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New iPhone rumors: Sept. release date, plus a video
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A new anonymous source report about an early release of the next iPhone and a video of what it might look like surfaced in the last 24 hours.
The iMore blog, which has had a track record of accurately predicting when Apple Inc. is going to roll out new product, said the iPhone 5 and the smaller version of the iPad will both be announced on Sept. 12 and then released on Sept. 21.
This follows reports naming same iPhone release date from two blogs last week that don't have an established track record on accuracy with such rumor stories, PhoneArena and App4Phone.
KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo and the iLounge website are also saying a September release is likely for the iPhone and possible for the 7-inch iPad, too.
The Japanese website, Makotakara, meanwhile posted a video it said shows parts of the new smartphone.
Whether or not any of these reports or video turn out to be authentic, one thing is for certain. Expect plenty more before Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) actually does take the wraps off the new iPhone.
Click here to read more Business Journal coverage of Apple's iPhone.
Cromwell Schubarth is the Senior Technology Reporter at the Silicon Valley Business Journal.
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The Story Behind Suavitel Shed Shield, a Liquid Fabric Softener that Repels Pet Hair* and Fights Pet Odors**
Explore how the new innovation goes beyond traditional solutions to provide long-lasting protection against stubborn pet hair.
December 20, 2023
A quick search for ways to help remove pet hair from clothes yields dozens of quick fixes: dryer sheets, laundry balls, lint rollers — the list goes on.
As nearly two-thirds of Americans who are pet parents can attest, though, the shedding never stops. These temporary solutions only have so many benefits they can offer.
Seeking a solution that could repel pet hair before it sticks, scientists who work on Suavitel, a fabric conditioner brand of Colgate-Palmolive, led the development of a liquid fabric conditioner that does just that: Suavitel Shed Shield.
“The current technology to remove pet hair is mainly mechanical — lint rollers, vacuums, or even washing cycles,” said Cesar Gazga, a research and development (R&D) Scientist who worked on creating Suavitel Shed Shield. “With Suavitel Shed Shield, we wanted to create something that helps people repel pet hair instead of trying to get rid of it after it sticks to clothing.”
To help kickstart the discovery, scientists collaborated with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the pet nutrition brand of Colgate-Palmolive, by sharing knowledge about how pet hair penetrates different fabrics. As a part of their purpose to find the healthiest, highest-quality pet food, the team at the Hill’s Global Pet Nutrition Center cares daily for nearly 1,000 cats and dogs.
Following conversations with Hill’s Pet Nutrition team members and real-world Pet Parents who struggle with pet hair, Suavitel scientists surmised that they needed to create a solution that reduces the formation and persistence of static charge — decreasing the likelihood of pet hair magnetizing to clothing, no matter the fabric type.
Today, there are dryer sheets and dissolvents that aim to reduce pet hair. What’s different about Suavitel Shed Shield, though, is that it's a liquid fabric softener that’s added to a washing cycle — which allows for clothing to be coated in a more efficient manner.
So efficient, in fact, that amongst 340 participants who participated in a consumer test using Suavitel Shed Shield at home, nearly three-fourths of them said the product repels pet hair*.
In addition to Suavitel Shed Shield’s pet hair-repellent technology, scientists were driven to implement a fragrance system that fights odors**, especially those associated with two common pet smells: wet dog and cat urine.
The Suavitel team once again tapped into its special relationship with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, this time to help determine what fragrance prototypes were most effective at combating pet malodors through some sensory sessions. At Hill’s, team members washed fabrics — like cat beds or bath towels — at least moderately soiled to see the effectiveness of Suavitel Shed Shield’s fragrance prototypes.
The results from laboratory and sensory tests supported Suavitel’s hopes, demonstrating that fabrics with strong animal odors that were washed with detergent and prototypes of Suavitel Shed Shield — compared to just detergent — significantly reduced pet odors, said Priscila Blanco, global R&D fragrance development Assistant Manager for Fabric Care category. Through testing, scientists at Suavitel landed on a malodor counteracting (MOC) system that combines two technologies — an oil-based fragrance and an encapsulated fragrance booster — that deliver an enhanced scent experience and a performance boost on fabrics.
“This fragrance system — the first fragrance system we’ve had for a Suavitel product — provides boosted fragrance performance on fabrics following the washing cycle, once fabrics have been put through the dryer or hung out to dry, and when fabrics have been folded or worn,” Blanco said. “We wanted to ensure users felt confident that Suavitel Shed Shield creates a freshness long-lasting effect that combats strong pet malodors.”
Several rounds of prototyping, testing and feedback led to a formulation for Suavitel that better repels pet hair, helps leave fur behind, and even fights pet odors better than washing with detergent alone. With better protection against pet hair and odors, Suavitel Shed Shield accomplished what scientists had set out to do.
According to many 5-star reviews***, Pet Parents agree: Shed Shield helps them win the fight against fur and odors, leading to more worry-free snuggles with their fur babies.
Suavitel Shed Shield is now available across North America.
*Vs. detergent alone.
**Vs. detergent alone, against wet dog and cat urine odors, tested on cotton and cotton-polyester fabrics.
***Some reviewers received free samples of Shed Shield.
You might also be interested in...
How Colgate-Palmolive’s Digital Upskilling Is Leading to E-commerce GrowthRead more »
The Story Behind Hill’s Prescription Diet ONC Care — Nutrition Designed Specifically For Pets With CancerRead more »
How Colgate-Palmolive's Digital Learning & Development Program Drives Business SuccessRead more »

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It’s no secret that most small businesses have been in survival mode over the past year of COVID-19 shutdowns and restrictions.
For Tina Bromley, owner of Tiny Greens plant shop in downtown Peterborough, it was survival that motivated her decision to shut down the food portion of her business and focus instead on selling plants and giftware.
Prior to the pandemic, a significant portion of Bromley’s small business was dedicated to the production of microgreens — nutrient-rich seedlings of edible vegetables and herbs — as well as a café and smoothie and juice bar. Bromley says closing these facets of her business was a tough decision, but she had to do what would keep her business alive.
“I am a single mom with three kids and I had to make it,” Bromley explains. “The food and juice — there was just no business (due to the pandemic). I decided to emotionally un-attach. Our plant and giftware shop was doing so well, so I made the decision to shut the smoothie and juice bar and the café microgreen production while we continued to build the website.”
Transitioning to online sales was another major pivot for Tiny Green. Before the pandemic, their website was only used for publicity to draw new clients into the bricks-and-mortar location and had no online store. Without a functioning online store, Bromley had no revenue stream during the first OVID-19 lockdown.
“We quickly worked on our website and got that up and going,” Bromley recalls. “Putting everything online was a huge to-do.”
According to Bromley, online sales have been an incredible asset during the pandemic as Tiny Greens has able to offer curbside pickup during store closures. However, the shop does not have a full-time employee for the website — which is what it would take to get everything in the very large plant shop onto a website.
While the Tiny Greens website has a great selection, there’s 60 to 70 per cent more product inside the store itself. While Bromley’s plant shop is named Tiny Greens, it’s a reference to her original focus on microgreens rather than the size of the shop, which is itself quite large.
Shutting down portions of the pre-pandemic business has allowed Bromely to continually expand her plant and giftware shop. Now, all the space previously used for the smoothie and juice bar, kitchen, and microgreen production, has been emptied and filled with plants, pots, and home decor — well-received additions since plant sales have blossomed during the pandemic.
“I don’t know if plants have ever been more appreciated than they are right now,” says Bromley. “They’re good for mental health and air purification. They cheer up an environment and make people happy. They are one of the most beautiful gifts you can give someone.”
“People are investing more money in their homes and in their environments to feel good and make their home their haven,” she adds. “We also have so many plants that are animal friendly. Often plant lovers are also animal lovers. ”
The increased demand for plants is a bright side to a challenging year for Tiny Greens. Bromley says she loves seeing customers of all ages and genders coming together online through a shared love of plants.
“Plants really are for everyone,” she says. “We get to see a lot of joy.”
Tiny Green’s popular Instagram page, run by Bromley’s 15-year-old daughter Kiana, is a fun interactive space for plant lovers. Here, Tiny Greens promotes its latest sales and other fun initiatives such as giveaways.
“One benefit that came out of (COVID-19) is I did acquire new clientele from people just searching online and having no idea we were already here downtown,” Bromley notes. “New customers have meant the world because, having to close the food and drink side of the business, I needed to find a way to get more customers.”
Another portion of the shop that has been lost during the pandemic is a workshop space for customers. Staff would assist customers in picking a plant, pot, and decorations, and then the customers would sit down for DIY planting. Bromley hopes to reopen this portion of the shop in the future but, until then, Tiny Greens offers a creative alternative.
“We have some kits that are already made and we can also make up new kits for people,” says Bromley. “You can still have fun picking your plant, pot, and decorations. We can help assist you if you’re building a terrarium or a multi-planted pot arrangement. We’ll help you with what plants work well together, teach you a little bit about design, and then you can do it at home.”
For those visiting the store, Bromley says they’ve tried to create an appealing, beautiful, and safe experience for everyone who comes in. Under the current government restrictions, Tiny Greens is classified as an indoor greenhouse that engages in retail sales and is permitted to operate at a 25 per cent capacity — this allows them to have a maximum of five customers inside the store at any one time. For those who would like to make a purchase without coming inside the shop, Tiny Greens offers curbside pickup for any items sold on their website (and they are always adding more).
Bromley also notes that her staff is on a strict cleaning schedule, including sanitizing shopping baskets after each use and wiping down high-touch areas throughout the day. Employees wear personal protective equipment and ensure there is enough space for physical distancing for those in the shop.
“I have a really amazing staff,” Bromley notes. “I don’t know where I would have been without them — they make it possible for me to be able to go home and be with my children and know that the shop is taken care of. Customers rave about them all the time.”
When asked about what the community can do to support her business during this challenging time, Bromley tells kawarthaNOW she feels odd to be asking for rather than giving community support.
“The one thing that I’ve enjoyed so much as a business owner is you can give back to the community in levels that you never could before you owned a business,” Bromley explains. “You see how much it’s possible, and it makes you such a strong interactive member of the community. I miss that. I felt very involved in the community.”
“I was used to giving and it felt good,” she adds. “So it was the oddest feeling in the world to suddenly be isolated and have it be about me and how I’m going to survive.”
That said, Bromley does ask the community to remember their locally owned businesses, follow and support their social media accounts, and tell their friends if they have a good experience at any local shop.
“If someone gives me a nice comment on my Facebook or Instagram, or if someone comes in and tells me that their friend said they just had to come in, that picks me up,” she says. “I’m really thankful for all of the community support.”
Tiny Greens plant shop is located at 431 George Street North in Peterborough. The shop is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday for in-person shopping and curbside pickup.
For more information about the plant shop and to place an order for curbside pickup, you can visit the Tiny Greens website at www.tinygreens.ca.
This story has been updated to reflect that Tiny Greens is open for in-person shopping (at 25 per cent capacity) during the provincial shutdown.


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Latest India publications
Indian telco pledges free connectivity and cloud infrastructure to start-ups as company enters India’s cloud services market.
An alarming number of cyber fraud crimes have forced the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to seek out more hardened measures to protect against security threats. For the fiscal agenda for 2018-19, RBI has publicised its focus on improving security measures against cyberattacks with the help of detection company Acalvio. Acalvio’s report said: “The ever-increasing threat… Read More
Microsoft has launched its Azure Stack in India, to assist customers in building customized, hybrid cloud environments and applications using Azure products. With today’s launch, Azure Stack partners including Dell, EMC, Lenovo and Cisco have begun to ship Azure Stack to Indian customers. Microsoft has also prepared local partners including Netmagic, Embee and G7CR for the local… Read More
International cloud infrastructure firm VMware is setting up its first AirWatch data centre in India to deliver Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solutions to businesses in the region. VMware intends to expand its footprint in India and the broader Asia Pacific region in an effort to give more customers access to its AirWatch technology, allowing them to… Read More
Facebook has released new usage figures showing that India has overtaken the United States as the country with the highest number of Facebook users. The new figures show that total Facebook users in India total 241 million, while U.S. users trail behind at 240 million. This follows the recent announcement that the social media platform… Read More


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July 20, 2014 BY Patrick Johnson
The Nike Air Max 90 is prepping a number of tonal looks for the fall and even bringing back the all leather construction that’s been missing in action for quite some time. The latest WMNS release ditches all of the vibrant colorways we’ve been seeing and instead opts for an ominous combination of black and anthracite to hold down the upper while a clever hint of metallic silver can be found on the air max unit. As always, grab a better look at this upcoming Air Max 90 release after the click and be on the lookout for a stateside release date in the near future.
Nike Air Max 90
Color: Black/Black-Anthracite-Metallic Silver
Style Code: 325213-033
Tags: Nike Air Max 90


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The coffin carrying Barneys New York as we knew it was nailed shut in bankruptcy court on Halloween. Because Sam Ben-Avraham didn’t file a competing bid, Barneys officially fell into Authentic Brands Group's (ABG) hands. Its likely next stop: liquidation.
Quick recap: ABG is hanging on to Barneys’s name and cachet but plans to offload its other assets, aka its five remaining stores and their inventory. That could trigger liquidation sales at all locations as early as this weekend, the NYT reports.
“Potential retail mayhem”—that’s how former Bergdorf Goodman fashion director Robert Burke described what comes next to the NYT.
The end result: Customers snap up the liquidated Barneys merch, leaving its competitors stuck between slashing their prices to match or losing out.
My takeaway: Fellow department stores (like Bergdorf’s) and luxury e-commerce marketplaces (like Net-a-Porter) may have overlooked the downsides of Barneys’s disappearance from the market—and now they have to act.
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The nüvifone smartphone, created by navigation company Garmin and computer manufacturer Asus, should go on sale in late June or early July… but only in Asia. A launch date for North America and Europe is still unconfirmed.
Originally announced in January 2008, the nüvifone is already a year behind schedule. The update came from Garmin Chief Operating Officer Cliff Pemble, who told the company's AGM that the nüvifone would go on sale in selected Asian markets in the next few weeks. [Sources: Google/AP; Twice.com]


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To do that, the pair has dreamed up a special kind of roastery aimed at catering to the specific tastes of the individual. "Most roasters roast twenty to 500 pounds of coffee at the same time," Gilbert explains. "We'll be a micro-roaster, which means we can only roast anywhere from six ounces to eight pounds of coffee at once. And we plan to roast really small for the individual. We want people come to us and try different beans, find out what they like, and then we'll roast specifically for them."
Their enterprise, Bean Lab Coffee Roasters, will then save a customer's taste preferences as a recipe, so that person can come pick up as little as a pound at a time of his or her particular brand of bean. "It's a niche sort of coffee roasting company," Gilbert says. "We want people to come to us and spend time with us. They can either set appointments or just come by and spend 20 minutes, five minutes, an hour, whatever. We'll use our knowledge of coffee to educate them and, hopefully, to expand their palate for coffee."
They'll also give drinkers a chance to taste different roasts, an opportunity that Gilbert points out isn't really afforded in shops.
To launch, the pair also hopes to sling beans at local farmers' markets, engaging clientele and coaxing them into their roasting facility. But the location is still up in the air. "We're looking at a couple of spots near 38th and Federal," says Gilbert. "We know we'll be in that general area."
In the meantime, the duo is also trying to put together the financing for the operation via Kickstarter, a crowd-funding site that will allow them to raise money from interested friends, family members and coffee aficionados who'd like to see the Bean Lab in action.
Assuming they meet their goal -- and they still have 25 days to do so -- Gilbert says they'll head down to Oklahoma to pick up their roaster and begin roasting immediately. Still, though, "it'll probably be month after getting the roaster before we feel comfortable roasting for the public," Gilbert says. "I have roasting experience, and we're flying in a friend from Manhattan [Kansas, where Gilbert managed coffeeshops] to play around."
And if all goes according to plan? "We expect to be at full-production by July," the entrepreneur says.


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DOVER — With much fanfare and an expected huge impact on the local community, Airbase Carpet & Tile Mart opened its doors and floors at a new location last week.
Gov. Jack Markell and Delaware Economic Development Director Alan Levin attended a ribbon cutting, along with Dover High cheerleaders and the Caesar Rodney High pep band, joined by a host of purple and white clad store employees and management, among others.
The new 43,000-square-foot store with 133 sample floors is located where the former Metro Supermarket once operated, adjacent to Kohl’s, AC Moore, Joann Fabrics and Walgreens at the Centre at Dover at 257 N. DuPont Highway. The site has 10,000 more square feet than the previous location on South Little Creek Road.
The Delaware-based company said the new site recently was renovated to create a bright, open shopping environment.
State and local officials are excited about an expanded big box store staying in Dover, and filling a large vacant property in a location primed for success, according to Airbase ownership.
“As to Dover, the water is warm, come jump in,” Airbase president and third generation owner/operator Michael Longwill said during the opening Thursday.
“It’s a good place to do business, the area market is vibrant, and a well-trained work force is available.”
In the first month, Airbase, which is a 11-store chain in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and South Carolina, will donate 1 percent of its sales to “It’s All Good in Delaware” a non-profit dedicated to helping community members in need. Donations can be made at all locations through July 4, and the company also will make a direct donation of its own.
Said Gov. Markell during remarks to the assembled audience at the opening, “We could not be more thrilled that a family that has been here for so many years, through thick and thin, is willing to invest again.”
The governor described the move as based on “vision, determination, persistence and confidence in Delaware’s future. ... We hope you are wildly successful here and we hope you keep coming home smelling of carpet (referencing earlier lighthearted comments made by Mr. Longwill) for a long, long time here.”
DEDO Director Levin said he’s known the Longwill family for more than 40 years, and believes in their business acumen.
“They thought big but acted small,” he said. “They never forgot their roots — people that work for them and their customers.”
Newly elected in a landslide, Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen said a team effort kept Airbase operations in the city, starting with the family, to municipal inspectors and planners among others, to the leadership of Gov. Markell and Director Levin.
Airbase CEO Richard Longwill, who took over for his father Sam, who started the company in 1967 said, “It’s unbelievable the way this story turned out. I have to credit my son ...”
Features, business hours
According to an Airbase news release the new, state of the art Flooring Superstore will feature:
•An expanded Oriental & Area Rug department with more shapes and sizes, from scatters and 10x14 mansion sizes, displayed on motorized hanging arms where the rug can easily be dropped to the floor for viewing.
•An enhanced hard surface department featuring hundreds of in-stock hardwoods, laminates, LVT, Ceramic Tile and Natural Stone floors displayed on pallets that can be taken home today, or installed right away.
•Delaware’s only Armstrong Elite Flooring Showroom, with large format sample display.
•Delaware’s only DalTile Gallery – The world’s largest manufacturer of tile.
•Delaware’s only Nubrisa Flooring Gallery – Exclusively selected for Quality, Fashion & Value
•Soft Surface Carpet Design Center - Featuring brands like Karastan, Masland, Nourison the latest carpet innovations from Dupont Sorona Ultra and Sorona Silk.
Business hours include:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Tuesday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 678-0970 or go online to www.carpetmart.com.


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[JURIST] Apple filed suit Friday in the Seoul Central District Court claiming that the Samsung [corporate websites] “Galaxy” line of products copies its iPhone and iPad technology. This follows similar suits by Apple in the US and suits by Samsung [JURIST reports] filed in South Korea, Japan and Germany. It is rumored that these disputes will ultimately be settled through alternative dispute resolution [Reuters].
Apple has been embroiled in litigation marked by trading accusations of patent infringement with Nokia [corporate website] as well, which was recently resolved [JURIST report]. Nokia and Apple entered into an agreement [press release], settling all patent disputes between the parties and directing Apple to pay royalties to Nokia for the term of the agreement. Both companies agreed to withdraw all complaints filed with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) [official website] and end 46 ongoing patent infringement disputes in various countries around the world.


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BAY CITY (WJRT) (2/12/2020) – Marijuana production at a Bay City indoor growing operation is expected to increase sharply in the next couple years after a change in management.
Grown Rogue International and its subsidiary, GR Michigan, bought a 60% controlling stake in the 80,000-square-foot Golden Harvests cultivation facility at 333 Morton St. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.
“By leveraging over a decade of operational, grow and sales experience in Oregon, we plan to build on Golden Harvests’ solid foundation to increase yields, develop new grow rooms and establish partnerships with the best retailers in the state,” said Obie Strickler, chief executive officer Grown Rogue.
Golden Harvests currently uses about 10,000 square feet of the facility to grow about 600 pounds of marijuana annually. Grown Rogue plans to invest $1.2 million, which will increase the crop to 3,500 annually by 2021.
The expansion is expected to create 10 to 15 new jobs.
Grown Rogue has been producing marijuana in Oregon for about three years and won awards for its products.
“Grown Rogue takes great pride in its team, who are some of the top talent in the country, and we bring a level of experience not yet seen in Michigan,” said Strickler.
The company plans to relocate its most experienced indoor marijuana grower to the Bay City facility and duplicate its operating procedures from Oregon.
Grown Rogue is talking with marijuana retailers across the country to develop a market for products grown in Bay City.
“The Michigan market has untapped growth potential and with Grown Rogue’s help, we plan to lead the charge with best-in-class flower cultivated right here in Michigan,” said Dave Pleitner, founder and owner of Golden Harvests.


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The Nexus 5 is currently one of the hottest Android smartphones money can buy (if not for the specs alone, at least due to the value for money ratio), and Google / Android enthusiasts already know what the gadget is all about. The handset in question is the 5th smartphone in the Nexus series and introduces a new operating system (Android 4.4 KitKat), features top-tier hardware specs, an OIS camera, and as is tradition, it comes at a pretty damn good price.
In any case, most of you should already know that the Nexus 5 has been built by LG. The handset in question has its roots deep into the LG G2, which has been launched not too long ago. Why am I reminding you of this? Well, interestingly enough, according to our latest findings, LG would’ve liked the Nexus 5 to bear a different moniker in order for the device to show its heritage. More after the break.
What Could’ve Been: LG Nexus G
According to the Korean media, LG has actually discussed with Google in regards to the latest Nexus smartphone’s moniker. Apparently, LG would’ve liked the Nexus 5 to be called the “Nexus G”, but for whatever reasons, Google denied the manufacturer’s request. We all know how the story developed from here on out.
However, the point is that the “Nexus G” moniker would’ve made a lot of sense. Think about it this way: first of all, Samsung has been able to brand the 2nd and 3rd Nexus smartphones to show the heritage (the Nexus S and the Galaxy Nexus respectively). Second of all, earlier this year, LG has changed its naming policy for top-tier smartphones.
As such, the “Optimus” nametag has been dropped from flagship phones, and as a result the LG G2 and the G Flex hit the market under the names that they did.
So, once again, although it would’ve made sense for the Nexus 5 to be called the Nexus G, the negotiations didn’t go in LG’s favor, and that’s the end of it. The question is, would’ve you preferred the “G” moniker, rather than the “Nexus 5”? Does the name of your smartphone matters to you? In any case, feel free to share your opinions below.


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Jennifer Lopez maintains her hot bikini body with a mostly vegan diet and rigorous 90-minute workouts, Celebrity Health Fitness reported.
"She does the Tracy Anderson Method, which includes muscular structure work and between nine and 13 different exercises that change every 10 days, and dance aerobics as well," said Lopez's fitness trainer, Tracy Anderson.
I keep [her butt] toned and in position. We do planks, moving the legs and butt at different angles."
Lopez, who lost 40 pounds after giving birth to twins in 2008, tries to stick to a 1,200 to 1,400-calorie-a-day diet. She said her No. 1 diet and weight-loss secret is portion control. "Just like anybody, I try to watch what I eat," said Jennifer. "There's no big science to it.
Anderson's workouts with JLo typically combine high-intensity cardio dance exercise with light strength-training using body weight and high repetitions done with tiny hand weights (three pounds maximum).
"While bulkier muscle looks OK on women in their 20s and 30s, it doesn’t age well," said Tracy, creator of the Tracy Anderson Method Express Workout DVD.
Anderson's exercise tips contradict the advice of most fitness experts, who recommend that women lift heavy weights and should not be concerned that weight-lifting will bulk them up.
Earlier this year, Tracy was slammed after saying women shouldn't take spinning classes because they give women huge thighs. "Spin may burn calories in the short term, but if that's all you're doing, it'll bulk up your thighs," said Anderson.
Whether you agree with her methods or not, there's no denying Anderson has sculpted some of Hollywood's fittest bodies, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham and Kim Kardashian. Anderson shared her weight loss tips in her book, Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method.


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In 2021, Africa had about 21 digital banks serving more than 18 million customers, according to a report by BPC Banking Technologies and Fincog. 80% of these neobanks are concentrated in South Africa and Nigeria.
In a recent report entitled “Digital Banking in Sub-Saharan Africa”, BPC Banking Technologies and Fincog (Fintech Consultancy Group) established a ranking of the ten largest African neobanks in 2021, by number of customers.
Thus, the South African Bettr is the first entirely digital bank on the continent with 6.5 million customers. It is followed by TymeBank, also South African and owned by billionaire Patrice Motsepe. It will have 4 million customers in 2021. Also with 4 million customers, the Nigerian Chipper Cash occupies 3rd place in this ranking, ahead of another Nigerian neobank, Alat, which with its 1.5 million customers is in 4th place.
With its 1.1 million customers, Zazu is the 1st digital bank in Zambia and the 5th in the ranking. Next come Kuda from Nigeria (1 million customers), its sister Carbon (659,000 customers), and Bank Zero from South Africa (500,000 customers) which are respectively 6th, 7th and 8th in this ranking. Mama Money (South Africa) and Rubies (Nigeria) close this top 10 with 500,000 and 90,000 customers respectively.
While Africa currently has 21 digital banks that together serve more than 18 million customers, South Africa and Nigeria alone account for around 80% of these structures. These countries are the most developed on the continent in terms of network and Internet infrastructure.
In 2021, the mobile penetration rate was 47% in Nigeria compared to 61% in South Africa. Internet penetration was 50% in Nigeria compared to 64% in South Africa, according to the report. These Internet infrastructures are essential to strengthen access to financial services for people living in rural areas and to reach many unbanked communities.


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British teenager Yasser Khattak has launched a home automation system called Den that could save people money on their annual energy costs.
The 19-year-old has redesigned the plug socket and light switch so you can link them to a smartphone app or remote control in order to switch appliances on and off even when you are not at home.
Den could help save money by creating a super easy way to turn appliances off standby.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, the UK could save £1.7 billion per year if we all turned off appliances on standby, including TVs and mobile phones.
Khattak thought of the idea when he was just 15 and studying for his GCSEs, but has worked with DesignWorks to create the product and associated apps.
The switches themselves look just like traditional mechanical ones you are used to seeing on your wall at home, but there's one big difference: in addition to being able to physically press the switches on you can control them remotely - via either a smartphone app or a Den remote control.
The idea is you could press one button on the remote or app to turn off every appliance plugged into one of those sockets simultaneously - obviously you wouldn't want one of these for your freezer!
He’s focused on making the system as affordable as possible.
“As soon as people hear the product being described as a 'home automation' system, they instantly think of costly high-end £20,000 systems for wealthy homeowners. This is the case with most other home automation systems on the market,” he told Mirror Online.
“However with Den our goal is to push this smart and efficient technology to the mass market, at a much cheaper cost as compared to others, and aim to be installed in all new homes built globally.
One of the biggest challenges was working on his own in the early days. “I had no experience in the business world (I was 15) and I had big ambitions for Den, including competing with multi-million pound companies,” he said.
He’s currently raising money for the company via equity crowdfunding platform Seedrs. He’ll use the investment to bring the product to market.
If he doesn't get all of the Seedrs funding, he’ll be looking for private investment.


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What You Need to Know About Facebook Ad Manager’s 2020 Changes
Properly utilizing the Facebook platform is wise for every business. After all, there are an estimated 1.59 billion daily users, which represents a vast amount of potential customers. One of the best ways to accomplish this is through Facebook Ads Manager, one of the most effective pay-per-click (PPC) tools available. The ad system, in general, is versatile, innovative, and engaging. Every business needs to stay abreast of changes to the platform.
Facebook Ad Manager 2020
Changes in How Many Ads Can Run At Once
One expected change Facebook is making involves updates to the Graph and Marketing API. This, in essence, will limit the number of ads seen on a Facebook page at one time. Facebook announced the following regarding upcoming changes to the number of ads a business can run simultaneously:
“In mid-2020, we are implementing a limit on the number of ads each page can run at the same time. The ad limits will impact just a small percentage of advertisers, and we plan to share more details about the limits early next year.”
Admittedly, this change seems almost counterintuitive. Why would Facebook restrict its own revenue-earning potential by limiting what businesses can spend on ads? The reason given is ad quality over ad quantity. Resulting from Facebook data analysis, too many ads from one business running at once affect overall ad performance.
Facebook’s profits may decrease, in the short term, if they indiscriminately run high volumes of ads. Since Facebook wants to focus on high-performing ads, it must reduce the number of poor-performing ads. More details on impacted companies will be announced in the new year. It’s important to remember, Facebook indicates ad limits will not affect all businesses. A new feature of Facebook Ads Manager called the Ad Volume API will notify if ad limitations have been placed on an ad account.
Changes to Various Metrics, Removing 10-Second Video Clips
Another change to Facebook Ads Manager is the removal of 10-second video view metrics. This also includes removing the unique 10-second video views and cost per 10-second video view. If your video is 15 seconds or shorter, only views to completion are counted in a new feature called ThruPlay. Facebook is also renaming 11 of its video view metrics, which communicate the details about each video. As Facebook noted, the changes were designed “to make the names clearer and more consistent.”
Changes to The Business Messenger System
Another notable and helpful change implemented by Facebook Ads Manager is a new version of Messenger Graph API. These modifications primarily include three features coming together to help businesses create a better connection with customers.
Simplify the Connection Process: Facebook Ads Manager is working to help businesses with multiple apps connecting on the manager platform. The basic purpose of this change is to make it easier for businesses to utilize the “click to messenger” ad option.
Icebreaker Option: Just as the description implies, this change will be an icebreaker of sorts, designed to initiate and encourage ongoing conversation between users and businesses. This feature even allows the use of automated replies to various questions that will answer frequently asked questions, saving both customers and businesses time and effort.
User Reaction: This feature allows users to indicate which message they are responding to within the conversation stream. Businesses to easily respond without having to search back through previous conversations, saving them valuable time.
The changes to the messenger system of Facebook Ads Manager are not groundbreaking, but they are designed to help businesses better utilize the system to connect to their customers more effectively than before. In addition, these changes are specifically designed to address certain pain points of the messenger system since its inception.
Recent Updates to Facebook Ads Manager
Changes have already been implemented within the Facebook Ads Manager tool worth noting, in addition to the upcoming changes listed above.
Updating Standardized Navigation: This change impacts how users navigate ads, ad sets, and campaigns. The navigation is now standardized and situated on the left of the sidebar. It can also be collapsed or expanded.
Integrating Search and Filter Bar: Recent changes have also made it easier to search for various data. Now, when a word is entered into the search bar of a Facebook Ads Manager account, businesses will be presented with some options, which make it easier to find what they want via the search and filter bar.
Nested Campaign View: This feature allows businesses to navigate ads from the top level of the dashboard. There is an arrow next to each of the campaigns, revealing the ads and their contents. Monitoring campaign performance and making any desired changes is quicker and more efficient.
Enjoying Facebook Ad Manager Changes
Facebook Ads Manager is a valuable platform for reaching a wide range of consumers with ads. Now is the time to utilize this incredibly helpful and evolving tool. The upcoming changes are making Facebook Ads Manager user-friendly.


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Business is accused of promising fixed income of 10% per month and not honoring customer withdrawals.
The company Meu Pé de Bitcoin, based in Caruaru, in the interior of Pernambuco state, has been accused by clients of not honoring with promises. According to an anonymous accusation made by one of the company’s clients with Livecoins, the business has already been investigated by Pernambuco’s Public Ministry since January 2020.
It is worth highlighting that Bitcoin has attracted a number of businesses to its ecosystem, after an intense valuation in recent years. Some of these businesses have taken advantage of the currency’s fame to perpetuate scams on investors in Brazil.
One of them is Unick Forex, which would have given a coup of millions in Brazil. Others that became famous in the Northeast are Midas Trend, D9 Club and Binary Bit, all of them already having ongoing investigations with suspicions of financial pyramid.
Usually, these schemes collect money from investors and promise fixed earnings per month. Over time, the business becomes unsustainable and stops paying customers.
My Pé de Bitcoin is being targeted by customer complaints on digital platforms
The business My Foot of Bitcoin, according to information from its website, works with „Bitcoin“. In this way, it uses the crypto potentials to divulge the business and capture new clients to invest in the business.
Another point that made the business known, from the countryside of Pernambuco, was the investment in the Soccer Cup Meu Pé de Bitcoin. The glorious investment business in Bitcoin, however, may be having problems according to customer complaints.
In the Reclame Aqui platform, for example, complaints have been registered in the last three months. According to Livecoins, at least 6 complaints have already been registered there in the period.
The first one, which was answered by the company, but was declared as „Not Resolved“, is from a client stating that the company tried to access her account at Mercado Bitcoin brokerage house without permission. According to the client, an BO would be registered against the company.
Other complaints stated that the 10% return on investment was offered. However, after some time the clients would no longer be receiving the contribution of the business, called by one of the clients „pro-labore“.
One of the complaints makes clear that the loot has not been processed, even with the client with health problems.
„I ask that you really confirm when the payment will be made because I need part of this money to pay the hospital“, the complainant made clear
Pernambuco State Public Prosecution Service has already received a complaint against the company
The Brazilian community of Bitcoin began to identify dangerous traits in My Foot of Bitcoin on the afternoon of this Monday (27), after a post on Facebook. The case was of a supposed crypto potentiator recruiting people with the promise of 3% profit per month guaranteed.
After the case gained repercussion, a reader contacted Livecoins and presented the link of a complaint he registered against the company. The demonstration sent to the Public Prosecution Service of the State of Pernambuco would have already ended up at the Inquiry Center, with the number 19.20.0264.0000349/2020-39.
In other words, in spite of the complaints starting only three months ago at Reclame Aqui, clients are already looking for the MP since the beginning of the year. The proposal of Meu Pé de Bitcoin is not clear on its website and neither the function of the potentiators, which at the moment of writing this article was blank on the website.


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Coca-Cola Amatil has shed nearly $860 million of value on Friday after revealing a shock downgrade to full-year profit as rival Pepsi stole market share and demand fell across all categories in its key local drinks business.
The bottler backed away from its promise of mid single-digit earnings growth, saying it now expects underlying net profit to decline in the first half, while full-year profit will be flat.
Trading in the Australian drinks unit for the year to date has been weaker than last year, with all channels experiencing volume and price pressure due to discounting by competition, while private label water continued to take shelf space. CCA is also facing cost pressures in raw materials.
While some analysts had previously suggested that Pepsi gained share over the Christmas period, chief executive Alison Watkins said in February she was unfazed about keeping CCA's leadership position.
Ms Watkins re-affirmed earnings guidance for mid single-digit earnings per share (EPS) growth in February. But CCA said while that was a longer-term target, full-year underlying net profit after tax will be broadly in line with last year which lifted 6.2 per cent to $417.9 million.
The poor update came just weeks after the surprise departure of the head of its Australian drinks business Barry O'Connell in March. The stock on Friday tumbled $1.13, or 10.6 per cent, to $9.60 – its lowest close in four months.
Analysts agreed that while CCA has been able to lower operating costs, the stock is likely to face more pressure as revenue growth has been difficult to achieve.
Citi analyst Craig Woolford said the second half growth outlook may be too optimistic.
'Water investment needed'
"While competition with Pepsi should ease in second half, more significant investment may be required to be more competitive in water," he said.
"Moreover, the ability to fully recover the cost of goods sold pressure seems a stretch. Lastly management changes in Australia will require some transition over the next six months."
In response to the shift by consumers away from sugary drinks, CCA has been slashing costs while rebalancing its beverages portfolio, changing formulations of carbonated soft drinks to reduce calories, shrinking pack sizes and introducing new non-carbonated beverages such as Zico coconut water and Fuze tea.
But progress has been slow.
"Further time is required for these initiatives to gain traction," the company said, while adding that trading in other units such as New Zealand & Fiji, Alcohol & Coffee and SPC is in line with expectations.
Chief financial officer Martyn Roberts looked to reassure investors that CCA was on the right track.
"We're confident in the long-term plans for the business, particularly the work we are doing with The Coca-Cola Company and in working on our categories, brands and portfolio," he said.
"We have continued confidence in our medium-term aspirations of sustainable mid-single digit growth."
But CCA is facing an uphill battle on several fronts in a division that accounts for two-thirds of group EBIT. Not only are their mounting health concerns around full-sugar fizzy sugary drinks, but a new study shows artificial sweeteners linked to risk of Alzheimer's and stroke.
Alphinity Investment Management portfolio manager Bruce Smith said the news was not surprising given CCA has been struggling for some time.
'Hope, not confidence'
"This trend of shunning sugary drinks has been going on for years. It was a surprise the CCA share price went as high as it did, so there is some correction," he said.
"The company appears to be expressing some hope, rather than confidence in the full-year. There is a lot that can happen in the balance of year."
The company said its Papua New Guinea business is performing well "and while trading in Indonesia continues to be impacted by soft market growth, the business is delivering to expectations.
CCA's Australian beverage volumes have been in decline since 2005 as higher consumption of bottled water and still beverages has failed to offset the slump in sales of fizzy drinks. The rate of decline has accelerated in recent years, with volumes falling 2.1 per cent in 2016, 4.1 per cent in 2014 and 3.2 per cent in 2013. The launch of low-sugar Coke Life briefly boosted volumes in 2015.
In CCA's sparkling beverages portfolio – which includes brands such as Coke, Sprite, Fanta and Kirks – volumes have fallen harder, down 4.7 per cent in 2016.
CCA said the 2017 results will include one-off costs and one-off gains related to cost optimisation programs and the sale of property, subject to the timing of completion. These will be disclosed as non-trading items, it said.
Deutsche Bank analyst Michael Simotas called CCA's February decision to launch a $350 million share buyback – which was suspended until April 26 pending market conditions – "curious" given its weak trading position.
To date CCA has acquired 1,335,639 shares for a total consideration of $14.3 million.


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Annual expo gives players a glimpse of upcoming releases
Are you ready to play?
If the 21st annual E3 Expo is any indication, you’ll have no shortage of extraordinary entertainment experiences to indulge in over the coming months and years.
The world’s biggest video game trade show has just wrapped up — serving as a window to the near future of the multibillion-dollar industry, with more than 50,000 industry-only attendees who packed the Los Angeles Convention Center to play upcoming games and new hardware.
This year, sequels dominated much of the hype.
This isn’t a bad thing. Unlike Hollywood movies, most video game sequels are better than their respective predecessors.
Here’s a look at a few highlights:
Available in 2016, Naughty Dog’s “Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End” once again stars treasure hunter Nathan Drake and other returning characters in a large-scale, third-person and action-heavy adventure. The trailer for this PlayStation 4 exclusive showed off the larger levels, high-definition characters and environments, and on-foot and in-vehicle combat. Fans of the franchise will be happy to know the game’s signature storytelling, dialog and humor are back. Drake and his longtime friend and mentor Victor “Sully” Sullivan attempt to make their way to a seaside tower but are ambushed in a crowded marketplace. What ensues is an epic jeep and motorcycle chase scene that ends in an explosive conclusion.
‘Halo 5: Guardians’
Built to showcase the power of Xbox One, “Halo 5: Guardians” is the next installment of the legendary sci-fi shooter franchise. Set for release Oct. 27, 343 Industries’ next “Halo” game wowed crowds at E3 for its intense campaign — including many cinematic moments — that you can run through with three friends in a co-op mode. But this new game will focus heavily on competitive multiplayer. One mode called Warzone challenges up to 24 players to battle on the biggest maps in “Halo” to date, taking on multiple objectives, including big battles with land and aircraft to aid in the fight. Arena multiplayer, on the other hand, focuses on four-on-four combat, where all players start with the same weapons and abilities. According to Microsoft, the game will run at a smooth 60 frames per second on dedicated servers.
For younger gamers, one of the world’s hottest kids’ franchises is getting a reboot. “Skylanders SuperChargers” once again fuses action figures with a video game — the toys come alive on the television screen when placed on the Portal of Power, which is connected to the console — but now Activision has added collectible vehicles to the mix. Players can tackle missions by land, sea and air, in a number of customizable and upgradable vehicles including cars, motorcycles, boats, tanks, helicopters and submarines. The game will also introduce 20 new Skylanders characters, but parents should be relieved to learn the game also supports all existing characters. Available Sept. 20, the game will be playable on multiple consoles and some mobile devices.
‘Star Wars Battlefront’
Available Nov. 17 — one month before “Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens” debuts in theaters — “Star Wars Battlefront” from DICE and Electronic Arts will drop players into intense intergalactic battles based in iconic “Star Wars” locations. For example, attendees at E3 were treated to a live 40-person multiplayer match on the snowy planet of Hoth, pitting Rebel forces against the Empire. Along with being able to play as characters based on the original movie trilogy, you’ll be able to pilot beloved vehicles, ranging from AT-ATs and TIE fighters to speeder bikes and even the Millennium Falcon.
Kicking off the 2015 E3 Expo was Bethesda Softworks’ “Fallout 4,” the long-awaited return to the beloved single-player open-world role-playing game series. Currently in development for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Windows PC, the follow-up to 2008’s “Fallout 3” lets you choose to play as a man or woman, select a specific set of skills and then venture out of a vault 200 years after an apocalyptic event. Played from a first- or third-person perspective, the game lets you freely roam around huge environments, interact with memorable characters, and gain access to more than 50 base weapons and more than 700 modifications available. Plus, gamers can take advantage of a deep crafting and customization system to create unique adventures. The game will debut Nov. 10.
‘Guitar Hero Live’
“Guitar Hero” is back after a five-year hiatus, and it’s nothing short of ambitious. Along with single-player and local multiplayer options, FreeStyleGames and Activision are introducing a mode called GHTV, an always-on 24-hour music video network that lets you log on, strap in and play to a continually updated collection of music videos and concert footage. That is, instead of the cartoon-like animated bands from previous games, you can rock out to your favorite artists and discover new music, while challenging others for high score. It’s available Oct. 20 for multiple consoles and some mobile platforms, and more than 50 artists’ songs have already been confirmed for the game’s library, including tunes from the likes of Fall Out Boy, the Rolling Stones, the Black Keys, Skrillex and Ed Sheeran. A new guitar controller bundle will be available too.
Follow Marc Saltzman on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. Email him at firstname.lastname@example.org
More To Watch For
Other stand-out sequels from the 2015 E3 include Ubisoft’s “Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate,” Microsoft/Square Enix’s “Tomb Raider,” Konami’s “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain” and Activision’s “Call of Duty: Black Ops 3.”


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Court set to decide whether to sell company to Hong Kong group or stage auction that would allow rival bids
The future of trail-blazing plug-in hybrid manufacturer Fisker Automotive is to be the subject of a court battle next week, after a judge was asked to consider rival bids for the embattled company. ...
Campaign group Plan B says it is 'surprised and disappointed' by decision and will lodge an appeal against High Court ruling
Mercer's Jane Ambachtsheer joins banking giant to head up sustainability research, engagement, and governance efforts
BusinessGreen brings you this week's green economy headlines from around the world
Chris Hewett of the Solar Trade Association warns the government's latest proposals risk further uncertainty for the solar sector


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The biggest online bookstore of all time, Amazon.com, will now be available online in the US, the company announced today.
This will be the first time in more than a decade that Amazon will offer its own online catalog in the U.S., a move that will make it one of the largest online retailers in the world.
“Amazon.com is now the largest e-commerce platform in the United States, and we are thrilled to be able to offer the most comprehensive, comprehensive catalog available on the internet,” Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos said in a statement.
“As a result, we are making the transition to online access for our e-books and e-reader services.”
The move is the latest step in a long and complicated path for Amazon to become a fully-fledged online retailer.
For more than two decades, Amazon has operated as a privately held company.
In 2001, Amazon purchased e-book publisher HarperCollins, then called HarperCollins Publishers.
By 2004, Amazon was valued at $1.5 billion.
In the mid-1990s, Amazon opened its first retail store in the heart of Manhattan.
By 2002, it opened its second store in Brooklyn, a short walk from the Empire State Building.
By 2007, Amazon had more than 5,500 stores across the U, most of which were located in the Midwest.
The company also opened more than 500 fulfillment centers in China, Brazil, Mexico, and Germany.
Amazon also operates a huge network of warehouses in warehouses that have a capacity of tens of thousands of items.
But over the years, Amazon’s sales have stagnated.
In 2014, it posted a loss of $15.4 billion.
And Amazon has struggled to keep up with its growing online catalog and the demand for online reading.
As of the fourth quarter of 2019, Amazon said it had more online catalogs than any other bookseller, including Amazon’s own online library.
But its growth has slowed dramatically, and Amazon said its online catalog sales had declined for four consecutive quarters in 2019 and 2020.
Amazon will still offer its catalog in print, which is a huge advantage for its readers.
It will also continue to offer digital books, which are typically priced higher than traditional hardcover books, and will continue to sell its physical books, the store will announce today.
The move comes as Amazon has been losing market share in traditional bookstores, and a lot of those losses are coming from smaller, local retailers like Barnes and Noble, where it is one of three largest booksellers.
But Bezos has been able to keep his focus on the online retail business.
“We’ve spent the last year building Amazon’s e-business around the idea of giving people the best of both worlds,” Bezos said at the announcement.
“Amazon is built for people to read, and for us to sell.
So this is a big day for all of us.”
The announcement comes at a time when Amazon has seen its stock tumble in recent months, with some investors worried that Amazon’s new e-store may hurt its growth.
But Amazon has long been the most profitable online bookseller in the country, and the company has said that it’s still profitable despite the online catalog.


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Apple Stock Falls As Company Admits Demand Is Down
Mike Sanders / 4 years ago
Apple Admits Demand Is Down
It has been a matter of much speculation in recent years that the demand for Apple products was starting to hit a bit of a slump. For example, when the iPhone 8 released in 2017, it marked the first time in recent memory in which there was practically no hype (at least from the public) for the release. This led to practically no one queuing up to get the phone on launch date.
In fact, demand for that phone was so poor that Apple actually halved the amount of iPhone 8s it was producing. They even saw the embarrassment a month later that the iPhone 7 was outselling their latest model.
The release of the X did something to help rally a bit more positivity around the company. As the above shows you though, there’s hardly been much to get excited about. It seems, however, that this may have finally translated into some actual real problems for the company.
In a report via The Star, Apple CEO Tim Cook has admitted that the company ‘got it wrong’ by completely underestimating the lack of current demand for their iPhones.
Stock Price Falls
This announcement has already seen the Apple stock price take a small hit. The thing is though, I personally can’t see anything that’s going to change this trend in the near future. One of the biggest criticisms against Apple for the last 5 years is that the company forgot how to be innovative. Think about it, what’s the last truly groundbreaking product the company released? Even their iPhones for at least the last 5 generations have largely remained the same. We’ve only really seen improvements to the existing technology.
Apple has attempted to make China a form of scapegoat for this. In a separate report via the BBC, they have cited that lower than expected sales in the country have been a driving factor in this downturn. This, in no small part, due to the number of new manufacturers in the country. Manufacturers who are arguably producing products ‘nearly’ as good for a lot less money.
For once though, the future of Apple is not looking particularly bright.
What do you think? – Let us know in the comments!


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Chasing payments that are overdue, or delayed by long payment terms or changes to contractually agreed terms, is a struggle. Sadly, it’s all too familiar to many small businesses in the UK. Many come to accept delayed payment as a normal way of working. It is demanding, time-consuming and demoralising to constantly manage payments and cash flow. Ultimately small suppliers often feel powerless to challenge the bigger customers that pay them late.
Established under the Enterprise Act 2016, the Office of the Small Business Commissioner (OSBC) has the task of helping small business owners throughout the UK deal with the impact and possible consequences of poor payment practices.
Through the provision of free information and advice, and a programme of lobbying and influencing large business stakeholders, the OSBC works to keep payment issues at the forefront of UK business discussions.
Small Business Commissioner Liz Barclay says: “It’s okay for small businesses to ask for help, and it’s right for them to complain when they’re being exploited by their large customers. I’ve talked to large businesses over the past few months and it’s apparent that this is an issue that’s rising up their agenda. Improving the way they treat their small suppliers is a key priority.
“Everyone needs to understand that having to wait for payments to come in damages small businesses and the wider economy. The uncertainty can also have a huge impact on the mental health of business owners. An invoice paid late can lead to the mortgage not being paid or employees waiting for their wages. The link between late or long payments and mental health is real and worrying”.
The OSBC offers free help to small businesses in the UK who are facing late or unfair payment practices at the hands of larger clients. The team of expert caseworkers can provide:
- General advice and information about resolving payment disputes.
- A signposting service to further support, and to dispute resolution services through the OSBC’s own website.
- A complaints investigation service focused on incidences of poor payment practice between small businesses (those with 50 or fewer staff) and their larger business customers (those with more than 50 staff).
The OSBC has the power to make recommendations relating to these complaints and help with dispute resolution.
Investigations will be treated anonymously if requested.
Since its establishment in 2017, the OSBC has recovered almost £8million owed to small businesses due to poor payment practices in larger firms.
The OSBC’s casework team can be contacted by phone or email. All enquiries will be scrutinised, and an initial response should be provided within two working days. Email the team at email@example.com, or call to speak to a caseworker on 0121 695 7770.
Further help and information can also be found on the SBC website.


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BAPE BEGINNINGS is a new fitness app from BAPE, the new owners of the brand BAPE.BAPE’s BAPEBODY app is the company’s answer to the BAPE fitness tracker and BAPE+ products.BASEBASE uses the Bape body image sensor, and is an all-in-one app that is designed to allow BAPE users to track their BAPE bodies.
The app is a mix of a BAPE Body tracker and the BASEBATE app, and allows users to share their own BAPE body image.
The BAPE and BASE BODY apps are free to download from the BAPTEST app store, and the company has already started selling the BATEBODY fitness tracker for around $100.
The company has also announced that it is launching a new BAPE brand, BAPE Sports, which is set to launch in the coming weeks.
In a statement to ABC News, BAPtester CEO Scott Jones said the new app was a big step for the brand.
“It will allow us to bring more BAPE brands to the masses,” he said.
“We are committed to delivering a Bape product that is not only a great fit for everyone, but also a fun, family-friendly app that helps our customers stay fit and fit for life.”
This is a major step in the right direction for BAPE.”BAPE also announced the launch of the BAGE Fitness app, which will allow users to easily create and share their Bape workouts.
It will also feature BAPE workout videos, and an option to share BAPE photos with other BAPE members.


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When Panasonic recently chose Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners as its new agency, it said it had looked for a partner that could fulfill its “every point of contact” (EPOC) criteria. Now that media-agnostic philosophy is being tested as KP+B rolls out its first campaign for the client.
“We wanted to find an agency that seemed to be well versed and experienced in working in all the elements, and was able to work with other [agencies] to provide services and capabilities [when necessary],” said Gene Kelsey, VP of brand strategy group at Panasonic Consumer Electronics.
The partnership’s initial campaign focuses on pairing the brand’s plasma TVs with other consumer electronic products. Though Panasonic’s market-leading line of plasma TVs are in the spotlight, a secondary message communicates how the TV acts as a gateway to other media like photos, home video and art. One creative demonstrates how an SD card with photos can be read directly by the plasma set, for example.
“It’s mostly focused on the plasma. The impression we want to give is a two-level story,” said Kelsey. “One is about the plasma at the center of the HD lifestyle, and how it’s related to all the things you can use to enhance the experience. At the same time we highlight the products you can use as well.”
Initial media buys include online placements Yahoo Tech, where Panasonic is one of three charter sponsors; on CNET; on NYTimes.com and on USA Today’s online sites. Kirshenbaum’s Media Kitchen handled the media buying for the campaign.
Each creative execution points to a site tied to the campaign which is also easily accessed through Panasonic’s front page. The site, developed by Renegade Marketing in conjunction with Kirshenbaum Bond, is reminiscent of the creative used in the print, Web and TV placements, according to Kelsey. It centers on the plasma display, with information on how it can be used for other applications like a photo album, home video, art gallery and home monitoring system. It also discusses the benefits of a high-definition TV set and the product’s ability to sync with a home theater setup.
The campaign will be most heavy through the end of June, with lighter coverage over the summer months. Kelsey said that Panasonic recognizes the spring as a peak time to promote electronics. Graduations, vacations and extra outdoor time in nicer weather lend themselves to cameras and video cameras. The timing also works for televisions, especially HD sets, due to the occurrence of key sporting events like the Stanley Cup, NASCAR, India 500, NBA and the World Cup.
“There’s a lot of interesting key television opportunities here to promote product around,” Kelsey said.
A lot of cool stuff is happening with email today. As an email marketer doing your job day in and day out, ... read more
Despite the fact that it faces growing competition from Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, Google-owned YouTube is still one of the most popular ... read more


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Washington, DC, February 26, 2021—Personal income increased $1,954.7 billion (10.0%) in January, according to estimates released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Today's Flooring News
Keep up to date with the most recent news in the flooring industry. Today's News...As it happens! We update this news several times a day so you can stay connected.
New York, NY, February 26, 2021—U.S. household income jumped 10% in January as the government delivered stimulus payments to households, and consumer spending rose 2.4%, priming the economy for a burst in growth this year, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Chicago, IL, February 26, 2021—NeoCon is pleased to announce a topical new virtual programming series that builds off the show’s 2021 theme “Design Anew” and leads into the in-person event scheduled for October 4 to 6 at theMART in Chicago.
Washington, DC, February 25, 2021-Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 4.1% in Q4 2020, according to the second estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Washington, DC, February 25, 2021—New orders for manufactured durable goods in January increased $8.5 billion or 3.4% to $256.6 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau announced.
Washington, DC, February 25, 2021—The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) dropped 2.8% to 122.8 in January, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Coeur D’alene, ID, February 25, 2021-Idaho-based commercial and residential flooring and interior company Great Floors is celebrating a significant milestone this year: a half century in business.
Norwalk, CT, February 25, 2021—The WSLA Alumnae Group announced that entries have opened for the seventh annual WSLA Awards.
Dalton, GA, February 25, 2021-CARE's California Carpet Stewardship Program has awarded two additional Capital Improvement Grants under Cycle 4A Round 2, totaling $325,000.
Dalton, GA, February 25, 2021-Shaw's president, Tim Baucom, was featured in the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute's second installment of Five In Ten.


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The Dublin Liberties Distillery has opened its new $16m state-of-the-art whiskey distillery. The development of the new distillery has seen a complete renovation of a 400-year-old building, preserving its original architecture and façade.
The distillery combines traditional distillation practices with modern technology. It also has a unique natural spring water source on site that they use in the distilling process. The Dublin Liberties Distillery has also allowed for daily tours around the working distillery. Giving tourists an up-close view of their modern Irish whisky making process.
Darryl McNally’s (Master Distiller at The Dublin Liberties Distillery) desire to push the boundaries of the Irish whiskey category inspired Quintessential Brands founders, Warren Scott and Enzo Visone, to join with him to build a distillery to match his vision.
They were subsequently joined by Stock Spirits, a leading owner and producer of premium branded spirits in Central and Eastern Europe and Italy, who bought a 25% equity stake in the distillery and its brands in July 2017.
Darryl McNally said, “I believe the future for Irish whiskey is in innovation and pushing the boundaries, and that’s what I’ll be working with the team here to deliver. We’re inspired by the past, but not bound by it, and happy to show the world just how diverse Irish whiskey can be.”
The new distillery has coincidentally opened as the Irish whiskey category continues to soar worldwide. The growth rate of Irish whiskey sales is increasing faster than almost any other category in the global spirits sector today.
The Dubliner and The Dublin Liberties brands are currently sold in more than 30 markets around the world with sales in excess of 37,000 cases (9L) in 2018. They have ambitions to sell upwards of 50,000 cases globally in the year ahead.


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Victoria’s Exit Brewing have been busy during the state’s lockdown period as they unveil a bold new retro logo and beer can designs today.
People will get their first taste of the rebrand from October 1 when the Dandenong South brewery release their IPA and Double IPA (previously a seasonal, now a member of their core range) in the new look cans. The brewery will then phase in the new designs across its entire range over the coming six months – which will include the addition of a new mid-strength beer before the end of the year. The brewery have also announced a new motto of ‘Time for a quick Exit’.
The rebrand was done by Collingwood design studio Small Fortunes, who have also worked with the likes of Pirate Life, Lost Palms and Dainton.
“This year has made us all consider what’s important to us and how we want to be represented as a brand,” said Grum Knight, Exit’s owner.
“We’re based in Victoria and so have used this time in extended lockdown to really contemplate who we are as a brand and what we want for the future.
“This has led us down a nostalgic path which is reflected in the design, alongside demonstrating our honest, friendly and reliable approach to beer making.”
Founded in 2014, Exit’s original designs reflected the I.T background of the founders. However, Exit said they wanted a refreshed look that aligned with the values of the company to create a simpler, more modern and approachable look.
“We wanted to update the design to reflect the changing craft beer market and our evolving Exit customer,” Grum said.
“It was about going back to basics with the look. We wanted it to be clean and simple, whilst also standing out on the busy craft beer shelf.”
The four lines that create the basis for the new packaging design were inspired by ‘exit pathways’ and also represent the four key ingredients that make beer. Exit said they will also feature key tasting descriptors alongside every beer in the range to “further emphasise quality and the no b.s approach the brand is renowned for”.
“It’s a more refined look with a retro feel that we hope will resonate with customers, old and new,” Grum said.
“We chose to go down a path that heroes the quality of our beer, as we know this is why we have such a loyal following.”
Contact Beer & Brewer by clicking here to share your news and views.


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Rulings about disputed ads from the Council of Better Business Bureaus' National Advertising Division traditionally haven't generated much fuss. They don't carry fines and often deal with ads that have completed their runs.
But some of its rulings now appear to be playing a vital role in spawning class-action lawsuits.
Recent NAD decisions faulting claims by Procter & Gamble's Crest Sensitivity toothpaste and Johnson & Johnson's Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair cream have been cited by plaintiffs' attorneys in three recent federal lawsuits—two against P&G, one against J&J. (The two companies have said their ad claims were adequately supported, both before the NAD and in answers to the lawsuits.)
In the past two months, attorneys have cited NAD decisions in federal suits concerning POM Wonderful juice ad claims and a California chef who said that his foie gras was sourced "humanely."
While those two cases cited 3- to 5-year-old decisions, NAD's findings against P&G and J&J made their way into class-action complaints within one to two months.
NAD decisions have contributed to lawsuits in the past, but rarely, Lawrence Weinstein, a lawyer with Proskauer Rose in New York, wrote on the InsideCounsel blog. He called the Crest suit one of the top-five developments in advertising law last year and the potential start of a disturbing trend.
That NAD, established in 1971 as an industry self-regulatory body to help avert litigation, has become a tool for plaintiffs' attorneys is something the organization also finds troubling.
Class-action lawyers have historically focused on "big consumer concerns, like big tobacco, phen phen, asbestos, cleaning up the Gulf after the oil spill," said NAD Director Andrea Levine. "It's unfortunate that enough of the class-action bar is looking for cases that they would be moving into advertising. ... Then the class action isn't about fixing the advertising or protecting the public, but because there are so many sales and so many consumers that there's money there."
She said that she's concerned the threat of class-action litigation may discourage advertisers from participating in NAD cases. "That's a terrible thing for consumers, because they won't have the benefit of having the advertising affected," she said. "I'm hoping it's not lucrative enough [for plaintiffs' attorneys] to encourage it to go a lot further."
NAD findings are turning up in false-advertising class-action suits for reasons other than the overall increase in such litigation.
One reason is that its published decisions have become far more detailed over the past decade. The one- or two-page rulings of the 1990s can now be 15 pages or more, and often include descriptions of research and contrary research, or critical evaluations by NAD staff and outside experts.
Two U.S. Supreme Court rulings last year also likely played a role. They made it harder for class actions based on limited evidence to survive motions for early dismissal. Evidence presented in NAD proceedings can help plaintiffs leap the initial hurdle in false-advertising suits and make it to discovery, where they can subpoena records and try for more lucrative settlements, said Chris Cole, a lawyer with Manatt Phelps & Phillips in Washington.
Some advertisers may push to settle before going to NAD or try private arbitration, which won't generate records readily available to plaintiffs' attorneys, Mr. Cole said.
Challengers brought fewer cases to NAD last year—only 60, vs. 85 in 2010. Ms. Levine said the higher number may be attributable to the more-aggressive comparative-advertising claims and challenges resulting from the recession.
When competitive challenges decline, NAD staff step up self-initiated cases based on their own monitoring, Ms. Levine said. That was the case with an ad for Cover Girl mascara, which she spotted in an issue of People magazine (P&G pulled the ad after a NAD challenge that it had digitally enhanced Taylor Swift's eyelashes.)
"We definitely are starting to bring in more cosmetic companies," Ms. Levine said. That industry has "been very poor at challenging one another's claims."


text: In the year since Mercy For Animals released the latest in a long series of undercover investigations exposing criminal animal abuse at Tyson Foods, dozens of major food companies—including Subway, Burger King, Chipotle, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Jack in the Box, Aramark, Compass Group, and Applegate—have publicly committed to chicken welfare policies that ban cruel practices Tyson still inflicts on billions of birds! Nearly 600,000 consumers have signed our petitions asking Tyson to stop torturing chickens, but Tyson has yet to implement the commonsense standards that would prevent unimaginable animal suffering. This is unacceptable and must change. Please call on Tyson to join dozens of other companies in pledging to meet the chicken welfare standards laid out by Global Animal Partnership and replace live-shackle slaughter with multi-step controlled-atmosphere processing systems that eliminate the horrific suffering caused by shackling, shocking, and slitting the throats of conscious animals. Share this petition and visit TysonTorturesAnimals.com to take action.


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Appealing to consumption in traditional commerce was the objective of the campaign “Christmas is in Local Commerce”, promoted by the Municipality of Odemira in partnership with 84 merchants of the county. On January 17, at 18h00, in the Building of the City Hall, will be promoted the prize draw among consumers who made purchases in the stores adhering to the campaign, worth more than 10 €, between December 1, 2019 and January 6, 2020.
As 1st prize will be a two person cruise trip, 2nd prize will be an electric bike, 3rd prize will be a laptop and 4th prize will be a television. Shopping vouchers worth € 200 (5th prize), € 150 (6th prize), € 100 (7th prize), € 50 (from 8th to 13th prize) and € 30 (from 14th to 18th prize) will also be drawn.
When shopping at establishments that adhere to the “Christmas is in Local Commerce” Campaign, the customer was entitled to participation passwords, with a password for purchases between 10 € and 49.99 €, two passwords between 50 € and 74.99 € and three passwords for purchases worth more than 75 €.
On January 17 will also be known the winners of the Christmas Store Contest, promoted by the Municipality of Odemira, with the participation of 30 stores. The winning showcase businessman will receive a trip to Barcelona for two people as a prize. The 2nd and 3rd prize will be an iPad, the 4th and 5th prize will be a boat trip on the Mira River, with local produce baskets from 6th to 10th place being awarded.


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Leading marketing technology business Mention Me, currently running the referral programmes for 400+ leading International brands, announces its first senior hire for their Paris office.
Mention Me announces appointment of French General Manager
Brands need to offer more than discounts to attract Black Friday shoppers
We’ve compiled our third annual research report on Black Friday shopping trends based on the responses of 2,000 British consumers*. Exploring the sentiment, shopping habits, and key considerations surrounding Black Friday, it presents essential insight into how brands can capitalise on this retail landmark event.
Meet the people French consumers trust more than their partners
If your influencer marketing strategy is focussed on filtered Instagram stars with millions of followers, you could be missing a trick. Our latest research into customer advocacy in France shows the real influencers on consumer buying decisions are those closer to home: our friends.
We’re in Lafayette’s Plug and Play programme (and we’re very excited about it)
Following a competitive pitching process that whittled 173 startups down to 17, Mention Me has been selected to be in Lafayette’s Plug and Play startup accelerator programme.
Mention Me wins Bronze Stevie Award for Customer Service Team of the Year
Earlier this week, we received some exciting news: our Customer Service teams have won a Bronze Stevie® Award!


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- Posted by Bali Legals
- On October 4, 2021
Indonesia is looking potentially at reopening Bali to accepting international tourists in the coming months.
The provincial government has said it’s expecting arrivals from countries that have previously contributed large amounts of tourists to the island in the past.
“We have noticed several countries based on the visitors length of stay in Bali. There are around four countries, the US, the UK, Germany, and Russia,on average have stayed two weeks in Bali,”
Hopefully soon their will be a system put in place to accept these travelers into Bali


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Pierre Bergé: The Man Who Co-Founded Yves Saint Laurent
By: Valeria Ramos
Four days ago, French businessman and co-founder of Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Bergé passed away after a long illness at the age of 86. The fashion world has since offered their words of tribute to the man who was not only a partner to Yves Saint Laurent in business and life but played a tremendous role in the company’s success as well.
An active developer of several organizations focused on fashion, Bergé was the founding president of an institution dedicated to preserving the work of the Saint Laurent house.
According to a recent article by the New York Times, sales at YSL soared under the guidance and dedication of Bergé, primarily due to the inclusion of ready-to-wear clothing. His business management skills even landed him a prestigious position overseeing several opera houses in Paris. Bergé’s interests were not limited to fashion and opera, however, as he was never one to shy away from politics.
Bergé advocated for gay rights and donated millions to AIDS research. He also contributed generously to S.O.S Racisme, an organization dedicated to defending minority rights in France.
Due to his continuous work in fashion, Bergé’s legacy will live on in the Saint Laurent house long after his passing. Designer Diane von Furstenburg expressed her appreciation for Bergé and his final achievements with the opening of a YSL museum in his and Yves’ adoptive home of Morocco.
“With Pierre gone, the 20th century’s world of fashion has ended. Pierre was a huge force and voice, and I am happy that he was able to put his last efforts into the Yves Saint Laurent museum that will open in a few weeks in Marrakech,” she said.
The success this duo achieved in establishing the eponymous fashion house cannot be doubted, as the label would not be what it is today had it not been for their work and creativity.
Francesca Bollettini, CEO of Yves Saint Laurent said the house was founded “with creativity at the heart,” which she believes was fundamental to their accomplishments.
Bollettini praised Bergé for the passion he expressed for his career. “He believed that art, fashion, and culture could change lives and the way we live,” she said.
Bergé’s approach to fashion was one rooted in authenticity. Pascal Morand, president of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode, expressed just how important Bergé’s impact was, not only for Yves Saint Laurent, but for the fashion world in general.
“He was fully aware of the transformation of society and the role of fashion. He played such a big role himself in favoring moves for the sake of humanistic values, respect of diversity, and self-accomplishment of people,” said Morand. “
Fashion was at the heart of his identity, in the sense that for him, as a societal matter it had to be substantially linked to culture.”
It is refreshing to have seen a businessman like Bergé in fashion, whose focus was a success not only in profit but in creativity and fulfillment as well. That is what makes the house of Saint Laurent prosperous to this day.


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The Wet Lab is hosting a medicinal chemistry lecture on Thursday Jan 19th from 6:30pm – 7:30pm at the San Diego Central Library. Dr. Ben Naman from UCSD/Scripps Institute of Oceanography will discuss how various natural products can be used to improve human wellness.
We are truly surrounded by chemicals – in the air that we breathe and the food that we eat, are added to foods, consumer product goods, and define our system of medicine. Dr. Naman will examine the ways that researchers study the chemistry of our natural environment, in sources ranging from essential oils to dietary supplements and from domestic or tropical plants to algae and bacteria in the ocean.
This event is part of the San Diego Wetlab’s citizen science lecture series held every first Tuesday at 6:30pm at the La Jolla Library and every third Thursday at 6:30pm at the Downtown Library. Please check the San Diego library system events page for location details and changes in the upcoming schedule.


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At CES this year we got to take a look at the mysterious Sony "Hybrid" concept PC behind glass and we thought that the convertible tablet looked like it held some promise. However, we were told that the tablet was just a prototype, "merely to show Sony's design prowess." According to Pocketnow, Sony might actually release the computer under the VAIO U moniker — a name that's long belonged to the company's ultra-mobile PC line.
The site has posted what appears to be a print advertisement for the convertible tablet, and it looks like the design has undergone some changes from the prototype we originally saw. The stylus holder has disappeared from the front of the keyboard, the bezel appears to be larger, and the entire system looks quite a bit chunkier. We still think the device would be a good fit for Windows 8, so we'd hope that if Sony is going to bring the tablet to market, it'd be sometime after the release of Microsoft's new, touch-friendly desktop OS. See our gallery below from CES of the Sony Hybrid prototype.
Update: While the VAIO U in the leaked picture shares a similar form factor to the Hybrid prototype we saw at CES, some commenters (thanks!) have correctly pointed out that the design is identical to a device called the "Freestyle Hybrid PC." It was teased alongside the Sony Tablet S1 and S2 (renamed the S and P, respectively) reveal in April of last year, and it was shown off alongside an "Ultimate Mobile PC" that later became the VAIO Z. It's possible this leaked ad is an old mockup, or maybe Sony is prepping the VAIO U for a release on Windows 8. We'll let you know when we hear more.


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The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has exacerbated global differences, and poor international logistics and transportation have hindered global cooperation and accelerated the brewing of a full-scale crisis. Of course, the current crisis is not one-sided, but a comprehensive one. Artificial intelligence robots accelerate labor substitution, capitalist oversupply and insufficient demand, the supply chain crisis caused by the epidemic, the inflation of raw materials caused by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the forced labor by the Federal Reserve. Rate hikes are the result of multiple crises that dampen the stock market. At present, there are problems in the global supply chain, and global demand is further reduced, which shows that orders have dropped significantly. Suspension of production, holidays, lack of orders, intermittent resumption of work, etc. are becoming hot topics recently.
Recently, news of the "order shortage" of Chinese manufacturing factories has appeared in the newspapers, and the Vietnamese factories that had previously had so many orders and even queued up to the end of the year began to "short of orders". Many factories reduced overtime hours and began to suspend production and holiday. Even the Samsung factory, a well-known electronics company, has been affected. When the new crown epidemic was the worst last year, business activities were even more active, but now it is sluggish. At present, a series of industrial manufacturing countries such as Germany, India, Vietnam, and Bangladesh have begun to experience trade deficits, and they have experienced a cliff-like drop in orders!
As a major investor in Vietnam, Samsung Group is not only the country's largest foreign investor but also Vietnam's largest exporter, with one company contributing one-fifth of Vietnam's exports. Now that Samsung is facing depression, it has also ruthlessly exposed the contrasting status of many countries in Southeast Asia recently.
Some time ago, the Vietnamese factories that were unable to recruit workers and were full of orders are now running out of orders. Vietnamese media express reported that after six months of a strong recovery in the first half of the year, many factories began to lack orders in the second half of the year, and had to shorten production time, stop hiring, and reduce labor.
In the second quarter, the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war, rising oil prices, and the epidemic... had an impact on people's global consumption habits. Purchasing power for fashion apparel products has plummeted, inventories are unsellable, and brands are not signing new orders. Some factories have no orders, forcing them to recalculate appropriate labor plans.
A factory manager in Vietnam said that the factory is still operating normally, but orders will be lost from September to October. According to the plan, the company will arrange for workers to take vacations at the same time, and in conjunction with the National Day holiday, the factory will stop production for 8 days. Then, depending on the situation, the company arranges for workers to take Saturdays off to reduce overtime. Worker earnings are expected to decrease by 10-20%.
Mr. Tran Viet Anh, the vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association, said that industries such as electronics, textiles, footwear and apparel, wood, steel and other industries are also facing many difficulties due to the decline in purchasing power in key markets. This year, the market has been "deserted" a lot, factories have a lot of inventory, and there are still no buyers after price cuts. Companies have to reschedule production activities and reduce working hours. At present, the factory mainly reduces overtime and annual leave. Next time, however, the workload will not be enough for workers to work 8 hours a day for a week.
Affected by the global economic recession, the Indian textile industry has felt gusts of cold wind. Clothing and home textile export orders from the US and Europe fell by around 15%-20% as Western retail brands faced slow demand. In Panipat, an important home textile production hub, there are signs that export orders have fallen by as much as 40 percent. It is reported that inflation and rising interest rates caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war are the reasons for the recession and the decline in export orders.
According to data released by the Indian Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in June 2022, the export volume of cotton yarn, fabrics, finished products, and handloom products fell by 19.49% to 962 million US dollars; the overall export of cotton textiles fell by 14.30% to 1.699 billion yuan.
Industry sources said importers from Western countries not only reduced orders for the next season but also delayed deliveries of previous orders. Retail sales in Western countries have slowed sharply due to high inflation. The warehouse is full of unsold goods.
Exporters in Panipat said they received 40 percent fewer export orders for home textiles than last year after attending a trade fair in Germany in June. Ramesh Verma, an exporter of Panipat and a member of the Handloom Export Promotion Council, said that big companies and retail brands from the United States and Europe purchased a lot of home textile products last year, but retail sales were still very weak. As a result, they have to buy less, and exporters have fewer orders for the next season.
Overall, since the second quarter of 2022, Southeast Asia's cotton textile and apparel industries have fallen into the predicament of "upside-down" production and sales, declining orders, and cotton consumption apparently peaking and falling. According to the Pakistan Textile Mills Association, the textile industry will not only reduce its output by more than 50% due to the shutdown of production but will also be forced to borrow $6 billion overseas due to energy supply and cost constraints; at the same time, it will face the risk of losing orders, customers, default losses and other risks.
Recently, clothing orders in Bangladesh, a South Asian country, have fallen sharply. Bangladesh, the world's second-biggest garment exporter after China, also faces the risk of a surge in costs that could hamper its recovery from the pandemic.
Suppliers to U.S. apparel giant PVH and Inditex SA's Zara said its new orders for July were down 20 percent from a year earlier. It also said that retailers in the European and U.S. markets are either delaying finished product shipments or delaying orders
Soaring inflation in export destinations has had a serious impact on local foreign trade exporters. In addition, the euro weakened against the dollar, making Bangladesh's exports less attractive. It is reported that the garment industry accounts for more than 10% of the country's GDP and employs 4.4 million people. Therefore, the decline in clothing orders is a risk to the Bangladeshi economy.
Data released by the German Federal Statistical Office showed that due to the reduction in new orders outside the eurozone, after adjusting for seasons and working days, German industrial new orders fell by 0.4% month-on-month in June this year, the fifth consecutive month-on-month decline. German new orders from abroad in June decreased by 1.4% month-on-month; new orders from outside the euro area decreased by 4.3% month-on-month. In addition, the German Federal Statistical Office adjusted German industrial new orders in May this year from an initial increase of 0.1% month-on-month to a month-on-month decrease of 0.2%.
The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection issued a statement on the same day, saying that due to the crisis in Ukraine, the shortage of natural gas and the uncertainty brought about by international logistics, the demand for new industrial orders will continue to be weak, and the industrial economy will continue to be sluggish in the future.
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