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TORONTO - Strong demand for trucks helped many Canadian automakers boost their sales in May as they entered into the peak selling season, according to data compiled by DesRosiers Automotive Consultants on Monday.
Sales of light vehicles in Canada totalled 185,040 last month, up 5.3 per cent from the 175,716 sold last May.
Year to date, sales are up 2.4 per cent to 712,059, compared with 695,451 a year ago.
The largest gain was in truck sales, which climbed 7.9 per cent to 98,993, from 91,710 in May 2012.
Tony Faria, co-director of the Office of Automotive Research at the University of Windsor, says that's good news for automakers.
"It's the truck that makes the big margins for them," said Faria.
"So certainly while they'd like to do as well in cars, if they're going to sell more vehicles, all of the companies would rather sell more trucks."
Faria said low interest rates, the availability of credit and incentives from auto companies should keep sales strong throughout the summer months.
Ford Motor Company of Canada took the top spot, selling 32,490 vehicles @ 0.5 per cent more than the 32,338 it sold in May 2012.
Year to date, Ford's sales are up 5.7 per cent to 117,987.
While Ford saw its car sales slip 8.9 per cent to 8,953, truck sales rose 4.6 per cent to 23,537, compared with 22,509 a year earlier.
Chrysler Canada took second place, selling 12 per cent more vehicles this May compared to the previous year, but still falling short of Ford's total.
Chrysler sold 29,249 vehicles last month, compared to 26,218 a year ago, helped by strong sales of its Ram trucks and passenger cars.
GM Canada sold 23,654 vehicles last month, a 1.6 per cent gain from the 23,287 sold in May 2012.
Truck sales grew by 0.5 per cent to 15,419, while car sales grew by 3.6 per cent to 8,235.
Toyota Canada Inc. sold 22,250 vehicles in May, including its Lexus and Scion brands. That's 12.3 per cent more than the Japanese automaker sold in May 2012.
Toyota Canada's truck sales totalled 8,550 for the month, a gain of 14.2 per cent, while Lexus sales grew 11.9 per cent to 1,566 and Scion sales were up 62.9 per cent to 601.
Honda Canada Inc. sold 16,723 vehicles, including in its Acura division, up 22 per cent from last May.
"The spring selling season is underway and this is the type of momentum we really like to see," said Honda's vice president of sales and marketing Dave Gardner in a statement.
Meanwhile, Kia Canada Inc. saw its sales decline to 7,558 in May, 10.7 per cent lower than May 2012.
Nissan's Canadian sales were also down in May.
The automaker sold 8,367 vehicles, 9.1 per cent lower than last May's total of 9,204.
Sales at its Infiniti division were down 11.8 per cent to 733.
BMW's sales were down 13.2 per cent, while Mercedes-Benz was down 3.1 per cent compared to a year earlier.
"With the exceptions of Audi and Porsche, German luxury brands experienced uninspiring May sales," DesRosiers said in a note.
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Establishing a joint account may seem like a great strategy at first glance. However, there are many factors that must be considered before taking this action. This article will explore the use of &ls...


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Epic Games and Train2Game have provided an update on the “Make Something Unreal Live” competition. The contest has students making games using Epic’s Unreal Development Kit. The games will be released on the iOS App Store, with the winner receiving “a full source, commercial Unreal Engine 3 license for iOS free of upfront fees” and a vacation to a water park in Slovakia (for real). As the contest approaches its climax, four student-based game-studios have emerged as the finalists: Commando Kiwi, Derp Studios, Digital Mage and Indigo Jam. The four studios will be making iOS games based on the Fighting Fantasy series of books by Ian Livingston and Steve Jackson.
Here’s an excerpt from the press release:
Students have created four new studios from their original teams to launch games at this year’s The Gadget Show Live. At this huge event, they will reveal their new projects to the world, each finalising a full game for distribution. Key industry icons will be on hand to aid and advise with game designs as the studios compete to win a full Unreal Engine licence and a holiday to Aquacity in Slovakia.
The games are being developed using Epic Games’ UDK, the free edition of the award-winning Unreal Engine 3, helping students gain experience with tools used by leading studios around the world. During the process, students have their work reviewed, critiqued and mentored by a series of Train2Game tutors, current industry leaders and game specialists. The final games will be distributed globally on the App Store and launched at this year’s The Gadget Show Live, the premier consumer show taking place from April 10-15, 2012 in Birmingham, UK.
I love what Epic is doing here. The contest encourages students to make games and lets kids dream about becoming the next great game designer. It also furthers Epic’s Unreal Engine efforts on iOS, which is arguably the fastest-growing gaming platform today. For gamers, this a wonderful thing simply because it will result in better-looking games. Of course getting students familiar with and hooked on Unreal Engine helps Epic create a new generation of developers that will license its engine for years to come. All told, the “Make Something Unreal Live” endeavor is a smart mix of grassroots outreach and savvy business practices.
Congrats and best of luck to Commando Kiwi, Derp Studios, Digital Mage and Indigo Jam! I’m personally rooting for Indigo Jam…because the name is completely tasty.

domain: news


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As Microsoft Windows 10 release date nears, new details about the operating system have repeatedly been published by the tech giant. Recently, Microsoft’s Gabe Aul reportedly confirmed that the users part of the Windows Insider program, irrespective of which platform they use, are eligible for a free Windows 10 upgrade, notes BGR. This time around, Microsoft has disclosed the details pertaining to the various Windows 10 Editions of the upcoming OS.
According to Microsoft’s official Windows blog, the Windows 10 OS will be released this summer in a total of 190 countries and 111 languages. Speaking of Windows 10 Editions, Corporate Vice President Tony Prophet said, “As in the past, we will offer different Windows editions that are tailored for various device families and uses,” adding, "These different editions address specific needs of our various customers, from consumers to small businesses to the largest enterprises.”
Windows 10 Editions List
Apparently, a total of seven Windows 10 Editions will be offered, and they are:
Windows 10 Home: This version will be the customer-focused desktop edition. This edition provides a familiar user experience for PCs, tablets and two-in-one devices.
Windows 10 Mobile: As the name implies, this version will bring in excellent user experience to mobile, touch-focused devices like smartphones and small tablets. This edition features the same universal Windows apps seen in Windows 10 Home, in addition to offering a new touch-optimized version of MS Office.
Windows 10 Pro: This version pertains to PCs, tablets and two-in-one devices for small businesses. Notably, this edition effectively manages the devices and apps, secures sensitive business data and also supports remote and mobile productivity by utilizing cloud-based technologies.
Windows 10 Enterprise: This is an upgraded version of Windows 10 Pro. This edition reportedly caters to medium and large organizations rather than to small businesses.
Windows 10 Education: As the name implies, this edition is tailor-made for the purpose of education. It apparently builds on Windows 10 Enterprise and is designed to assist schools, teachers, various staff members, administrators and students.
Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise: This particular version caters to business customers that rely on smartphones and tablets for their day-to-day work. Needless to say, the Windows 10 Mobile Enterprise will provide the user with the latest security and innovation features as they become available.
Windows 10 IoT: This edition has reportedly been created to assist products with small footprints and low-cost devices like gateways.
Meanwhile, BGR says, the full versions of Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Pro will be made available to all Windows 7/8.1 and Windows Phone 8.1 users, but they should upgrade within the first year after release.
To report problems or to leave feedback about this article, e-mail: email@example.com.


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Feb 21, 2020, 09:45 EST
Feb 21, 2020, 09:45 /Comserve / -- Russel Metals, Inc. (RUS: TSX), one of the leading metal distribution companies based in Canada has recently made its financial results public for the fourth quarter, including for financial year ending on 31st December, 2019.
Russel Metals, Inc. announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and financial year ended 31st December, 2019. The company had reported gross revenues of USD 3.7 billion for the year ended 31st December, 2019 as against gross revenues of USD 4.2 billion earned for the year ended 31st December, 2018. Meanwhile, it had reported earnings of USD 1.23 per share for the year ended 31st December, 2019, as against USD 3.53 per share. The company had reported a net income of USD 77 million, as compared to a net income of USD 219 million for the year ended 31st December, 2018. Meanwhile, Russel Metals reported a loss amounting to USD 7 million on gross revenues of USD 0.8 billion earned for the quarter ended 31st December, 2019, while a net income of USD 46 million was reported for the fourth quarter ending 31st December, 2018. The earnings per share recorded for the quarter ended 31st December, 2019 was USD 0.11 per share, in comparison to USD 0.74 per share recorded for the fourth quarter ending 31st December, 2018.
The company had recorded its inventory provisions for their energy products as well as steel distributor segments that was associated with the decline of the line pipe including the OCTG market that had happened owing to decrease in the rig counts.
The revenues arising from metal service centers of the company had fallen to USD 412 million, registering a decrease of 21% for the quarter ended 31st December, 2019 as compared to the earlier year due to shipping of lesser tons, including fall in the selling price per ton. The average selling price had reported a decrease of 15% this year, as compared to the fourth quarter of 2018. Moreover, there was a 7% decrease observed in the quantity of tons that were shipped during the period. The fourth quarter of 2019 reported a gross margin of 18.8%, as compared to a gross margin of 20.9% reported at the end of the fourth quarter of 2018. The company generated an operating profit of USD 9 million for the fourth quarter ending 31st December, 2019, as compared to USD 28 million generated in the same quarter ending 31st December, 2018.
The energy products segment of the company had reported revenues of USD 343 million for the quarter ended 31st December, 2019, as compared to USD 432 million reported for the quarter ended 31st December, 2018, due to low demand and a line pipe project not materializing for the year ended 31st December, 2019. Additionally, there was a reduction in gross margin calculated as a percentage of revenues that stood at 11.4%, as compared to gross margin of 17.8% registered during the last quarter of 2018. This was partly due to the fact that provisions for inventory to the tune of USD 14 million had existed for the quarter ended 31st December, 2019. Moreover, an operating loss to the tune of USD 2 million had been incurred for the quarter ended 31st December, 2019, while on the other hand, the company had registered an operating profit of USD 33 million during the same quarter last year.
The company had reported a 49% decrease in its revenues that amounted to USD 81 million for the fourth quarter ended 31st December, 2019, as compared to revenues of USD 157 million generated for the same quarter ending on 31st December, 2018. The company had created a provision for its inventory in their U.S. steel distributor operations to the extent of USD 4 million, which had led to its gross margins as a percentage of its revenues to be 3.6% for the fourth quarter of 2019, as compared to 13.3% recorded during the same quarter of 2018. Operating loss of USD 3 million was recorded for the quarter ended 31st December, 2019, as compared to an operating profit of USD 11 million reported during the same quarter of 2018.
The President and CEO of Russel Metals, John G. Reid had mentioned that 2019 had been a tough year, although the performance of the company had been strong enough to withstand the various problems being faced globally, that included the rise in prices of steel in 2018 as a result of trade actions becoming reversed in the middle of 2019, that had helped them sell at prices that was as low as in the year 2017. He also stated that for the year 2019, the company had focused their efforts towards managing working capital that had helped them generate about USD 250 million in cash arising from operating activities. He further expressed that he is looking forward to 2020 that has seen a slight increase in pricing as well as a steady demand.
Additionally, Mr. Reid stated that for the fourth quarter of 2019, the company had company had completed the process of acquiring City Pipe, which is in tune with their strategy of planning to grow their oilfield store operations. He further stated that Elite Supply Partners which has been formed as a result of merger of Apex Remington and City Pipe is currently predicted to hold revenues that can cross USD 300 million for the year 2020 and that the company is looking forward to continue to grow successfully from the combined operation of both the companies.
A quarterly dividend of USD 0.38 per share had been declared by the Board of Directors that will be payable by March 16, 2020 to the shareholders whose name is present on the record as on February 28, 2020.
An Investor Conference Call is also expected to be held by the company on 12th February, 2020 at 9.00 a.m. ET for reviewing the results of the fourth quarter of 2019.
About Russel Metals
Russel Metals, Inc., a metals distribution company having its operations based in Canada has been carrying on the business under three metal distribution segments namely, Metal service centers, energy products and steel distributors.
For more information, please contact:Jackie Hurtado
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Singapore-based and ASX-listed social entertainment platform migme announced its entry into the e-commerce space with the acquisition of currently defunct online penny auction site Sold.sg from its parent company Soldgers Pte Ltd.
Sold.sg comprises two main assets: a pay-to-bid auction site and an e-commerce site. It worked by having users buy tokens with real money and then bid those tokens on a variety of goods.
The company started out well and proved to be popular for a time but had to be shut down due to a lack of positive growth. Until now, it would seem.
“The e-commerce sector is now growing quickly in emerging markets and evolving in developed ones, and this acquisition broadens the service profile of our platform to take advantage of the upside that this sector growth brings,” said Steven Goh, Chief Executive Officer,migme.
“In our view, the key to the incredible success of Taobao, one of Alibaba’s key e-commerce assets, was its social experience. Over the current year, we’ll be looking to replicate some of that success by bringing a playful social e-commerce experience to migme’s platform and growing user base,” he added.
Also Read: SG startup migme invests $400K in MatchMe
migme intends to fully integrate Sold.sg into its existing service, which has grown to include a gaming platform and an app development platform, to name a few.
“This acquisition broadens our service beyond virtual gifts and games, and includes working with our distribution partners, integration with migme’s games and applications platforms, and with our media partners and verified artists, to create new and innovative, valuable experiences for their communities,” said Goh.
Sold.sg will be re-launched by migme in February. The service will be progressively integrated with the migme platform and expanded into key markets during the year.
The terms of the acquisition of Sold.sg are commercial in confidence and are for a nominal mixture of cash and shares.
Echelon Asia Summit is now open for the Top 100 applications! Submit your startup now.


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NEW YORK—Luxury watch retailer Tourneau has announced it will open a 3,300-square-foot flagship store at 510 Madison Avenue in early 2009. The new outpost will replace the company’s existing flagship at 12 East 57th Street and will be Tourneau's fourth New York City location. The company also has stores at 635 Madison Avenue, 200 West 34th Street and 12 E 57th street.
“We are thrilled to be able to showcase our brands in a larger continuous environment, “ said Tourneau’s executive vice president Andrew Block. The store’s current location on 52nd street is divided by the Omni Hotel’s freight elevator, which according to Block has divided the boutique into two separate spaces—with luxury watches from the likes of Rolex and Cartier on one side, and others from brands like Breitling and Tag, on the other.
“I see things on the hanger and I’m, like, ‘I never knew that color worked on me.’ It’s things you necessarily wouldn’t choose to wear, but once you put them on, you see why Janie is who Janie is." — Lily Collins on working with former "Mad Men" costume designer, Janie Bryant on creating looks for her role as Celia Brady's in Amazon series, "The Last Tycoon." 📸@jilliansollazzo #wwdeye
EXCLUSIVE: Sarah Rutson has been tapped to Build New American Fashion Group. The parent of Joie, Equipment and Current/Elliott hired the merchant to rev up its brands and expand its portfolio into designer, beauty and lifestyle categories. Read more on WWD.com, link in bio. #wwdfashion
Michael Kors' $1.3B Jimmy Choo deal has the company squaring off with Coach Inc. as both seek to build American powerhouses. Coach bought Stuart Weitzman in 2015 and Kate Spade just two weeks ago, but Michael Kors' acquisition may be putting pressure on its rival in the new push for scale. #wwdnews (📷: George Chinsee)
Meet actress Lucy Boynton, who plays opposite Naomi Watts in the recently released Netflix series "Gypsy." Boynton stopped by WWD to talk about her upcoming projects and her nomadic lifestyle. Get all the details on WWD.com. #wwdeye (📷: @dandoperalski)


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– Chamber-led delegation held meetings with Maltese Prime Minister, top government officials, and business leaders
-Maltese Minister of Foreign Trade and Promotion: Malta compliments Dubai’s role in the Gulf region as a player in the field of trade and investment
– H.E. Al Ghurair: Malta is an ideal trading partner to Dubai and the emirate serves as a gateway for Maltese businesses that want to access growth markets in the GCC, Africa, and Asia
Dubai, UAE: The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently concluded its high-level trade mission to Malta which aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and explore trade and investment opportunities that are opening up in the fast-growing European country.
A business delegation led by the Chamber met with key stakeholders from the country’s public and private sectors, including H.E. Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of the Republic of Malta, Hon. Carmelo Abela, Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion, Hon. Silvio Schembri, Malta’s Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services, Digital Economy and Innovation, and representatives from the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry.
During a private meeting, H.E. Muscat said the delegation visit was an important and positive step in enhancing Malta-UAE economic ties. He explained that Malta has a lot of trade and investment potential to offer UAE businesses, in addition to other advantages such as the country’s strategic location offering easy access to Europe, strong economic growth, and political stability.
The delegation attended the Malta-Dubai Business Seminar, which was hosted at Malta’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion. During the event, Hon. Carmelo Abela said that Malta compliments the Dubai’s role in the Gulf region as a player in the field of trade and investment. He noted that air links between the UAE and Malta have helped establish a healthy connectivity between the two countries and bring business communities closer together.
For his part, H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber, explained that the Chamber had organised the trade mission to Malta with the intention of exploring new avenues of cooperation between Maltese and Dubai-based companies that will create mutual benefits and economic growth.
Dubai Chamber’s Chairman revealed that non-oil trade between Dubai and Malta amounted to $33 million in 2016, adding that there is still plenty of scope to expand trade and investment ties, especially in the areas of finance, ICT, tourism, healthcare, and education.
“Malta is an ideal trading partner to Dubai as the country shares many synergies with the emirate. With its strategic geographic location and excellent logistics facilities, Dubai can serve as a gateway for Maltese businesses that want to access a market of over 2 billion consumers across the GCC, Africa, and Asia,” said H.E. Al Ghurair.
The delegation was led by Dubai Chamber’s Chairman H.E. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, and joined by H.E. Salim Eisa Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Tunisia and Non-Resident Ambassador to Malta, Mr. Hassan Al Hashemi, Dubai Chamber’s Vice President of International Relations, Mr. Ahmad Saeed Bel Youha, Chairman of Emirates Macaroni Factory, Mr. Omar Shehadeh, Senior Vice President – International Affairs and Engagement, Expo 2020 Dubai, Ms. Line Hachem, Country Manager, Expo 2020 Dubai, and Mr. Ishwar Chugani, CEO and Managing Director, Giordano Middle East.


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A new Windows based exploit called sn0wbreeze was released today, and it gives iPad users the ability to jailbreak their new iOS 4.3 powered device.
In the past, only Mac users could easily jailbreak their devices, but now it seems things are changing with the introduction of these Windows based hacking tools.
This new version of sn0wbreeze is totally compatible with the first generation iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touches, but unfortunately the newly acquired iPad 2 users will have to wait for the next update before they can actually jailbreak the iPad 2. But new reports seem suggest that an iPad 2 jailbreak will be available very soon.
This version of sn0wbreeze is dubbed a tethered jailbreak, which means that users will be forced to plug their iPads into their PC’s every time they decide to reboot their tablet. This jailbreak was created by an iPhone hacker named iH8sn0w, and it’s currently the only Windows based iOS 4.3 jailbreak that I’ve come across. But if you do decide to use sn0wbreeze, then definitely proceed with extreme caution, because this tool is a beta version only.
iPad 2 users, please don’t feel completely left out, because the infamous Apple hacker “comex” states he is currently working on a iPad 2 compatible jailbreak. While comex says that his jailbreaking tool is still a few weeks away from its official release, he has however, released a couple of pictures that show an iPad 2 running the Cydia software.
OTHER IPAD JAILBREAKING ARTICLES:


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The board of CIPS NS would like to thank everyone who attended the first ever CIPS Tech Leader Panel and Awards last Thursday, what a great event it turned out to be, with over 60 people joining us at the beautiful Halifax Club.
A big congratulations to our board members Margaret Havey and Lem Murphy for being awarded fellowships to CIPS Canada, great achievement and thank you for all your hard work pushing our industry forward.
We’d also like to say a big thank you to Calvino Anderson and the Tech and Beer team for hosting a great tech panel and streaming it live on their channel. If you missed the panel you can go back watch it at www.techandbeer.ca. (We will also share it directly on our website later on)
Can’t wait until next time…..


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IKEA selling used furniture? I was gob-smacked for a few reasons: I did not know anyone bought used IKEA furniture; it was surprising that IKEA furniture lasted long enough to transfer to a new owner; and the whole point of purchasing furniture from the big blue and yellow store was to have that sleek modern furniture for a low price, with the added bonus of a lunch at the famous IKEA Café, while hoping that no one you know would see you there.
IKEA has received a fair share of criticism over the years, but there is evidence that the furniture giant is making improvements on the sustainability front. The company has experimented with renewable energy, is phasing out flame retardants in its furniture, and in Sweden it is making a counterintuitive business move: customers in its home country can now sell the store’s used furniture on IKEA’s Swedish site.
According to Peter Agnefäll, CEO of IKEA Sweden, the launch of the used furniture marketplace was a step in proving that IKEA is serious about its environmental stewardship. Members of the company’s customer loyalty program, IKEA Family, can post and sell their items for free. Membership is free, and to that end, Agnefäll says the company does not expect to make any money from this service. He also expects the program to take some time, but in the long run, IKEA does not expect its sales to suffer. At the same time, he dismissed any assertions that IKEA was trying to establish a foothold in the second-hand goods industry, a valid concern to some after last year, when the company had a naming rights issue with a used furniture clearinghouse, ILoveIkea.se. After IKEA took legal action, the site changed its name to Billyandfriends.se.
The site launched last weekend while IKEA’s locations in Sweden held flea markets at the stores’ parking lots. For now IKEA is only offering the online swap meet in Sweden, but if the service catches on, other countries could see a similar online service in the future. The move is a bold one for IKEA, and for consumers, a smart one. With all the talk about eco-friendly furniture and other products with a “sustainability” stamp, there is one fact that is true of many products. Whether the item is a pair of jeans, sofa, car, or house, the most eco-friendly option is often the one that has already been manufactured or built. If less waste is going to a landfill, this is a great start.


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- China attacks lead Apple to alert users on iCloud threats
- Symantec sees rise in high-traffic DDoS attacks
- Industry can head off IoT privacy rules, former US official says
- Microsoft discloses zero-day flaw, publishes quick fix
- This key drive actually unlocks something: Authentication via USB comes to Chrome
Yes. We. Can. Flexible Policy 2.0
Social media may have changed the way we do business, but the rules of engagement are still the same. Dynamic business environments call for flexibility. Context is everything when it comes to deciding what information needs to be blocked or controlled, and when. Read this whitepaper.
Please supply your email address to access the content.


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LG aims to sell 40 million smartphones in 2013Agence France-Presse
SEOUL – LG Electronics on Monday set a global sales target of 40 million smartphones for 2013, as the South Korean firm seeks to expand its presence in a market dominated by bigger rivals such as Samsung.
The world’s fifth-largest handset maker said in a statement that it aims to shift 10 million units each quarter by more than doubling sales of phones designed for next-generation 4G services called Long-Term Evolution (LTE).
Once the world’s number three phone maker in the pre-smartphone era, LG has struggled in recent years, with its Optimus smartphone series lagging Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy S.
But heavy promotion of new models including the Optimus G saw LG’s smartphone sales surge 56 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012 from a year ago to a record 8.6 million units.
Last week, the firm unveiled its latest Optimus G, featuring a full high-definition screen, which packs 2.0 million pixels — twice as many as smartphones with ordinary HD screens.
LG’s main domestic rival and the world’s top smartphone maker, Samsung, has sold more than 40 million units of its latest flagship handset, Galaxy S III, since its launch in May.
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By Sophie McCarrick [email protected]
Seven stores at the Retail Park in Portimão have been razed to the ground, as the result of a fire that broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning (September 23).
Sports retailer Decathlon, general store De Borla, DIY store Aki, office supplies and stationery shop Staples, supermaket Continente, electronic suppliers Rádio Popular and furniture store Moviflor were completely destroyed in the fire.
Only the food court building, a car repairs store and the fuel station, located in adjacent buildings, were spared from the fire.
The blaze was fought by more than 150 firemen aided by 64 vehicles, who managed to bring the fire under control three-and-a-half-hours after it began.
Due to highly flammable products inside the stores that led to multiple, violent explosions, compounded with other slow-burning materials, the fire was only confirmed as being thoroughly extinguished on Tuesday (September 25) at 7.35am.
Firefighters remained on site for several hours of surveillance, confirmed Abel Gomes, the district commander for Civil Protection.
Once the safety conditions had been met, technicians were permitted to enter the fire ravaged stores and start the complicated procedure of determining the cause of the fire.
Jobs at risk
Portimão Mayor Manuel da Luz expressed his concerns about the future for more than 300 workers, at a time when unemployment levels in the Algarve represent the highest in the country.
“I hope employers are able to find a solution for these workers as the Algarve, and particularly Portimão, is seriously affected by a high unemployment level,” he said.
In a statement to the press, Carlos Maia, CEO of Staples Portugal, said: “Our concern right now is to make sure that the 25 employees from the Portimão store do not suffer because of the incident. We are doing everything possible to ensure that things gets back to normal as quickly as possible.”
He also confirmed that all employees from the Portimão Staples store will be relocated to the Faro Staples outlet for the time being, until the company’s objective of reopening another store in the area (to replace the one destroyed in the fire) is fulfilled.
Radio Popular has also ensured employment for their staff by transferring them to other branches in Albufeira and Faro. Portimão’s Continente supermarket employed the greatest number of staff out of the seven stores affected. Its 120 workers have been transferred to other Continente outlets in the Algarve.
A spokesman for car repairs store Feu Vert, which was not affected by the fire, has confirmed that the jobs of its 19 employees are secured. The store remains closed until safety conditions for customers are created.
Whilst the future for the employees of these national brands seems set, the same cannot be said for many other Retail Park store workers, with many still waiting to learn their fate when the Algarve Resident went to press.
Fundbox, the investment fund management company which owns the Retail Park, said that the total cost of the damage has not yet been estimated. According to a press statement, Rui Alpalhão, CEO of the company, stated that the situation is currently being assessed by insurers.
Portimão Mayor believes it will take more than 18 months to rebuild the retail park to its previous, fully functioning state; if indeed it is financially possible.
Portimão city centre: new retail park location?
Algarve retailers association ACRAL and the Portimão Business Association ACP met earlier this week to discuss the essential steps that should be taken, in order to minimise any negative impact from the fire and to ensure the security of jobs of those from the seven affected stores.
The two associations feel that Portimão Câmara should wholly encourage the companies affected to re-open their stores, permanently or temporarily, in the city centre.
It has been well documented and reported that the city of Portimão has been suffering from a downturn in business for several years. By relocating businesses into the centre, more visitors and consumers should be attracted to the ailing city.
According to the Câmara, all stores destroyed by the fire have expressed a willingness to continue operating in Portimão. However, they are unable to determine their future as they do not yet know what alternative venues are available that could accommodate them, allowing them to carry out their normal day-to-day business activities.
“Decathlon are even considering erecting a temporary structure in the car park of the retail park, however, they will need permission from the park’s administration to do so,” said the Câmara spokesperson.


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It's the tail end of a long journey
280-foot naval flag signals home
Published 10:00 pm, Monday, April 14, 2008
It is the biggest flag Carol Anderson has ever sewn. It's the biggest she has ever seen, in fact.
The artisan, who works out of rented quarters in Fremont, has created a 280-foot-long, 17-inch wide, swallow-tailed pennant at the request of the USS Carney.
That guided missile destroyer, itself 505 feet long and displacing 8,300 tons, has been serving in the Middle East and is about to return to its home port of Mayport, Fla.
U.S. naval tradition allows returning ships that have been outside the country for at least nine months to fly a ceremonial flag, properly known as a homeward-bound pennant, as they steam home and enter port.
Anderson, who works under the name C. Anderson & Co. Custom Flagmakers, said personnel aboard the Carney recently contacted her by e-mail after locating the Web site of her one-person business.
She said her site was designed to come up quickly in a search for "homeward-bound pennant," because those flags are a favorite of hers.
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"I just love the way they look, though I never thought I'd make one this big," she said.
Without giving further information, the ship requested a 280-foot pennant with a single white star on the blue field at the attached end, properly known as the hoist. (The other end is known as the fly.)
She promptly got to work, folding, refolding and cutting yards of red, white and blue 200-denier ultraviolet-resistant nylon on her 12-foot-long work table. She sewed the lengths together using her twin-needle industrial sewing machine, with attachments that automatically join two widths of fabric and fold the fabric onto itself to form a finished edge.
As she sat assembling the pennant, she said, she wondered what she had gotten into, especially as the fabric repeatedly became tangled. But she completed the work last week and shipped it Friday, without knowing how it will be put aboard the Carney.
Anderson, 55, wouldn't divulge how much she charged the Navy for her work, but she said it took three solid days to finish.
The Navy couldn't be reached for details. But if the Carney followed the rules when ordering the pennant -- and, the Navy being the Navy, it probably did -- three conclusions can be reached:
Naval Telecommunications Procedures 13(B), Section 1609, specifies that a homeward-bound pennant shall have 1 foot of length for each officer and enlisted person onboard who has been on duty outside the U.S. for more than nine months. The overall length of the pennant is not to exceed the ship's length. The Carney can carry 338 people, but it may not be at capacity.
The Carney apparently had no pennant, though according to its Wikipedia online entry, it has served in the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf.
The daughter of an Army man, Anderson got started in flag making in Newport, R.I., where she owned and operated a business for 14 years.
She opened in Seattle seven months ago, custom-making pretty much any flag, banner or pennant anyone -- even a nonboat owner -- could want.
Though she just got a major order from popular boating-goods store Fisheries Supply, she's counting more on the Internet than on locals to bring her business.
"I've never seen such a naked marina as Shilshole," she said, referring to the newly renovated Ballard facility that's home to many of the city's sailboats.
"Seattle isn't like the East Coast. Most people around here don't care about flags."
Still, she's happy her work will be aboard the Carney.
"This is such an honor for me personally," she said. "I absolutely hate war but have total respect for our military."


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Asia's food and beverage (F&B) scene is undergoing a shakeup as a new breed of investors look to establish a fast-casual sector in the region's infamously capricious industry.
"In the U.S., you have successful fast-casual brands like Chipotle but there are few iconic brands in Asia outside Japan. We want to change that," Hari Kumar, co-founder of investment firm LionRock Capital, told CNBC.
Fast-casual refers to restaurants that offer fresh, high quality ingredients but where customers pay for their orders at the counter as they would at a fast food resultant. Unlike casual dining, no wait staff is employed but an inviting decor sets it apart from quick-service restaurants, a.k.a. fast food chains.
Fast-casual has taken the U.S. market by storm in recent years, with the likes of Chipotle Mexican Grill and Panera Bread consistently surpassing their fast food rivals. For example, Panera reported a 7 percent annual revenue increase during the first quarter, compared to McDonald's 11 percent slide in the same period.
Taking a bet on the U.S. model, Singapore-based LionRock launched Zest Group three years ago, a firm focused on building fast-casual chains in Asia.
Read MoreThe next big trend in fast casual?
Presently, Zest owns and operates three brands: Artisan Boulangerie, Twelve Cupcakes and Alt Pizza. Combined, the three have more than 40 outlets across Asia. Zest's strategy is to come up with the food concept, such a bakery or pizzeria, and then create operations from the ground up.
Product quality differentiates Zest's brands from the rest of the region's F&B space, according to Kumar. For Artisan Boulangerie, Zest brought in award-winning chef Eran Mayer from France and even imports flour from Paris on a regular basis.
"Things like that will be a standard," he said. "When it comes to expanding these brands throughout Asia, we focus on marketing. Unlike other brands that customize products from country to country, we're all about international, cosmopolitan trends, not local markets."


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Canva's valuation increased to $40 billion
Canva has raised about 753 million euros in several venture capital rounds since its inception. Among the most prominent firms that have invested in Canva are T. Rowe Price, Softbank, Blackbird Ventures and Felicis Ventures. And that are just a few of the big venture capital firms.
In September, Canva's capital increased by another $200 million. Thus, the company has received a valuation of $40.
At the same time, this round of funding came just 5 months after the previous one, in which Canva was valued at $15 billion. This means that Canva has almost tripled its valuation in half a year. Right after ByteDance, Stripe, SpaceX, and Klarna, these statistics put Canva in fifth place in the list of the most valuable startups in the world.
In the future, Canva's business will continue to grow. Currently, the company is valued with a revenue multiple of 40. Especially the low prices of the premium features, the loyal users of the platform and the expansion in the international area provide for this impressively high revenue multiplier.
However, you should note that such a high multiplier is by no means unusual for most software companies. For example, the company Snowflake has a projected revenue multiple of 96, and Airbnb has one of 14.
Canva ASX IPO expected in 2022
Most startups go public after a Series E funding round. Canva, however, has long passed that point. And to date, the company has not announced any concrete plans that point to an IPO in Australia.
But Canva's $40 billion valuation will naturally pique the interest of investors around the world once Canva announces its IPO intentions. Financial analysts are sure that you can still expect to invest in Canva in 2022.


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Food & Drink
One chai latte can pack a whopping 42 grams of sugar. Yikes.
A Slate essay is a scary window into the relationship between scientists and soda companies.
Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition and food studies at New York University, who wrote an editorial accompanying Dr. Kearns
And Greulich’s attitudes were reflected in the eventual 1971 launch of NIDR’s anti-cavity research plan. NIDR only approved
"It’s enlightening picking up the large candy bars or those single package cookies and see how many of them you cannot eat
Four reasons to go view the murals of Lake Placid: U.S. Route 27, a 1,373-mile highway that runs from Fort Wayne, Ind., to
When the Times and Herald contacted the politicians for comment, many demurred -- including Scott, whose campaign released
The sugar industry has long benefitted from controversial government subsidies, and it doesn't appear that will change anytime
These days, lockouts are usually associated with professional sports, like when the National Football League locked referees
According to the American Heart Association, Americans now consume on average 22 teaspoons of sugar per day, or 355 calories.


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- Business of Brands
- 2 min read
Jio effect: Second successive quarter of Rs. 5,000 crore loss for Vodafone-Idea
The going looks tough for the company which has now cleared plans to raise Rs. 25,000 crore to fund expansion and tackle competition
Hammered hard by back-breaking competition from Reliance Jio, Vodafone-Idea – the country’s largest telecom company – reported a second successive quarter where losses swelled to Rs 5,000 crore despite working out business synergies and cost optimisation post their merger in August last year.
Vodafone-Idea’s revenues in the quarter were at Rs 11,765 crore, down 2% on a sequential basis (comparable numbers are not available as Vodafone Idea and Idea Cellular operated as different entities then).
The going looks tough for the company which has now cleared plans to raise Rs 25,000 crore to fund expansion and tackle competition. The fund-raising process is in progress, the company said.
Vodafone-Idea said despite tough market situation, it is moving comfortably on its business plans post the merger. “We are progressing well on our stated strategy. The initiatives taken during the quarter started showing encouraging trends by the end of the quarter,” Balesh Sharma, CEO of Vodafone Idea, said.
He said that the company is moving “faster than expected” on integration, specifically on the network front, and is on track to deliver synergy targets. “We remain focused on fortifying our position in key districts by expanding the coverage and capacity of our 4G network, and target a higher share of new 4G customers… The proceeds from the announced capital raise will put us in a strong position to achieve our strategic goals,” Sharma added.
The company said that its subscriber base has come down by around 3.5 crore users in the quarter as it shed customers who were not paying minimum recharge. “The introduction of ‘service validity vouchers’ on a national basis during the quarter, which require customers to make a minimum recharge of Rs 35 (28 days validity), contributed to a reduction of 3.5 crore customers in the quarter, as expected. ‘Incoming-only’ customers or ‘minimal ARPU’ customers consolidated their spending from multiple to single SIMs.”
The measure helped the company increase its average revenue per user (ARPU) by 1.5% in the quarter. “We expect to see further positive impact on revenue and ARPU from these actions.”
On the tariffs side, Vodafone-Idea expects them to remain “stable” during the quarter. “However, customers continue to migrate to lower ARPU plans. Within this context, the company has implemented various initiatives to improve its revenue, profitability and competitive standing in line with its stated strategy, which began to impact performance positively towards the end of the quarter.”


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Christina Hendricks of Mad Men stashed a £500,000 Chopard diamond bracelet in her ample bosom, while Jennifer Lawrence draped a 74-carat, 150- diamond bead necklace across her back at the Oscars.
Kate Winslet, Colin Firth and even Uggie — the dog from The Artist — have also worn pieces by the luxury Swiss jeweller.
After a gem of a year, and the kind of advertising that money can’t buy, Chopard has secured its long-term future on Bond Street, London — at a price.
The retailer has agreed a deal with the Pollen Estate to occupy 12 and 13 New Bond Street. When the two stores are redeveloped, Chopard will pay a record £1,300 per sq ft — the highest rent ever secured in Britain.


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Living the dream has always been one of the draws of coming to the UAE – the weather, the lifestyle, saving money for the future and the expatriate way of life. But with soaring rent prices and bloated food costs it is fair to say fear of the cost of living is sweeping across the population.
Not a day goes by without a report underlining the threat faced by an impending inflationary crisis in the UAE, and the menace is gathering momentum across the GCC. The issue is, and should be, at the forefront of the minds of expats settled in the UAE or for those considering the move.
"I believe there is acute awareness of this issue. Look around you: everybody is talking about inflation. It seems that even expats in the higher-income brackets are feeling the pinch. Some are finding it difficult to sustain their lifestyle. We are definitely seeing the effects of a purchasing-power crunch," said Amer Halawi, director at The National Investor. "What is also certainly true is that the salary premium an expat would historically earn for enduring the local hardship is melting fast, as fast as the UAE is developing into an increasingly attractive destination."
The threat of escalating inflation has been well documented. The UAE government's latest figures found inflation surged to a 19-year high of 9.3 per cent in 2006, and a recent Reuters' poll said 2008 would see a peak of 11.8 per cent.
In Kuwait and Saudi Arabia this figure is also close to 10 per cent, while only Bahrain has a more modest inflation rate of about five per cent, Fitch Ratings said this week.
"GCC inflation is at its highest in more than 30 years," the firm's report said.
All this means that foreigners in the UAE are feeling the bite in their wallet when it comes to things like rent, food and fuel. Some are considering whether the drop in bang-for-your buck is really worth it anymore.
Philippe Dauba-Pantanacce, senior economist for the Middle East and North Africa in Global Markets at Standard Chartered Bank, said: "It is obvious that if the inflation phenomenon continues the way it has been in the past year in the UAE, the loss of purchasing power that the expat community will incur will push them to reassess their decision to come here. In the region, inflation is the biggest macro economic risk, but for expats it has a major impact on the decision-making process for coming here."
What to do then for the incumbent expat community and those about to settle here?
Adam Hopewell, who works for the University of Abu Dhabi, made the jump last year and has experienced the full gamut of living costs that the UAE has to offer.
He arrived from Boston, United States, nine months ago and was stationed in Ras Al Khaimah working for the Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. He had his rent and general living costs paid for. He then started work for the university as vice-president for commercial development at the Institute for Enterprise and Development and was not given as generous a corporate expense account. Living in Abu Dhabi, Hopewell said even with a vice-president's income he struggled to find affordable housing. So he now lives in Dubai Marina and suffers the daily commute.
"I've lived in eight countries, and usually upon arriving one of my first thoughts would not be making a purchase of property. However, in an area that is as unstable in rent and inflation as this is, buying became one of the first things to think about. This is to protect myself against price rises in rent. I hear that rents have been locked down to seven per cent, but they make it up in other ways, such as charging Dh2,000 a month for a parking space. It seems safer to look into purchasing almost immediately," he said.
Taking that first step on the property ladder is something every expat would love to achieve. But often it is not a realistic option.
For those who can, the decision must be carefully considered, for just as property can provide a handy inflationary shield it has the potential to create major complications if inflation continues to sky-rocket unchecked.
"If inflation is really a macro economic problem that is not well-addressed in the future it could produce an asset price bubble – which means the real estate market might correct in five years – then in the end you might not have protected yourself and could lose everything," said Dauba-Pantanacce.
He emphasised that those renting can also be smart when it comes to inflation. "For an expat coming to the UAE, the first element of the inflation composite figure he will be subjected to is rent. If that person is going to start to look for an apartment in November but is only able to get one in January then already the prices will have jumped drastically. But for someone living here for a while, the problem is different because as a result of the rent caps you won't be subject to that inflation. If you've been in your apartment since last year, the maximum inflation that you could face is five per cent. So your personal inflation is different."
Dauba-Pantanacce's top tip for those building a life in the UAE is to negotiate the details of accommodation with the employer so that you do not fly into an inflated rent price.
Expat businesses looking to gain exposure to the GCC are also facing a tough choice: could we reduce our running costs, such as office space rent, if we chose somewhere other than Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
US venture capital firm Ascent Group chose to run two medical research and development facilities in Oman and Jordan because the cost of doing the same in Dubai would render the projects uncompetitive.
"We view the UAE as more of a financial centre and for sales and marketing of medical technology, and not as a manufacturing hub," said Peggy Farley, CEO of Public Capital Markets at Ascent. "Dubai is priced out of the market for what we're doing. If we try to put a service centre like the one we're putting in Jordan, the cost would be so high we couldn't compete with other markets. Plus, the labour core isn't here, as it is in Amman."
For the average white-collar ex-pat, having to tackle the daily food bills can be a major source of inflationary woes. Given that the UAE imports 90 per cent of its produce and food price inflation recently hit 27 per cent, according to United Kingdom bank Standard Chartered, consumers are facing an uphill battle.
Dauba-Pantanacce said expats must investigate their shopping receipts and work out what aspects of inflation are putting the most pressure on their purses. "Each person should try to measure how much they are subjected to inflation and what type of inflation this is. Find out which food inflation prices you are affected the most by."
It seems some have already overhauled their purchasing habits, with nearly 30 per cent cutting back on lifestyle spending, according to a study by Zurich International Life. The report's most telling finding is that 65 per cent of foreigners believe the current economic climate is having an impact on their financial priorities. This compares to 85 per cent in Qatar and 82 per cent in Bahrain.
"I would say inflation is probably making the UAE financially less attractive to expats than it used to be, but this is slightly compensated by better opportunities and a friendly tax environment," said Halawi.
Adam Hopewell, vice-president for commercial development at the Abu Dhabi University Institute for Enterprise and Development, arrived from Boston nine months ago to work for Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and was given a corporate apartment in Ras Al Khaimah.
He said: "It was a soft entry because you don't get exposed to the cost of living as the company is picking up all the bills. But four months ago I moved to Abu Dhabi to work for Abu Dhabi University. One of the first things was looking at accommodation, for which I was given a housing allowance but not with full corporate cover. I looked around for two weeks but was unable to find anything that fitted budgetary needs and quality of life concerns. So I ended up moving to Dubai Marina, and commute everyday. What you get in the Marina is far more pleasant than what was offered at a similar price in Abu Dhabi. Rent takes up a third of my income. But over the past four months I haven't noticed the general price of goods hit my wallet.
"At the university I've been involved with the process of hiring more than 40 staff at managerial level from all over the world. At a vice-president level you can afford to suck it in and cover these costs, but you're bringing in managers whose salaries are not at that level. For them to find one-bedroom apartments in Abu Dhabi that are acceptable is very difficult. How can you expand and make a business more aggressive and proactive if you can't bring in the talent necessary to drive it forward?"


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If you're a Microsoft Windows IT professional and support Windows 10, then you should spend 5 minutes to watch this video. This will explain the changes that are being made to Windows Update service model.
Video Description: "With Windows 10, there is a shift to delivering Windows as a service. Catch up on the new way Microsoft builds, deploys and services Windows. Michael Niehaus, Director, Windows Commercial, defines the core components of the Windows as a service model and recent updates Microsoft announced. He will also review the build release process and update cadence, upcoming enhancements to further streamline the model, and how the model also applies to Office 365 ProPlus and Windows Server."


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Capcom looking for big Res Evil 6 numbers, expects 7million
Capcom is expecting the highly anticipated survival horror romp Resident Evil 6 to ship 7 million copies. No pressure then.
To put that into perspective, as of June 2011, Resident Evil 5 sold (not shipped) 5.8 million units.
There’s an arguement that Capcom could be putting all of their eggs into one basket, especially when you consider their predictions for other upcoming releases. DmC: Devil May Cry is expected to ship 2 million, Dragon’s Dogma 1.5 million and Lost Planet 3 1.4 million.
Those numbers come from Capcom’s most report financial report.
Capcom believes that this years revenue will hit £621 million, £157 million more than last year.


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- 2015 Feb 27
B&N Stock Soars
Barnes & Noble stock closed up nearly 7% Thursday following news that the 658-store book chain was going to keep its embattled Nook e-reader rather than spin it off.
Amazon Hires Jay Carney
The former press secretary to President Obama is joining Amazon as senior v-p for global corporate affairs, a new position, the retailer said Thursday.
New Bill Bryson Coming
Bill Bryson’s first travel book in 15 years will be published by Transworld in the U.K. in autumn.
The Few, the Proud, the Independent
Contending first with the chains and more recently with Amazon, independent booksellers find survival tough but not impossible and lately new stores are thriving.
Connecticut Town Pursues Sendak Museum
Three years after Maurice Sendak's death, his western Connecticut hometown of Ridgefield is pursuing a museum honoring the author of 'Where the Wild Things Are.'
- 2015 Feb 26
William Wondriska's "Puff" is being reissued.
Neil Gaiman Tweets
Funny tweets from Neil Gaiman.
Photos of Children Transformed
An artist creates art based on photos of kids.
Catching Up with M.T. Anderson
An interview with M.T. Anderson.
Female Sci-Fi Authors
A look at female science fiction authors.
'Crayons' Cover Reveal
The cover for "The Day the Crayons Came Home" is revealed.
A Maurice Sendak museum may open in his home town.
Jimmy Kimmel's Book Club
Jimmy Kimmel's Book Club returns.
How We Talk About YA
An article about how we categorize and discuss YA literature.
'Circus Mirandus' Heads to Screen
Cassie Beasley's "Circus Mirandus" has been optioned for film.
'What Kids Are Reading'
U.K. "What Kids Are Reading" report shows dystopia, comedies, and John Green top list.
Assessing the Health of Indies
The 'New York Times' takes a look at the trajectory of independent bookshops.
Publishers Stand By O'Reilly
Book publishers for Fox News Channel host Bill O'Reilly say they stand behind 'Killing Kennedy,' despite questions that have been raised about O'Reilly's reporting.
The First 'Real Book' Munro Read
In an essay originally printed in 1962, several years before Alice Munro’s first book was published, the author describes “the first real book” she ever read: Charles Dickens’s 'A Child’s History of England.'
Bonnie Slotnick Opens In New Space
The cookbook store began a new chapter Wednesday afternoon by debuting its new East Village location.
German Publisher to Go Subscription
Bastei Lübbe bought the German e-bookstore Beam last September, and has now revealed plans to launch an e-book subscription service next year.
- 2015 Feb 25
Borderlands to Stay in Business
Less less than 48 hours after the San Francisco bookstore posted a potential solution to its demise Thursday, it reached its own goal to avoid closure. More than 300 people signed up for $100 annual sponsorships, meaning the shop will stay afloat for at least the next year.
Former 'Times' Editor Writing a Book?
The 'New York Post' reports that former 'New York Times' executive editor Jill Abramson is shopping a book on the future of the news business.
Germany Preps for 'Mein Kampf' Printing
The country is getting ready for the first new run of Adolf Hitler's autobiographical manifesto since the end of World War II.
The U.K.'s Favorite Opening Line
J.M. Barrie's classic 'Peter Pan' is the book with the U.K.'s favorite opening line, according to a new poll.
'I Was Here' Gets Optioned
New Line is reuniting with Gayle Forman, the author behind the company’s adaptation of 'If I Stay,' optioning the movie rights to Forman’s latest bestseller, the mystery romance 'I Was Here.'
- 2015 Feb 24
Celebrating Black History
Twenty-six children's books about black figures throughout history.
Items to Find after Lost 'Suess'
A tongue-in-cheek list of items to discover now that the lost Suess book has been found.
'Bea Catcher Chronicles' Adapted
ABC Family is adapting Oliva Samm's "The Bea Catcher Chronicles" for television.
Nebula Award Nominees
Nominees for the 2014 Nebula Awards are announced.
The Finnish National Opera presents a Moomin ballet.
Celebrating Bank Street
A celebration for Bank Street Book Store's new location.
Cover reveals for upcoming YA books.
YA Movie Adaptations
A roundup of upcoming YA movie adaptations.
On Trying to Do Too Much
An author and her agent discuss the nitty-gritty of finding a book's identity.
'Huck Finn' Misreadings
An essay about the complexity of "Huckleberry Finn" and Twain's intentions in writing it.
Teen authors discuss the pros and cons of publishing so early in their careers.
Old Fairy Tales Made New
An editor and translator discusses her new collection of Franz Xaver von Schönwerth's fairy tales.
Goodbye to Horrid Henry
"Horrid Henry's Cannibal Curse" will be the last book in Francesca Simon's series.
A History of YA
A look at YA over the last several decades.
Why Young Adults are Reading Print
An article discusses how many young adults prefer to read in print.
Why Do Adults Read YA? An Answer.
Chuck Wendig responds to The Guardian's question about why so many adults read YA.
Why Do Adults Read YA?
An article about why so many adults are reading YA books.
Maya Angelou 'Forever'
The iconic poet and author who died last year at 86 will be honored with a "Forever" stamp by the U.S. Postal Service.
Carver, the Baleful Star of 'Birdman'
How the director of 'Birdman' drew inspiration from the short story writer Raymond Carver.
S&S Faces Unpaid Intern Suits
Simon & Schuster is one of the latest companies to face proposed class actions in New York state court, accusing them of misclassifying their interns as ineligible for minimum wages, according to Friday filings.
Struggling Writer Gets Oprah Nod
First-time author Cynthia Bond speaks to NPR about 'Ruby' being picked as the next Oprah's Book Club 2.0 selection.
Adults Reading YA
'The Guardian' asks, why have YA books appealed to so many people beyond their target audience?
- 2015 Feb 23
Waterstones Boss on Taking on Amazon
James Daunt, the chief exec of the U.K.'s only national book chain, has finally stemmed years of losses. So what's he going to do about his online rivals?
Deal Reached in Dockworker Dispute
Negotiators reached a tentative contract covering West Coast dockworkers on Friday evening, likely ending a protracted labor dispute that snarled international trade at seaports, which included books imported from Asia.
'Fifty Shades' Tops the Box Office Again
With a worldwide total of $413 million.
Can Sponsorship Save Small Bookstores?
The 'New Yorker' on Borderlands' attempt to keep its doors open.
A Guide to the Books Behind the Oscars
An infographic about the nominated films and their source material.
- 2015 Feb 20
The Caldecott Winner Who Gave Back
Ed Emberley won children’s books' highest honor, then he taught us all to draw.
Thanhha Lai on NPR
The NBA-winning author talks about her new book, 'Listen, Slowly.'
New Kids TV Adaptations
Amazon greenlights series based on the I Stink! books by Kate and Jim McMullan.
The Best Is Yet to Come
An Early 2015 Picture Book Preview.
Kids Books Are Never Just For Kids
Many adults re-read books that had a big impact in childhood. So why are children’s books not considered worthy of major awards?
Sherlock Holmes Story Found in Attic
An historian has unearthed the first unseen Sherlock Holmes story in more than 80 years.
E-book of Malcolm X Autobiography Coming
One of the last major digital holdouts, 'The Autobiography of Malcolm X,' should soon be available as an e-book, according to the attorney for the late activist's estate.
The Best of Murakami’s Advice Column
Vulture has collected (and translated) some of the Japanese author's best responses to reader-submitted questions.
Story Behind the 'First Edition' 'Iliad'
The propmaster on the film 'The Boy Next Door' reveals the secret of the "first edition" of 'The Iliad.'
It's A Woman's Universe
The ladies of science fiction.
- 2015 Feb 19
From Page to Screen
The 'American Sniper' screenwriter on the challenges of adapting a book into a movie.
Blacklisted from Birth
A Letter from Langston Hughes.
Where Can Amazon Fly Its Drones?
The FAA's proposed drone rules clip the wings of Amazon’s Prime Air delivery service in the U.S., but the online retailer could be eyeing other countries for testing to keep momentum going.
Turning Books Into Visual Art
A Russian artist buys old books in bulk, flings open their pages then paints them with old-fashioned surrealist scenes.
Fire Chief Files Suit
Former Atlanta Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran, who was fired after self-publishing a book criticizing homosexuality, has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed.
- 2015 Feb 18
Amazon's Drone Plans Nixed By Regulators
The retailer's drone delivery plans appear to have been shot down by U.S. regulators, who have proposed new rules that would require operators to keep the flying machines in their line of sight.
F. Scott Fitzgerald in Hollywood
The last days of a genius.
Mailer Set for the Big Screen
Norman Mailer‘s historical fact-based novel 'The Armies of the Night' has been optioned for big screen adaptation by RadicalMedia, the company announced Tuesday.
E-books Up in the Air
Digital resources in the form of e-books, audiobooks, and other media are beginning to take flight across the country by way of airport library branches.
'LA Times,' Award-Winning Journo Team Up
The 'Los Angeles Times' has announced a venture with journalist Jose Antonio Vargas to establish #EmergingUS, a multimedia platform which will explore the evolving American identity in the 21st century.
- 2015 Feb 17
Why 'Mockingbird' Won't Die
Sam Tanenhaus on why Harper Lee's first book continues to occupy the exalted place it does.
Britain's Dream Jobs
The three most desirable jobs in Britain are an author, a librarian and an academic, according to a new study that suggests the country is increasingly bookish in its career aspirations.
Princeton Gifted $300M in Rare Books
A Princeton University alum has bequeathed to the school his collection of 2,500 rare books worth an estimated worth of $300 million - the largest single donation in the school's history, officials said.
Confessions of a Comma Queen
A 'New Yorker' copy editor’s life in grammar.
Pharrell Gets Happier
Grammy Award-winning performer Pharrell Williams has an agreement with Putnam Books for Young Readers for four picture books, starting with one inspired by his hit song, 'Happy.'
- 2015 Feb 13
Your YA BFF
A quiz to find out your best friend from YA.
Anti-Vaccine Picture Book Causes Stir
An anti-vaccine children's book on Amazon draws attention.
Dana Schwartz making fun of YA dystopian books via Twitter.
Funny Takes on Classic Books
A father writes a tongue-in-cheek critique of classic children's books.
Theatre Company Premieres
Minneapolis’ Children's Theatre Company celebrates its 50th anniversary with five premieres.
Anne Tyler on 'The Little House'
Anne Tyler was profoundly influenced by Virginia Lee Burton's "The Little House."
Niven Credits Woolf for Inspiration
Jennifer Niven was inspired by Virginia Woolf when writing the love song between characters in "All the Bright Places."
'I Am Malala' Grammy Win
"I Am Malala" wins a Grammy for best children's album.
A Review of 'Tuck Everlasting'
A review of the new musical adaptation of "Tuck Everlasting."
Weinstein 'Sunshine Girl' Prediction
Harvey Weinstein thinks that Paige McKenzie's "The Haunting of Sunshine Girl" will be next big YA property.
Lauren Oliver to Adapt 'Panic'
Universal has hired Lauren Oliver to write the screenplay for her novel "Panic."
'The Terrible Two' Heads to Big Screen
Universal options Mac Barnett and Jory John's "The Terrible Two."
Carnegie and Greenaway Longlists
The longlists for the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medals are announced.
Waterstones Prize Shortlist
Louise O’Neill, Robin Stevens, Steve Antony, and Sally Green are among the authors shortlisted for the Waterstones children's book prize.
'NYT' Critic and Author David Carr Dies
David Carr, media columnist at the 'New York Times' and author of 'The Night of the Gun' died on Thursday in Manhattan. He was 58.
Amazon is Killing Your Mailman
A postal worker on why the online retailer's Sunday service is a labor travesty.
Telling Letter From Hemingway's Widow
The mystery of whether Ernest Hemingway’s widow volunteered or was coerced into leaving their Cuban house to the nation has come a step closer to being solved.
Franco to Star in King Adaptation
James Franco will star as Jake Epping in the Hulu original series '11/22/63,' based on Stephen King's bestselling 2011 novel of the same name.
KU Launches in Canada
Continuing the roll-out of the e-book subscription service which launched in the U.S. last summer, Kindle Unlimited has now been established in Canada, with over 750,000 titles available to readers.
- 2015 Feb 12
Who Will Miss Jon Stewart the Most?
Joan Rivers's Daughter Penning Book
Melissa Rivers, the only child of late comedian Joan Rivers, will write about their relationship in a book to be published later this year by Crown.
'50 Shades,' Not the End of Civilization
"Mommy porn" brings romance-novel fantasies to mass culture for the first time, and everyone is freaking out, says Salon's Laura Miller.


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State-issued ID and an alcohol breath test required to shop from wine vending machines in Pennsylvania grocery stores.
Move over, potato chips and candy. A new vending machine technology implemented by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board now lets shoppers also push a button for their favorite Merlot.
In mid-October the control board, the only entity authorized to sell liquor in Pennsylvania, began installing 30 wine vending machines in various chain supermarkets across the state, which complies with the state law against selling alcohol in grocery stores. The machines, called Pronto Wine Kiosks, hold up to 700 bottles of 50 different varieties of wine and are available for anyone over the age of 21.
To buy the bottle of choice, however, it’s not as simple as pressing A9.
Consumers insert a valid state-issued ID card into a scanning device on the kiosk that reads the information from the magnetic strip. A customer service representative for the liquor control board monitors the transaction via video link from a remote location, checks the driver’s license information to ensure the consumer is of legal drinking age, and visually verifies the person’s identity against their photo ID. The customer is then required to blow into a blood alcohol measuring device. If a breath alcohol level of .02 or higher is detected, the consumer is denied service and won’t be able to make a purchase. The entire process takes less than 20 seconds, according to the liquor control board.
The purchaser’s personal information is held on the kiosks’ server, which communicates with the bank that’s involved in the payment transaction. The information is saved on the server for 30 days and then is erased.
According to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, this is the newest vending machine technology available to date. The machines were created by Pennsylvania-based Simple Brands.
The agency first experimented with the idea in June by placing two pilot machines in two large Pennsylvania stores. The response was positive and 28 more machines were then installed in other supermarkets, said Stacy Kriedeman deputy director of external affairs for the liquor control board.
“We didn’t know what to expect because this technology is new,” she said.
The liquor control board is in negotiations with Wal-Mart about installing the machines in stores statewide, said Kriedeman.


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Global lighting and electronic manufacturing company, Panasonic
opens its first automotive battery cell
production site in China
, the company said in a press release. The company will further strengthen its global competitiveness in the automotive battery industry by the establishment of production sites in Japan, the United States, and China.
It has provided automotive lithium ion batteries
to a number of auto manufacturers on a global basis. Furthermore, in response to further increase in the demand of high-performance automotive lithium ion batteries, Panasonic not only increased production at Japanese sites but will also start automotive battery cell production in the United States in 2017. The newly constructed factory in China is a new production facility of Panasonic Automotive Energy Dalian
Co., Ltd., an automotive battery joint venture established between Panasonic and Dalian Levear Electric Co., Ltd. in February 2016.
Panasonic is aiming to achieve 2 trillion yen in sales for the overall automotive business, including infotainment systems and industrial devices, in the fiscal year 2019 ending March 31, 2019 which marks the 100th anniversary of the companys founding. Panasonic will develop the new factory into a core manufacturing site in China, and further strengthen its automotive battery business.
Overview of the new factory
Site area Approx. 170,000 m2
Floor area Approx. 80,000 m2
Production items Prismatic type lithium ion batteries for eco friendly vehicles
Production launch Fiscal 2018, ending March 31, 2018


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HTC isn’t expected to release the One (M8) Prime—the phablet successor to its latest flagship phone—until September, but we may not have to wait that long for the company’s next big thing. The Taiwanese phone maker took to Twitter last night to tease “more beautiful curves” in the new future, which has us thinking it could be releasing something new very soon even if it’s not the rumored M8 Prime.
More beautiful curves coming soon. pic.twitter.com/sEhw3xqX79
— HTC (@htc) May 20, 2014
The One (M8) Prime is expected offer all the latest hardware, including a Snapdragon 805 processor, 5.5-inch 2k display and 3GB of RAM along with a waterproof aluminum design, but like we said the upcoming phablet probably won’t launch until September around the same time Apple announces its next iPhone and Samsung unveils the Galaxy Note 4. So what else could HTC be announcing? There are a few possibilities ranging from One (M8) spinoffs to more surprising options.
Based on recent leaks, we’re expecting HTC to announce a One Remix device in the near future, though it looks like the upcoming handset is just a blue version of the One mini 2 reserved for Verizon. Recent rumors also suggest HTC could be working on a new Nexus tablet codenamed “Flounder,” which Google could announce sometime this summer.
It’s too soon to predict exactly what HTC is hinting at on Twitter, though we wouldn’t mind seeing the M8 Prime or a curvy aluminum Nexus tablet announced in the near future. HTC has an excellent track record so far this year with both the One (M8) and its mini variant blowing us away, and we’re sure whatever comes next will be just as impressive.


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Zappos.com has about 24 million registered customers who purchase products through their website. Now, officials at the company are requesting that all 24 million account holders log on and change their passwords.
Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos announced via email that Zappos.com was “recently the victim of a cyber attack by a criminal who gained access to parts of our internal network and systems through one of our servers in Kentucky.”
Zappos essentially froze all registered accounts by expiring the passwords and resetting them. Now customers can either follow email instructions or the instructions posted on Zappos.com to change their passwords and ensure that their account is safe.
According to Zappos, whoever hacked the servers got access to customers’ information. The information included billing addresses, shipping addresses, phone numbers, passwords, names, and the last four numbers of debit and credit card numbers. Luckily for customers, Zappos reports that full credit card and debit card numbers, along with other payment information, are stored in a different server and that one was not affected and that information is still protected.
For customers that has questions or want to discuss the matter, email is the best way to reach Zappos officials. Their phones have been turned off temporarily because of the number of expected calls. Officials said they would respond to all emailed grievances.


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Toys “R” Us mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe has been pictured leaving the store with a packed suitcase, signalling the end of childhoods everywhere.
The picture went viral on social media after Toys “R” Us employee Rene Johnpiere shared it on Facebook, just a day before the company closes its remaining stores.
In the image, Geoffrey is surrounded by empty shelves while holding a suitcase and waving goodbye. It really is brutal.
Johnpiere also shared images of the empty shelves in her store as it was closed for the last time. “My heart is breaking,” she wrote.
Several other devastating images were shared on social media, including of a sign that read: “I guess everyone has grown up. There’s no more Toys “R” Us, kids.”
Toy lovers and devoted Toys “R” Us customers have been expressing their sadness on Twitter.
One person wrote: “This is actually very sad image. Toys-R-Us was ‘the’ toy store my whole life. Bye Geoffrey.”
Another added: “Gut wrenching such a huge part of our daughter’s childhood! We loved going there for years!”
Toys “R” Us confirmed that it had gone into administration back in February. There was hope that the company would find a buyer, but it was not to be.
The toy retailer has been a household name for decades, with many kids growing up watching Geoffrey the Giraffe in TV adverts. Depressingly, there’s no longer “millions [of toys] all under one roof”.
Source: Read Full Article


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LONDON (MarketWatch) - An upbeat outlook from Oracle. Corp. for around 25 percent earnings growth lifted technology sector sentiment on Wednesday, with the resultant rise in the U.S. stock futures setting up hopes for a second day of gains in New York.
International markets were offering more of a mixed picture, dealers in London cautioned. While the benchmark Japan Nikkei followed through on the New York rise, Continental and British stock markets were little changed on the day.
The Dow industrials futures were up 40 points at 10,506 after 8 a.m. Eastern, looking for gains after the Dow's near one percent run on Tuesday. The Nasdaq 100 tracker QQQQ was up 0.8 percent at $36.99.
Amid the rush in December quarter earnings, the better-than-expected picture of economic growth continued to emerge. Britain's GDP rose 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter, indicating an above-trend 3.1 percent rise for the U.K. economy last year.
Tuesday, China said its economy surged 9.5 percent in the fourth quarter despite the government's attempts to cool growth.
Amid underlying stocks, a Merrill Lynch upgrade for Internet search stock Yahoo
to "buy" from "neutral" on more aggressive online advertising expectations lifted the stock to $34.70, up 2 percent. EBay
Biotech stock ImClone Systems IMCL rose close to 7 percent on the Archipelago exchange to $39.96 after a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss.
Mobile giant Vodafone Group
In software, shares of Germany's SAP
For its part, Oracle Corp. said it expects fiscal 2006 earnings to grow 22 to 28 percent over 2005 levels to 76 to 80 cents a share, above the average analyst estimate compiled by Thomson First Call of 70 cents a share. For fiscal 2005, the business software company expects earnings growth of 24 percent to 62 cents a share, matching analyst forecasts.
Eastman Kodak Co. EK expects to earn $2.60 to $2.90 a share in 2005 on revenue of $14 billion to $14.6 billion, ahead of analyst projections for earnings of $2.57 a share and revenue of $13.9 billion. Kodak also said it had discovered errors related to its accounting for income taxes.
Media group Knight Ridder
Overnight, shares of digital device maker Lexar Media LEXR dropped 31 percent to $2 on a surprise loss. Wednesday, it said a California court on Tuesday tentatively denied all of Toshiba's motion for summary judgment.
RBC Capital Markets upgraded network equipment maker Foundry Networks FDRY to "outperform" from "sector perform," on the start of a new product cycle and improving execution in Japan.
Merrill raised its rating on Texas Instruments, Inc.
Credit Suisse First Boston raised its rating on Swiss foods giant Nestle


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Electronic Cigarettes: Less Addicting
The Department of Public Health Sciences within Penn State University conducted an original study which was aimed to determine one’s dependence on electronic cigarettes and if that dependency was greater or less than the dependency on analog cigarettes. 3609 active electronic cigarette users, who were also former analog cigarette smokers, completed an online survey about their e-cigarette use. And the verdict from these 3609 users – electronic cigarettes are less addicting than analog cigarettes. The participants reported that they are less dependent on e-cigarettes when compared to their dependency on analog cigarettes. The reason behind this lesser dependency is likely due to the lower nicotine content in electronic cigarettes as Jonathan Flouds, author of the study suggested. Many electronic cigarette brands provide specific levels of nicotine, ranging from zero milliliters (nicotine-free), 6 ml, 12 ml, 18 ml, and 24 ml. Users are given the freedom to choose what nicotine level would suit their needs, whether satisfying the addiction or reducing one’s need for nicotine. Though the freedom to choose nicotine levels would suggest that electronic cigarettes are a smoking cessation product, the United States Food and Drug Administration has not approved them for this use and for good reason.
Electronic cigarettes are a new class of products that aren’t under proper regulation by the FDA. E-cigarettes deliver nicotine, glycerin, propylene glycol, and flavorings through inhaled vapor. The ingredients within a typical e-cigarette contain far fewer cancerous agents and toxic substances than analog cigarettes. From short-sight, electronic cigarettes seem to be far safer than analog cigarettes. And many short-term studies have proven that e-cigarettes are a better alternative and some have suggested that e-cigarettes can be a smoking cessation product. But what about long-term? That is a territory yet to be investigated, but the FDA is conducting long-term studies on these battery operated devices and the FDA has plans to reveal the results sometime by 2018.
We’ll have to wait another four to five years until we can determine whether or not electronic cigarettes are hazardous to one’s health. But in the mean time, knowing that electronic cigarettes are less addicting than analog cigarettes is great news for the e-cig industry as this study helps push these battery operated devices into a more positive light.


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PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – With an increase in reports of daily kidnappings across the country, truck drivers from the neighboring Dominican Republic have decided not to enter Haiti deliver goods and produce.
This measure has been adopted by Dominican drivers who travel from the National District and the provinces of Santiago, Valverde, Puerto Plata, La Vega among others.
Based on this decision, these carriers unload their goods in the border area and the Haitian carriers are responsible for picking them up and delivering them to their recipients in Haiti.
According to René Bazin, several of his colleagues were victims of the looting of their trucks while traveling in Haiti.
He explained that the gangs in addition to kidnapping for ransom, are dedicated to looting trucks, tankers and other vehicles that transport food, building materials, household and electrical appliances, among others… adding “It pains me to say it, but my country is currently unlivable, many of my colleagues want to stop transporting, because there is no security for anyone.”
For his part, Juan Marte the President of the National Central of Transport Workers considered wise the decision of Dominican carriers to refrain from entering Haiti with vehicles containing food and other goods.
“It’s the right thing to do because it’s not fair that drivers risk their lives for a few more pesos,” he said.


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Everyone loves a bargain, but some shoppers just want access.
At least that’s the thesis behind Moda Operandi, a New York-based start-up that has raised $36 million from venture capital firm RRE Ventures, and several strategic investors, including IMG and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton.
Like Vente Prive, Gilt Groupe and a bevy of me-too flash sales sites, Moda Operandi offers limited timed sales. But instead of baiting consumers with deep discounts, Moda gives its users early access to designers’ upcoming merchandise and charges full prices. Previous investors New Enterprise Associates, New Atlantic Ventures and Conde Nast also participated in the financing round.
Moda Operandi’s investment comes as many high-end retailers, once reluctant to sell their premium goods online, begin to embrace the Web.
There are still some notable holdouts in the industry, like Chanel, which doesn’t sell its trademark quilted bags or boucle jackets online. But many are becoming emboldened, as more consumers shift to the Web to make their purchasing decisions. Online sales in the United States are expected to grow more than 50 percent to $304 billion in the next three years, according to data from Forrester. And earlier this year, LVMH, started the Chinese-language version of nowness.com, its fashion editorial site, in a bid to expand its influence among China’s elite.
Moda Operandi is part of a new crop of start-ups courting high-end designers willing to grant exclusivity but not discounts. The company — founded in 2010 by Áslaug Magnúsdóttir, a former Gilt Group executive, and Lauren Santo Domingo, a Vogue contributing editor — showcases limited sales, or trunk shows, for prestigious designers like Marc Jacobs and Proenza Schouler. Shoppers pay half of the full price upon purchase, and the rest when the item is received. The goods, which are usually showcased before they hit department store shelves, typically arrive 6 to 10 weeks later.
Moda Operandi was created in part to help brands connect with consumers after fashion shows. Now that the Web has made shows so accessible, Ms. Magnúsdóttir says there is a major opportunity for labels to immediately capitalize on these marketing events by selling direct to consumers online.
“Because customers are now able to see full collections online in real time, there is a great deal of excitement generated by fashion shows that Moda Operandi strives to harness immediately,” Ms. Magnúsdóttir said. “The Web has created a much savvier consumer.”
The financing will be used to help build the business internationally and increase its “in-season” business. Unlike its preorder business, which makes up the bulk of its revenue, Moda Operandi also offers curated collections of ready-to-ship goods.
In many ways, the rise of companies like Moda Operandi is a reaction to the glut of discount flash sales sites. While sites like Gilt have been able to attract premium brands, many have also struggled to build their inventories. Now that the financial crisis has passed, retailers are more disciplined about managing their stock and finding more buyers in stores.
“Those are lower margin businesses, and there’s a lot of competition now,” said Adam Ludwin, a principal at RRE Ventures. “We had no interest in investing in a me-too company.”
An earlier version of this post included an incorrect amount for the expected online sales in the United States in the next three years. It is $304 billion, not $304 million.


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KUALA LUMPUR, January 13 – Maxis and Huawei Applied sciences Malaysia have just lately signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to discover and collaborate on a TechCity program in Kuala Lumpur.
In line with Huawei, each corporations will work collectively to supply 4G and 5G capability options for an unparalleled customized expertise, innovation in 5G community design, implementation and operational effectivity.
They can even set up a 5G innovation laboratory to develop and convey new 5G use circumstances for numerous industries to market when the brand new 5G spectrum is accessible.
“TechCity is an initiative devoted to working with cell operators all over the world to construct a superb 5G goal community, the incubation of recent providers with new enterprise fashions.
“This program will embody the joint model and innovation of profitable use circumstances all through the nation. With this collaboration, Maxis joins the world's main operators to have a more in-depth collaboration in analysis and improvement and privileged entry to the newest improvement of 5G use circumstances, "Huawei stated in a press release at present.
Beforehand, the Shenzhen-based Chinese language tech big had launched the TechCity Program in cities akin to London, Seoul and Tokyo.
Huawei Rotary President Guo Ping stated that by working collectively on the TechCity initiative, the 2 corporations might efficiently create 5G options primarily based on native demand and replicate them in future world markets.
"It will assist Huawei in its transformation from a know-how adopter to a frontrunner in 5G innovation and ecosystem improvement," he stated.
Maxis CEO Gokhan Ogut stated that by this collaboration, they’re taking innovation to the following degree by exploring new applied sciences to supply an distinctive consumer expertise and higher community effectivity.
"Maxis has all the time been on the forefront of recent applied sciences and we’re enthusiastic about our participation on this program, which we consider will unleash many alternatives that may profit clients sooner or later," he stated. – Bernama