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Uber is in advanced talks to acquire part of the team behind Luxe, one of San Francisco’s parking-on-demand startups, a source familiar with the discussions told Business Insider.
Luxe is looking to sell part of its engineering team and some of the technology behind its on-demand parking business. CEO Curtis Lee would not join Uber as part of the proposed deal, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported the news.
Uber declined to comment. Luxe did not respond to a request for comment.
Known for its blue-jacketed valets, Luxe raised more than $US75 million — including $US50 million from car rental company Hertz — to expand its service.
The company initially planned to offer its service on-demand. In much the same way that they’d call an Uber, customers could tap on Luxe’s app when they needed a car parked. Luxe would then track their location as they arrived at their destination, whether it was at a restaurant for an evening dinner or at an office for a regular workday.
But that business model faltered as the company started buying up parking garages and becoming more of a traditional valet service that operated outside businesses. It eventually shuttered its on-demand parking app and said it would be regrouping the company for a different parking service that it planned to announce later this summer.
Luxe isn’t the first on-demand company to face challenges as it tried to scale. Zirx shut down its consumer parking service to focus on enterprise customers, while another startup, Carbon, shut down entirely in 2015.


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Aluminum prices recovered from the November plunge to $2,507 and stabilized around $2,726. Prices are still well off their autumn peak of $3,229, but there is something that could push aluminum prices to local highs.
For example, the market could experience a persisting shortage of global aluminum supply with stable demand for metal from industry and the manufacturing sector. Such a deficit is also facilitated by a decrease in aluminum output, for instance, in China, which is combating harmful emissions and monitoring environmental issues. As long as this situation remains in play, aluminum prices could rise by 5-10%.
That said, a risk factor is a large amount of aluminum that was placed in storage in Vietnam during a US anti-dumping investigation against a Chinese businessman. The 1.8 mln ton stockpile of aluminum is owned by GVA, and only a tiny amount can be released for the company’s production needs, since the stockpile cannot be used or sold yet. On the one hand, the stockpile has long been in storage, and if the investigation is completed, aluminum would likely be sold off as scrap metal, which would not affect global prices. But what if that does not happen? Then the entire stockpile could be put up for sale on the open market, which, in theory, could cause aluminum prices to plunge by 25%.

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The transition to digital streaming services has exploded over the last few years. Previously, fans would have to tune in each week for their favorite shows or live TV events, but it seems as though entertainment sources are realizing the value of 24/7 streaming capabilities. Now, new trends have emerged where producers simply upload entire seasons of a show all at once or offer a one-time payment to watch a specific sporting event.
As this trend has taken off, other global cable and satellite television companies have noticed a decline in their services. ESPN has experienced firsthand this increase in households forgoing cable packages as they are rapidly losing customers. As of 2015, ESPN lost around 7 million subscribers in the previous two years, meaning they left about $1.3 billion in subscriber revenue on the table. Sadly, ESPN predicted steady cable company growth overtime like usual, but now they seem to have learned their lesson and are making a move towards streaming.
“There have been some losses due to cord cutting,” acknowledged John Skipper, President of ESPN. “ESPN has been hit doubly hard by this trend because some consumers have been trading down to smaller packages that don’t include ESPN.”
This is why ESPN is preparing to reveal its own streaming TV package that won’t require a cable subscription. Of course, entering this market will make ESPN a little fish in a giant pond, so they do not intend to include their prime content like basketball or football. Instead, it will aim to include “niche leagues” and “possibly some types of college sports.”
“Rights are not an issue. It can be done… but there are issues we face doing it. Pricing is one of them,” commented Disney CEO Bob Iger. Clearly, ESPN majority shareholders want to ensure a profit will be realized with making this huge switch to streaming.
ESPN’s goal with the new service is to convince fans who currently do not have to a cable package to solely consume their sports media in this new proposed digital streaming service. This idea reflects those of other streaming services that offer programming you can get on TV, such as HBO Now and Hulu. With this business model, ESPN may effectively make people switch directly from their cable bundle to streaming.
In order to successfully make this jump, ESPN must accept that cable TV is dying. They may already offer quality services like WatchESPN, but using that service requires cable subscription credentials, and that is exactly what consumers are trying to avoid. Cord cutting has become an unavoidable truth in this industry, so ESPN making this small move poses incremental growth for the future of streaming sports.


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The pandemic has accelera-ted adoption of new, digital ways of working practices, says Cognizant survey
Indian firms are most bullish on embracing digital ways of working as 52% agreed the pandemic had accelerated the adoption of digital ways of work practices.
A recent market study by Cognizant reveals that while most Asian businesses were quick to respond to the pandemic, Indian companies weathered through the pandemic much better than most of their regional and western counterparts. Only 36% of companies in India (compared to the regional average of 44%) experienced slightly negative to a very negative impact on their business performance in 2020.
Cognizant’s Center for the Future of Work surveyed 4,000 senior executives (1,200 from Asia Pacific and the Middle East, including 160 in India) across 23 countries and 14 industries: BFSI, consumer goods, education, healthcare (including both payers and providers), information services, insurance, life sciences, manufacturing, media and entertainment, oil and gas, retail, transportation and logistics, travel and hospitality, and utilities.
*Indian firms are most bullish on embracing digital ways of working as 52% agreed the pandemic had accelerated the adoption of digital ways of work practices.
* Indian companies currently generate 12% of the total revenue from digital channels (highest among APAC countries). By the end of 2023, they aim to take their digital-driven revenues to 17%.
*The top three forces that will have a strong impact on work in India by 2023 are hyper-connectivity as billions of people, machines, and devices become connected (49%), concerns about security and privacy relating to business practices (46%), and process automation (44%).
* Top five skills that will become more important in 2023: decision-making (62%), analytical (54%), learning (55%), strategic thinking (54%), and communication (54%).
* Top three technologies that companies are leveraging to augment business processes are AI (40%), Sensors/ IoT (35%), and big data/ analytics (35%).
“Although the digital revolution is 74 years old, it’s kicking into second gear now,” said Manish Bahl, assistant vice president, Center for the Future of Work, Asia Pacific, Cognizant. “The first phase saw the dominance of big tech giants in West leading the global digital agenda. The second phase will be marked by AI, automation, analytics and IoT—all of which are more aligned with industry and business strengths in Apac.”


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Ben & Jerry's' corporate owner found a workaround to sell ice cream in the West Bank
ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:
A year after Ben & Jerry's said it would no longer sell its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, its corporate owner, Unilever, has found a new way to keep sales going. It's selling its Israeli Ben & Jerry's operation to the local company that's been distributing it all along. NPR's Daniel Estrin reports.
DANIEL ESTRIN, BYLINE: Ben & Jerry's Israeli manufacturer makes kosher Chunky Monkey, Cherry Garcia and even made a special flavor for Passover. Their ice cream is also sold in the occupied West Bank, including Israeli settlements. In the U.S., Ben & Jerry's faced a campaign from pro-Palestinian activists last year and decided to pull out of the West Bank in protest of what its founders called an occupation that violates the human rights of Palestinians. That led to a dispute with Avi Zinger, the owner of Ben & Jerry's Israeli manufacturer, and it prompted anger from Israeli officials.
YAIR LAPID: (Speaking Hebrew).
ESTRIN: Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, called it a disgraceful surrender to anti-Semitism, which the Jewish ice cream company's founders denied. Several U.S. states divested their pension funds from Ben & Jerry's parent company, Unilever. Today, Unilever announced a workaround to keep the ice cream in the West Bank.
LIOR HAIAT: I think this is a huge victory for Israel over the boycott organization.
ESTRIN: Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Lior Haiat. Unilever sold its business interests to the Israeli manufacturer. The details are convoluted, and it's part of a larger debate about the complexities of putting economic pressure on Israel.
Omar Shakir works for Human Rights Watch and advised Ben & Jerry's on its position against sales in the West Bank. He sees something positive in the deal.
OMAR SHAKIR: Unilever has tried to undermine the Ben & Jerry's decision by selling that business to an Israeli distributor or supplier. But that, you know, does not change the reality that Ben & Jerry's isn't operating, isn't doing business, you know, in settlements.
ESTRIN: Ben & Jerry's flavors and brand name will stay the same, just won't appear in English. Ben & Jerry's in the U.S. will get to say it's not selling in the West Bank, an Israeli company is. And Israelis in the West Bank will get to still have their Ben & Jerry's ice cream and eat it, too. Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC) Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.


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New data shows an increase in emergency room (ER) treatment for certain product-related injuries such as button batteries, fireworks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and skateboards during the pandemic. Although ER treatment for all product-related injuries decreased by 24%, perhaps due to consumers avoiding hospitals overrun with COVID-19 cases, ER treatment only dropped by 1% for the most severe injuries.
The CPSC released a report last week analyzing product-related ER visits during the first six months of the pandemic from March to September 2020 compared with March to September 2019. Injuries related to button batteries rose significantly (93%) among young children ages 5-9. Ingestion of these batteries, such as those found in TV remotes, can cause severe tissue burns and death.
The largest increases in ER-treated injuries across all age ranges occurred with fireworks and flares (56%), skateboards, scooters, and hoverboards (39%), and ATVs, mopeds, and minibikes (39%). ER-treated injuries related to cleaning agents rose by 84%, while injuries related to soaps and detergents rose by 60%, including liquid laundry packets, which pose a severe ingestion hazard for small children as well as seniors.
The CPSC’s report offers safety tips for consumers:
- Keep cleaning products in their original bottles. Lock them up and away from younger
- Wear a helmet before riding a scooter, skateboard, hoverboard, or bicycle. When buying a helmet look for the label that reads “Complies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standards for Bicycle Helmets.
- Don’t allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks, including sparklers.
- Keep products with small batteries, including TV remotes, away from kids, and make sure that the battery compartments on children’s toys are secured properly.
View CPSC’s key highlights of their report, and our consumer guide detailing common hazards at home that have been exacerbated during the pandemic while sheltering in place, that we created with CFA and U.S. PIRG.


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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores' proposal to take over vendor deliveries to its distribution centers could reduce its own costs but put pressure on its suppliers, analysts told SN last week. Wal-Mart has reportedly proposed taking over vendor deliveries utilizing its own truck fleet — reducing its shipping charges and those of vendors and passing those savings on to shoppers. The plan could also enable Wal-Mart to have more power in negotiating fuel prices. “This idea is a natural ...
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Today marks the day that Nokia has sold its navigation platform Nokia Here Maps to three German car manufacturers. How much exactly was Here sold for? €2.8bn or $3 billion USD to be more precise. Uber and Baidu teamed up to Here, but Audi, BMW, and Daimler beat those two companies in the end. The deal is expected to be finished by Q1 of 2016, so we should hopefully see some newer car models from the three companies with Here Maps pre-installed. I’ll say, it will save me time from pulling up the application on my phone. Equal shares will be held by the three manufacturers with neither of them wanting more shares than the other.
What’s the reasoning behind Audi, BMW, and Daimler to purchase Here? It will allow each company the technology to create a new system for assistance and an autopilot (self-driving) feature much like the cars of Google’s. It’ll also help modern day vehicles provide real time traffic by adding in cameras and sensors and location-based capabilities.
The new owners made a statement saying:
“The acquisition is intended to secure the long term availability of Here’s products and services as an open, independent and value creating platform for cloud-based maps and other mobility services accessible to all customers from the automotive industry and other sectors.”
So, as for now, customers will still be able to use Here Maps as usual without any kind of interruption with the merger in progress.
Nokia’s President and CEO Rajeev Suri said,
“Going forward, we will focus on our planned combination with Alcatel-Lucent. Once that is complete, Nokia will be a renewed company, with a world-leading network technology and services business, as well as the licensing and innovation engine of Nokia Technologies.”
As of right now Nokia only has its networking business and its Nokia Technologies left. The networking business will be merged with Alcatel-Lucent some time next year, while the latter is what was in charge of developing the new Ozo VR camera and the Nokia N1 tablet.
With Here Maps bought out by three German car manufacturers, do you think Here will only be updated and more so available in their vehicles, or still offered to mobile device and also getting any updates? Leave your comment below, or on Google+, Facebook, or Twitter.[button link=”http://www.zdnet.com/article/nokia-sells-here-maps-to-german-car-makers-for-2-8bn/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: ZDNet[/button]
Last Updated on November 27, 2018.


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By Prossy Nandudu & Stella Nannozi
Four heads of state have confirmed participation in the G-25 Coffee Summit slated for Monday, August 7, 2023 in Kampala.
Presidents of Ethiopia, Tanzania, Togo and Equatorial Guinea have confirmed attendance, while those of Angola, Malawi and Algeria are expected to send delegations, according to agriculture minister Frank Tumwebaze.
Tumwebaze made the revelations while briefing the media about the summit, on Thursday at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.
Other members of the 25 coffee-growing countries, include Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
Organised by the agriculture ministry, the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and the International Coffee Organisation (IACO), the summit will run under the theme: Transforming African Coffee Sector Through Value Addition.
In relation to the theme, Tumwebaze appealed to farmers to heed the President’s call to add value to coffee. He explained that as Uganda exported more bags of coffee last year and earned the country some good money, all that was exported were green beans.
“I wish to challenge farmers, processors and exporters to heed the president’s call so that whatever is exported is a finished product so we can create more jobs for our people,” he said.
In line with employment creation, Solomon Rutega, the secretary general of the International Coffee Organisation, said the session will also provide avenues on how youth unemployment can be addressed through the coffee value chain, adding that there is a ready market with the coming on board of the Continental Free Trade Area.
Some of the issues to be discussed during the summit, include challenges in coffee production, how to increase domestic consumption and support needed to add value for coffee among others.


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The Murray Percival Company Now Represents optical control’s Component Counting Technology
March 2018 — optical control GmbH & Co. KG, a world leader in automated component counting technology, today announced that it has signed on with The Murray Percival Company to represent its technology throughout the Midwest.
Vice President Mark Percival Sr. said, “We are pleased to be representing the optical-control line of component counting systems. The Murray Percival Co. prides itself with bringing equipment and materials that make assembling PCB’s profitable for our customers. Optical-control is yet another example of a solution that will make our customers job quicker and more effective. It will allow them to do a job in minutes that traditionally takes hours. Component inventory is a large investment for our customers so it is important to know exactly what they have in stock. Not having the correct components on hand can create costly line down situations and extended delivery time”
Exact inventory knowledge and permanent inventory is mandatory to increase productivity, for on-time delivery and an immediate reaction in case of bottlenecks. The entire SMT line is monitored, so monitoring and controlling inventory to run the lines is equally critical for the production process. The OC-SCAN®CCX.3 SMD counting machine simplifies electronic manufacturing work and gives exact, and precise control of inventory, and as a result, helps keeps lines running. The Murray Percival Company will represent this groundbreaking technology, effective immediately.
In 1960, Murray Percival Sr. was a pioneer servicing an emerging industry, one that has become a key component in the worldwide market of today’s manufactured goods. The Murray Percival Company is now a leading supplier to the Midwest’s electronics industry, offering thousands of products.
Today, The Murray Percival Company is includes Murray Sr’s three children, Murray Jr., Mark and Pam. The company is today managed by Murray Sr.’s three children, Murray Jr., Mark and Pam. And now representing a third generation are Murray III, Mark Jr and Matt. As a third-generation family-owned business, the company has evolved from a hardware provider to process enabler, delivering and utilizing cutting-edge tools and processes. For more information about the Murray Percival Company, visit www.murraypercival.com.
“Adding a team with a history and reputation such as the Percival company is an honor. Our fast start in North America has been without a doubt, tremendous and they have already hit the road running which will only add to our fast start” added Todd O’Neil, Leader of the North American team for optical control. “We look forward to a long relationship with the Murray Percival Co.
For more information, visit www.optical-control.com or email firstname.lastname@example.org.


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WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission Wednesday endorsed the idea of a “do not track” mechanism that would allow consumers to opt out of certain varieties of targeted online marketing that have gained popularity among retailers.
The endorsement was one piece of a larger preliminary staff report on consumer privacy in which the commission proposed a framework it says would simplify and streamline online privacy protections for consumers.
Among the issues addressed in the report is how consumer activity online can be tracked, stored and used by third parties to target ads to consumers. The commission said first-party marketing, where a company communicates directly with a user based on their purchases on its site, is not at issue.
What could be affected by the FTC proposals are practices like retargeting, where consumer activity online is tracked and used to serve ads up to potential customers after they’ve left a site. Most retailers have started using retargeting in the last year because it boosts conversion by several points. So, for example, if a Web surfer were to visit The New York Times after browsing at Saks, she might see a display ad for Saks on the Times’ Web site.
The FTC said the “do not track” function it suggests is likely to take the form of a “persistent setting” on consumers’ browsers that would allow consumers to opt out of having their information tracked and communicate that preference to Web sites.
The National Retail Federation is concerned about the potential impact of the policy on how retailers communicate with their consumers, said Mallory Duncan, senior vice president and general counsel for the industry group.
“Targeted ads are more likely to be for those things you’re interested in buying based on your behavior,” he said, which eliminates “cold” advertising for products that a consumer has no interest in.
The FTC is seeking comments on the report from industry stakeholders and any interested parties by the end of January. The report is seen as a preliminary indicator of where the agency could be headed on official guidelines.
A House subcommittee will hear testimony today from administration officials on whether the timing is right to introduce “Do Not Track” legislation.


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At this year's event, Valeo is proud to introduce its latest innovations, products and services as part of our commitment to improving driver and passenger safety, while accompanying industry professionals across the automotive aftermarket.
At this year’s Automechanika:
- Valeo is debuting its most comprehensive range of transmission systems ever. This range showcases the Group’s clutch expertise and the contributions made possible by Valeo’s acquisition in October 2017 of industry specialist FTE Automotive.
- The innovation challenge in the aftermarket also includes safety, which is why Valeo is also unveiling two new systems to improve driver visibility, now available on the replacement market:
- Valeo AquaBlade™ windshield wiper technology, which reduces braking distance.
- Valeo MatrixBeam headlights, which resolve the until now insurmountable problem of high beams blinding oncoming drivers.
- To support maintenance professionals, Valeo is making digital technology a priority in workshops and has in fact developed solutions with the input of front-line aftermarket operators. Valeo has consulted with over 600 professionals on three continents (Europe, Asia and South America) to implement new forms of assistance. Available on over 15 websites launched in 2018, these e-services help find the right part easily, get expert advice, gather detailed technical information and also incorporate a rewards program, which is unique for its simplicity. Valeo’s innovative digital services, particularly Valeo Tech@ssist and Valeo Specialist Club, exemplify the Group’s innovation strategy for the automotive aftermarket.
Come and visit us at Stand D91, Hall 3.0, and experience a live demonstration of our latest innovations, including the Agora AG0 - G10 in our Valeo on Tour display van. Our team of technical experts will be happy to provide you with information about our products and services, including solutions developed exclusively for workshops and garages.


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International pizza and pasta restaurant chain Vapiano is looking to branch out beyond London into Yorkshire and has set its sights on Leeds and Sheffield as key cities for the new concept chain.
Vapiano has swiftly built up a loyal following among younger diners who want very fresh food cooked in front of them at competitive prices.
They have also welcomed the chain’s card concept, whereby diners are given a card on entering the restaurant and they swipe it on a reader when they queue up to buy fresh pasta, pizza, salads or desserts.
They settle up individually on the way out, avoiding the hassle of splitting the bill at the end of the meal. The concept cuts costs and avoids a service charge, which means the chain can focus on generous portions which can be tailor-made to customers’ needs.
Main course prices range from £7 to £10.
The chain is aimed at twenty and thirtysomethings who don’t mind queuing for a few minutes in order to get their personalised order and who dislike the concept of having to book to go to a restaurant.
Vapiano operates over 140 restaurants worldwide in 29 countries and has two restaurants in London with a third opening in Soho in June.
Its UK managing director Phil Sermon said the group now wants to branch out to the rest of the UK and is looking at Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and Newcastle as its key target areas.
“We think we could have 20 restaurants in London and Leeds is of such a scale it could support two or three Vapianos,” he said.
The plan is to get to 50 Vapianos around the UK.
The restaurant works on a franchise basis. “There is an opportunity for a regional investor to get involved.
“We want their knowledge and passion for the city,” said Mr Sermon.
“We’d like to open in Yorkshire when we are confident we have the right franchise partner. The restaurant would open within a year of signing the franchise agreement.
“The most important thing is to get the right person.”
Mr Sermon said the group has a wide variety of franchisees.
“Some have come from other franchise businesses such as McDonalds. Others have experience of international business,” he said.
“They are making excellent returns.
“There is good demand for our franchises.”
Vapiano says it doesn’t necessarily target people in their 20s and 30s and it is open to all age groups, although visitors are noticeably younger than in rivals such as Pizza Express and Prezzo.


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The following employment changes were announced to the trucking industry the week of April 4, 2022:
- Yokohama Tire Corporation has promoted Ray Polentz to senior director of supply chain and logistics.
- Duane Polok of Southwest Truck Parts has died. He was 64.
- Truck-Lite has hired Aaron Justice as vice president of operations to lead manufacturing, supply chain and quality functions in the U.S.
- TransForce Group announced Jesus Bosque has joined the company as chief operating officer.
- Fleet Advantage announced, Katerina Jones, vice president, marketing and business development, has been named a 2022 Influential Business Woman by the South Florida Business Journal.
- Custom Truck One Source Inc. announced Vice Admiral Mary Jackson U.S. Navy (Retired) was appointed to its Board of Directors, filling a vacancy. Vice Admiral Jackson was also appointed to serve on both the Audit and Compensation Committees of Custom Truck’s board.


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Comprehensive vehicle history tops list for online trade buyers
Trade buyers place highest importance on a comprehensive vehicle history when acquiring used cars and vans online, new research from epyx indicates.
The survey of 157 online buyers found 88% named vehicle history as their number one factor, followed by the ability to choose from a wide range of vehicles on 80%, minimising auction fees on 68%, access to a large number of car brands in on 63% and access to expert account management on 47%.
Vicky Gardner, remarketing commercial manager at epyx, added that the firm is seeing an ongoing shift towards online buying.
She commented: “The advantages are just too strong for most trade buyers to ignore although most also continue to like to visit physical auctions on a regular basis because of the ‘feel’ that it gives them for the current state of the market.”


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NSLC launching new website for cannabis products, accessories
Access code needed to visit website will only be available to people 19 and over
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corp. will sell recreational cannabis online starting Oct. 17 to make it easier for customers to order products and access information.
Spokesperson Beverley Ware said the NSLC's new website will go live that day and will "be very much a mirror version" of the current site.
"It'll provide general information on cannabis, on our social responsibility programs and it'll also have specific product information, of what kind of products we will be carrying, price points and those types of things."
To explore the website and buy cannabis products, an online access code will be required.
"The federal legislation does not allow minors, those under the age of 19, to have access to this website," Ware said. "The access code is just one more step to help ensure that minors don't have access to the website."
The online code can be found on the back of an access code card, which will be available at all NSLC stores Oct. 17, free of charge. Customers must present valid photo ID to a clerk to obtain the access card.
The website will also feature a program called Need to Know, aimed at educating customers on how to consume and secure cannabis and warns against driving while high.
- A previous version of this story inaccurately stated the online access cards would be available for purchase at NSLC stores, however the cards are free of charge.Oct 10, 2018 7:37 AM AT


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By Roberto Alejandro, Editor-in-Chief
As is being widely reported, the Federal Communications Commission, under the leadership of Trump chairperson appointee Ajit Pai, has repealed rules designed to guarantee that all traffic on the internet is treated equally by broadband providers—the companies, like Comcast, that regular people sign up “for internet” with.
The debate over “net neutrality,” the term coined for the idea that all traffic should be treated the same by internet providers, has been raging for some time. There are, to my eye, two main reasons broadband providers think they should be able to treat different types of traffic differently. The first is that not all internet traffic is created equal. Internet bandwidth, like the number of lanes on a road, is limited, and content streaming companies like Netflix, to give an example, take up much more of that bandwidth than say, the site you are currently reading. You need more bandwidth to send a high definition movie to a user without a million and one buffering issues; whereas you need less bandwidth to send a print article like this one, even with images and whatever else.
Providers, therefore, have argued that they should be able to charge companies like Netflix more for the amount of bandwidth they take up, since that bandwidth is a limited resource which also costs money to maintain. This argument, however, is a bit misleading, because broadband providers already charge companies extra for delivering their content more expeditiously, it is simply that net neutrality rules required that Google and Netflix, for example, pay the same rate for that extra bandwidth they are each using, which limits the provider’s ability to negotiate a higher rate with one company if they think they can squeeze more cash out of them.
Not surprisingly, large tech companies like Google, Facebook, and Netflix, have generally come down on the side of net neutrality, not feeling they should have to pay more for internet bandwidth simply because they have been more successful at attracting users for their product(s). But these companies also had their start on the internet, and if it had not been for net neutrality, larger companies with whom they were competing at the time could have paid to ensure that startups like Netflix or Facebook did not have sufficient access to bandwidth to provide their service and grow into the behemoths they are today.
Of course, the second reason broadband providers are opposed to net neutrality, and what this is all likely truly about, is that it prevents them from further monetizing their broadband networks, by not only charging end users like their internet service customers, but by charging the companies producing the content being distributed via the web to those internet service customers, and being able to do so on an individually negotiated rather than set basis.
Yesterday, on Dec. 13, StayUp.News published a concert review of Lil Pump’s show at The Fillmore in Silver Spring, MD, on Dec. 5. Young artists like Lil Pump, or the $UICIDE BOY$, have used internet services like Soundcloud to release and distribute their music, often for free, and build followings that have blossomed into careers.
And while Soundcloud has helped artists like Chance the Rapper, as well as the aforementioned, insert themselves into the national consciousness, it has also struggled as a startup. Undoubtedly, music streaming is not as data-intensive as visual content streaming (think movies on Netflix), but what might become of the ability of young artists to pursue independent music careers if their fans cannot stream their music efficiently because Soundcloud cannot pay what Google or Facebook can for bandwidth due to its struggles? Or because broadband provider Y has made a deal with corporation X that is now throttling the speeds to everything else so corporation X can deliver its content faster than its competitors? Soundcloud, or an equivalent, might not even be corporation X’s competitor, but since internet broadband is finite, it will not matter, corporation X’s online content could be fast while everyone else slows down simply because corporation X has paid to reserve more bandwidth—more of the lanes on that road—to itself.
All of this is somewhat alarmist, undoubtedly, but a generation of Hip-Hop and other artists, not to mention all sorts of young entrepreneurs, is relying on an internet that, up to now, has not been allowed to discriminate between a Lil Live in My Mom’s Basement track and a Tidal promoted world exclusive from Jay-Z (okay, maybe Tidal is a bad example). The neutrality of the internet has meant that when you streamed Lil Live in My Mom’s Basement’s new song on Soundcloud or Spotify, it streamed just as smoothly as anything you hear on, say, Apple Music. It meant the download from Lil Live in My Mom’s Basement’s personal music site proceeded at the same pace as your purchases on Google Play or Amazon.
That has the potential to change with the FCC’s repeal of net neutrality, impacting the ability of young artists to develop a following without major label or corporate backing. Now that broadband providers will be able to treat different types of internet content differently, the FCC may have just brought the hammer down on an entire generation of aspiring Hip-Hop artists.
StayUp.News documents social and political issues through Hip-Hop, amplifying unheard voices in a language all their own. But we can’t do it without you. Support this important mission:


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There’s simply too much good TV to watch right now. This problem has never existed before. I blame the Internet.
As someone who grew up on terrible, formulaic shows, having so much quality content available on the TV feels shocking. And thanks to subscription services like Netflix and Amazon Prime, I can watch those shows nonstop on my TV, notebook, or smartphone day or night.
A few announcements made this week show how the Net is bringing even more quality shows to viewers. Amazon Prime just signed a deal with HBO to license many of its original shows. It’s the first time HBO has licensed its content to a subscription service. I’d love to lose a weekend binge-watching “The Wire.”
Also, AOL announced that it will soon offer Miramax films online for free, supported by ads. This is on top of the already strong lineup of original shows that AOL produces online. Last year, AOL created the series #CandidlyNicole, starring Nicole Richie. The series did so well that it will launch on VH1 this July.
Next week is a big week for original online video. Sites that create online series -- including AOL, Yahoo, Vice, and several more, will hold events called NewFronts in New York City in which they’ll show their upcoming projects to advertisers and try to get advertising commitments.
There’s a lot of Hollywood talent making online series now, and you might be surprised at just how good many online are.
Jerry Seinfeld’s show “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee,” available on Crackle.com, is a great one to start with. Seinfeld and his A-list comedy friends simply go out for some java, and the results are always hilarious.
AOL and Yahoo also offer strong online video areas.
If you love good TV, this is a great time to be watching. If you’re trying to cut down on TV and read more books, it’s going to be a struggle.
Follow TROY DREIER at http://twitter.com/TDreier or e-mail him at email@example.com.


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Asda has cut the price of fuel at its petrol stations by up to 2p from tomorrow.
The supermarket chain said motorists would pay no more than 130.7p per litre for petrol and 134.7p per litre for diesel at its Asdale Road filling station and others around the UK.
Asda said it reacted quickly to reductions in the wholesale cost of petrol and diesel and passed the savings on to its customers.
Andy Peake, Asda’s petrol trading director, said: “We’re giving our customers the opportunity to fill up their cars with lower priced fuel, putting much needed cash back in their pockets.
“Our national price cap benefits everyone across the country, meaning that no-one filling up at Asda will be forced to pay a premium for their fuel because of where they live.”


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Huawei has lately been all over the media due to the fact that USA put them on a trade blacklist. For those who are not aware, trouble started when Trump’s administration (Read:Trump) said that the Chinese telcom giant has been spying on America and conveying the information to Beijing, China.
No evidence has since been brought forward to support that claim but that didn’t stop the US from banning sales of Huawei phones in the country several months ago.
The big blow came a few days ago when USA blacklisted Huawei. This means that American companies shouldn’t do business with them. It led to a ripple effect where Google stopped licensing Android and all its associated apps and services to Huawei. However, it is noteworthy that phones from the manufacturer that have already been released will not be affected, so you can still go ahead and purchase one.
However, this is also a big loss to Google since Huawei is the second biggest smartphone manufacturer in the world after Samsung. Unfortunately, other companies followed Google’s lead and cut ties with the Chinese company, in this case, hardware companies whose components are key to the construction of the 5G network.
Owing to the fact that Huawei is the biggest network technology company in the world, it’s role in realizing the 5G network is huge, so huge that without it the network will not only be delayed but will be more expensive thanks to reorganizing new suppliers and partners to fill in the void.
If American companies are restricted from supplying 5G necessary components to Huawei, then the only other players big enough to take over the work are Nokia Oyj, Ericsson AB or Samsung Electronics. None of them has the capability of Huawei in the networking gear arena.
All is not lost since the USA lifted the ban for only 90 days. Many are hoping that this time will be enough to come to a reasonable solution through the ongoing trade talks between China and USA, hopefully, Huawei will catch a break and things return to normal in three months. Huawei’s win will be a win for the whole world in terms of 5G network plus exceptional devices and vice versa.


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FCA: June sales up 7.9% in Europe.
(CercleFinance.com) - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles said on Friday that its group sales in Europe rose 7.
9% year-on-year to 106,700 vehicles in June, boosted by strong demand for Alfa Romeo vehicles.
In an industry that rose just 2.1% last month, FCA's market share increased by 30 basis points to 6.9%, the car maker said.
Alfa Romeo posted June sales of over 9,100 vehicles, up 36.7% year-on-year.
Copyright (c) 2017 CercleFinance.com. All rights reserved.


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CNN reports that CurrentC, a mobile payment system that is in the pilot phase, has been hacked and the breach raises questions about the security of the system, a rival to Apple’s Apple Pay and Google’s Wallet:
Apple Pay rival CurrentC has been hacked.
The mobile payments app — which isn’t even officially out yet — was created for the sole purpose of getting stores away from credit card fees they pay every time you swipe your card. […]
On Wednesday, those taking part in the CurrentC pilot program received a warning from the consortium of anti-credit-card retailers called MCX, or Merchant Consumer Exchange: The program was hacked in the last 36 hours, and criminals managed to grab the email addresses of anyone who signed up for the program. […]
But MCX is free to share with marketers and other companies the rest of the data it collects: your name, home address, email, phone number and actual location at all times. Aside from payments, the app will also deliver coupons and help stores better track shoppers to target them for advertisements.
Apple doesn’t ask for your Social Security number. Google does. But that information is not passed on to retailers. MCX is itself a consortium of retailers.


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Dish Protects Its Hopper DVR From The Dennis Hopper Estate
from the hey,-man dept
Dish has already had a long and winding road getting its “Hopper” DVR first to market, then keeping it there. The company has been engaged in ongoing disputes with broadcasters, who continue to try and argue that the device violates copyright law because it skips commercials — and generally provides consumers with interesting, convenient functionality that users might actually want. Fox had no luck killing consumer choice and innovation at the 9th Circuit, and ABC is currently in New York attempting to reverse a New York federal judge’s refusal to issue an injunction.
While Dish is busy defending Hopper against broadcasters, it’s also busy battling the obvious confusion people often have between digital video recorders and the deceased Easy Rider and Apocalypse Now actor Dennis Hopper. Responding to a broad trademark application by the Hopper estate (aka the Trustees of the Hopper Art Trust), Dish has filed an opposition to protect its ad-skipping DVR. The Hopper Estate registered the “Hopper” trademark in 2012 with an eye on “sunglasses, motorcycle helmets and all sorts of electronic devices.” Dish itself filed for a trademark back in 2011 — before Hopper’s death:
“According to Dish’s notice of objection, the Dennis Hopper “Hopper” mark “is likely, when used in connection with the goods covered by the subject application, to cause confusion, to cause mistake or to deceive, with consequent injury to [Dish Networks] and the public.” Dish says it filed an “intent to use application” back in September of 2011 — before Dennis Hopper’s trustees, before TV broadcasters realized what Charlie Ergen’s company was up to — on “Hopper” in a class of goods covering electrical and scientific apparatus.”
Surely after the dispute is settled by the USPTO, there’s a middle ground here for both sides to jointly sell motorcycle helmets and a clothing line that somehow combines the edgy, quirky, rambling style of the deceased Blue Velvet actor, with the convenience of being able to “stick it to the man, man” by skipping advertisements.


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Millennial mothers in China are heavy smartphone users—and based on recent research, they lead many of their peers around the world in usage, reports eMarketer.com. In a December 2014 study by BabyCenter and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), smartphone penetration among millennial mother internet users in China was higher than […]Read more ›
Post Tagged with: "Brazil"
At the onset of World Cup 2014 quarter finals, Skyscanner, a global travel search site, scans through the preferences of fans across the nation to bring teams and players at the centre stage of all the drama. Not having a team playing in the most celebrated football tournament across the […]Read more ›
Brazil, the host of FIFA World Cup 2014, is known for its passion for football. Coinciding with the football season of Brazil, Animal Planet’s new series wild Brazil captures the fiery beauty of this tropical South American country. A stunning series, Wild Brazil celebrates the very best of Brazil’s wildlife and […]Read more ›
On 2 February, BBC World News launches a new six-part series, Changing Fortunes, which explores the new patterns of wealth that have emerged over the last two decades. The fall of the Soviet Union, the liberalization of India and the opening of China have brought vast new markets into the […]Read more ›
Delhi: Worldwide mobile advertising revenue is forecast to reach $11.4 billion in 2013, up from $9.6 billion in 2012, according to Gartner,Inc. Worldwide revenue will reach $24.5 billion in 2016 with mobile advertising revenue creating new opportunities for app developers, ad networks, mobile platform providers, specialty agencies and even communications […]Read more ›
At $38.12 billion, Latin America will have the third-smallest total media ad expenditure tally this year, higher than only Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Africa, according to eMarketer. But while overall spending is relatively low compared to other regions, Latin America will experience the fastest total media ad […]Read more ›
London: WPP , the world’s leading communications services group, has agreed to acquire a 20% stake in Globant S.A. (“Globant”). Globant is an emerging worldwide leader in providing both technical expertise and design and creative capabilities in the development of software products that can be applied to digital marketing campaigns […]Read more ›


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According to Ram, the issue only reveals itself in two-wheel drive. Driving in four-wheel-drive mode should still be safe.
Dodge Ram 3500 Recalls
Search for More Recalls
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
- Land Rover
Ram is issuing three recalls that cover many of the company's pickups and affect over a million vehicles in the US alone.
Two separate problems related to inadvertent airbag deployment have prompted Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the NHTSA to recall some 2 million late-model Ram trucks.
FCA US is recalling 1.4 million vehicles in the US to send the owners a software upgrade to prevent potential hacks. The issue stems from the weakness recently discovered in the Uconnect system in a Jeep Cherokee.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is starting to announce the expanded Takata airbag inflator recalls. FCA has over 5 million vehicles affected worldwide, and BMW has over 420,000 in the US. Honda's expansion includes 350,000 more Civics and Accords.
Under rare circumstances, the spring in the clutch ignition interlock switch on stick-shift 2006-07 Dodge Ram, Dakota and Mitsubishi Raider pickups could fail, but one reported fatality was enough for Chrysler and NHTSA to issue a recall of nearly 67,000 vehicles.
The scope of the Takata airbag inflator recall is ballooning once again across the United States. Where Honda has elected to take its driver-side airbag campaign nationwide, Chrysler Group and Ford have now announced expanded regional actions to cover some passenger-side airbag inflators. Mazda is adding more regions, as well.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation focusing on 110,000 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups from model years 2004 to 2006. One death has already been reported, according to NHTSA, due to a potential fault with the clutch interlocks on manual-transmission versions of the heavy duty pickup.
Chrysler has announced that it will issue three separate recalls that will cover as many as 1.2 million Ram pickup trucks for "steering-system tie rods that may have been misaligned during assembly or steering-system service." The vast majority of these trucks were sold in the United States, though some trucks in Mexico, Canada or overseas will be called in, as well.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Chrysler is issuing a recall of 30,197 pickup trucks in the United States, all from the 2013 model year. The affected vehicles are the Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500, all of which were built between September 9, 2012 and March 5, 2013.


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Black Friday 2016 sales are beginning with deals on drones, a popular new technology this year for both kids and adults. The prices on the newer technology have come way down since they were first introduced to the market and now Black Friday discounts make them an affordable gift for most families this holiday season.
Not only have the prices come down on drones, but also the navigation and ease of use have improved greatly, making these deals extremely enticing. For the Black Friday sales this year, i4u News suggests Walmart is offering the best price on a drone Target, Kohl's, Best Buy, and eBay are also offering drone specials in their Black Friday specials.
The sales are offered in-store and online for as long as supplies last.
According to Gotta Be Mobile, this generation of drones come with a camera that is "very capable." These deals come with "a good app" and a "plethora of accessories" for these Black Friday prices. Drones are a hot commodity this year because they are priced much more reasonably than previous holiday shopping seasons.
- Walmart is offering the DJI Phanotom 3 standard drone for the price of $369. This is the best price for these semi- professional drones.
- Target is offering the same DJI Phantom Drone for $399.99.
- Best Buy has the DJI Phantom 3 Professional Drone for the price of $799.99.
- eBay will offer the DJI Phantom 4 Drone for $899.00 on Black Friday, according to The Verge.
- Best Buy is also offering the DJI Phantom 4 Drone for $999.99.
- Best Buy also has the YUNEEC Typhone Hexacopter for $999.99
Drones for kids
You can purchase drones made for kids at a much lower price.
These offer hours of fun for your older kids and the prices are not going to break your bank account this year with these Black Friday specials. #Black Friday 2016 deals #Black Friday 2016 drone deals #Best drone prices
- Walmart offers the Promark HD Drone with 3D Virtual Reality Goggles for only $99.00
- Khol's has the SkyDrones X-14 3D Virtual Reality for only $69.99
- Khol's is also offering the Sky Viper HD Drone for $79.99
- Kmart has the Super-X Drone with camera for $39.99
- Walmart offers the Sharper Image Drone for only $30


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originally posted by: Zanti Misfit
originally posted by: angelchemuel
I've said from the start that this (Covid) is an excuse/smoke and mirrors for a controlled demolition of the world economy....
what the results of this will be are beginning to become very obvious....
The Federal Reserve Bank just Announced it is No Longer Printing NEW Paper Money as of Nov. 2020 .
Now there is a Conspiracy............
The Mint has been operating at full production capacity since mid-June, minting almost 1.6 billion coins during the month of June. The Mint is on track to produce 1.65 billion coins per month for the remainder of the year. By comparison, in 2019, the Mint produced an average of 1 billion coins per month. We have increased production while still prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees and maintaining a reduced risk of their exposure to COVID-19 in the workplace.
Revised 2020 Currency Print Order
On April 16, 2020, the Board approved a revision to its FY 2020 order from 5.2 billion to 6.2 billion notes, or a 19.7 percent increase. The total value of the revised order is $185.7 billion. The increased order reflects action taken to address the high demand for currency resulting from the COVID-19 global pandemic.
originally posted by: EnigmaChaser
The end game is removing Trump IMO - at least that’s the first step.
Crashing the global economy over COVID further accomplishes:
- consolidating more wealth to the global elites
- creates many more dependents for the state
- eliminates competition for the major corporations as small business fails
- stops people from being able to privately congregate and discuss their opinions
- allows material government “intervention” that will cause significant problems under the guise of “helping”
- tests how people will react to material government oppression
- sets the stage for government to have more control in the future as people are “used to it”
The engine that drives this is social media. Why? It has allowed all of this to happen.
Any dipstick with a smart phone can vocalize an uneducated opinion. “Influencers” who know nothing about a given subject can spout off their Nonsense and shape people’s opinions. Given your typical person doesn’t have even a cursory grasp of history, economics, business, the legal system, etc. they’re easy to sway.
Want proof? Conway’s daughter is 15 and has 1 million followers on TikTock. People actually listen to what a 15 year old has to say and take it as gospel. She’s 15 FFS! I didn’t know jack at 15 and neither did you - yet 1 million people are taking her thoughts as legitimate political discourse!
Kill social media and the whole plot can’t move forward. It might be just that simple.


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On Friday, I voted to pass the bipartisan Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act of 2012 in the House of Representatives granting Russia and Moldova permanent normal trade relations (PNTR). PNTR will help create economic growth and jobs here at home. It allows the United States the same benefits from accessing the Russian market as our global competitors, leveling the playing field for U.S. businesses and workers.
Russia was the largest economy not yet in the World Trade Organization (WTO) with a growing market of 142 million consumers, and it joined on August 22, 2012. As a result, Russia would be required to cut its tariffs and take on new obligations as a member of the WTO without requiring the United States to make any changes. For example, the WTO rule on sanitary standards used to regulate food safety is important to the interests of Kansas livestock producers. Kansas alone earns more than $100,000 from selling goods and services to Russia each year, and one out of every 15 Kansas jobs is dependent on trade.
This powerful new enforcement tool could cause U.S. exports to Russia to double or triple within five years. I am also pleased to be a cosponsor of the Magnitsky provision in this bill that sends a strong message to Russia: human rights transgressions will not be tolerated. However, the United States cannot receive any of these benefits until Congress, as a whole, passes this legislation. Each day without Russia PNTR, U.S. employers, workers, farmers, and ranchers lose ground to competitors in other countries. I urge the Senate to act on this bill as quickly as possible.


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Yoox Net-a-Porter (YNAP) has launched a dedicated platform for selling luxury jewellery as its merger with Richemont enters the final phases.
The luxury jewellery hub, dubbed the Fine Jewellery and Watch Suite, will help the online giant to reach its goal of €100 million (£87.39 million) in sales within the category by 2020.
“This explosion in fine jewellery and watches shows there’s no limit to what customers will buy online with us,” YNAP’s chief executive Federico Marchetti said.
“And we are now getting a fascinating insight into who these hard luxury customers are and what they are prepared to buy online.”
The site will sell items priced at over €100,000 (£87,000), including ranges from the Richemont owned Cartier alongside Buccellati and Tiffany & Co.
Richemont, which saw its €2.7 billion (£2.36 billion) takeover bid for YNAP approved by the European Commission last month, is seeking to strengthen the ecommerce giant’s luxury offering.
The swiss luxury group already owns 49 per cent in the brand, and in January issued a public tender offer for all the YNAP stock it does not yet own at a rate of €38 (£33.5) per share. This equates to a total valuation for the company of €5.3 billion (£4.64 billion).
For the deal to be fully finalised it needs to be approved by shareholders. Although US based investor Robotti & Co, which owns less than one per cent in YNAP, opposed the proposed deal, it is understood that other shareholders remain positive and the deal is likely to be passed.


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The UKвЂ™s high-cost term that is short industry (HCST) has seen a giant upheaval within the last year вЂ“ perhaps much more than some other regulated industry in britain.
While the Financial Conduct Authority introduced brand brand brand new policies in January 2015 such as for example day-to-day price limit and a tougher authorisation procedure, this has taken some years to look at effect that is full.
Particularly, the development of strict guidelines has seen a number of the UKвЂ™s biggest loan providers get into management into the year that is last Wonga, Quickquid in addition to cash Shop вЂ“ and given the marketplace dominance with this organizations, it really is something which will have felt impossible and unlikely some years back.
Tighter margins and stricter financing criterion have actually added massively, but most importantly the rise in payday loans MD settlement claims has seen the once ВЈ2 billion an industry fall to less than ВЈ100 million per 12 months year.
The increase in payment claims
Any people that had formerly gotten high-cost loans or вЂpayday loansвЂ™ in the past 5 years had been motivated to claim complete refunds in the loan quantity and interest вЂ“ offered they felt they’ve been miss-sold.
Just how to develop records in an emergency
This specially mirrored those who struggled to settle, needed to keep getting top-up loans, had been unemployed or on benefits and could have now been funded with no real affordability checks.
The regulator encouraged term that is short to supply complete refunds or face a sizable fine by the regulator. The end result has seen Wonga reimbursement over ВЈ400 million and Quickquid in the near order of ВЈ50 million to date. Continue reading UKвЂ™s Temporary Lending Business вЂDesperateвЂ™ for Innovation


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Picture used for illustrative purpose only.
Emirates airlines ranked among the top five globally by number of passengers and volume of air cargo flown in 2018, according to the latest report by International Air Transport Association’s (IATA).
The Emirates Group on Thursday announced its half-year results for its 2019-20 financial year.
The number of passengers flying with Russian airlines fell by 26.6% in March, Russia’s federal aviation agency Rosaviatsiya said on Thursday, citing restrictions imposed in connection with curbing the spread of the coronavirus.
Commenting on the renewal of the partnership, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer, said, "We are delighted to announce that our customers can once again take advantage of the complementary strengths of Emirates and flydubai to access an enhanced network of cities on a single ticket and integrated loyalty programme..."
Japan and Britain signed a free trade agreement on Friday, the the first such major post-Brexit deal, reducing tariffs on goods as well as auto parts for Japan’s Nissan plant.
Dubai is an exceptional city where the infrastructure and high-quality logistics services are the best of its kind in the region, as well as the most advanced infrastructure communication and technology networks, which give Dubai a competitive edge.
AIM Digital, the first digital edition of the Annual Investment Meeting, the world’s leading investment platform, concluded on a high note as it showcased major activities highlighting its six pillars, namely, Foreign Direct Investment,


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Foreign investors go cold on China
At the start of 2023, analysts sized China and liked what they saw: an economy reopening after three years of Covid isolation, and ready once again to roar. Nothing of the sort has happened and corporates and institutional investors are now fleeing the market in droves.
Arguably, nothing has gone right for China in 2023.
The year began in hopeful mood. After three years of pandemic-related isolation and a messy exit from president Xi Jinping’s zero-Covid policy, this was supposed to be a comeback year for Asia’s largest economy.
Nothing of the sort has happened. China’s year has marched to a steady drumbeat of escalating crises and disappointing data.
In effect, global investors are saying to China: ‘We’re just not that into you.’
Retail sales growth hovers in the mid single-digit range (monthly consumer spending rose at an average annualised rate of 4.7% in the five months to the end of October, according to the national bureau of statistics). Most analysts at the start of 2023 projected double-digit growth.
The property sector is increasingly beleaguered. If anything, its predicament is growing more, not less, precarious. Property sales fell 7.8% year on year in the first 10 months of the year, against a 7.5% decline in the first three quarters. Efforts to mitigate the slide by cutting borrowing costs and relaxing restrictions on home ownership have fallen flat.


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- CEO’s contract extended early until 31 March 2024
- Company in the black since Albeck joined and has increased turnover to 515 million euros in 2020
For the next three years, Wolfgang P. Albeck will remain CEO of the express service provider trans-o-flex, which specialises in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and other sensitive goods sectors. His contract, which was due to expire in March 2022, has been extended early until 31 March 2024. Albeck has been the CEO since April 2017. "It was primarily thanks to Albeck’s implementation of two strategic decisions that trans-o-flex regained the trust of its customers after difficult years and also and especially proved itself during the coronavirus crisis," says Christoph Schoeller from the trans-o-flex shareholder group of the Amberger and Schoeller families. "On the one hand, that was the uncompromising focus on quality. On the other hand, the profile as an express service and as a provider of industry-specific logistics solutions was reinforced, impressively demonstrating its system relevance for the supply of pharmaceuticals in Germany." The company has been back in the black since Albeck joined the management and increased its turnover by four per cent to 515 million euros in the difficult year of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
"The longer I’m at trans-o-flex, the more I enjoy working here because I see the progress we are making," says Albeck. "My goal is to get the company, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, in such good shape for the future that trans-o-flex will continue to delight its customers, employees and shareholders for the next 50 years." Before joining trans-o-flex, Albeck had worked at Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) since 1997, where he held numerous managerial positions in the parcel and express organisation. Before that, the qualified logistics manager had worked for TNT Express for around ten years. Albeck started his career working for medium-sized haulage contractors. In addition to Albeck, Michael Schmidt, who is responsible for finances and administration, continues to be part of the management of trans-o-flex.
trans-o-flex core areas of expertise are logistics solutions for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and consumer electronics industries and for other high-end, sensitive goods. The company has built up transport networks that convey goods at 15 to 25 degrees Celsius or at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius actively temperature-controlled and documented in accordance with EU regulations for the transport of pharmaceuticals. These EU-GDPs require the highest standards for safety and security, cleanliness, reliability and transparency, from which all trans-o-flex customers benefit. trans-o-flex operates internationally via the networks EUROTEMP (temperature-controlled logistics) and EURODIS (in 36 European countries). In contrast to conventional parcel services or forwarding agencies, trans-o-flex delivers goods in parcels as well as on pallets. trans-o-flex Express also offers numerous express and time-slot deliveries, special services such as dangerous goods transportation (without minimum quantity regulation), consignment consolidation or direct deliveries. The express shipments are complemented by warehousing, order picking and individual value-added services such as serialisation of pharmaceuticals. This means that the company covers the entire logistics chain from procurement through to fulfilment. The annual business volume of the trans-o-flex companies, which employ a total of around 2,150 people, amounted to around 515 million euros in 2020. More information is available at www.trans-o-flex.com.
trans-o-flex Express GmbH
Telefon: +49 (6201) 988-0
Telefax: +49 (6201) 988-980
Telefon: +49 (6201) 988-134
Fax: +49 (6201) 988-343


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Samsung is preparing to bring a unique smartphone.
Samsung has already registered for patent rights to launch the stretchable smartphone first in the global markets.
- Last Updated:
November 16, 2020, 4:31 PM IST
The phone will be pulled by 8 inches
Let us know that Samsung is trying to break the monotony of the normal smartphone these days. Significantly, Samsung has already registered a name for patent rights to launch the stretchable smartphone first in the global markets. There is a rumor about the stretchable phone that this 6-inch smartphone can be pulled to 8-inch (Stretch), but no such news has been confirmed yet.
(Also read- Talking on the phone soon can be expensive! Vodafone Idea and Airtel in preparation to increase 20% tariff price)It is being told that the company's stretchable phone is also expected to solve the problem of crease mark which is commonly seen in the company's foldable smartphone, which will reduce the scope of its breakdown. The company can launch the world's first stretchable phone next year.
This is how a stretchable smartphone
Stretchable smartphones are extremely thin from the side and have a wide chin. Explain that its feature is that its display can be enlarged and small at the convenience. Its working in the patent is very simple and simple. It will have a long screen that can fold inside the phone itself. In the patent, it has been described as a small size and compact smartphone.
It is being told that the same problems can be seen in this new model of the company, which are being seen in the Galaxy fold. It is reported that its production version may be slightly larger as the app and media are considered more useful on the big screen.


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Chris Brown Models For BAPE Black Label F/W 2015
Chris Brown was recently tapped by famed streetwear brand Bape to serve as a model for their luxury diffusion line, BAPE Black label. Chris has a known history of being a massive supporter of the brand throughout the years, so the opportunity seems ready-made. The Fall/Winter 2015 collection is currently slated to drop on December 19th in Dover Market locations in: London, New York, and Ginza.
For more details on the release head here.


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OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada unexpectedly posted its first trade surplus in 22 months in October but the surprise news was less upbeat than it looked at first, given that both imports and exports fell.
Statistics Canada said on Wednesday the October surplus was C$75 million ($70.1 million), the first since the C$2.43 billion posted in December 2011. Analysts had been expecting a shortfall of C$730 million.
The Bank of Canada says there is still plenty of slack in the economy and regularly expresses concern about the important export sector, which is having trouble coping with weak foreign demand and a strong Canadian dollar.
Imports dropped by 1.2 percent compared to a fall of 0.3 percent for exports, while export volumes dropped by 0.6 percent - hardly the sign of an economy working at anything like full speed.
“All told, a cheery headline in terms of the support for the Canadian dollar, but not great news in terms of the impact on real gross domestic product given the drop in export volumes,” Avery Shenfeld of CIBC World Market Economics said in a note to clients.
Exports fell on lower shipments of motor vehicles and parts, metal and non-metallic mineral products and aircraft and other transportation equipment.
“October’s decline in export volumes illustrates that any export-led recovery is still some way off,” said David Madani, a Canada economist at Capital Economics.
Imports dropped on lower shipments of energy products and motor vehicles and parts.
The Canadian dollar took its cue from the Bank of Canada, which kept rates steady on Wednesday and said inflation could be softer than expected. The news pushed the currency down to C$1.0680 to the greenback, or 93.63 U.S. cents, compared to Tuesday’s close of C$1.0649 or 93.91 U.S. cents. <CAD/>
Peter Hall, chief economist at Export Development Canada, said he found it hard to get excited about a month where imports fell faster than exports.
“It’s sort of a bipolar month because you have some really good stuff on the export side and some really bad stuff,” he told Reuters.
Exports of motor vehicles and parts dropped by 5.0 percent, a performance that Hall called “horrible”, while metal and non-metallic mineral products fell by 6.2 percent.
On the positive side, consumer goods rose by 6.2 percent on shipments of exports of pharmaceutical and medicinal products, while exports of farm, fishing and intermediate food products jumped by 11.8 percent.
Exports to the United States, which comprised 75.2 percent of all Canadian exports in October, grew by 0.2 percent while imports rose by 1.0 percent. As a result the trade surplus with the United States fell to C$3.93 billion from C$4.13 billion in September.
Additional reporting by Leah Schnurr in Toronto; Editing by Krista Hughes and Chris Reese


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You (And Your Kids) Are The Guinea Pigs: US Agriculture Department Approval For Broad Use Of Genetically Modified Soybean Seen As Opening Salvo In Biotech War Between DuPont And Monsanto
As U.S. Approves GM Soybean, DuPont and Monsanto Gird for Cooking-Oil War
By PAUL VOOSEN
The Agriculture Department will approve for broad use tomorrow a genetically modified soybean engineered to contain healthier oils, the opening salvo in a biotech oil fight between DuPont Co. and its rival, Monsanto Co.
The high-oleic soybean, developed by DuPont and pending deregulation since 2006, is one of the first in a wave of bioengineered cash crops that are being altered for nutritional purposes. Currently, nearly all biotech crops grown in the United States have been altered for resistance to weedkiller or insects, traits that are rarely felt by consumers or commercial businesses.
The USDA deregulation is the “final step” in the approval process for Dupont’s soybean, which has already been approved in Canada and Mexico, said Bridget Anderson, a spokeswoman for Pioneer Hi-Bred, DuPont’s biotech seed business. The crop and its oil will continue commercial testing this year and should be ready for global use by 2012, she added.


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* See more pictures, Top 5 best-selling models and Top 10 brands by clicking on the title! *
Thanks to Myk, today we have our second contribution to the Africa Project and for the first time ever on BSCB I can now share with you a models ranking for Kenya! I have contacted the Kenya Motor Industry Association (KMI) to see whether this could become a monthly occurrence… But first let’s look at the Kenyan car market as a whole. The higher cost of credit has meant new car sales are down 5% year-on-year in May to 1,085 units after going up by 10% over the Full Year 2011…
Growth in the agriculture and construction sectors is driving demand for commercial vehicles, with pick-up trucks accounting for 35% of total sales and heavy commercial vehicles at 27%. Even though used car sales figures are still five times higher than new cars, users of commercial vehicles cannot risk buying used cars and still prefer new ones. As a result, commercial vehicles totally dominate the models ranking in Kenya – in contrast to my observation of the streets of Nairobi, which had led me to believe the Toyota Corolla was the best-seller in the country. Nothing like official figures to get the right picture!
Brand-wise, Isuzu is by far the king of the Kenyan new vehicle market with 381 sales and 35.1% share in May, followed by Toyota at 18.2%, Nissan at 9.6%, Mitsubishi at 9.5% and Tata at 5.7%. And the much anticipated models ranking is full of surprises: the Isuzu Double Cab leads the way at 90 units and 8.3% share, followed by its Single Cab version with 45 sales and 4.1% and its Station Wagon version at 36 units and 3.3%. In actual fact the Isuzu KB (aka D-Max), imported from South Africa, holds almost 16% of the market with all versions combined…
Lion (and Land Rover Defender). Picture by ThomasChamberlin, all rights reserved.
Delivering its best result anywhere in the world so far (in the absence of official data for most African countries) and the vehicle of choice for safari tour operators, the Land Rover Defender 110TD Station Wagon ranks 4th in Kenya in May with 31 sales and 2.9% share, ahead of the Isuzu FRR 33-Large Bus at 30 units and 2.8%.
Another very interesting development in the Kenyan car industry and one that is starting to characterise more and more African countries is the arrival of Chinese manufacturers, now setting up assembling plants locally. Commercial vehicle manufacturer Beiqi Foton launched its first domestically produced truck, the Foton Slip/SUP Double Cab pick-up, in June 2011 using an existing local factory, and has opened its own US$50m assembly plant in Nairobi last March – two months ahead of schedule – with a capacity of 10,000 annual units.
Chery will be the next Chinese carmaker to invest in Kenya. According to Justus Nguu, director of Chery’s local franchise holder Stantech Motors, Chery is now in negotiations with the Chinese government to secure financing of US$50m for a Kenyan plant, which the carmaker plans to open in 2013, aiming to produce 1,000 units that year.
Previous post: Kenya 2011: Toyota Corolla a long-time favourite
Full May 2012 Top 5 models and Top 10 brands Ranking Table below.


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- Gap is closing its trendy menswear brand Hill City less than two years after it launched.
- Gap Inc said in a statement it was closing Hill City to prioritize its resources for its larger brands – Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.
- The apparel giant has struggled in recent years and been hard hit by the pandemic, which has kept its stores closed. It reported a 43% drop in net sales for the first three months of the year.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Gap is closing its trendy athleticwear brand Hill City less than two years after it launched.
The apparel giant said in a blog post on Thursday that it made the decision to close this business in order to dedicate its resources to its larger brands – Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy.
Hill City launched in the fall of 2018 and was primed to swoop in and capitalize on the continued boom in athletic wear, outdoorsy clothing, and more recently, men taking more of an interest in shopping.
Described as stylish high-performance wear, Hill City's clothing ranged from water-repellant everyday pants that cost $128 to insulated puffer jackets for $168.
At the time of its launch, former Gap Inc CEO Art Peck said that activewear was a key growth area for the company. "Hill City is our response to consistent feedback from customers looking for a premium men's product that combines highly technical fabrications, performance, and style," he said.
Hill City announced the news of its closure in a recent Instagram post, saying that Gap Inc had made "the difficult decision" to shut down the company.
"We are living in unprecedented times with unprecedented consequences, forcing us all to make and face tough calls," it said.
The brand will continue to restock its most popular styles and drop new items over the next few months as it winds down operations. All these items will be on sale.
Gap Inc has struggled in recent years and been hard hit by the pandemic, which has kept the majority of its stores closed. In the first three months of the year, net sales were down by 43%, it said.
The athleisurewear trend continues to be strong in the US and has benefited from people purchasing mostly comfortable clothing during the lockdown.
Gap Inc's CFO Katrina O'Connell said that its womenswear athletics brand has remained strong during this time and is still seeing "great performance."


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Publishers expect mobile and video ad revenue to jump by a quarter over next year, new research claims
European publishers predict advertisingÂ revenue from video and mobile will grow by more than a quarter next year, according to new research.
A further 60 per cent said video, mobile andÂ sponsored (aka native) contentÂ ad formats were key to the success of their businesses.
The research by Oath and the Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe also found that publishers were keen to find ways of selling ads on â€œmulti-user living room experiencesâ€�, such as smart speakers and streaming services.
The 2018 Digital News Report Â found that 56 per cent of people in the UK accessed news on mobile, while 43 per cent of smart speaker users accessed news through their devices.Â
Oathâ€™s head of European supply platforms, Henk Van Niekerk, said: â€œProgrammatic [ad] trading continues to offer clear opportunities and growth for publishers across Europe, but many challenges still remain.
â€œMaximising revenue is still top of mind for most publishers even as GDPR [General Data Protection Regulation] and managing consent drops down their list of concerns.â€�
A total of 171 IAB members in the publishing sector were surveyed for the research project. UK members includeÂ publishers News UK, the Telegraph, Hearst UK and Buzzfeed UK.
Just over 70 per cent of UK publishers surveyed said video content should be a top priority for their business over the next year, compared to 55 per cent of French publishers and two-thirds of German publishers.
British publishers surveyed believed that revenue from mobile and video would grow by almost 30 per cent, the report said.
But almost 40 per cent of European publishers said they were concerned about how they would monetise audience growth, with lack of control over where content is shown a particular worry.
A further two-thirds said â€œgiving value to each impressionâ€� was their biggest challenge for the future.
Higher quality advertising and â€œbetter monetisationâ€� were found to be key targets for publishers looking to capitalise on online audience growth.
Programmatic ad buying – the practice of snapping up online ads through automated software – was considered to be â€œextremely importantâ€� to the future of publishing by a large majority of those surveyed.
Around 60 per cent of UK publishers felt automated ad buys gave them a competitive advantage and 61 per cent said the software was â€œextremely importantâ€� compared 83 per cent of their European peers.
Previous IAB Europe research found that advertisers spent â‚¬12bn on programmatic advertising, with a third of that spent going on video and just under 60 per cent on mobile.
The post Publishers expect mobile and video ad revenue to jump by a quarter over next year, new research claims appeared first on Press Gazette.
Source: Digital Journalism


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LANSING, Mich. - Legislation would roll back a provision of Michigan's smoking ban to allow smokers to light up at outdoor seating for bars and restaurants.
The bill's chief sponsor is Republican state Rep. Tom McMillin of Rochester Hills. He tells the Detroit Free Press (http://on.freep.com/IyokV4 ) some bar and restaurant owners see the ban "as blatant over-regulation and usurping the rights of business owners to make their own rules on their own property."
Under the proposal introduced in mid-November, restaurants would be able to choose whether to allow smoking in outdoor areas.
Michigan's ban on smoking in restaurants and bars has been the law since 2010. The state has said owners already can allow smoking on patios and decks if food and drinks aren't being served.


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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Samsung suspended sales of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone on Friday, just two weeks after the flagship phone's launch, after finding batteries of some of the gadgets exploded while they were charging.
Koh Dong-jin, president of Samsung's mobile business, said customers who already bought Note 7s will be able to swap them for new smartphones, regardless of when they purchased them.
Samsung is issuing what amounts to its first global recall of the flagship smartphone because it has not found ways to specify exactly which phones may endanger users.
Note 7s are being pulled from shelves in 10 countries, including South Korea and the United States.
Koh said the company's investigation found that a battery cell made by one of its two battery suppliers caused the phone to catch fire. He refused to name the battery supplier.
"There was a tiny problem in the manufacturing process so it was very difficult to find out," Koh told reporters at a news conference.
Some buyers reported their phones caught fire or exploded while charging, sharing the photos of scorched phones on social media. Samsung said it had confirmed 35 such cases in South Korea and overseas.
There have been no reports of injuries related to the problem.
Samsung said it has sold more than 1 million Note 7 smartphones since the product's Aug. 19 launch. It has manufactured about 2.5 million Note 7 phones so far, some of them still in inventory. Koh said they also will be returned and swapped with new ones.
The company estimated that it would take about two weeks to begin swapping old Note 7s for new phones.
China is not affected by the sales suspension. The company said it used a battery made by another supplier for the Note 7 sold in China.


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The U.S. economy is growing at a 3.8 percent annualized rate in the second quarter, the Atlanta Federal Reserve’s GDPNow forecast model showed Friday, amid estimates of slower consumer-spending growth and private-domestic investment growth
The latest estimate on gross domestic product growth was slower than the 4.1 percent pace estimated on July 2, which was more than double the 2.0 percent pace logged in the first quarter.
“Since the last GDPNow update on Monday, July 2, the nowcasts of second-quarter real consumer spending growth and second-quarter real gross private domestic investment growth have declined from 2.9 percent and 7.1 percent, respectively, to 2.7 percent and 6.0 percent, respectively,” the Atlanta Fed said.
“These declines more than offset an increase in the nowcast of the contribution of net exports to second-quarter real GDP growth from 0.62 percentage points to 0.70 percentage points after this morning's international trade release from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.”
The next GDPNow update is Wednesday, July 11.
By comparision, the New York Fed forecasts have been running much lower than Atlanta.
The New York Fed Staff Nowcast on Friday stood at 2.8% for the second quarter and 2.7% for the third quarter.
Positive surprises from the ISM manufacturing survey accounted for the increase.
The Atlanta Fed downgrade came just after the government said that U.S. job growth increased more than expected in June as manufacturers stepped up hiring, Reuters explained.
However, steady wage gains pointed to moderate inflation pressures that should keep the Federal Reserve on a path of gradual interest rate increases.
Nonfarm payrolls rose by 213,000 jobs last month, the Labor Department said on Friday. Data for April and May was revised to show 37,000 more jobs created than previously reported. The economy needs to create roughly 120,000 jobs per month to keep up with growth in the working-age population.
The unemployment rate rose to 4.0 percent from an 18-year low of 3.8 percent in June as more people entered the labor force in a sign of confidence in the jobs market. That was the first increase in the jobless rate in 10 months.
The employment report together with data from the Commerce Department showing the trade deficit narrowed 6.6 percent to a 1-1/2-year low of $43.1 billion in May reinforced expectations of robust economic growth in the second quarter.
But the Trump administration’s “America First” trade policy, which has tipped the United States into a trade war with China poses a risk to the labor market and economy.
President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on a range of imported goods, including steel and aluminum, to protect domestic industries from what he says is unfair competition from foreign manufacturers.
Major trade partners, including China, Canada, Mexico and the European Union, have retaliated with their own tariffs. The U.S. and China slapped tit-for-tat duties on $34 billion worth of the other’s imports on Friday.
Economists have warned the tit-for-tat import tariffs could disrupt the supply chain, undermine business investment and raise prices for consumers, and wipe out the stimulus from a $1.5 trillion tax cut package that came into effect in January.
(Newsmax wire services contributed to this report).
© 2023 Newsmax Finance. All rights reserved.


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The Broadmoor Hotel turns 100 this month, having opened for guests June 29, 1918. The resort was built by businessman Spencer Penrose, who spared no expense in creating what he hoped would be one of the grandest hotels in the world. Construction alone cost $2 million, with another million spent on furniture and interior decorating, a fortune at the time.
Leah Davis Witherow, curator of history at the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, talked to Colorado Matters about how the Broadmoor maintained its posh reputation over the years. The Colorado Springs icon survived Prohibition and the Great Depression. Penrose even stashed bottles of booze and purchased boxcars of liquor for his guests. Billionaire Philip Anschutz now owns the Broadmoor after purchasing it in 2011.


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Social media large Facebook has said that it will no longer tolerate cyber bullying following lots of studies on harassment and demanding pages on social media web sites.
Facebook has launched a marketing campaign referred to as Be Daring Stop Bullying remaining year underneath which more than 3000 Australians have signed a web based Stop bullying pledge, Telegraph.com.au reports.
According To Facebook Australia’s head of coverage and communications Mia Garlick, the company is continuously taking duty for stressful content on its website, adding that the security of the web page’s users is a high precedence for the company.
Stating that users can document harassment and offensive pages on the site, Garlick mentioned that the corporate is trying to create an environment that may result in an anti-bullying tradition in the course of the marketing campaign.
On The Other Hand, Garlick additional mentioned that the government, business and the community should also do its phase with a purpose to Cease the tentacles of cyber bullying spreading into the society.
In an incident of online harassment, Australian TV host Charlotte Dawson used to be hospitalised ultimate 12 months after she used to be attacked with the aid of Twitter users for naming and shaming a user who had told her to hang herself.
In any other incident, a Canadian teen took her personal lifestyles ultimate yr after three years of cyber bullying, together with on Facebook, the file


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Mark Derbyshire is working at wooing his male customers, one shopper at a time.
The chief executive officer of luxury retailer Holt Renfrew – known best for its women's fashions – recently took a former customer out for lunch to find out why he was no long heading for Holt's. It turned out the stores' hours didn't work for the man. So Mr. Derbyshire invited him to his downtown Toronto flagship at 5 a.m. one day.
The customer walked out with about $30,000 worth of purchases.
Holt's is putting a new push on men's wear just as its key competitors – including Harry Rosen, this country's top upscale men's clothier – are moving in a similar direction.
"It's looking at how the woman lives and how the woman wants to shop – it's now applying that same logic to men, through a men's lens," said Mr. Derbyshire, clad in a slim-fitting Paul Smith gray wool suit ($1,700 retail), typical of the sort of clothing he wants to sell more of in his stores.
Holt's faces a pitched battle as it sprints to bolster its men's business. High-end U.S. department-store retailer Nordstrom is preparing to set up shop here with its high-profile men's fashion department, while chains ranging from U.S. fashion purveyor J. Crew to the Bay are revving up their own offerings in Canada. Holt's will feel the pressure of drawing more men as it races to launch an online selling site – perhaps by next year – while its key competitors have a virtual head start.
Still, the market segment is growing more attractive as men focus more on their appearance in a rocky economy and a tough job market. In the 12 months to the end of July, sales in Canada's $7.4-billion men's apparel industry grew 4 per cent, while those in the $13-billion women's market slipped 1 per cent, according to researcher NPD Group.
For Holt's, "it's a very on-trend growth strategy, given what we're seeing," said Kathy Perrotta, director of fashion at NPD. "But they're going to have to steal market share from somebody."
Mr. Derbyshire said he's ready for the fight, with a plan to bolster his overall retail space by 40 per cent by 2015. The Holt's store at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Toronto will become his prime laboratory for his men's focus; he's now decided to double the size of that outlet in all – initially he planned a 40-per-cent expansion – by next summer.
At the same time, Harry Rosen has its own plans to add almost 40 per cent of men's fashion store space over the coming years. "We're far from sitting on the sidelines," said CEO Larry Rosen.
Mr. Derbyshire is adopting a similar road map for men at Holt's as he used for women, but with some twists. For example, he's considering changing the signature Holt's magenta shopping bags to another hue that may appeal more to men.
He's focusing more on top-selling luxury lines such as Tom Ford and Hugo Boss and dropping weaker ones; offering fewer promotional discounts and instead attracting customers back with new products (at full price) in the stores more often; and holding more events – public and private – such as fashion shows and celebrity appearances, including Elton John on Saturday at the main Toronto store for a charity event.
So far, the strategy seems to be working. Since he arrived at the top job 2-1/2 years ago, sales at privately held Holt's have jumped 27 per cent, he said. Profit doubled in 2010 from 2006 and is expected to hit another record this year, he said. Overall, the retailer's annual sales are estimated to be close to $800-million and aiming to reach $1-billion in two years, analysts say.
Still, increases in sales of men's wear, which make up about 15 per cent of Holt's annual business and are targeted to reach 20 per cent by the end of 2015, have lagged those of women's fashions, a spokeswoman said.


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FROM AERIE TO ZARA, RETAILERS ARE TURNING VIRAL TIKTOK MOMENTS INTO SALES GOLD
The power of TikTok: Lululemon entirely sold out of this skort after it went viral on the app, and Aeropostale saw a spike in sales when the hashtag ”#tinytops” started blowing up — and they now have a section in their stores devoted to clothing that’s TikTok-famous. cnbc
CHICO’S IS HAVING A MOMENT WITH GEN Z AND MILLENNIALS
IN QUEST FOR GEN Z ATTENTION, NORDSTROM TAKES MINORITY STAKE IN TOPSHOP
COULD GEN Z FREE THE WORLD FROM EMAIL?
Sorry, but no. The takeaway is, basically, that email isn’t perfect (“It’s impossible to expect email to be the main form of communication because so many people aren’t working office jobs or are sitting in an office with an email notification coming through” says one Gen Zer, which…sure, yes, of course!) but neither is texting, DMing, etc. nyt
HELLO, CONTENT CREATORS. SILICON VALLEY’S INVESTORS WANT TO MEET YOU.
This story is great, but the headline is a bit misleading (much like the above NYT link 🙃). VCs are investing big in the influencer economy — but in digital tools, not personalities. nyt // Related: Facebook wants to court creators; it could be a tough sell. nyt
I PRETENDED TO BE AN INFLUENCER & ALL I GOT WAS THOUSANDS OF LIKES
One last thought:


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Google has introduced a certification training road show for digital marketing agencies based in West Africa. The training, which kicked off last week in Lagos, at an event attended by some 400 marketers, attracted participants that ranged from digital planners, strategists and account managers and each was equipped with the tools needed to develop their expertise and capabilities on the Google Ads platform.
Subsequent Google certification training sessions for digital marketers are scheduled in Accra, Ghana today as well as in Abuja, Nigeria, at a date soon to be confirmed.
The bootcamp for digital marketers aims to equip participants with the fundamentals of performance and brand marketing, using the Google Ads platform to drive better performance and results for their clients’ portfolios. Topics covered include, Shaping a Search Strategy for your advertiser:Mobile; Measurement principles; Shaping a video strategy for advertiser: Video Formats and Shaping a Search Strategy for advertiser: Creative Excellence; among others.
With worldwide digital ad spend predicted to reach more than $375 billion by 2021, digital marketers are positioned at the core of any business that needs to stand out from the clutter in a fast-moving digital world.
Google Partners Lead in Nigeria, Tolulope Akinyele, said: “Digital marketers need to be equipped to develop cutting-edge strategies to take their client’s businesses to the next level in this post-digital era.”
Eligible agencies will receive Google Ads certification, as well as access to our agency growth programmes,” Akinyele added, noting that in addition to training on the Google Ads solution and platform, digital marketers and agencies will obtain Google certification and access to the Google agency community. For agencies, she said: “Certification means they can demonstrate that Google recognises them as experts. The training part-qualifies them to become Google partner agencies and earn the Google partner badge.”
Google advised interested agencies that were unable to attend the program, to hook up with it go through the certification process online.