifestyle causing physical and mental fatigue, many people tend to stay at home during holidays and enjoy their leisure time by watching TV or playing games on their phone. Speaking of gaming and binge-watching, these activities place high demands on the performance of smartphones, and Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra is a flagship … Continue reading The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra flagship phone is truly captivating, with its impressive performance being the ultimate proof of its excellence.


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Technical developments, such as the adoption of low-lubricant-consuming direct-drive wind turbines in some major markets, will likely mean a decrease in demand for wind turbine lubricants; however, this decrease will be counterbalanced by an ongoing vast expansion in overall generating capacity, finds a new report from consulting and research firm Kline & Co.
This growing penetration of direct-drive technology is an important issue for the industry, but significant improvements in reliability of geared wind turbines will help the latter maintain their market dominance, the report says.
‘Although the market for lubricants used in wind energy is small in terms of overall volume, it is rendered particularly attractive by its high growth, the high penetration of synthetics – estimated to be above 80% – and its 'green' associations," explains Milind Phadke, Kline's energy practice industry manager. "Existing lubricant marketers face the challenge of new lubricant suppliers emerging, especially in the service fill market, where, rather than [original equipment manufacturer (OEM)] alliances, new end-user groups – such as wind farm operators, offshore operators and maintenance service provider companies – are now becoming increasingly important.
"Overall, the market offers strong margins to leading lubricant marketers who sell their products on the basis of performance guarantees, a proven track record and OEM alliances," Phadke adds. "Moreover, products developed for the wind energy industry have found applications in other industries where micro-pitting and scuffing resistance is valued.’
Kline predicts that despite various political and technical concerns, lubricant consumption in wind energy will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9% to 18% over the next five years.


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New Mastercard card just got more secure. Mastercard has unveiled its next generation Biometric card, with South Africa being its first market to test the evolved technology.
Mastercard’s new Biometric cards combines chip technology with fingerprints and safely verify cardholders identity when doing in store purchases. It utilizes today’s fingerprint scanning technology used for mobile payments and can be used at EMV terminals worldwide.
For this to work, when a cardholder has to enroll by registering at financial institution. The fingerprints taken then, will be converted into an encrypted digital template and will be stored on the card.
This new card can be used at any EMV Card terminal globally. To use it, cardholder has to dip the card in the terminal, place finger on the embedded sensor which is verified against the template. It the biometrics match, the cardholder is successfully authenticated and transaction can be approved with card never leaving consumer’s hand.
These next generation Biometric cards work with existing EMV card terminal infrastructure and doe not require any new hardware / software upgrades.
Main aim of this technology is to detect and prevent fraud, reduce operational costs, increase approval rates and foster customer loyalty. Mastercard also plans to introduce contactless technology in future versions.
After successful trials in South Africa, company has plans to make additional trials in Asia Pacific and Europe. You can expect a global roll out later this year.
Ajay Bhalla, president, enterprise risk and security, Mastercard said –
Consumers are increasingly experiencing the convenience and security of biometrics. Whether unlocking a smartphone or shopping online, the fingerprint is helping to deliver additional convenience and security. It’s not something that can be taken or replicated and will help our cardholders get on with their lives knowing their payments are protected.


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MTN Nigeria and Ericsson have inked a deal to leverage Ericsson’s 5G Radio Access Network & NSA Packet Core to launch the first phase of 5G service, which will cover certain parts of Lagos and Nigeria and will provide consumers and enterprises with innovative 5G applications.
The launch will accelerate the development and digitalization of key sectors such as education, healthcare and manufacturing. It will also empower consumers and enterprises with innovative 5G applications that will unlock the true potential of the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Smart Cities and Immersive Communication over Augmented (AR) and Virtual reality (VR) for millions of new consumers in the country.
“5G will revolutionize the way we live and communicate across industries. With the speeds 5G offers, we will be able to experience the internet with low latency, which means no lag, making our virtual interactions more real. At MTN, we will continue to pursue the rollout of 5G technology to revolutionize internet access across the continent,” said Mohammed Rufai, Chief Technical Officer, MTN Nigeria.
With Ericsson Radio System, MTN will provide advanced Mobile broadband & fixed wireless access services which shall unlock a range of new opportunities in the Enterprise domain. The new 5G services can bring about unique Sustainable Development initiatives for agriculture, energy, financial inclusion, and security, among others, overcoming past institutional challenges and barriers to growth.
Also commenting, Hossam Kandeel, Vice President of Ericsson Middle East and Africa, says: “5G is not just about speed. 5G helps people do more with their devices, unlocking a whole new world of possibilities for society. 5G connectivity is likely to pave the way for life-altering advancements and we are proud to be a part of Nigeria’s 5G digital transformation that has only just begun. With connectivity being the backbone of digitization, we are committed to delivering the best service to our partners at MTN Nigeria to support them in this thrilling journey.”
In the future, MTN Nigeria’s Ericsson-powered 5G network will be driven by software-defined network capabilities where a combination of currently available and well-understood AI techniques will allow a higher degree of practical autonomous operation. AI is creating opportunities in terms of improved performance, higher efficiency, and enhanced customer experience as well as creating new business models and use cases for 5G, IoT and enterprise.


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Associate Director of New Store Opening at Dickey's Barbecue Restaurants, Inc.
Amanda has been instrumental in Dickey's growth over the past year. She has transformed the New Store Opening team strategies and has implemented various projects that have elevated the efficiency of opening new Dickey's locations across the country. Amanda is responsible for developing, communicating and executing all training aspects for new store
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The use of female anime characters are cute.
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An Iranian scientist has claimed that he managed to create a time machine.
Scientist named Ali Razeghi has filed a design called ‘Aryayek Time Travelling Machine‘ to the Centre for Strategic Inventions.
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For that, we need gadgets that can facilitate your needs for music, which of course must have toughness in all terrains.
Rotation with the sun at a distance equal to the Earth’s rotation on the solar system.
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In these days of e-tailing it may seem ironic but traditional bricks and mortar retailers are investing heavily in technology to streamline the running of their business. That’s not just to combat the threat from online competitors but also because increasingly they have to fight for their customers in a market that is significantly down from the boom days of the Celtic tiger.
“These days people aren’t simply looking for you to install a system,” says David Burke, retail consultant, which sells the Top to Toe stock management and point-of-sale (PoS) system. “They are looking for the benefit you can provide to their business. They want you to assist them in how to use it, not just training on the software, but how they can turn over their stock better, how they can spots trends and drill down into the customer spending a bit more.”
Software giant SAP, which provides a specialist retail module as an add-on to its core enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, talks about focusing on customers rather than products.
“Retailers need to be able to see who their most profitable customers are and how they can attract more like them,” says John Morrissy, head of pre sales with SAP Ireland.
Given its strengths in enterprise issues such as ERP and supply chain management (SCM) it is no surprise that SAP’s focus is on the major multiple retailers — it counts 13 of the top 25 retailers globally and 28 out of the top 50 Europeans amongst its 1,400 worldwide retail customers.
Morrissy identifies four key pressures that retailers are facing up to. They need to get closer to their customers so they give them a reason to come to their store in an increasingly competitive environment. They need to fine tune their merchandise in order to meet customer expectations but in a profitable way. Revenue needs to be managed so they grow in key product areas while also managing the price perception by customers. And the key to making this happen efficiently is SCM so they can closely integrate with their suppliers. In particular this supports the move towards vendor-managed inventory where the supplier rather than the retailer manages categorisation, placement and replenishment.
Regardless of the scale of the retailer, a key feature these days is having information available on the till at the PoS so staff can immediately see things such as stock levels and availability.
Providers of technology to the ICT sector need to be a one-stop shop for their customers. As such Datapac’s Top to Toe spans the back office to PoS and has an optional optical gun that scans the barcodes on products to automate the stocktaking process. Although Teresa Maguire, business partner sales manager with Sage, says Sage’s Paypoint retail software is “backend independent” it is designed to integrate easily with its accounting products such as Line 50, Sage MMS and Line 500.
“Providing software that is used at the PoS also provides its own challenge because it has to be rock solid,” says Maguire. “If it crashes they won’t be able to sell to customers.”
She says for retailers at the very low end, perhaps a single corner shop, “non-integration can be seen as a benefit as they want to separate the front and back office in terms of cash”. Clearly, though, retailers value integrated systems where every receipt becomes an invoice, stock management is improved and there are no issues around double entry of information.
“One of our customers with nine shops managed to cut its stock by €30,000 in year one,” says Maguire. “If they didn’t sell a barbeque set by the end of the year they could see it was not going to sell so they could put it on sale. It reduced what they were writing off, but an integrated system also means you have better ordering in the first place.”
SAP for retail adds an extra layer of management, according to Morrissy, adding retail-specific features such as merchandising, category management and store management to the core SAP suite.
“There’s a misconception that SAP is purely about the back office,” says Morrissy. “We don’t do PoS but we have a PoS integration tool and a data warehouse for data collected at the till. That allows customer to spot trends. The profile of a customer on a Tuesday afternoon who is probably buying for a family will be very different to those on a Friday night after work who probably have a higher disposable income. Retailers need to be aware of those different types of customers and what they expect.”
While large chains such as Tesco or Superquinn can afford to offer loyalty programmes where customers are rewarded for the amount they buy, this is not always the case for small retailers where margins may be tight. According to Burke, these retailers are now actively implementing gift card schemes where they are still able to capture the data on individual customer purchases but without the cost of a loyalty programme. Gift cards replace vouchers and can usually be topped up by the recipient once they have spent the initial value. Surveys in the US have found gift sales to increase by up to 60pc after switching from paper-based vouchers.
A technology that is expected to have a major impact on retail is RFID. It stands for radio frequency identification and is based around inserting small tags into products that can broadcast their position — allowing retailers to see what they have in stock right down to the shop shelf.
Morrissy says retailers in the US and Europe have embarked on RFID projects but the take-up here to date has been slow. “RFID provides significant benefits particularly for things such as proof of delivery that is key in retail,” he explains. “With RFID you don’t need to open and check boxes to see what’s in a consignment. However at the moment the cost per label is prohibitive so you won’t see it on every product but probably at the pallet or package level.”
By John Collins


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Yet another top gaming event has decided not only to postpone, but fully cancel E3 2020. The ESA (Entertainment Software Association) has announced their decision earlier today. The statement reads:
After careful consultation with our member companies regarding the health and safety of everyone in our industry – our fans, our employees, our exhibitors, and our longtime E3 partners – we have made the difficult decision to cancel E3 2020, scheduled for June 9-11 in Los Angeles.
Following increased and overwhelming concerns about the COVID-19 virus, we felt this was the best way to proceed during such an unprecedented global situation. We are very disappointed that we are unable to hold this event for our fans and supporters. But we know it’s the right decision based on the information we have today.
Our team will be reaching out directly to exhibitors and attendees with information about providing full refunds.
We are also exploring options with our members to coordinate an online experience to showcase industry announcements and news in June 2020. Updates will be shared on E3Expo.com.
We thank everyone who shared their views on reimagining E3 this year. We look forward to bringing you E3 2021 as a reimagined event that brings fans, media, and the industry together in a showcase that celebrates the global video game industry.
Even before this announcement, E3 2020 was in question when big names like Sony opted not to appear at this years show, despite planning a new console launch. Top industry event producer, Geoff Keighley, also announced in February via social media, that he would not be attending or producing content for the show.
Recently the Games Developers Conference was postponed until later in the year and a number of national here in Ireland like today’s postponement of Dublin Comic Con Spring Edition.
Expect some small scale in-house events or digital showcases for former E3 showcasers.


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Stuttgart. In November 2013, Porsche AG has handed over the keys of more than 14,000 vehicles to customers – an increase of 9.5 percent on the same month last year. Between January and November 2013, the sports car manufacturer delivered 147,290 new cars to customers, a figure up 14.2 percent on the same period in 2012.
“Over the past few months, our attractive model range has helped us to achieve growth in all our regions”, emphasises Bernhard Maier, Member of the Executive Board Sales and Marketing at Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. “We are currently working with our sales teams on high investments for the Macan launch and are looking forward to an exciting 2014.”
Porsche showed clear growth in Germany during November 2013: Totaling 1,465, the number of vehicle deliveries was up by more than a fifth on the same month last year. In China, the sports car manufacturer delivered 3,707 vehicles to customers, a significant increase of 27 percent on last year's figure. In the USA, 3,966 new cars were handed over to customers, an increase of 2.6 percent on the same month last year and the highest figure for November that Porsche has ever recorded for the American market.
Demand remains high in the anniversary year of the Porsche 911: Almost 3,000 rear-engine sports cars were delivered to customers in November 2013, an increase of 47.6 percent on the same month last year. Porsche also delivered a total of 1,933 Boxster roadsters and mid-engine Cayman Coupés – an increase of 55 percent on November 2012.
|PORSCHE AG Deliveries||November||January - November|
|2013||2012||Variance (%)||2013||2012||Variance (%)|
|Asia Pacific, Africa and Mideast||5,718||4,840||18.1||55,597||47,076||18.1|
Further information and pictures for journalists and media representatives can be found on the Porsche press database at http://presse.porsche.de/.
For general enquiries and comments please contact email@example.com.
|Hans-Gerd Bode||Director Communications|
|Dr. Josef Arweck||General Manager Corporate Press|
|Matthias Rauter||Human Resources and CSR|
|Julia Pirlich||Local Press Leipzig|
|Lukas Kunze||Sales and Production Stuttgart|
|Helga Ohlhäuser||Lifestyle Communication and Public Media|
|Eberhard Scholl||Local Press Stuttgart|
|Frank Scholtys||Head of Financial Communication and Investor Relations|
|Dr. Roman Tancar||Financial Communication and Investor Relations|
|Nadine Cornehl||Porsche Design|
|Thomas Becki||Head of Product and Technical Communications|
|Hermann-Josef Stappen||Technical Communications|
|Elena Marciniak||Model Range: 911, Boxster/Cayman|
|Tim Bravo||Product Communications|
|Holger Eckhardt||Motorsport WEC/LMP1|
|Thomas Hagg||Model Range: Panamera, Cayenne, Macan|
|Oliver Hilger||Motorsport Communication GT|
|Nicole Lay||Porsche Museum|
|Andreas Schönhuber||Test Vehicles|
|Achim Stejskal||Head of Porsche Museum|
|Dieter Landenberger||Historical Archive|


text:
Vectorworks, Inc., has completed its global localized language launches of its Vectorworks 2017 CAD/BIM product line. The Chinese version marks the 11th localization release and joins, after the initial English release in September 2016, the versions of the product line already released: Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Polish, Italian, Norwegian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Chinese Release Events Coming Up
To demonstrate the new technology features of Vectorworks 2017, Mad Macs Technology Distributions Limited, the Vectorworks distributor in China, will host a series of free events throughout April and May (see below).
“We are committed to providing Chinese designers with tools that meet their growing needs,” said Cecil Fung, managing director of Mad Macs Technology Distributions, Ltd. “With Vectorworks 2017’s robust updates, we continue to put designers’ needs first, making it one of the top design and BIM solutions for the Chinese market.”
The new features of Vectorworks 2017 in the Chinese language will take places in these locations and on these dates:
- Beijing: April 11, 2017
- Shanghai: April 14, 2017
- Ningbo: April 18, 2017
- Hangzhou: April 21, 2017
- Chengdu: April 26, 2017
- Chongqing: April 28, 2017
- Nanchang: May 11, 2017
- Wuhan: May 13, 2017
- Changsha: May 15, 2017
- Guangzhou: May 17, 2017
Attendees of the launch events can enjoy free refreshments and will have the chance to win a free Vectorworks Fundamentals 2017 license. Space is limited and interested parties can register on the Chinese launch website.
Learn more about the 100-plus updates in Vectorworks 2017 by visiting vectorworks.cn.
To learn more about Vectorworks visit them online at: www.vectorworks.net
About Mad Macs Technology Distributions Limited
Mad Macs Technology Distributions Limited is the premier distributor of quality software to dealers, resellers, professional system integrators, as well as major government and educational institutions in Mainland China, Hong Kong and neighboring territories. Mad Macs specializes in 3D design, CAD, animation, visualization and special effects software. For more information, visit www.mmhk.com.


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New Step by Step Map For HD Camera Drone in Hayward CA 94542
Yuneec’s most recent drone is frequently in comparison with the DJI Phantom two Vision Plus. What’s also notable in regards to the Q500 Typhoon drone with camera is always that it has excellent tech help (with each of the Call information and facts right at your fingertips any time you to start with open up the box).
A: This is a micro drone and It’s not necessarily meant to have a “Payload”. If your camera was taken out, it would carry a number of ounces. Was this remedy valuable? 1 of 3 Purchaser(s) located this Answer beneficial.
Toy Stores in Hayward, California 94542
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Hayward CA - BingNews Search results
Hayward Fault Could Displace 400,000 in California If Earthquake Hits
A major earthquake is destined to hit the East Bay region of California, and residents had better be prepared for what could be the most devastating quake in California’s history. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released a report on the “HayWired ...
A California ballot fight over rent control is on, supporters say
How many cities in California have some form of rent control? At least 15, according to the Department of Consumer Affairs, including Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Campbell, East Palo Alto, Fremont, Hayward, Los Angeles, Los Gatos, Oakland, Palm Springs ...
A new study says the San Andreas fault isn’t the most dangerous in CA
Hayward fault; geophysicist and science advisor for risk reduction ... in the Western Geographic Science Center in California
This Fall, California Voters Could Decide Whether To Split Their State In Three
Each of these professions would find their services in high demand if this proposal passes and is approved by the Congress. Tony Lima is professor emeritus of economics (CSU East Bay, Hayward, CA). He is a card-carrying, published wine economist.
USGS Hayward Earthquake Scenario is Not a Justification for CA WaterFix
April 19, 2018 – The U.S. Geological Survey recently released a Hayward Earthquake Scenario that reminds Bay Area residents and businesses to prepare for “the big one” and stresses the need for improving local infrastructure to protect San Francisco ...


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While smartphone volume sales across the Middle East and Africa suffered declines in 2020, Egypt recorded growth and an overall positive performance. Although the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions negatively affected volume sales in the first two quarters of 2020, the sales made in the third and fourth quarter were an impressive rebound for most brands, boosted by consumer need for better accessibility to the internet in order to accommodate to their new lifestyle of studying and working remotely, and to access the newly digitalised services offered from the government.
Samsung Corp will retain its leadership in 2021 and will even see value share growth. Likewise, Chinese brands will also witness a remarkable development in their market share in 2021.
In recent years, consumers have become more dependent on e-commerce when it comes to smartphones, and this behaviour has been further boosted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic as more consumers have discovered the channel. Those who were previously reluctant to trust e-commerce, were forced to use the channel in 2020 and after having an overall positive experience will be more likely to use e-commerce again in the future.
Over the forecast period, 5G is expected to become further explored. While Intel and Ericsson had a multi-year agreement to work on the new infrastructure towards the end of the review period, Ericsson had also partnered Etisalat Misr and has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telecom Egypt (TE) to explore 5G options.
Over the forecast period, unit prices of smartphones are expected to decline. From the manufacturer’s side, brands are working on offering more affordable smartphones with several approaches.
Demand for smartphones over the forecast period could potentially be impacted by the application of a 5% “financial development fee” after the country’s parliament, the House of Representatives, approved a draft law which aims to impose the fee in a number of goods including mobile phones, in an effort to help mitigate the significant cost of the pandemic on the national economy. This news was met with disapproval from The Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, which lobbied the government in an attempt to persuade it to not to go ahead with the levy, as it argued that the additional tax would drive up prices and slow Egypt’s attempts for further efforts to becoming a digital society.
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In Kharkov to the supermarket ran a monkey. Video of the incident was filmed by witnesses and posted to Facebook.
It is noted that the incident occurred on the evening of 11 December.
“The supermarket is temporarily closed to catch the fugitive,” – said the witness.
The video shows the animal running around the beams on the ceiling, deftly overcoming great distances. One of the visitors of the supermarket suggested that the monkey could escape from a zoo.


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With Apple’s September 14th fall hardware event just around the corner, leaks regarding the tech giant’s upcoming devices are starting to appear at a rapid rate.
Batteries inside the AirPods themselves should be around the same size as the ones found on the current AirPods Pro.
Speaking of batteries, the Apple Watch Series 7 is bound to see its first real battery life improvement since the original Apple Watch.
— Pine (@PineLeaks) September 7, 2021
Weinbach says that the new AirPods charging case features a 20 percent bigger battery compared to the 2nd-gen AirPods. Other new features include better bass and low-end sound. Regarding design, Weinbach says his sources indicate that the 3rd-generation AirPods will be the same size as the AirPods Pro.
Apple’s last AirPods refresh was way back in 2019, so the popular wireless earbuds are definitely due for an upgrade.
Along with new AirPods, we’ll also likely see the iPhone 13, new iPad/iPad mini and Apple Watch Series 7 at the tech giant’s upcoming event.


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(Sharecast News) – THG is reportedly in advanced talks to buy London-based newspaper City AM.
According to Sky News, THG, which owns brands such as Cult Beauty and Look Fantastic, is negotiating the purchase of City AM with BDO, the accountancy firm which is on standby to handle its insolvency.
City sources told Sky that the move from the Manchester-based company could be announced as soon as Wednesday afternoon. They cautioned, however, that it could yet be delayed.
One insider said THG was expected to pay “a small seven-figure sum” for City AM’s assets including its brand and website. It has also agreed to meet July’s payroll obligations for the roughly 40 staff who work there, they added.
The emergence of THG as the likely buyer of a freesheet newspaper that has become a fixture on London’s streets over the last 18 years will surprise the City.
People close to the company said, however, that the acquisition of City AM would provide THG with a series of commercial opportunities, while at the same time underlining the shifting boundaries of traditional media ownership.
Among the most significant motivations for the deal is said to be the opportunity to give clients of THG’s Ingenuity digital brand-building and e-commerce platform – which include consumer goods giants Coca-Cola, Kraft Heinz, Mondelez and Nestle – greater access to a financially literate audience in the form of City AM’s readership.
One insider told Sky the deal would deepen Ingenuity’s relationships with major media buying agencies such as GroupM, which is part of WPP Group, as well as content syndication relationships with companies such as Alphabet’s Google arm and the financial data and media powerhouse Bloomberg.
It was understood that THG has examined a string of opportunities to acquire titles in recent years to expand its content and audience reach but had been deterred by inflated prices.


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CBI raises its growth forecasts
BRITAIN'S biggest business group today lifted its economic growth forecasts for this year and next but warned that Gordon Brown remains on track to overshoot his borrowing forecasts.
The CBI now thinks the economy will expand by 2% this year and 2.8% in 2004 rather than the 1.8% and 2.4% it pencilled in three months ago. It attributed the rosier outlook to a pick-up in growth overseas.
Interest rates are seen rising as the recovery gathers pace, averaging 4.4% by the fourth quarter of 2004 and 5% by the fourth quarter of 2005.
However, it predicts Government borrowing will hit £35.2bn this year and £32.7bn next, a total of £17bn above the Chancellor's forecast of £27bn and £24bn respectively. The shortfall raises the prospect of higher taxes, lower spending or a combination of the two.
CBI chief economist Ian McCafferty said: 'Consumer confidence is holding up. Unemployment is still low so household spending won't slip much. But the very fact that this recovery isn't accompanied by a large jobless pool means there is limited scope for the economy to grow very strongly. As a result, the budget deficit is due to exceed the Chancellor's forecast in both of the next couple of years.'
Meanwhile, the organisation's latest snapshot of manufacturing showed the battered sector enjoyed improved orders from both home and abroad this month.
A net 24% of firms said orders were below normal compared with 40% last month. But the CBI said conditions were tough and likely to remain so for some time to come.
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Sweet Melissa’s in Cobble Hill is Closing
Sad to see that one of the first high-end pastry shops in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn is closing. The note posted on her front door announces that she’s consolidating her Brooklyn operations at her Park Slope store.
I don’t know the full story yet behind the closing, but several restaurants have opened up in the area with a few on her block alone, including the well-reviewed Chocolate Room across the street.
My arteries have closed by at least a few centimeters thanks to Melissa’s delicious desserts, including her excellent banana cream pie.
(Banana Cream Pie photo (c) roboppy)


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Today in 1943, the US Director of Economic Stabilization, James F. Byrnes, issued a pretty momentous statement: in order to save valuable supplies for the war effort, the United States was going to start rationing shoes.
This announcement didn’t come completely out of nowhere.
By this point American troops were fighting World War II in the Pacific as well as in Europe.
The government put limits on all kinds of goods that households used, to make sure that troops had the supplies they needed.
One of the supplies that was in the shortest supply was rubber, because many of the top rubber producers were under Japanese control.
The US had put together a stockpile in case of war, but that was only going to last so far.
So the government told consumers they would only be allowed to buy three pairs of standard new shoes a year.
That was only a slight reduction from what the typical American bought in the course of a year before the war, so it wasn’t supposed to be a big sacrifice.
Well, at least for people who didn’t have kids going through growth spurts.
They were among those who had the most trouble with the new limit.
And the ration was later reduced to two pairs of shoes a year per person, which had more of an effect on people.
Fortunately secondhand shoes didn’t count against the limits, which was good news for shoe wearers and sellers.
People who had essential jobs that required a lot of walking, like police officers or mail carriers, could buy extras.
And if someone lost their shoes in, say, a fire, or as part of a robbery, they could get an exception to the ration, though they had to fill out a really long form to do it.
There was another exception: shoes that didn’t use any new leather or rubber were exempt from the limits too.
Scientists had been working on alternative synthetic rubbers for some time .
There was even a project led by Japanese American scientists being held at internment camps in California.
But the exempt shoes that made it to retail were generally made of plastics and repurposed materials.
The New York Times listed some of those ingredients, “pressed carpet, felt, old brake lining material and even reclaimed fire hose.”
While shoe manufacturers did return to the old ways once the ban was lifted after the end of the war, we should note that the Times wrote that the shoes made of old fire hose were, “reported to be even more durable than a comparable leather sole.”
Something to think about for your next pair of shoes maybe?
Today in 1915, when the US was closely watching developments in what is now called World War I, the New York Philharmonic included a special note in its program asking members of the audience to stop knitting during the performances!
“The Philharmonic Society fully appreciates the spirit that prompts charitable assistance in the great world’s calamity caused by the European war,” the note read, “but many complaints have been received from patrons of the concerts who are annoyed by knitting during performances.”
In other words, take it outside, knitters!
Rationing of Non-Food Items on the World War II Home Front (National Park Service)
1915 Feb 07 / Subscription Season / Stransky (ID: 6287) (New York Philharmonic)
Image via Wikicommons


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Google's search business practices, currently under scrutiny by regulators around the world, were defended this week in a paper by former federal appeals court Judge Robert H. Bork and J. Gregory Sidak, chairman of Criterion Economics.
In a 29-page report [PDF], the authors argue that claims by Google's rivals that its search practices violate antitrust law "contradict real world experiences in search."
Those claims, Bork and Sidak contend, "demonstrate [the] competitors' efforts to compete not by investing in efficiency, quality or innovation, but by using antitrust law to punish [a] successful competitor."
The authors maintain that Google's search and ranking algorithms are not unfair in any way; they're just part of the search giant's successful competitive practices. "Punishing Google for being the most effective search competitor would harm consumers and does contradict the recognized purpose of antitrust law," Bork and Sidak write.
It would put a crimp in the existing "dynamic competition" in the online search market, they maintain. Restricting such competition would hurt those consumers and advertisers, they add.
"Antitrust intervention that would prohibit or circumscribe Google's practices would punish and therefore deter the same welfare-enhancing innovations that have made Google an effective competitor," they wrote. "Such use of antitrust law would weaken dynamic competition, as only successful firms would need to worry about being penalized for being winners."
"Losers do not face monopolization suits for having lacked a superior product, business acumen or the benefits of a historic accident," they add.
'No incentive' to abuse position
Despite the complaints of Google's competitors, Bork and Sidak assert that the search giant has no incentive to act anticompetitively. "That consumers can switch to substitute search engines instantaneously and at zero cost constrains Google's ability and incentive to act anticompetitively," the report states.
The same is true about its rivals' complaints that Google specialized search is foreclosing vertical search providers, such as Amazon, Yelp, and Next Tag, from the market by making Google specialized search results higher on search pages than those of its competitors.
"As a matter of economic analysis, however, Google has no incentive to foreclose competitors from search because doing so is unlikely to offer additional profit at the potential cost of driving away consumers," Bork and Sidak contend.
The authors dismiss all anticompetitive claims against Google as an attempt by its rivals to advance their own self-interest, noting, "Given the serious factual, logical and economic flaws in the antitrust complaints about Google's practices, one can reasonably conclude only that Google's competitors are seeking to use antitrust laws to protect their own market positions."
Punishing Google for its business practices, they add, "would necessitate regulation of search algorithms and product improvements, which would retard the current pace of innovation in Internet search that has created enormous gains in consumer welfare."
Antitrust allegations against Google have been the focus of global regulators for months. In the United States, the Senate has convened hearings on the subject and the Federal Trade Commission is conducting an ongoing probe of the search giant.
This story, "Google isn't evil, says Bork's analysis of antitrust complaints" was originally published by TechHive.


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The grand opening for Champaign’s first H&M store is set for noon on Sept. 27.
Customers who “line up early” could win $500 (restrictions apply), according to H&M’s Facebook post about the opening. Those who “bring in garments before the store opens at noon” will receive 15 percent off their next purchase and be entered for a chance to win a $250 gift card.
H&M announced in January that it would fill a space formerly occupied by Gymboree, Banana Republic and Forever 21 (which moved to a new spot).
The Champaign location — which will include H&M’s Kids collection — will join Peoria and Springfield as the company’s downstate locations. H&M has 17 Chicago-area locations plus Rockford.
The new H&M location will offer Champaign residents a one-stop shopping destination for quality clothing for the whole family, with collections for ladies, men and teens, as well as separate “store within a store” sections for accessories. The Market Place location will also carry the H&M Kids collection for newborns to 14-year-olds.
The opening gives Market Place a popular option after losing some high-profile tenants recently, including Bergners, which closed this summer and LOFT, which closed Jan. 27. Banana Republic, Eddie Bauer and The Limited closed in 2017.


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STORY: Warren Bufett has made a rare foray into tech investing.
His Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate has disclosed a $4.1 billion investment in Taiwan chipmaker TSMC.
The news sent shares in the firm soaring.
They closed nearly 8% higher on Tuesday (November 15).
TSMC stock had previously been battered by fears of a slowdown in demand for chips.
It all marks a relatively unusual move for Berkshire, which generally doesn’t make big bets on tech.
It did put a lot of money into IBM over the last decade, but the move that didn’t pay off.
However, it is sitting on huge unrealized gains from its big stake in Apple, which Buffett views more as a consumer goods company.
TSMC is the world’s largest contract chipmaker, supplying the likes of Apple and Qualcomm.
Analysts says Buffett was probably attracted by its size and power in the sector.
Now 92 years old, he’s run Berkshire since 1965.
The Omaha-based firm owns dozens of companies from the BNSF railroad to clothes maker Fruit of the Loom.


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In The News
Published by: PaymentsSource.com
By Catherine Tong
Many merchants may have thought that the Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) elements of the European Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) would mean that fraud liability would be shifted away from their responsibility.
Published by: Aviation Pros
By Mark Dawes
There are actions your company’s fraud team can do right now to reduce financial and operational damage from fraudsters.
By Jeff Wixted
By Jeff Wixted
By Paul Mangino, VP of Client Success
By Nicole Carlino
Data breaches and security challenges have long been issues that the hotel industry has had to deal with. But with mobile check-in and other industry trends, this landscape is evolving—and that’s something hotel managers need to understand.
by Laura Pourinski
Fraudsters seem to be everywhere these days, from the financial services sector to the travel industry to electronics. With so many risks out there, how do companies keep their consumers and employees safe from automated attacks? Accertify prides itself on being a one-stop shop for fraud management.
March 19, 2018
by Jeff Wixted
Global sporting events bring business opportunities for merchants and banks across the world. But with any major revenue opportunity, the increased risk of fraud isn’t far behind.
March 5, 2018
by Michael Mallon
Prioritize the chargebacks that are winnable. And reduce refund demands by offering clear returns policies and a name on credit card bills shoppers will recognize.
January 13, 2018
by Jo Craven McGinty
Hundreds of millions of dollars of credit-card charges are reversed each year, and the peak period occurs in the weeks after Christmas.


text:
Tesla shares are soaring after Elon Musk delivers on profit promise
Elon Musk’s repeated promises of profit have been met with widespread skepticism from investors and analysts, but on Wednesday, the Tesla Inc. CEO delivered.
When the Street was expecting Tesla to post another massive net loss — this time to the tune of $253 million — the electric car maker surprised by posting a $342 million profit. The company’s stock, which has spent a majority of 2019 trending downward from its peak of US$379.49 in January, immediately jumped 20 per cent in after hours trading on Wednesday. In early trading on Thursday morning, the stock is still up more than 16 per cent.
Profits have been rare for the California-based company since its market debut in 2010. Previously, Tesla had only been profitable four times in its history as a publicly-traded company, most recently in back-to-back quarters in 2018. Musk’s company also posted profits once in 2016 and for one other quarter in 2013.
Tesla reached profit in a less than conventional method. For the first time in five years, the electric carmaker did not increase year-over-year revenue, which came in at US$6.3 billion. That’s down from the previous quarter and US$520 million less than the third quarter of 2018. But at a time when the company is continuing its aggressive expansion into China, it managed to be more efficient and offset lower revenue with lower manufacturing and capital expenditures.
The company was able to break ground on its Gigafactory Shanghai facility in January of this year and build it in 10 months. Musk described the factory as being a “template for future growth.” It cost 65 per cent less than Tesla’s Model 3 production line in the U.S. and could eventually help triple the company’s output, he said.


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While many brands brought back their beloved fall menu items in the heat of summer, Nothing Bundt Cakes has brought back its signature Pumpkin Spice cake just in time for the first day of fall on Thursday, Sept. 22.
Available in 10- and 8-inch Bundt Cakes, as well as mini Bundtlets and bite-sized Bundtinis at all 440+ Nothing Bundt Cakes bakeries across the country, guests can enjoy this seasonal favorite now through Dec. 4 while supplies last.
Guests can purchase the returning fall favorite starting at just $4.75 for a personal sized Bundtlet. The10-inch cakes, which serve 18 people, start at only $35.
News and information presented in this release has not been corroborated by WTWH Media LLC.


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ILDEX Vietnam 2016 breaks the record! This year the number of exhibitors has increased by 25% up to 205 exhibitors from 30 countries, and more than 7,328 visitors have guaranteed that the exhibition has become a real marketplace.
Ho Chi Minh City, 25 March 2016 – 205 exhibitors from 30 countries came to meet with 7,328 trade buyers at the 6th edition of ILDEX Vietnam 2016. Compared to the last edition 2014, this is a tremendous growth of about 33% for visitor attendance, and it shows that the Vietnamese livestock and aquaculture industry continues to grow, as an important element of the human food chain being.
Vietnam’s animal feed market demand was 15,829.3 kilotons in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4 percent from 2015 to 2022.Vietnam’s animal feed market is characterized by a high number of imports. Vietnam has become a production hub of ASEAN. A lot of cash has been spent during the exhibition. More than 200 exclusive buyers from all over ASEAN have participated in a lot of business matching sessions during the 3 days of the exhibition.
Mr. Paolo Pandolfi from AZA International (ITALY) said, “I think that the Vietnamese market is one of the biggest in the pig sector. The mechanization makes progress, but still far from other countries like Thailand, for example. So most of the farms must be renovated and this is a great chance for us”. That’s why ILDEX Vietnam is an outstanding exhibition for all who attend the show. It’s a real marketplace for exhibitors, associations, buyers and visitors.
Special thanks to the strong support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Vietnam (MARD), U.S. Consulate General, Consulate General of the Netherlands, Business France and South Korea who supported the country pavilions and to VIV Asia, Nong Lam University, the media, and top exhibitors who continuously support the conference program for all delegates.
The 6th year of ILDEX Vietnam was another fantastic year. See you again in two years. ILDEX Vietnam 2018 will take place on March 14-16 2018 at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), in Ho Chi Minh City with the most effectiveness Livestock International platform in Vietnam.
Review of Interesting Activities and Conferences of the day
Save the date & See you again in the 7th of ILDEX Vietnam 2018
14-16 March 2018
At Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC)
Ho Chi Minh City
To reserve a space and get the special rate, please contact ILDEX@vnuexhibitionsap.com


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For the last few weeks, the tofu-and-sushi-eating crowd has been pushing to slap new taxes on soda and juice drinks in an effort to regulate what we eat. They say that sugary drinks are a public health issue because drinking too many can make you fat.
It is certainly true that consuming excessive amounts of any food, including soda, can lead to weight issues. But while enjoying cold coke on a hot summer day will never kill you, eating a salad just might.
New research out from the Center for Science in the Public Interest suggests that leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach and cabbage, pose the greatest threat to public health of any of the foods regulated by the FDA. Since the FDA oversees about 80 percent of our food supply, that is a pretty damning statement.
The study, which looked at outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, acknowledged that most food-related illness goes unreported. But even so, it found at least 363 outbreaks and 13,568 individual illnesses caused by contaminated salads between 1990 and 2006.
That is one salad-induced outbreak every 16 days.
In one particularly high-profile outbreak in 2006, E. coli-tainted spinach killed at least five people and left more than 200 others seriously ill.
And salad is just the beginning. Here is the complete list of the top ten most risky foods :
1: Leafy greens (363 outbreaks, 13,568 reported cases of illness)
2: Eggs (352 outbreaks, 11,163 reported cases of illness)
3: Tuna ( 268 outbreaks, 2341 reported cases of illness)
4: Oysters (132 outbreaks, 3409 reported cases of illness)
5: Potatoes (108 outbreaks, 3659 reported cases of illness)
6: Cheese (83 outbreaks, 2761 reported cases of illness)
7: Ice cream (74 outbreaks, 2594 reported cases of illness)
8: Tomatoes (31 outbreaks, 3292 reported cases of illness)
9: Sprouts (31 outbreaks, 2022 reported cases of illness)
10: Berries (25 outbreaks, 3397 reported cases of illness)
Taken together, these supposedly “healthy foods” have led to at least 1,467 outbreaks of food borne illness since 1990, making nearly 50,000 people sick. And that’s just the reported cases.You know what product did not make the list? Soda.
So instead of taxing a perfectly safe food product that is enjoyed by millions, why don’t we consider slapping a tax on the foods that actually hurt people, like salads (E. coli), sushi (mercury), tomatoes (salmonella) and berries (Cyclospora). Maybe we could use the revenue raised to buy food poison victims a nice cold coke to make their hospital stay a little more pleasant.


text:
Vaccinations and federal aid helped lift the U.S. economy out of its pandemic-induced hole this spring. The next test will be whether that momentum can continue as coronavirus cases rise, masks return and government help wanes.
Gross domestic product, the broadest measure of economic output, grew 1.6 percent in the second quarter of the year, the Commerce Department said Thursday, up from 1.5 percent in the first three months of the year. On an annualized basis, second-quarter growth was 6.5 percent.
The growth, fueled by strong consumer spending and robust business investment, brought output, adjusted for inflation, back to its prepandemic level. That is a remarkable achievement, exactly a year after the economy’s worst quarterly contraction on record. After the last recession ended in 2009, G.D.P. took two years to rebound fully.
But the second-quarter figure fell short of economists’ forecasts, and the recovery is far from complete. Output is significantly below where it would be had growth continued on its prepandemic path. Other economic measures remain deeply depressed, particularly for certain groups: The United States still has nearly seven million fewer jobs than before the pandemic. The unemployment rate for Black workers in June was 9.2 percent.
“The good news is this is all occurring much more rapidly than after the financial crisis,” said Diane Swonk, chief economist for the accounting firm Grant Thornton. “The bad news is the pain was much worse.”
Growth might have been stronger had it not been for supply-chain disruptions and labor challenges that made it difficult for many businesses to keep their shelves stocked and their stores staffed. Those issues, combined with a rush of consumer demand, contributed to faster inflation in the second quarter. Consumer prices rose 1.6 percent from the first quarter of the year to the second. Without adjusting for inflation, economic output rose 3.1 percent.
Now a new threat is emerging in the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has led to a surge in cases in much of the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended this week that even vaccinated people should wear masks indoors in some parts of the country, and some mayors and governors have reimposed mask mandates.
Few economists expect a return to widespread business shutdowns or stay-at-home orders. But if the resurgent virus leads to renewed caution among consumers — a reluctance to dine at restaurants, hesitation about booking a late-summer getaway — that could weaken the recovery at a crucial moment.
“The reason that is concerning is that this burst of activity around reopening has been driving the economy the past couple months,” said Michelle Meyer, head of U.S. economics at Bank of America. “Even a modest change in behavior could show up more meaningfully this time around.”
And this time, workers and businesses may have to face the pandemic without much help from the federal government. Roughly half the states have cut off enhanced unemployment benefits in recent weeks, and the programs are set to end nationally in September. The Paycheck Protection Program, which helped thousands of small businesses weather the crisis, is winding down. A federal eviction moratorium will end this week if the Biden administration doesn’t act to extend it. And there is no sign that Congress intends to pass a fourth round of direct checks to households.
Nela Richardson, chief economist for ADP, the payroll processing firm, said the second quarter may stand as a high-water mark for the recovery, when federal aid was still flowing and when vaccinations and the lifting of restrictions gave people an opportunity to spend.
“All the winds were going in one direction, which was to push the economy forward,” she said. “The more interesting question is: Where do we go from here?”


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Walmart, Costco and Rite Aid are three retailers driving significant traction in vitamin, mineral and supplement sales, TABS Group reported in May, helping to take share away from such online retailers as Amazon, which captures 36% of all online vitamin traffic, even as sales overall were up 3% to $11.8 billion.
External analgesics is a category replete with growth brands with a base of $497.8 million across total U.S. multi-outlets, and more than 8.1% in growth for the 52 weeks ended Sept. 7, according to IRI data.
Acura Pharmaceuticals last week announced that it has been awarded a $300,000 grant by the National Institute On Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health to fund Phase I development of Acura's new, early stage Limitx abuse deterrent technology.
Ansell Healthcare revealed a new look across its LifeStyles line with a brand facing sure to appeal to today’s Millennial shopper. The new lineup includes Ultra, O-More, Turbo, Nano Thin, Viper, Everlast, Kyng and a combination pack named Mixx.
Raley’s Supermarkets and NRG eVgo are introducing the first electric vehicle fast charging station at a retail location in Northern California that features both industry standard fast chargers: CHAdeMO and SAE Combo.
Acura Pharmaceuticals announced a study, published in the September issue of the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, that validates the ability of Nexafed to uniquely disrupt the extraction and conversion of pseudoephedrine into methamphetamine.
Jones Soda Co. and Fiat today announced their “Jonesin’ for a Fiat 500e” summer photo contest, part of a larger, integrated marketing campaign for Jones Soda and Fiat to celebrate the companies’ new products, Natural Jones Soda and the automobile company’s all-new, all-electric Fiat 500e, which are both launching exclusively in California this summer.
Actively promoting an over-the-counter medicine outside of the retail box not only drives foot traffic, but it helps increase sales across households with a higher income and also more heavily indexed OTC product consumers, TABS Group CEO Kurt Jetta told attendees of a webcast covering a recent TABS Group Consumer Value Study.


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LONDON — Ladbrokes, the British sports betting company, said on Friday that it had agreed to acquire the bulk of its rival Gala Coral Group in an all-share deal.
The deal would combine two of Britain’s largest sports betting operations and create a company worth 2.3 billion pounds, or about $3.6 billion, based on market capitalization.
The deal is the latest consolidation push in the gambling industry in Europe.
It came a week after the online gambling company 888 Holdings of Gibraltar triumphed in a bidding war over GVC, a rival based on the Isle of Man, and agreed to pay £893.3 million for Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment. GVC teamed up with William Hill to acquire Sportingbet, another online gambling company, in 2013.
The transaction includes Gala Coral’s retail sports betting operations in Britain and Italy and its online business. The combined company, which would be renamed Ladbrokes Coral, would have net revenue of £2.1 billion.
“This is a major strategic step for Ladbrokes which firmly accelerates our strategy to improve the customers’ experience and build recreational scale,” Peter Erskine, the Ladbrokes chairman, said in a news release.
The deal is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.
The companies first confirmed they were in talks in June.
Under the deal, Ladbrokes would issue new shares to Gala Coral shareholders, representing about 48.25 percent of the combined company.
Ladbrokes would acquire the Gala Coral assets from an investment consortium that includes Anchorage Capital Partners, Apollo Global Management, Cerberus Capital Management and Park Square Capital.
Gala Coral offers sports betting at more than 1,840 retail locations in Britain and at 870 sites in Italy. It also offers online sports betting and casino games and bingo at 132 locations in Britain. It posted revenue of £1.24 billion in the 2014 fiscal year, with about £290 million coming from its bingo business. The company employs more than 15,000 people.
Ladbrokes offers sports betting and casino games online as well as sports betting at more than 2,700 locations in Belgium, Britain, Ireland and Spain. It posted revenue of £1.16 billion in 2014 and has about 13,000 of its 14,000 employees in Britain.
“Together, the two businesses will have a strong digital presence with market-leading technology, innovation and access to significant resources to drive continued growth and deliver enhanced returns for all shareholders,” Rob Templeman, the Gala Coral chairman, said in a news release.
If the transaction is completed, Jim Mullen, the Ladbrokes chief executive, will serve as chief executive, and John Kelly, the senior independent director of Ladbrokes, will serve as chairman.
Carl Leaver, the Gala Coral chief executive, will serve as executive deputy chairman for a 12-month period after the deal and will oversee anticipated cost savings from the transaction.
Mr. Templeman is expected to serve as a director on the combined company’s board. The combined company’s board would have nine directors.
The companies expect to achieve at least £65 million in annual cost savings after the deal.
Separately, Ladbrokes said on Friday that it planned to sell 92.3 million shares, or about 9.99 percent of its outstanding shares, before the Gala Coral transaction. The proceeds from the share sale will be used to strengthen the balance sheet of the combined company.
As part of the transaction, Ladbrokes will assume about £865 million in debt. The combined company would have debt of about £1.3 billion.
Greenhill and UBS advised Ladbrokes, while Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs advised Gala Coral.


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Google launches Android Voice Actions
Google has launched Voice Actions for Android mobile phones, which allows you to control your phone via spoken words.
“Our mobile phones have become modern-day Swiss Army knives. An Android phone is a handheld computer, a music player, a notepad, a GPS navigation unit and more, all rolled into one sleek device that fits in your pocket,” Google said via a blog post.
“Even though our phones do all these new things, the most natural way of interacting with a phone remains what it always has been: speaking. And to that end, we’re pleased to introduce Voice Actions for Android.”
Voice Actions are described as a series of spoken commands that let you control your phone using your voice. You can call businesses and contacts, send texts and email, listen to music, browse the web, and complete common tasks, all by the power of speech.
Mike LeBeau, Lead Engineer for Voice Actions, has released a video of the feature in action:


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Qualcomm's Zeroth platform could make your smartphone much smarter
The smartphone chips company also reveals plans for its next top-end mobile chip, the Snapdragon 820.
Ben Fox RubinFormer senior reporter
Ben Fox Rubin was a senior reporter for CNET News in Manhattan, reporting on Amazon, e-commerce and mobile payments. He previously worked as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal and got his start at newspapers in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
BARCELONA -- The smartphone of the future may anticipate a user's needs before he even prompts the device and utilize behavioral analysis to make itself more secure.
Those are two potential features of Qualcomm's new "cognitive computing" platform, called Zeroth, which is a combination of hardware and software that could create far more intuitive smartphones.
"It's a learning phone which can personalize with time, and work better and better for you," Raj Talluri, a Qualcomm products executive, said in an interview Monday, though he cautioned that the first products using Zeroth will likely have simpler functions.
The new platform -- which has been in development for years -- was also a way for Qualcomm to reveal its newest top-end smartphone chip, the Snapdragon 820, which will be designed to work with the platform. Device makers won't get to start sampling the 820 until the second half of this year, so it's unlikely phones using this new chip or Zeroth will arrive in 2015. Zeroth can be used in new phones with the 820, but a more basic version can also be added to current phones through a software update.
Separately, Qualcomm also unveiled a new ultrasonic 3D fingerprint reading technology called Sense ID that lets a smartphone scan a print through cover glass, aluminum, stainless steel or sapphire. The new feature could give device makers more flexibility in creating smartphones without home buttons.
Before new camera tricks land on phones, they start here (pictures)
The Zeroth platform is among a handful of efforts from chipmakers to add more computer learning into devices to allow them to understand and process the world around them. For example, graphics chipmaker Nvidia in January revealed its new Tegra X1 chip, which could be used to help create self-driving cars.
For Qualcomm, Zeroth could become a way for it to differentiate itself against its competitors and allow it to come forward with new chips that don't just offer boosts in performance from the year earlier, but wholly new ways of letting people interact with their phones.
"I think it's huge," Talluri said. "I've never seen anybody run a deep-learning network of this complexity on a mobile phone."
Qualcomm claims Zeroth can help people more naturally interact with their phones, allowing the devices to recognize gestures and faces, autonomously find the best wireless connection, or take instant actions after they recognize certain environmental sounds or speech.
At Qualcomm's booth here at the Mobile World Congress, product manager Max Hamel showed off some of Zeroth's capabilities. He scanned handwriting using a tablet's camera, which the technology was able to immediately change to text. He also showed how another tablet's camera can immediately recognize people's faces, and scan pictures for specific images, like a beach, mountain or tree, then let users search their photos using those categories.
Qualcomm hopes to use Zeroth beyond mobile devices, taking it into cars and wearables, as well.
For the 820, Qualcomm will go back to using its custom processors, running a new 64-bit CPU called Kryo. The Snapdragon 810, which Qualcomm just started selling, instead uses a more-generic licensed chip design from British chips firm ARM, which has made it a little harder for Qualcomm to stand out against its rivals in the mobile chips world this year. Samsung's new Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge use its own Exynos platform, rather than the Snapdragon 810 chips that have powered previous models.


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SIXTH formers have had a taste of what it is like to be disabled in Ilkeston town centre.
Pupils studying for A-Level health and social care at Ilkeston Sixth Form Partnership, climbed into a wheelchair and attempted everyday tasks including buying a stamp, trying on clothes and ordering a snack.
Teacher Kay Kearton said: “Some students couldn’t reach a cash machine or shelves in a shop and heavy and narrow doors are a significant barrier to access.”
Kay said that overall the group found that most people in Ilkeston were helpful towards the disabled
But she said some were ‘clearly uncomfortable and would rather avoid the situation’.


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Check out who's clinched the award for our favourite fashion moment of the day!
Karen Millen to expand
Women's fashion retailer Karen Millen is planning a major overseas expansion.
The company's hoping to double group sales over the coming five years.
The chain's international division already accounts for more than half of its £250 million annual turnover.
The ambitious expansion plans would see it become an even bigger part of the group, according to the Mail on Sunday.
Let's face it, nothing beats old school Hollywood glamour...especially when it's given a modern twist!
Take a look at these stars before and after the stylist's touch.
Men's beauty regimes are nothing like women's. They need to be hassle free and reliable.
Singer Ciara blows competition out of the water with her incredible monochrome dress at the AMAs 2016.
Heart Beauty has trialled three different ways to keep your brows in check - and here are the results.
Gigi Hadid, Michelle Keegan, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga and Drew Barrymore ditch the makeup and go for a natural look.
We take a look at what 10 icons say about beauty and look at how this can work for you.
Deposit £10 to get a £40 Welcome Bonus - That's £50 to play bingo, slots and more!*
Over 50 tracks to make you feel-good. New album out now...


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With Qatar attracting high-end MICE business year-round, MIME took a peak at how The Ritz-Carlton Company's two Doha-based properties cater to this robust demand.
Although Qatar is yet to establish itself as a leisure hub the state has already earned itself a reputation for staging top-end MICE events.
"Our MICE business is very strong, but less traditional in its set up than in other Gulf destinations," explains Daniela Grendene, director of marketing & communications at Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA).
"Much is private government-driven and generally throughout the year we stage high-level meetings and conferences."
Grendene says the challenge has been the lack of facilities catering to the Meetings Industry: "We don't have sufficient hotel rooms to expand this sector, but of course, that will change soon," she adds.
Fortunately, several hotels will open their doors in Doha next year, while a new Convention Centre is being built within the Qatar Foundation (education city) premises that will seat 7000.
Our MICE business is very strong, but less traditional in its set up than in other Gulf destinations.
"We don't have many more details unfortunately, because no company has been appointed yet to manage it, although there was a tender and I believe a company will be announced soon," explains Grendene.
In addition, the current Qatar International Exhibition Centre will soon move to new enlarged premises for a temporary two-year period until a brand new exhibition centre is built. Both centres are due for completion by 2009.
According to Grendene, Qatar reported 960,000 arrivals last year, 90% of which visited on business.
"We think that between five and eight percent were meetings related," she says.
Looking ahead, Grendene notes that Qatar does not wish to be a mass-market destination in terms of leisure and MICE visitors. Instead, the country will focus on three key areas for development; the oil and gas industry, education and sport, and MICE business related to these is therefore expected to increase.
"The conferences, events and meetings are likely to be more significant than incentives because we will continue to be a more business-orientated destination," says Grendene.
The Ritz-Carlton Doha
In the absence of a formal conference centre, The Ritz-Carlton Doha has become one of the Qatari capital's prime conference and meetings venues.
"The Qatar Foundation brings in people from all over the world to hold meetings here, as well as Shell (Oil) in Qatar and car companies staging launches," explains hotel manager, Thierry Grandsire.
"MICE is not quite developed in Qatar yet, but it's a market we are looking for and it's starting little by little."
The property's director of sales, Raki Phillips, has therefore restructured the sales team to drive MICE business.
"We realised that our sales team was good at getting the [MICE] business, but once this business was in, they were still involved in the organising. That meant that during a four-day conference we had a good sales person still dealing with that conference instead of being out on the road selling," he explains.
"We therefore established a group desk to deal with group and conference bookings. That means that once the sales person gets the business and the client has signed the contract, it gets handed over to the group desk and the sales person can get back out on the road."
The group desk comprises a group manager, a group sales analyst that deals with reports, contracting and payments, and a group coordinator who works with the hotel's conference and catering team.
Phillips claims that since this structure was implemented, sales across the board have increased: "The guys are now out there selling, not dealing with conference details," he says.
The hotel's sophisticated booking system, ‘Opera', which it has inherited from Ritz-Carlton's parent company, Marriott International, has also helped boost sales as it allows staff to make group "book groups and blocks".
Opera not only shows meeting space availability, but colour codes according to whether a space reserved is for a prospective client, a tentative booking (offer made) or a definite booking (contract signed), are also integrated into the system.
The Ritz-Carlton Doha's MICE business is split into two segments - corporate and government - and 60% is sourced locally in Doha, with the remaining 40% primarily sourced from the GCC, particularly Bahrain (finance-related) and Abu Dhabi (oil and gas-related).
Phillips says he expects business to trickle in from the US now that Qatar Airways has introduced direct services to Washington DC and New York.
More than 2000m² of meeting, conference and banqueting facilities are available at The Ritz-Carlton Doha, including the Al Wosail and Al Mukhtasar ballrooms and six lavishly decorated meeting rooms.
The hotel is the preferred venue for Qatar Foundation's MICE requirements and has also staged a number of high-profile events including star-studded charity extravaganza, Reach Out to Asia.
Phillips says the property's competitors are the Sheraton and The Four Seasons, but that the "one thing that's different in the Qatar market" is that every hotel is a rival due to the limited hotel stock at present: "We all compete against each other, but this will change next year when more hotels open, driving growth in inventory of around 160%" he says.
With Sharq opening it’s a perfect fit for the MICE market as it’s a true resort.
The F&B aspect of the hotel's MICE bookings is handled by assistant director of food and beverage, Laura Haucke, whose previous role was director of catering & conference services (CCS).
"In other hotels F&B doesn't mix with sales and marketing, but it is not like that here," she says. "The catering team gets involved with the pre-work to make sure sales and marketing are not promising something we can't offer."
Haucke is also accustomed to liaising with the region's event planners and says her team can be creative when it comes to personalising events to incorporate corporate identities and themes.
The Ritz-Carlton Doha is better placed than most of its competitors due to the large number of F&B employees at its disposal that are trained to the company's high service standards.
Haucke stresses that the property is also gearing up to stage large events and live entertainment productions having already played host to two Broadway musicals - Cats and Mamma Mia.
"Both productions were on a scale previously unseen in Doha," she says. "In both instances, we provided logistical support to the production companies, ranging from organising external power and water supplies to assisting with technical aspects behind the scenes in collaboration with our AV team."
Haucke concedes that Qatar is "a little behind" Dubai when it comes to staging major events, but is confident this aspect of the MICE industry will develop in time.
She also notes the recent influx of international event planners and "lifestyle gurus" into Doha that will lead to global companies choosing Doha as a MICE venue in future.
Grandsire acknowledges that MICE customers are "looking for variety in the facilities that a hotel can offer" and claims The Ritz-Carlton Doha can live up to these expectations by also offering options at its sister Doha property - the newly opened Sharq Village & Spa: "With Sharq [opening] it's a perfect fit for the MICE market as it's a true resort," he says.
Not only that, but the property, which has been built on the site of a former pearl diving community, in the style of an ancient Qatari village, offers a unique setting for a conference, incentive or meeting, according to the GM, Abdul Aziz Al Emadi.
"What makes us very different from the thousands of other conference venues around the world is our emphasis on traditional Qatari hospitality," he says.
"Delegates and guests will genuinely feel they have been transported back to an era when visitors were truly made to feel part of a host's family."
The property boasts 1130m² of dedicated meeting space and can accommodate up to 950 delegates in plenary or break out sessions. Its ballrooms can be transformed at night for special events while the dedicated conference team is on hand to offer off-site solutions.
In addition, the Al Hory boardroom has been built with executive retreats or small group meetings in mind and all facilities are supported by a dedicated catering and conference (CCS) team, which works closely with Sharq's F&B and sales teams.
The F&B proposition includes Al Liwan, which boasts "a magnificent buffet of regional dishes" and the recently opened Al Mahara and Al Dana seafood restaurant concept - the "first real seafood restaurant in Doha", according to the resort's F&B director, Ayman Gharieb.
Al Mahara, located on the ground floor of the two-storey building, offers a fish-market style concept, where sushi and seafood is on display and the dining experience is casual, while Al Dana, located upstairs and boasting ocean views, offers an "elegant dining" experience.
Gharieb says MICE business is picking up and highlights that in addition to Sharq's attractive F&B and conference space options, the layout of the guestrooms has proved a draw card - the 174 guestrooms are built within 14 traditional courtyard villas (beits) and each boasts a courtyard and its own personal butler.
"The concept of the villas, each with its own hospitality area (courtyard) works well," he says.
Since the property's March 10 opening there have been around 140 days when an event has been staged there, according to Sharq's director of sales, Shadi Kassem.
"Most business is coming from the government and banks, as well as press conferences and product launches," he says.
Kassem has assigned three sales staff to "blitz the [MICE] sector" and they are currently "identifying new opportunities".
He believes there is "great potential" given Qatar's interest in progressing its sports and education sectors and says the opening of the new convention and exhibition centres will grow the market.
"This year we have been targeting the local market and the GCC, but next year we will look to Europe, the US and Asia -Tokyo and Singapore - for new business," he reveals.


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Wyoming parents are being encouraged to do some detective work and check their homes for toys marketed under the name of the C-S-I television series. Two children's detective kits have been found to be contaminated with asbestos, and the toy manufacturer, Planet Toys, has settled a lawsuit that entitles families to a refund.
Victoria Ni with Public Justice says they filed a class action lawsuit when testing showed that tremolite, a type of asbestos, was in the toys.
The toys were sold in Wyoming by Toys "R" Us, Walgreens, and K-Mart, and through online shopping sites such as Amazon.com and Buy.com. Ni says while getting the toys out of kids' hands is the number-one priority, parents should also realize they have a right to a refund.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists exposure to asbestos as a cause of lung damage and cancer. Ni says asbestos has been confirmed in the fingerprint powder in the "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Fingerprint Examination Kit" and the "CSI Crime Scene Investigation Forensic Lab Kit." The toy manufacturer denies that asbestos was in the kits, and settled the lawsuit without admitting any wrongdoing. Parents can learn how to safely dispose of the toys and get refunds at www.csitoyssettlement.com