text:
Kenya forcing importers to use costly new Chinese railway, businessmen sayChristian Fernsby ▼ | December 3, 2019
Kenya's new Chinese-built railway should have been a boon for business.
African businesses Kenya railway
Topics: Kenya importer Chinese railway
But some importers said their transport costs shot up by nearly 50% when they used the rail due to extra fees, more time spent clearing goods at the congested Nairobi train depot and the need to send a truck to collect the goods from there.
These importers used to truck their goods in from the coast.
But port authorities now say businesses based in Nairobi and upcountry must use the new line because the Mombasa port is contracted to supply it with a minimum amount of cargo.
"KPA has an obligation to feed the railway ... we were the guarantors of the rail," said Daniel Manduku," head of the state-run Kenya Ports Authority.
The railway's problems are a cautionary tale, both for developing nations loading themselves with Chinese debt, and for China as it seeks to expand global trade links and project soft power through its massive Belt and Road initiative.
"The vast majority of its (China's) overseas spending has no detectable effect on economic growth," said Bradley Sparks, executive director of AidData, a research facility that tracks development finance at William and Mary university in Virginia. ■


text:
Before the pandemic, Americans spent more dining out than in grocery stores. But in April, the month with the most recent U.S. Census data available, with millions under stay-at-home orders and dining establishments shuttered nationwide, spending at restaurants dropped 49 percent compared to a year prior, and grocery spending jumped 13 percent.
Here’s what that data looks like in real life: Never-ending piles of dishes in the sink. The same meals cooked at home on rotation, eaten either alone or with the same dinner guests. And the occasional take-out order, a brief respite from cooking, delivered in a bag and plastic containers.
There’s a lot to miss about dining out, but Morning Consult wanted to learn what specifically diners miss the most.
A new survey asked 1,551 U.S. adults what they miss most about dining out and provided them a blank space to respond — and many mentioned elements that could prove difficult to replicate under new social distancing policies.
Nineteen percent said something about ambiance or atmosphere in their response, while 17 percent wrote that they missed being waited on.
“There are going to be safety processes put in place that are going to take away from the pleasure of dining,” said Amit Mehrotra, a professor in the New York City College of Technology’s hospitality management department.
Social distancing requirements have strictly limited the capacity for eateries that have reopened — in some cases by 25 or 50 percent, meaning that many normally buzzy, crowded eateries will be missing the typical ambient noise and dinner chitchat.
A quieter dining experience is not the only atmospheric change consumers might notice as they return to restaurants.
Some high-end restaurants in particular might bid farewell to leather-bound menus, swapping them for disposable ones to reduce the spread of germs. Diners might have to get used to pouring their own water or hand-selecting bottles of wine. Contactless payments could become much more common, and it might not be out of the ordinary for waiters to don face coverings and gloves.
Americans miss more than just the luxuries of ambiance and service at restaurants. Roughly two in five (41 percent) mentioned something about socializing when asked what they miss most about dining out, usually in reference to spending time with friends or family.
“We as human beings are social creatures,” said Mehrotra, who also serves as a member of the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the hospitality and tourism industry. “The food is important because you can’t be cooking every day and dishing out restaurant-quality food, but people also miss being social and being together.”
Sarah Hassler, the chief executive officer at Hassler Hospitality Group LLC, which serves as a consultant for other chefs and restaurants, said that early on in the pandemic, she anticipated that people would miss the entire experience of dining out.
Consumers go to restaurants for that element of being taken care of, she said.
“Welcoming owners and waiters make the dining experience,” Hassler said. “They’ll have to pay attention to helping people feel safe but not shunned or unwelcomed, so it’s a little more complicated that it was before.”
Restaurant owners do face a challenge in encouraging customers to feel safe returning to their establishment, according to separate Morning Consult polling. As of early June, a little more than a third (35 percent) of adults said they feel comfortable eating at a restaurant, although that figure ticks up to 39 percent among U.S. adults making more than $100,000 per year.
Every home-cooked recipe comes with a grocery list, food to prepare and a sinkful of dishes to clean. Many are now missing the wait service of higher-end restaurants, where staff deliver meals, check in with tables frequently and clean up when customers leave.
But in order to reopen safely, restaurants will have to limit staff interactions with customers whenever possible.
“I think the policy will be to try to have minimum contact,” said Mehrotra, of City Tech. “People like to feel special, and they like the attention when they’re dining, but at the same time, you don’t want people to feel like too much staff is circulating.”
This could result in not only less attention from waiters but a stricter division of labor. The person who brings out your meal likely won’t be the one to wipe down your table when you leave, for instance, and the person who takes your order won’t be touching other dishes in the meantime.
“That relationship with the waiter recommending a wine or pointing out an item on the menu isn’t going to be there anymore,” said Ramiro Lescano, the owner of Uruguayan restaurant Tabaré, which has two locations in Brooklyn. “It’s going to be a cold relationship between the customers and the wait staff, but I’m sure customers will understand that this is the situation.”
But for some restaurant owners, for whom staff are part of their brand and experience, it might not be worth reopening in the near future if they can’t interact with customers.
That’s how Luke Houghton, executive chef and owner of Pure Market and Eatery in Auburn, N.Y., sees the situation.
“It’s one of the reasons I don’t really want to reopen yet,” Houghton said. “That’s part of our brand, that human connection you have with the staff and the people around you. I think you’re definitely going to lose some of that with masks and social distancing.”
Restaurants in New York state have been allowed to reopen with outdoor seating, but Houghton said he is not in any rush to do so, and will probably wait until July at the earliest to welcome back customers.
The biggest concern for dining establishments, however, has been balancing costs and revenue. Between increased investments in safety equipment, reduced capacity and dealing with the lost revenue of closing dining rooms for months, restaurants are likely to raise their prices.
“Anybody who is smart is going to raise their prices right now,” Houghton said.
Morning Consult polling suggests consumers might be willing to pay more for a meal cooked by a professional.
While many people have used their time in quarantine to improve their cooking skills, some have found they simply can’t replicate their favorite restaurant dishes: Roughly a quarter (26 percent) of Americans said that food was among the things they missed the most about dining out.
Although restaurants in New York City have not been allowed to bring customers back to their dining rooms as part of the city’s first phase of reopening, Tabaré is already weighing its options for when it opens its doors, including a pre-fixed menu on typically crowded nights to ensure customers are spending enough for the restaurant to turn a profit.
Lescano is also considering new safety measures such as contactless payments, masks and gloves for waiters and reduced interactions between diners and staff.
The chef and owner is optimistic that customers will be willing to sacrifice part of the ambiance while paying higher prices to support small businesses — at least for the time being. But considering how strongly consumers are craving the experience of sitting down with friends and family to enjoy a meal, Mehrotra also said he anticipates they will accept the give and take.
“It’s not going to be like before, but I think people will adjust to the new normal,” he said.

domain: news


text:
Nearly 2000 Amazon employees walkout against overwork from office rules and job cuts. Now some Amazon workers have announced plans to walk off the job next week.
Amazon asks the employees to return to office policy from 1st May. The employees were asked to come to the office at least three days per week. The E-commerce giant has also laid off 27,000 employees in two job cut announcements.
Why are Amazon workers walking out?
A group of Amazon employees have decided to show protest against mass layoffs, work-from-office mandate and the company’s environmental impact. Nearly 2,000 Amazon employees are slated to stage a walkout.
According to Telangana today, more than 1,800 employees had pledged to walk out around the world, with about 870 in Seattle. Amazon Employees for Climate Justice (AECJ) and Amazon’s Remote Advocacy community leaders said.
They also added, “ Employees need a say in decisions that affect our lives such as the return-to-work mandate, and how our work is being used to accelerate the climate crisis.”
Nearly 2,000 Amazon employees set for walkout
📣 We're calling for a walkout! We're partnering with folks from an internal remote advocacy community to ask fellow Amazonians to pledge to walkout on May 31.— Amazon Employees For Climate Justice (@AMZNforClimate) May 23, 2023
Here are the details: 🧵👀
"Amazon can’t continue putting its climate impact on the sidelines of every major business decision when we’re dealing with heat waves and floods multiple times a year. . Amazon can’t build a 21st century workforce without allowing flexibility" pic.twitter.com/1QFSkd88Wp— Amazon Employees For Climate Justice (@AMZNforClimate) May 23, 2023


text:
Wireless charging is among the changes that Apple is expected to introduce with the new iPhone this year. If it does that, it would be the first iPhone to support this feature. Previous reports have suggested that Apple is going to ship a separate wireless charging accessory for the iPhone 8. Latest reports suggest that Apple is not going to have the accessory ready in time for the iPhone 8’s release this fall.
If that is the case, the feature would essentially be useless until the accessory is released. John Gruber, a credible source on all things Apple, has reiterated rumors that Apple is not going to bundle an inductive charger with the new iPhone this fall.
The company is reportedly going to sell the wireless charger as a separate product but it’s unclear how much the company will charge for it. Gruber also mentions that Apple is facing problems in implementing the wireless charging technology.
Gruber mentions that he isn’t sure if the delay is due to hardware or software and if Apple will be able to address the problem within the next three weeks. If it’s unable to do that, then the accessory will most likely be delayed.
Apple isn’t due to launch the new iPhones until September this year. That being said, it’s only a couple of months away, so if Apple doesn’t start locking things down now it may have to make customers wait for one of the most highly-anticipated features of the new iPhone.
Filed in iPhone 8.. Read more about


text:
Hacked variations of iPhone apps equivalent to Spotify, Minecraft and Pokemon Cross were disbursed via instrument pirates who’ve hijacked Apple’s era.
Reuters reviews that so-called endeavor developer certificate are getting used to permit other people to circulate track with out advertisements and get round charges and regulations in video games – which means Apple and legit app makers are dropping cash.
The pirate builders are breaking regulations which state apps can most effective be disbursed to the general public in the course of the App Retailer.
Customers downloading changed variations also are violating the phrases of provider of just about all main apps.
The pirates allegedly generating the apps – equivalent to TutuApp, Panda Helper, AppValley and TweakBox – didn’t reply to requests to remark, Reuters says.
Apple has no method of monitoring the unfold of changed apps however it will possibly cancel the certificate if it reveals misuse.
“Builders that abuse our endeavor certificate are in violation of the Apple Developer Endeavor Program Settlement and may have their certificate terminated, and if suitable, they are going to be got rid of from our Developer Program totally,” an Apple spokesperson instructed the inside track company.
“We’re incessantly comparing the instances of misuse and are ready to take quick motion.”
Endeavor developer certificate are meant to permit companies to distribute apps to their workers with out going via App Retailer vetting.
Probably the most pirate builders have been banned via Apple closing week, however have been reportedly again up once more inside of days the use of other certificate.
“There may be not anything preventing those corporations from doing this once more from some other workforce, some other developer account,” stated Amine Hambaba, head of safety at instrument company Form Safety.
Apple has now stated it’ll get harder at the rogue apps via bringing in two-factor authentication – the use of a code despatched to a telephone in addition to a password – to log into all developer accounts via the top of the month.
Spotify declined to touch upon changed apps however has prior to now stated its new phrases of provider will crack down on customers “growing or distributing gear designed to dam ads”.
Pokemon Cross maker Niantic stated avid gamers dishonest via the use of pirated apps are often banned. Microsoft, which owns the hit recreation Minecraft, additionally declined to remark.


text:
The Victoria Car Show drew record numbers of participants this summer; so many in fact that it was the largest bimonthly car show in the state, according to a show official.
Mitch Peterson, a city business owner and co-chair of Discover Victoria Classic Car Night, says the eight shows, from June through mid-September, averaged 325 vehicles.
“We saw a lot of different cars each night, and the last show had about 100 to 150 vehicles from people who had never displayed at the show before,” Peterson said, adding that the largest show had about 425.
“There are usually a few more each show because some people prefer not to register,” he said. “The weather, except for one night early in the season, was great for the events.”
The car shows, which coincide with a concert in the park, are put on by the Victoria Business Association.
One man came from about 10 miles north of Green Bay, Wisconsin, to have his vehicle in one of the shows, while a couple from the East Coast also displayed their vintage Chrysler.
“The guy from Wisconsin drove out here because he’d heard how big of a show it is,” Peterson said. “And the retired couple from the Carolinas was on a road trip and all they were going to do was travel for a year and show their car.”
When asked why the shows have become so popular, Peterson suggested that it’s because of a “kind of a perfect storm in the area.”
“The area is getting a lot of publicity with its new restaurants in town and just how fast things are growing in the immediate area,” he said. “I think people are hungry for different things to do, especially the younger family demographics moving out in our direction.”
Peterson, owner of Seek Eye Care in Victoria, said families look for places to get children out of the house for little cost; adding that the free car show and availability to purchase food and beverage items, while viewing the exhibits, provides an opportune environment.
“I think a lot of people, but more this season, came to the car show and saw how much we have to offer in Victoria and came back to see what else there is to do,” Peterson said. “I know my business has seen a residual sales increase because of it and I know other businesses have too.”
Phyllis Engston and Betsy Crookston, both of Waconia, said they attended several car shows in Victoria, largely to enjoy a local event and reminisce about the cars.
“Some of these cars bring back a lot of memories,” Engston said, “quickly adding that her family never maintained their vehicles at the same level as the exhibitors. “The ones I recall weren’t for show, just necessity.”
“It’s just so much fun to walk around and see the cars and remember a different time, when these weren’t antiques, but were common every day,” Crookston said.
Peterson said he spent about 20 to 30 hours a week working on “car show stuff on car show weeks.” He mentioned several civic groups are helping, but more assistance is needed.
Patron parking seems to be the main sticking point, but Peterson said that is to be expected when display vehicles take over a large amount of the available downtown parking spots.
“Lots of people came despite the available parking issue, which says good things about the event,” he said. “I’ve had great feedback from businesses and residents. I count that as a win.”


text:
Financial institutions now have access to an exclusive tool to provide their consumers with their debt repayment and overall financial goals
– Nick Sky
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, June 1, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — ChangEd Inc., a leading debt settlement platform, today announced an integration with Q2’s digital banking platform. Q2 Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: QTWO) is a leading provider of digital transformation solutions for the banking and lending industry. Through the Q2 Partner Marketplace, this integration gives Financial Institutions (FIs) the ability to offer customers a tool to better track, manage, and repay debt.
The Q2 Partner Marketplace enables financial services companies to provide applications to their personal and small business customers. ChangEd, offered through the Q2 Partner Marketplace, helps consumers build better financial health and develop a healthier relationship with debt.
“The level of consumer debt carried by well-meaning people is crippling the financial goals of millions of Americans,” said Nick Sky, CEO of ChangEd. “To help Americans get out of debt faster, our mission is to help borrowers manage their debt with an engaging, transparent, and gamified platform.”
“We are very pleased about the partnership with Q2. The team there has an immense passion for helping FIs build better digital products for consumers,” said Dan Stelmach, co-founder of ChangEd. “Financial institutions will now offer a tool to help their account holders with their debt repayment and overall financial goals.”
“A lot of Americans are dealing with a lot of debt,” said Johnny Ola, executive director of Q2 Innovation Studio. “We are excited to add ChangEd to the Q2 Partner Marketplace. With this solution, our customers can help their account holders better manage their debt.”
The benefits of this integration include:
· A fully embedded experience in a mobile banking platform, a debt repayment solution co-branded by FI
· A unique, differentiated offering that allows consumers to easily manage their debt
· Educational resources for consumers to take control of their financial future
To learn more about the Q2 Innovation Studio Partner Marketplace, please visit https://www.q2.com/innovation-studio-active-fi.
# # #
ChangEd is a company that empowers credit unions, banks, and their consumers with an innovative and engaging platform that is transforming the way members approach their financial goals. ChangEd, a company founded by brothers Nick Sky and Dan Stelmach of Chicago, Illinois, has a proven track record of helping thousands of consumers through over $22 million in debt repayments and administration of over $2.4 billion in loans on the platform to date. The automated and data-driven solution is available for credit unions and banks through the Q2 Marketplace to increase engagement, retention and acquisition of millennial members. ChangEd is backed by investors such as Mark Cuban, FIS, MetLife and Techstars. Visit business.gochanged.com to learn more.
About Q2 Holdings, Inc.
Q2 is a financial experiences company dedicated to providing digital banking and lending solutions to banks, credit unions, alternative finance and fintech companies in the US and internationally. With comprehensive end-to-end solution sets, Q2 enables its partners to deliver cohesive, secure, and data-driven experiences to every account holder – from consumers to small businesses and corporations. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Q2 has offices worldwide and is traded on the NYSE under the stock symbol QTWO. To learn more, please visit Q2.com.
email us here


text:
12 Mar 2018: Three of the biggest risks someone close to /at retirement faces are longevity, inflation and…Read More…
Listen: Market Updates
Magnus Heystek: BizNews Radio Why Mauritius is an attractive investment option
Magnus Heystek October 21, 2021
Ruan Breed: Strictly Business Podcast Bitcoin – store of value or fool’s gold?
Ruan Breed October 19, 2021


text:
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav recently conferred Yash Bharti awards upon 73 noted personalities in diverse fields, including social work, sports and literature. One of the recipients Paytm Founder & CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma in an exclusive interview shared his company’s plans with Arpit Gupta of Elets News Network (ENN).
How do you view getting appreciated by the Uttar Pradesh government with Yash Bharti award, one of the most coveted state award ?
I feel very good that Uttar Pradesh government has chosen someone from the IT and start up background for this award. Only a young CM like Akhileshji could select such a person. I am from Uttar Pradesh. Whenever I give speeches and tell them that I am Hindi-speaking, people get surprised because in technology field people generally speak English and come from a different background but I feel it is not necessary.
Paytm has brought revolution in digital and mobile banking. What is your plan for Uttar Pradesh in this segment ?
UP is one of the few states which has a tremendous opportunity for financial inclusion and through mobile technology we believe, we will be able to bring our bank and former financial services to a large segment of people. For 2020, our target is that UP should not lag behind in financial inclusion in comparison to other states. Instead, it should achieve 100 % financial inclusion.
You started from mobile banking, now paytm has touched almost all the sectors. Do you think you will be able to achieve the target you have set for 2020?
It is quite possible because Indians are focusing on internet and digital world through smart phones and the early acceptance of consumers with one app can expand to other categories. We believe that we are a transaction platform. Like on google you can find any website, on paytm you can transact everything. I do believe that with the kind of demography and the penetration of smartphones we are seeing it is very much possible.
How prepared are you to face security challenges?
One of the things which we have learned is that technology companies like paytm have the biggest risk of security and safety. It is not only about how your servers are kept, it is how gullible your customer is because a lot of people pretend to call on behalf of banks, take their OTPs. We have been able to take that as a problem and built bottom up solutions for India which we believe can be a solution for the world as well. I am very proud of what our team is building.
There is a huge competition in the Indian market, how do you perceive it ?
I think the opportunity in India is so huge that instead of rivalry, I believe, everybody has to contribute to the ecosystem. It cannot be a few companies’ game. In alignment with the digital India, what is your contribution to different sectors like health, education, governance etc.? Connectivity and financial services are the two basic fabrics of anything you want to deliver. And then come information, communication and health. We are building the foundation platform. We are investing in these companies, bringing such products on our platform. So right now we are focused on payments. Not just healthcare and education, we are also talking about farming, rural focus applications there.


text:
CENTRAL FALLS – Rhode Island’s fifth medical marijuana dispensary opened this week, with all intentions of selling cannabis to recreational users as well on Dec. 1, when sale of the drug becomes legal in the state.
Aura of Rhode Island opened its doors Monday at 1136 Lonsdale Ave., near the Lincoln line, in a renovated brick building that once housed Crest Distributors, a ceramic tile company.
While the dispensary for now will cater only to registered medical marijuana patients with valid state-issued identity cards, it expects to be doing more recreational business than medical sales come December, said Operations Manager Andrew Croan.
Recreational marijuana:What you need to know about cannabis legalization in Rhode Island
That point is well illustrated by the dispensary’s layout.
During a tour of the facility Thursday, Croan explained how the dispensary’s sleek sales counter – with a beam of neon blue light at the base – will have five cash-register stations reserved for recreational sales and two stations for medical sales.
(As per state regulation, the dispensary will also have separate doors for customers to use depending if they are purchasing marijuana products for medical or recreational use.)
With actual sales of medical marijuana down – due largely to Rhode Islanders traveling to Massachusetts recreational stores,


text:
Youtube has been an internet staple for the past decade, with millions upon millions of users viewing and uploading content every day. The website has allowed for the creation of a steady income stream for some “you-tubers” via the use of brand sponsorship and advertising. However, the day of reckoning has come for those “up-and-coming” you-tubers, with the site placing new parameters on which channels are able to be monetised.
As of the 20th of February, You-tubers must accrue “at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months” to gain the right to be monetised. This rule comes as far “harsher” criteria, compares to the 10,000 total channel views that were needed before.
The changes come weeks after the infamous Logan Paul incident, whereby a video depicting a man who had committed suicide was viewed by 36 million on his channel. Despite causing major distress to viewers and severely affecting the Youtube brand – it is estimated that Paul still made a hefty $90000 from video sponsoring and advertising. Thus youtube believes that by demontesing smaller channels it is able to better “protect the community” by “curb(ing) bad actors” and “stabiliz(ing) creator revenue”.
Furthermore, Youtube also believes that it is able to protect the brand image of sponsors and advertisers – as some advertising may be chosen randomly across the various channels on the network. Thus by inhibiting smaller YouTubers that may produce un-monitored content that could be distressing or damaging, the company believes it is able to ensure advertisers keep favourable brand image intact.
Many lesser-known YouTubers are struggling to come to terms with the new rules put into place. Christine Barger, a YouTuber who creates “niche videos about escape rooms”, posted a blog last month in which she was visibly upset by the new rulings. “ It’s not about the money. It’s about the fact that I’ve been a part of YouTube for a really long time” she quotes. Many people also share her feelings of isolation, with the hashtag #DemonetizationDay being campaigned on twitter.
It leads one to question how an individual creates a full-time career out of youtube. If there is an obligation to accumulate at least 1000 subscribers to a channel, it may take months or years to be able to receive an income – making it impossible to create a sustainable living off just youtube alone. If there is a need to create a secondary source of income, it may leave creators at risk of being unable to creating meaningful and valuable content as there is not enough time to commit to it.
Thus I leave you to question whether it is just for youtube to enforce these new rules? Does the possibility of tarnishing a brand image take precedence over what could possibly be some fantastic content?
– Ellen Balsom


text:
Thank you for Subscribing to CIO Applications Weekly Brief
FinancialForce Honors for Excellence in Innovation
FinancialForce's continued focus on the Salesforce ecosystem has allowed it to offer industry-leading cloud ERP and PSA solutions to one of the largest and strongest networks of companies in the world.
FREMONT, CA: FinancialForce, the leading customer-centric ERP and #1 professional services automation (PSA) business suite, announced it was recognized for excellence in Innovation at the 2020 Trailblazer Salesforce Partner Innovation Awards, showcasing leadership within the Salesforce ecosystem.
"It's inspiring to see Partner Innovation Award winners such as FinancialForce drive customer success and business transformations by managing services on a single cloud-based platform," said Tyler Prince, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Alliances & Channels, Salesforce. "Now more than ever, companies need to accelerate their digital transformations—and trusted partners can elevate success for customers across industries."
FinancialForce received the Trailblazer Score Award for ISV Partner Innovation. FinancialForce's continued focus on the Salesforce ecosystem has allowed it to offer industry-leading cloud ERP and PSA solutions to one of the largest and strongest networks of companies in the world. FinancialForce will enable customers to connect the front and back office and increase business visibility and agility on the Salesforce platform.
"In addition to thanking Salesforce, we extend deep appreciation to our customers as we continue to introduce new capabilities and updates based on their input," said Scott Brown, President, and CEO of FinancialForce. "I'd also like to acknowledge our partners in the Salesforce ecosystem, who work with us hand-in-hand to deliver customer success across the business lifecycle.


text:
One Digital Media (ODM), the largest digital signage company in South Africa, and KFC are on track to complete one of the largest digital menu board networks in the world. Currently, over 5000 digital menu boards have been installed for KFC YUM! in South Africa.
Issued by One Digital Media 9 Dec 2013 10:09
The unique network with its close-on 500 HD screens in the nine biggest ACSA airports nationwide, broadcasts to a captive monthly audience of 2.1 million passengers and has established itself as an exciting new player in the local broadcasting and media scene. But recent developments at Provantage Out of Home Media have prepared the channel for an even more promising new chapter in its history.
Issued by Provantage 9 Dec 2013 09:36
As the maritime industry expands globally, the commercial and defence opportunities expand in correlation. Nautic services this industry with a unique driving force - building the highest quality premium vessels while cultivating valuable relationships.
Issued by Tag 8 4 Dec 2013 12:56
Recently Alliance Media partnered up with McDonald's in a new and exciting project for the successful fast food chain.
Issued by Alliance Media 29 Nov 2013 11:42
The Volcano Group are at it again, shattering perceptions and stretching creativity to the somewhat quirky and absurd. The team's latest campaign for global sauce sensation, Tabasco Sauce, has had its fair share of conversation on the streets and social media feeds, with consumers embracing a campaign that has been lauded for its creativity, brazen quirky attributes and in-your-face street pole executions.
Issued by Volcano 28 Nov 2013 13:00
The use of in-store digital media is growing phenomenally worldwide and retailers in South Africa are taking notice.
By Chris Day, Issued by Moving Tactics 15 Nov 2013 10:17
The Star recently published a story stating incorrect information with regards to airport.tv and Provantage. The story titled, Airport TV tender 'irregular and unfair' by Angelique Serrao is malicious and factually incorrect.
Issued by Provantage 14 Nov 2013 10:43
Skhumbuzo Nkosi, media director at Provantage, describes the value and the benefits of bus advertising, especially in a public transport environment where commuter audiences are changing and segmenting at a rapid pace.
Issued by Provantage 31 Oct 2013 10:30
Most billboards feature a message from a brand. But what if a billboard could also be useful? What if it could feed people? On October 16 2013, in honour of World Food Day, Ideas Agency OwenKessel helped South Africa's number one food brand, KOO, make history as both companies pledged their commitment to help alleviate hunger by creating South Africa's first edible billboard.
Issued by OwenKessel 30 Oct 2013 10:28
As part of its spring/summer 2013 advertising campaign, international footwear label ALDO has branded eight metered-cab vehicles with an eye-catching, pop art-inspired look. Branded by transit media and vehicle branding specialist, Graffiti, the vehicles are divided between Cape Town and Durban as part of ALDO's large-scale out-of-home strategy
Issued by Graffiti 29 Oct 2013 10:40
Receive free email newsletter
Tell a friend about us


text:
During a press conference in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul, Korean developer Pearl Abyss revealed their plans for the future of Black Desert Online.
News of the future plans comes days after the release of the Mediah expansion that brought a 30 per cent larger map and 40 vs 40 battlefields to the game.
For full details of Pearl Abyss’ plans see here. However, the information may only refer to the Korean version due to it being significantly ahead in terms of updates.
Black Desert Online first released in Korea in 2014, while it came to Japan and Russia the year after. On March 3, 2016, the game officially released in North America and Europe, after two successful closed betas.
- New Beyond Good and Evil Trademark Filed by Ubisoft
- A Sixth Final Fantasy XV Brotherhood Episode Comes Exclusively with the Collector’s Edition
- Square Refutes Tabata’s Final Fantasy XV Sales Claim
- The Witcher 3 April Fools’ Video Lets out the Sinister Truth Behind Roach
- All the Exotics and Legendaries Returning in Destiny’s April Update


text:
Facebook’s Video Ads Could Backfire
Facebook will begin running video ads on its homepage later this summer and is currently pitching the opportunity to potential advertisers. The good news for the social network is that agencies seem to like the idea. The bad news is that its users may not.
According to agency execs briefed on Facebook’s plans, it’s intending to insert auto-play video ads into the newsfeed section of the site. Users will be given the option of activating audio and starting the 15-second ads over, if they wish. They’ll be frequency capped to three or four impressions a day.
The opportunity has advertisers intrigued. It could provide an easy way to extend and augment existing TV ad buys with the added benefit of more granular performance and audience data. It also promises to reach users when they’re “engaged” on the site. Unlike TV spots that consumers may or may not watch, Facebook’s video ads will be served while users are actively scrolling through content. That’ll make them difficult to avoid.
But some media buyers worry the new ads might prove too intrusive for that very reason. The social network’s users are notoriously adverse to changes to the site, especially if they involve advertising. The backlash against the Beacon ad product it launched in 2007 is evidence of that.
Yet the company has been dialing up the number of ads it serves users recently in an attempt bolster its ad revenues and appease shareholders. The question is whether or not video ads risk alienating a large portion of its audience again.
“From a marketer standpoint the ads are appealing, but ultimately it depends on how they’re received by users,” said one agency buyer, who asked to remain anonymous. “If they alienate or annoy users too much, then ultimately that’s not a good situation for anyone.”
Another exec at a major media agency described the videos as “more unsettling” than other Facebook ads, given their place in the newsfeed and their auto-play implementation. That exec predicted many brands will wait to see how the new formats are received by users before committing to a purchase. They may not wish to be associated with the ads if there is a backlash against them. According to some studies, teens are already abandoning the social network.
According to some, the video ads are representative of a “MySpacing” of Facebook, referring to the fact that many MySpace users jumped ship to Facebook because it offered a faster, ad-clutter-free way to interact with people online. MySpace’s mistake was prioritizing its ad products over user experience, they suggest, a pitfall Facebook must avoid.
All that said, Facebook won’t struggle to find major launch partners for its video ads anyway. Marketers will see value in being the first to dip their toes in the water if nothing else. According to reports, brands that sit on the company’s client council advisory board will likely be the first to trial the ads. Members currently include Coca Cola, Ford, American Express, Diageo and Unilever, among others.
Those members have likely been asking Facebook for this type of opportunity, too. Its site attracts around 150 million unique users a month in the U.S., according to Comscore, and an audience that size makes marketers salivate.
But the challenge for Facebook is, and will continue to be, to meet the needs of both its users and its advertisers. Without one, the other can’t exist, but it’s a perpetual balancing act.
Video ads may well drive users away from Facebook, but the question the company has to figure out is whether or not the sacrifice is worth the ad revenue, not just in the short term but in the long run, too. Large, unavoidable ad experiences might pull in dollars from big brands, but those dollars won’t be on the table for long if Facebook fails to keep its audience happy.
Image via Shutterstock
Bloomberg Media is testing paid tiers for virtual events
Bloomberg is testing a virtual events model where attendees could pay different amounts to attend with a slew of tracks.
Member ExclusiveCase Study: How The Week successfully created a children’s media property amid the pandemic
The Week created and grew a children's publication in the unprecedented pandemic year to keep young audiences engaged.
‘They won’t enable our identifier’: Identity tech providers try to make sense of Google’s plan not to support alternate identifiers
Some identifiers just won’t work in some Google inventory, but identity tech providers are keeping a stiff upper lip.
SponsoredPeople-based identifiers are driving personalized customer experiences
Marketing teams are now well into 2021, and third-party cookies along with mobile ad IDs are officially on notice, which has implications for all marketers. Soon, cookie- and device-based targeting, frequency capping, measurement and attribution will break. Evolving privacy regulations and policy changes from browsers and device makers have sparked many proposed solutions to replace […]
‘It moved quicker than we planned’: iProspect’s global president Amanda Morrissey on the restructure with Vizeum
iProspect's global president Amanda Morrissey expects to complete Denstu-owned performance agency's restructure with Vizeum by the end of March.
Member ExclusiveMedia Briefing: Media companies’ diversity reports show compounding leadership gap problem
Media companies’ diversity shortcomings pervade their organizations, but lack of diversity among their executive and management ranks is particularly problematic.


text:
Advisers are less interested in developing online advice solutions for their clients than they were six months ago, research suggests.
Results from Aviva's latest Adviser Barometer study found 6% of advisers now see developing online investment propositions as a great opportunity overall, down from 8% in March 2014. Seven in ten of...
To promote 'long-term investment'
Switching 'hard and expensive'
Smaller funds still packing a punch
To drive progress


text:
As we reported on Friday, the Financial Times newspaper claimed that Spar's financial woes had finally got the better of it, prompting the decision to add the Netto discount chain to the 'for sale' list.
Spar, and its owner Intermarché, have been working hard for the last 18 months or so to redress the company's balance sheet, selling off a number of underperforming businesses and restructuring the remaining operations.
But these efforts have been hamstrung by the continued recession in the German market, which has reduced consumer spending dramatically. The only sector which has benefited is the discount store market - an important part of the German retail trade at the best of times, but all the more so when consumers are tightening their belts - including the Netto business.
This point was stressed by the Spar management over the weekend, responding to the rumours in the press. "There are no talks on a sale at the moment. If Netto was to be sold it would have serious repercussions for Spar as a whole. Netto is Spar's main asset in Germany, so why should it be sold?" a company spokesman is quoted as saying in the German press this morning.
As we pointed out on Friday, there is little logic to selling the Netto business, given that it has been the only Spar unit to generate sales growth over the last year, and it was only the possibility of a downturn in the discount chain's business as the economy strengthened which could have prompted such a decision.
But with the discount store sector well developed in Germany - not least because of the sheer size of chains such as Aldi and Lidl - its fortunes are not entirely linked to the economy. And furthermore, with many of the major European retail groups moving into the discount sector (Carrefour and Casino, for example, have invested heavily in their fascias in this market), now would not be a good time to quit what is clearly a growth sector - especially for a loss-making company such as Spar.


text:
Free trade to boost Pacific islands
A free trade agreement between Australia and Pacific Island countries would enhance economic progress in the region, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo says.
Mr Ciobo said the agreement was "tailored to help Pacific island countries address their specific development challenges and better participate in global trade," as he introduced it to parliament on Thursday.
Australia signed the initial agreement with the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu last year.
© AAP 2019


text:
A heartfelt congratulations to Getty Images, Corbis Images and Visual China Group (VCG) on the conclusion of your trilateral transaction!
This is a photo essay illustrating the deal.
Almost 21 years but got it. Lovely to get the milk, the cream, cheese, yoghurt and the meat without buying the cow.
Jonathan D. Klein, Getty Images Co-Founder And Chairman announced the transaction on Twitter with apparent joy.
Here is a nice photo from Corbis's royalty-free collection to commemorate his announcement of the fledgling transaction.
Corporate announcement press photo
Here is the press photo the parties selected to announce the deal.
Seattle Times credits the photo this way:
This well-known photograph of New York construction workers is part of the Corbis Bettmann collection. The photo was taken in 1932 in Manhattan. Corbis owns a huge library of modern and historical images. (Courtesy Corbis Bettman/ Bettmann/CORBIS).
The transaction structure is quite simple. At the center of the Getty-Corbis transaction is a third party. Corbis sold its content licensing business to a division of VCG.
The Getty corporate announcement Tweet explains the Getty/VCG part of the transaction:
A new distribution partnership with Visual China Group provides exclusive access to Corbis content at Getty Images: https://t.co/2SvrqEDlqb
— Getty Images (@GettyImages) January 22, 2016
The Seattle Times describes the full transaction:
Under the deal, Corbis’ imaging division has been sold to Visual China Group. In turn, under an agreement crafted with VCG, Getty Images will have the right to license Corbis’ images in countries across the world, except China.
This explains Mr. Klein's Tweet. He gets all of what he wanted-- exclusive access to the Corbis Images archive, without having to buy the (copyright to) the images themselves. Corbis Entertainment is planning to change its name, they report.
Current campaign images from the companies
Here are sales campaign images from each of the companies' sites.
HQ cities of companies in transaction
Here are images of the headquarter cities of the companies.
Getty - New York
Getty Images considers its corporate headquarters to be in New York, as of last year, according to company officials when Seattle Times reporter Rachel Lerman inquired of them, she wrote in followup mails. The company is still listed as headquartered in Seattle at many sites; presumably all the various databases will eventually catch up with the change.
Corbis - Seattle
VCG - Beijing
Seattle Times reports that Corbis will continue to exist under its Corbis Entertainment division, which works on product placement and advertising.
Future of the transactions
The entire terms of the transaction were not disclosed--that is, whether the image sale is revokable for any reason or whether the license from VCG is terminable. Reports suggest both Getty and Corbis have been having financial struggles due to mass competition in the images industry (including by amateur photographers and by infringers).
This transaction is projected to be of benefit to the companies.
For now and for the future, cheers!


text:
We review Couche-Tard’s second quarter performance and the range of programmes and pilots underway which could underpin future growth for the Circle K operator.
Strong Q2 performance
Total Q2 merchandise and service revenue increased by 2.3% to $3.5bn, with same-store merchandise revenues up 3.3% in Europe, 3.2% in the US and 2.1% in Canada. Net earnings increased 22.3% to $578.6m. These represent another strong set of results for the business, as it continues to benefit from several growth initiatives underway across its global operations.
1. European store remodels
Building on the strengths of the acquired Statoil and Topaz businesses, the retailer has been rolling-out a new store format in Europe. The concept has been extended to 200 locations across nine markets. Sales and traffic have improved in the remodelled stores. Adopting a pan-European approach to format development is a new approach for the business but is helping to lower development costs.
2. Digital upsell platform
The retailer has rolled-out its real-time digital up-selling platform, Lift, to 7,000 stores in North America. The retailer is seeing strong results from the programme. Over the coming months, it plans to extend its use further in Canada.
3. Home delivery
Couche-Tard recently expanded its home delivery pilot in Texas from 160 stores to more than 550. The retailer has partnered with HEB-owned, Favor, enabling customers to order a range of snacks and drinks for delivery within 30 minutes. A second pilot programme has also been launched in Florida with Uber Eats. While customer response has been favourable, the retailer is focused on ensuring that the service drives value for the business.
4. Loyalty programmes
The retailer has started to roll-out a new loyalty and discount programme for fuel, Easy Pay. Although it remains early days for the initiative, it is helping to drive increased trip frequency and grow transaction size. Couche-Tard is also piloting carwash subscription programmes in Denmark and the US with a view to building stronger customer loyalty.
5. Foodservice development
This is the most significant opportunity which the company is currently progressing. The acquisition of Holiday Stationstores has provided it with new learnings and insights which are forming the basis of several pilot programmes. Around 200 stores are involved in the initiative which has seen the retailer optimise its menu and packaging and identify production partners and a scalable supply chain model. This will be expanded to a further 200 stores by the end of January, with the company expected to start forming wider roll-out plans by Q1 of the next financial year.
Source: IGD Research
6. Beverage programmes
Couche-Tard has deployed its successful ‘Froster’ frozen-beverage programme to around 90 locations in Ireland. This has been a mainstay of its operations in North America. Early success in Ireland has prompted the retailer to expand the pilot to other European markets. The company has also installed over 12,000 bean-to-cup coffee machines in around 5,500 stores in the US. Couche-Tard has seen strong volume and margin growth, with the installation on-track to be completed by the end of the year.
7. Labour optimisation
One of the key programmes which the company has optimised from the acquisition of Holiday Stationstores is its labour model. The company has identified the time taken to complete almost every task within the store. Couche-Tard has scaled this on a new platform, enabling it to be rolled-out across its entire network. Combining this with its labour scheduling tool, the retailer believes it can enhance customer service within its stores.
8. Smart Value
Also, drawing on the acquisition of Holiday Stationstores the retailer is rolling-out a multi-product promotional pricing strategy, Smart Value. Following its successful introduction into the US business, enabling the company to increase basket size when executed well, it is being expanded into Canada and piloted in Europe.
9. Circle K brand roll-out
Having completed the European roll-out of the new Circle K brand, most stores in North America will be completed by the end of the current financial year. This is helping to drive brand awareness and the ability of the company to optimise its scale in procurement, private label development and national marketing campaigns. Couche-Tard is also piloting locations where major fuel brands have been converted to the Circle K brand and others where the Circle K and fuel brands have equal representation.
10. Global expansion
The retailer also shared details of its proposal to acquire Caltex, a leading convenience store retailer in Australia. The deal would provide Couche-Tard with a platform to expand its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, a key target for the business. Acquisitions have played a significant role in enabling Couche-Tard to expand over the last 20 years.
Join a Retail Safari with our experts
Use our expertise to unlock store, category and digital innovation across leading European and North American cities through our analyst led study tours.
Find out more »


text:
In Canada, retail sales fell 28% from February to April, sending store chains reeling with little cash on hand to cushion the blow. The pandemic has dealt a shuddering blow to the global economy, which has shaken up normal patterns of consumer behaviour. Sales of makeup and pants are way down; we are investing instead in computers, headphones and cooking supplies.
Retail sales over all have sharply bounced back from a big drop earlier this year, but industry observers warn that some of the recovery is temporary. Government support programs will eventually be phased out, and an initial rush of pent-up buying is bound to settle down. Looming above all this is the continuing risk of COVID-19 and the potential of further waves of lockdowns. And Canadians have entered this crisis with higher household debt levels than at the beginning of the downturn in 2008, said Cliff Grevler, senior partner and managing director of the Boston Consulting Group in Canada.
How have Canadian spending habits changed?
“Growth drivers continue to be products that help us work and learn at home, or make us more comfortable,” said Armin Begic, executive director of the retail business group at market research firm The NPD Group Inc. In the categories it tracks, 30% of all retail sales growth in June was in work-from-home electronics, such as computers and monitors. Small appliances, especially dishwashers and room air conditioners and fans, grew significantly in June, as did products to keep kids entertained, such as video games. Canadians also spent money to improve their homes through renovations, upgraded appliances, and furnishings.
Even as stores have reopened, more people are continuing to shop from home. In May, online sales more than doubled compared with last year, to $3.9-billion. That still represents just one-tenth of the retail market in Canada, but is a significant boost from the past: In 2019 online sales were 4% of the market. Canadian e-commerce giant Shopify Inc. saw a 71% increase in new stores created on its platform in the second quarter compared with the first.
When Canadians do head to stores, they are on a mission. Many retailers have noticed fewer trips to the store, with increased basket sizes. Larger stores that offer a one-stop shopping experience have been benefitting from this trend.
It is important to note that “COVID-19 has amplified the trend of de-globalization,” said Manulife’s Ms. Donald. “There has been an emphasis on one’s duty to buy local.” However, as discretionary spending continues at a lower pace, those smaller local businesses will need continued spending to stay afloat through a second wave of the pandemic.
What does the future hold for retailers?
A recent Statistics Canada survey found that Canadians are planning to cut back most on discretionary spending as the economy reopens.“The segment of Canadians that are hardest-hit by the COVID-19 recession are also those least capable of saving,” Ms. Donald said. Persistently low interest rates also mean that borrowing is cheap – which could encourage some Canadians to take on even more debt. “I suspect we’re going to see evidence of a shift in the saving-spending mix, but also a further widening of that behaviour between high-income and low-income Canadians.”
Canadians are also more pessimistic about the future than many of their global peers. In BCG’s survey, 19% of people said their spending will not return to pre-COVID levels for a year or more; another 22% said their spending may never recover. When the dust settles, Canada will be left with a deeply shaken retail environment studded with more vacant storefronts than before the crisis, and a more muted consumer.
Source: Globe & Mail


text:
News & Events
November 25, 2010
Don’t miss the Annual Wines of Chile Christmas Tasting at Glazier’s Hall, Montague Close in London on Friday 26th November 2010
November 24, 2010
Chilean wines on the Wine Spectator Top 100 wines for 2010 list.
October 19, 2010
Chilean President Sebastián Piñera bestowed the honorific title of Commander of the Order of Merit of Chile upon Wines of Chile’s UK Director, Michael Cox for his contributions to the success of Chilean wine in the UK.
October 15, 2010
The Telegraph reports a significant rise in sales of Chilean wine as the UK watched and celebrated the successful rescue of Chile’s trapped miners.


text:
Google is on the quest of soaring greater heights with Alphabet.
Supposedly Amazon expects to have a better and higher sales for this upcoming holiday season, however, it seems like everything that happens is on the contrary.
Still undisputed for this year, Kia has once again is the Actibe Lifestyle Vehicles of the Year for 2016.
After a period of shifting between minor gains and losses, the U.S. stocks were lower on Thursday, as a leap in bond revenues urged a selloff in defensive sectors including real estate and utilities while investors circled in mixed earning results and deal news amongst NXP Semiconductors and Qualcomm.
In a deal on October 20, 2016, Thursday, Regions Financial Corporation’s (NYSE:RF) EVP Brett D. Couch sold 32,342 shares of the company’s stock which was sold at a regular price of $10.63, making a total transaction of $343,795.46.
When you are about to start a business you think about generating a great idea, finding customers, staying on top of the market and thinking of new ways to innovate. Now imagine that tasks and multiply that by four or five. That’s what it’s like to be a serial entrepreneur.
Just as the Britain arranges its exit from EU, United Kingdom’s newest financial watchdog guides into a new age of banks and insurance companies’ oversight.
Fintech wants to be prepepared now.
As competition rises, Ford Motor Corporation falls short as it loses 50% profit. However, it still beats some expectations as that of the Wall Street's.
Japan is making Philippines feel how reliable they are as it enters deal of maritime defense with Duterte's country.
Just as doubts grow over Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic policies dubbed Abenomics, many say that regulatory reforms will be the only way to revive Japan’s economy.
O2 CZ/CETIN and T-Mobile CZ is now under investigation by the European Commission on Tuesday. European Commission is to investigate whether the mobile telecoms network-sharing deal between the two major telecommunications company restricts competition in the Czech Republic.
For a year some time now Spain had now beaten Italy in terms of Investments.
The third quarter revenues of Samsung is now burning down in flames.
TwinRock says that Canada is into another line of investment--Real Estate.


text:
For many years now social networking has been divided into roughly two camps. There are those people who use social networking as a social tool to stay in touch with friends, family and colleagues. Then there are those people who use social media platforms for businesses purposes.
There’s a clear distinction between using social media marketing platforms for personal use and business use, and in previous blog posts I’ve discussed some of the common mistakes people make when confusing the two. Primarily the biggest mistake is when people set up a personal profile when really they should be looking at setting up a business one.
However, it seems that since the release of Google+ there has been a distinct lack of balance between these two camps, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed that Facebook is making the most of this. When Google+ first launched there was a great deal of excitement and speculation concerning the possibility that Google was taking on Facebook. Whilst pretty much all of Google’s past explorations into social media have failed spectacularly there was a sense that this could very well be something different.
Most notably this was because Google themselves were making it clear that Google+ was a direct reaction to the complaints and problems highlighted by people when using Facebook, from privacy to organisation and from integration to personalisation. But the truth is that those people with an active Facebook profile and who were using this primarily for personal, social reasons had relatively little interest in upping sticks and moving wholesale elsewhere, and relatively little need to divide their social life into two.
The group of people most interested in what Google+ had to offer were actually those people involved in business networking, yet back in July Google made the astonishing announcement that they would prefer businesses to hold off creating Google+ pages until the network was sufficiently ready for them. Facebook leapt onto this announcement and released their ‘Facebook for Business’ how-to guide (https://www.facebook.com/business).
As the months have ticked by many businesses have been anticipating seeing Google announce that the network is fully ready for them, but no such announcement has taken place (apart from the release of brand pages), and it is clear that Google+ lacks many of the benefits which make Facebook a more appealing platform. Businesses aren’t too concerned with some of the problems that people have had with Facebook when using it for personal purposes. Privacy isn’t so much of a worry clearly, and with Google now indexing Facebook comments it seems that Google has shot themselves in the foot as far as offering businesses any real incentive to move to their own platform.
With Google+ you still can’t offer special deals or distribute coupons or vouchers, and there’s no facility to run contests or sweepstakes. There isn’t even any facility for businesses to do one of the most basic things you’d think Google+ would be able to offer them, and that’s to sell anything. With Google Checkout you’d think that this would have been an obvious route to explore, but nothing so far seems to suggest this is even being considered.
So at this stage, with even Google’s own Executive team pretty much leaving their own Google+ pages languishing behind their Facebook pages, I have to ask the question – has Google done it again? Have they managed to create another social media failure? It’s hard to see just what they can offer businesses now compared to Facebook, and as the initial buzz (excuse the pun) has worn off for most people it would seem that Google has missed the opportunity to capture people’s interest and enthusiasm.
What do you think? Have you created a Google+ profile? Do you see any real benefit for your business? What would you like to see Google do in order to capture your enthusiasm for exploring this platform more fully?


text:
Sierra Wave Media report…….Bishop’s City Council members are standing firm on the marijuana retail operation ban on the record since 2016. Well, at least two of the five are firm, the other three are waffling.
While California approved Prop. 64 in 2016, the Bishop Council kept pot businesses at bay. Councilmember Jim Ellis requested another discussion on marijuana businesses at Monday’s Council meeting. Currently, no pot-related businesses are allowed within the 1.91 square mile city limits, but are in the rest of the County.
The item was discussion only, but the potential of a 3-2 split, if the issue comes back for a vote was clearly in favor of cannabis businesses.
City Planner Elaine Kabala provided some background: The Bishop Planning Commission recommended the City allow retail operations in 2017. The Council didn’t.
Inyo County went through a series of laborious workshops eventually allowing pot businesses within specific areas and with specific restrictions. So, how did that work out? According to City Administrator Ron Phillips, Inyo’s revenues went from just under $100,000 in fiscal year 2017-18 to $320,000 in 2019-20. Inyo set the tax at five-percent with the option of bumping the tax to 12-percent. The tax rate has stayed at five-percent.
A survey of Mammoth Lakes, Inyo’s Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney Tom Hardy indicated there have been no enforcement costs in Mammoth or Inyo and no cases brought to the DA. The East Side has not been struck with reefer madness.


text:
Ms. Brown, who plays the mysterious young psychic Eleven on “Stranger Things,” discusses the first Emmy nomination of her career.
NYS Entity Status
- Dissolution (Aug 02, 2004)
NYS Filing Date
JANUARY 08, 2004
NYS DOS ID#
NYS Entity Type
DOMESTIC BUSINESS CORPORATION
2004 - GRANDMA MILLIE'S PIZZA, INC.
Around the Web
- Emmy Awards 2017: Millie Bobby Brown on Her Nomination for ‘Stranger Things’
By DAVE ITZKOFF - Thursday Jul 13, 2017
- Pizza Is Partisan, and Advertisers Are Still Adjusting
By SAPNA MAHESHWARI - Sunday Nov 19, 2017
With the country so divided on so many issues, companies are increasingly finding themselves in the middle of controversies. They’re realizing it may be the new normal.
- ‘Stranger Things’ Returns, More Familiar but Still Fun
By JAMES PONIEWOZIK - Thursday Oct 26, 2017
Did last year’s surprise nostalgia phenomenon need a sequel? Not really, but we’ll take it anyway.
- Retailers Experiment With a New Philosophy: Smaller Is Better
By TIFFANY HSU - Saturday Nov 18, 2017
Department stores and other retailers struggling to beat back e-commerce are taking cues from online start-ups by experimenting with small showrooms.
- Pizza Wars: Why Domino's could pass Pizza Hut as industry leader
By email@example.com (Fox News Online) - Saturday Aug 12, 2017
- Girl fatally shoots herself digging for candy in grandma’s purse
By Gabrielle Fonrouge - Thursday Sep 21, 2017
A four-year-old Florida girl accidentally killed herself when she reached into her grandma’s purse for some candy — and grabbed a loaded gun instead, a report said. Yanelly Zoller mistakenly shot herself in the chest on Sept. 14, and will be laid to rest Thursday, her father told the Tampa Bay Times. “She just wanted...


text:
RIYADH: ARAB NEWS
Thursday 2 August 2012
Last Update 2 August 2012 2:41 am
Some 5,509 items were seized and destroyed in Madinah as they were either expired foodstuffs unfit for human consumption or fraudulent consumer products that didn’t meet specifications, Director General Khalid Qamqamji of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Madinah branch) told the Saudi Press Agency.
He said members of the fraud control board carried out inspections during the holy month of Ramadan at 300 stores and shops in the city. The operation was carried out under a royal decree on the monitoring of markets and stores. The inspections were done with the intention of curbing commercial fraud and protecting consumers.
Earlier this week, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah reiterated his resolve to take stringent punitive measures against those indulging in fraudulent practices concerning consumer goods.
Commerce and Industry Minister Tawfiq Al-Rabiah said King Abdullah has been closely monitoring the consumer market and directed him to make available all goods and services to people at reasonable prices.
“The King also warned traders against resorting to any forms of commercial fraud,” Al-Rabiah said. “The king is always keen to make life easier for people as well as remove any hurdles to ensure an adequate supply of goods and services for all consumers while maintaining top quality and reasonable prices.” he added.
Arab News is not responsible for the view points, opinions and actions expressed by online commenters. Individual posts do not reflect Arab News' points of view or opinion, and abusive content will be removed


text:
Tags: Carleton P. Palmer III chairman of the board and CEO of National Lime and Stone Co.
Paul Palmer IV was elected president and chief operating officer (COO) of the National Lime and Stone Co. at its recent meeting of the board of directors, Carleton P. Palmer III, chairman of the board and CEO of National Lime ...
SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW
- VIDEO: Giant-sized Jenga578 Views
- Mining industry expected to lose 53% of skilled workers by 2029387 Views
- Martin Marietta Materials elects President and CEO Ward Nye as chairman of the Board329 Views
- 110-year-old quarry demonstrates aggregate mining importance322 Views
- 7 Best Practices for Operating Mobile Equipment Near Embankments310 Views


text:
These pieces of Anthony Bourdain’s estate are destined for parts unknown.
Beginning Wednesday, more than 200 of the late celebrity chef’s most prized keepsakes are being sold in an online auction that’s open to the public, with most of the proceeds benefiting the Anthony Bourdain Legacy Scholarship at the Culinary Institute of America — his alma mater.
The rest of the proceeds will go to his estate, primarily to his daughter, the auction site noted.
The Emmy-winning host of CNN’s “Parts Unknown” and “Kitchen Confidential” died by suicide in France last year at the age of 61, just days after the suicide of fashion designer Kate Spade. (If you need help or know someone else at risk, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.)
The Smithsonian dubbed him “the original rock star” of the culinary world, and he was credited with getting his audience to think differently about food and travel. “He was one for the first people to truly see food as a way to understand the world,” his longtime friend Matt Goulding previously told MarketWatch.
Now a year after his death, anyone can bid on his collection of artwork, books and accessories until the end of the month — as well as quirky finds like a note from Billy Joel (starting at $50) or his Hermès scarfs (starting at $40). Some of the standout items up for bid include: a 19th-century chrome duck press (estimated value between $700 and $1,000) that he acquired in Paris; his white chef’s jacket ($350); and his Peter Lovig Nielsen teak flip top writing desk ($600).
Bourdain’s prized knife, a chef’s jacket and chrome duck press are up for grabs.
But his custom Bob Kramer knife is the crown jewel in the collection, and is expected to go for between $4,000 and $6,000. It was crafted from 800 layers of pounded steel and an iron meteorite from Campo de Cielo in South America, and took two years from ordering it to getting it in his hand. The auction site notes that Bourdain told his assistant and co-author Laurie Woolever when he ordered it that, “I might have to go back to working brunch shifts to afford it.”
Woolever told CBS New York that all of the lots up for grabs were meaningful pieces to Bourdain. ”Anything that sort of made it to the home collection was something that had a real, personal significance to him, so when I look around this room, I really see so much of him,” she said. “I see the things that he loved.”
The auction will run online from Oct. 9-30.


text:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of (a) people (b) businesses and (c) organisations from (i) Linlithgow and East Falkirk constituency, (ii) Scotland and (iii) the UK that have received advice and support from the National Cyber Security Centre.
9 June 2020
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), supported by a £1.9 billion investment, is delivering transformational change, building new capabilities and intervening to protect the UK from cyber attacks. The NCSC works with a wide range of partners, including the devolved administrations, to provide advice and support to people, businesses, and organisations, and to raise cyber resilience across the whole of the UK.
The implementation of the National Cyber Security Strategy requires collaborative action from all sectors of the UK including government, law enforcement, industry and academia. Cyber security experts are active across all these sectors in many different roles.
The Cyber Security Sectoral Analysis 2020, published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in January, estimates that there are approximately 43,000 cyber security experts working in cyber security related roles across UK cyber security firms.
We are working to address the shortage in cyber security experts and encourage computer science students, and those from other disciplines, to consider careers in cyber security. This includes inspiring and nurturing the next generation of professionals and entrepreneurs, with over 55,000 young people having participated in our Cyber Discovery and Cyber First schemes, and working with the UK Cyber Security Council to further develop cyber security as a profession.
Since its creation in 2016, the NCSC has investigated over 2,000 significant incidents and published over 200 pieces of guidance. A total of 44,400 Cyber Essential certificates have been issued across the UK, including over 2,260 in Scotland.


text:
During the holiday season, many brands amplify their feel good and charitable endeavors, and this year is no different. Several brands have embraced “pay it forward” strategies that offer ways for consumers to give back with every purchase, whether it’s to a friend or a charity. Brands that can elicit good feelings from consumers may encourage positive actions, including engagement and sales.
Starbucks Partners With Uber Eats To Share Coffee And ‘Deliver It Forward’
Offering to buy the coffee for the next customer in line has long been a small act of kindness many people enjoy doing in the spirit of paying it forward and starting the day off on the right foot. The altruistic concept inspired Deliver It Forward, the latest activation from Starbucks. For Deliver It Forward, Starbucks is offering promo codes to customers who place their Starbucks orders with Uber Eats. The codes can be shared with up to 30 people, and give each of those lucky pals $10 off their next Starbucks order from Uber Eats. Deliver It Forward ends on November 22 and is limited to the first 100,000 customers.
The holidays, otherwise known as Red Cup Season, are typically a very busy time for Starbucks, with Forbes noting that in 2019, “On Black Friday alone, Starbucks traffic rose 54.2%, compared with the average for the previous 12 months.” The pandemic is likely to impact business over the holidays for Starbucks, with less shoppers out and about stopping in to refuel. A campaign that makes people feel good and drives brand engagement, could lead to increased revenues during the critical period after Thanksgiving.
Green Goo Beauty Brand Combines Pay It Forward And Health And Wellness For Holiday Campaign
Over the course of the last year, a lot of lessons have been learned about what matters to consumers and what is necessary to stay healthy in 2020. Beauty and first aid brand Green Goo launched a holiday “pay it forward” advertising campaign that combines two of the standout strategies for brands from 2020: corporate social responsibility and wellness. According to a press release from the brand, “Each week for the next eight weeks, Green Goo will give away a $500 gift basket full of its all-natural products to a randomly selected winner, who will then choose an organization – a school, hospital, restaurant, fire department, shelter or other group – to receive a sizable allotment of the brand's FDA-compliant hand sanitizer.” The campaign is part of Green Goo’s Season of Goodness initiative that aims to give back to the community during difficult times. Other strategies the campaign is implementing include, “weekly product giveaways, customer contests, flash sales and charitable donations, in addition to shared stories, favorite recipes and inspirational anecdotes from the brand's team members.” Health and wellness has been a priority for many consumers over the last eight months, with many brands pivoting to digital strategies and seeing double-digit increases in sales.
Lifestyle Brand Feed Enlists Celebrity Friends To Promote Its Biggest Holiday Giving Campaign
The brand purpose of lifestyle company Feed, founded in 2007 by Lauren Bush Lauren, is always to give back. Each time someone purchases an item from Feed, the brand donates a specific amount of money to giving partners around the world, providing nutritious meals to children in 63 countries. This year, Feed’s Give a Gift that Counts campaign is aiming to provide 300,000 meals during the holiday period, their biggest goal ever. The lofty goal was set due to the impacts of COVID-19 globally, particularly the increase in food insecurity. Feed has enlisted the help of several celebrities, including Martha Stewart and Nick Jonas, to promote the campaign.
“When COVID hit, we really put our heads together and said, ‘Holiday's always a big time for us, but we want to do something really extra special,’” said Bush Lauren, 36. “And one way to do that is get great friends of FEED who are more recognizable to pitch in.... We're really excited that [the celebrities] are helping to curate shopping experiences on our site and helping bring the campaign to life.” The Give a Gift that Counts campaign rolled out across social media in early November, and Feed has already sold enough to get halfway to their goal of 300,000 meals.
The holiday season, especially this year, is likely to be a time when many people want to extend kindness and help in their communities, particularly as the pandemic continues to have mental health and economic ramifications. Consumers are four to six times more inclined to buy from and champion purpose-driven brands, and 94% of consumers are likely to make repeat purchases from brands that make them feel good about themselves. Emotions are a powerful tool for advertisers, especially during trying times when people are looking for sources of inspiration, authenticity and positivity. Brands that can effectively leverage good feelings may reap the benefits.
Is Your Business Looking For New Ways To Make An Impact?
Digital Media Solutions® helps companies grow so we can drive meaningful change in the world. Our core business supports our efforts to take action, lead by example and encourage those around us to positively impact their local and global communities.


text:
Nigerian Breweries Plc has disclosed through a notice filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) that an additional item has been added to the agenda to be considered.
The notice signed by the company’s secretary, Uaboi .G. Agbebaku, stated that the payment of an interim dividend has been added to the issues to be considered during the Board of Directors meeting scheduled to hold on the 28th of October, 2021.
Earlier, on the 27th September 2021, the company notified the investing public and the Exchange of its Board of Directors meeting and the company’s Closed Period. In addition to the consideration of payment of interim dividend, other issues to be considered is the approval of the Unaudited Financial Statements for the Company for the third quarter ending 30th September 2021.
The company’s closed period commenced on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 and is to continue until the next day after the unaudited financial statements are filed with the Exchange.
See notice here.


text:
May 30, 2008
May 30, 2008 - Reports indicate that the Australian wool market is lower. Last week, the market dropped to its lowest point since August last year, with the eastern market indicator (EMI) falling 21c/kg, to 869c/kg. The EMI has now fallen 15 percent since its January highs. This is the time of year, however, when the lower quality wools arrive to the Australian markets.
However, in U.S. dollar (US$) terms, the market actually rose last week, up by US7c, to US 836c/kg, with the Australian dollar (A$) lifting above US96 cents.
Also on a positive note, Australian fine wool demand, as indicated by 18- and 19-micron wool auction sales, has been unprecedented in recent years. The value of 18- and 19-micron wool sold at Australian auction is set to break a new record in 2007-2008, surpassing half a billion US$ for the first time in one season.
For the 2006-2007 season, the value of all 18- and 19-micron wool (17.6-19.5 micron) sold at Australian wool auctions reached US$495 million. Already this season (to the end of April), the total value of these wools sold at auction is US$485 million, meaning for the full season, 18- and 19-micron wool sales will easily surpass US$500 million for the first time.
Combined, the value of 18- and 19-micron wool sold at auction in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 seasons will reach close to US$1.1 billion. This compares with the 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 seasons when the combined value of sales was US$700 million.
This average growth of around US$200 million over the last four to five years, confirms that fine wool demand has continued to grow strongly.


text:
Have you ever received a big box from an e-tailer containing tiny items and lots of filler?
An Amazon Prime box recently arrived at the WSJ’s Atlanta buro containing a paperback book and some ear buds which took up less than a third of the space inside the box – air cushions filled the rest.
And Amazon’s aren’t the only ones. Online customer-service tracker StellaService had mystery shoppers order 2,253 packages delivered by FedEx over the past six months. Of those, 9% were shown to have a “poor” package fit – deemed extremely wasteful and inefficient. Last year, StellaService found that beauty retailers were the worst culprits when it comes to excess packaging.
More on this after the jump…


text:
Oxigen Services India's mobile semi-closed wallet Oxigen Wallet has partnered with Café Coffee Day (CCD) to enable payments through the wallet at CCD outlets across India. According to the CCD website, it has over 1500 cafes spread across 200 cities in India. It also runs 50 CCD Lounge outlets, 5 CCD Square and 687 Xpress outlets. This is Oxigen Wallet’s first offline payment acceptance tie up. It currently allows users to recharge mobile, DTH and data cards, make bill payments, shop on e-commerce platforms like eBay, and transfer money. It claims to have over 3 million wallet users and processes over 1 lakh transactions every day. Oxigen Wallet was launched as a social mobile wallet service in August this year, in partnership with Fastacash. At the time the company had claimed that it had 1.5 million mobile wallet users and clocked 1 million transactions per month. Users can load money in their Oxigen Wallet online through net banking or using their credit/debit cards, and also offline at retail outlets like Croma, The Mobile Store, Planet M, Vijay Sales, Vishal, and Muthoot Finance among others. Oxigen Wallet is accepted at over 3000 merchant locations including more 2000 online sites. The Oxigen Wallet app is currently available for Android, iOS and Windows. e-KYC service: In September this year, Oxigen had tied-up with National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) to launch e-KYC service. RBI had allowed Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) to accept e-KYC verification as a valid identification process in August this year. This enabled…
- After CIC’s Decision, NIXI Resumes Publishing Dispute Resolution Decisions December 1, 2022
- The Delhi High Court ordered a sexually-explicit video to be taken off the internet December 1, 2022
- What India’s IT Minister has to say about the concerns around the new data protection bill December 1, 2022
- Tamil Nadu pushes for Aadhaar-EB card linking despite data risks December 1, 2022
- Info on Online Gambling Law’s Report & Consultation Can’t Be Provided: Tamil Nadu Govt December 1, 2022
MediaNama’s mission is to help build a digital ecosystem which is open, fair, global and competitive.
The Structure and Style of a Dogma Community: Conspiracy theories and organized Twitter engagement on Sushant Singh Rajput
Studying the 'community' supporting the late Sushant Singh Rajput (SSR) shows how Twitter was gamed through organized engagement
Do we have an enabling system for the National Data Governance Framework Policy (NDGFP) aiming to create a repository of non-personal data?
A viewpoint on why the regulation of cryptocurrencies and crypto exchnages under 2019's E-Commerce Rules puts it in a 'grey area'
India's IT Rules mandate a GAC to address user 'grievances' , but is re-instatement of content removed by a platform a power it should...
Why ‘group privacy’ should be recognised, and how ‘non-personal’ data becomes a regulatory blindspot
There is a need for reconceptualizing personal, non-personal data and the concept of privacy itself for regulators to effectively protect data
Please subscribe to MediaNama. Don't share prints and PDFs.
You May Also Like
Google has released a Google Travel Trends Report which states that branded budget hotel search queries grew 179% year over year (YOY) in India, in...
135 job openings in over 60 companies are listed at our free Digital and Mobile Job Board: If you’re looking for a job, or...
Twitter takes down tweets from MP, MLA, editor criticising handling of pandemic upon government request
By Aroon Deep and Aditya Chunduru You’re reading it here first: Twitter has complied with government requests to censor 52 tweets that mostly criticised...


text:
Trend Micro, Incorporated (TSE: 4704), a global leader in Internet content security, has won the Computer Reseller News ‘Security Vendor of the Year’ award in the UK, one of the most sought after awards in the industry.
The 'Security Vendor of the Year' award from Computer Reseller News is particularly prominent within the industry as it is based on a public voting system amongst the IT and business community. Trend Micro was nominated amongst vendors such as Checkpoint, McAfee, Symantec, Webroot, Blue Coat and Fortinet but won the award based on its continued commitment to the channel with successful initiatives such as its Worry-Free SMB partner programme.
"The Security Vendor of the Year category was one of the most hotly contended of them all and there was some extremely stiff competition. The number of votes was also extremely high and to win the award was no mean feat. Trend Micro polled the highest number of votes in the category by far and was a deserving winner”, comments Sara Yirrell, editor of CRN.
Over the past 12 months, Trend Micro has enhanced its global partner programme and invested in new product development to be able to offer its partners solutions that are easier to deploy, involve less hardware to maintain and ultimately have lower maintenance costs.
Bob Tarzey, analyst at Quocirca and one of the judges on the CRN panel this year comments: “Trend Micro invests considerable time and money ensuring good relations with its partners. A strong entry meant Trend Micro easily made the shortlist and its channel commitment has clearly been a key factor in getting the reseller vote out and going on to win the 2008 Security Vendor of the year award from CRN.”
Following the launch of its new cloud-based network, Smart Protection Network, Trend Micro has started to offer partners more tools to bring to their customer base with solutions that lighten bandwidth consumption on customers’ networks and offer comprehensive up-to-date protection.
Presented at the annual ceremony at Battersea Park Arena London, the award was accepted on behalf of Trend Micro by UK & Ireland Country Manager Paul Anderson, highlighting Trend Micro’s commitment to the success and profitability of its channel partners through a series of focused channel initiatives dedicated to making it easier for channel partners and customers to do business with Trend Micro.
Anthony O’Mara, VP of Trend Micro, EMEA comments: “Being singled out by channel partners as their preferred security solutions, reaffirms that we are providing the solutions and support our partners need to both protect their customers’ networks as well as growth their business. Winning this prestigious award is a great recognition of the dedication and team work that has gone into developing new product ranges, tying these into lucrative incentives and ultimately creating niches for security resellers to generate substantial margins.”
About Trend Micro:
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in Internet content security, focuses on securing the exchange of digital information for businesses and consumers. A pioneer and industry vanguard, Trend Micro is advancing integrated threat management technology to protect operational continuity, personal information, and property from malware, spam, data leaks and the newest Web threats. Visit TrendWatch at www.trendmicro.com/go/trendwatch to learn more about the threats. Trend Micro’s flexible solutions, available in multiple form factors, are supported 24/7 by threat intelligence experts around the globe. Many of these products and solutions are powered by the Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network, a next generation cloud-client content security infrastructure designed to protect customers from Web threats. A transnational company, with headquarters in Tokyo, Trend Micro’s trusted security solutions are sold through its business partners worldwide. Please visit www.trendmicro.com.
© 2000 - 2022 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)


text:
Column: Nickel surplus looms as electric vehicle buzz fades
Old-school dynamics are going to push the global market into a period of oversupply this year and next
LONDON — The London Metal Exchange (LME) nickel price last week touched a year-to-date high of $16,135 per tonne (or more than US$7 a pound).
Nickel bulls would love to believe this is all about rising usage in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. The EV story has generated a tangible buzz in the nickel market over the last two years with Tesla’s Elon Musk recently fanning the flames with his call for more mines to meet the demand for electrification.
However, the reality is that the recent rally is much more about that most traditional of price drivers, namely the supply of nickel ore to China’s giant stainless steel sector.
Such old-school dynamics are going to push the global market into a period of oversupply this year and next, according to the latest forecasts from the International Nickel Study Group (INSG).
The EV narrative, for now at least, is stuck in the slow lane.
The key metric to understanding the recent nickel price rally is the cost of nickel ore, according to analysts at Citi.
The Philippines has emerged as the main supplier of raw material to China’s nickel pig iron (NPI) producers since Indonesia banned exports at the start of this year.
The price of medium-grade Philippine ore has doubled over this year to a current $74 per tonne, according to Chinese research house Custeel.
That in turn feeds directly into higher costs for the NPI producers that supply China’s stainless steel mills.
The Indonesian ore ban is reaching “its climax” with Chinese stocks falling to “critical levels” and the Philippines heading into the monsoon season, which limits mining activity, Citi said.
The bank has a “bull-case” price target of $17,000 per tonne in the fourth quarter of this year but “from these highs we would be ready to flip cautious-bearish.”
That’s because China’s NPI production is declining as the supply chain migrates to Indonesia, which implemented its ore ban to force miners to upgrade to value-added products such as NPI.
This year “likely marks the last year when China will produce more NPI than Indonesia,” agrees JPMorgan.
The transition will see flows of Indonesian NPI become the dominant trade for Chinese stainless production.
Philippine ore prices will likely revert to historical norms of around $35 per tonne which “will depress costs of marginal Chinese NPI smelters to around $13,000/t, thus removing the cost support for spot nickel prices,” JPMorgan said. (“Metals Weekly,” Oct. 26, 2020)
Such traditional nickel price drivers, particularly the strength of global stainless steel output, will dominate the market for a while yet.
Global output of stainless steel fell by 9.4 per cent in the first half of this year and will fall over the year as a whole despite a rebound in China, the INSG said.
Next year should be a year of recovery but by how much is very uncertain outside of China, where the consensus is for this year’s V-shaped recovery to level out.
Global nickel production, by contrast, has been relatively unscathed by the lockdowns that have hit other industrial metals and will grow strongly next year as Indonesia’s reconfigured nickel production sector ramps up.
The INSG now sees world output of primary metal at 2.436 million tonnes this year, a marginal 40,000-tonne reduction from the Group’s last forecast in October 2019. Production growth will accelerate from 2.3 per cent this year to 6.2 per cent next year.
The Group, therefore, expects the refined nickel market to register supply surpluses of 117,000 tonnes this year and another 68,000 tonnes in 2021.
These will be the first years of excess supply since 2015.
What then of nickel’s EV story?
It seems to be losing some of its traction, according to LME broker Marex Spectron.
Interest in nickel and electric vehicles peaked early in October and “has reversed noticeably since then,” according to what the company calls its “Nowcast,” a series of algorithms that trawl the web to monitor around a billion text documents per year for references between specific commodities and market themes.
“This begs the question of whether the recent reversal in EV Market Focus portends a declining interest in the key demand story for the metal,” Marex said. (“Quantamental Update – Has the focus on EV as a key nickel demand driver peaked?,” Oct. 26, 2020).
This might seem counterintuitive given all the headlines generated by Musk’s call for more nickel mines.
But COVID-19 has laid low the entire automotive sector, even if EV production is bouncing back more strongly than conventional vehicles as governments prioritize “green” investment in their recovery plans.
Electric vehicles currently account for less than 5 per cent of total nickel usage and the fear, to quote Macquarie Bank analysts, is the coronavirus will translate into “two lost years for the electric vehicle market, pushing back the requirements for new nickel supply (…) all the way out to 2025.”
This theme of deferred expectations has been playing out across the battery metals space, witness this week’s news that Australian hard-rock lithium miner Altura Mining has entered receivership due to low prices for its spodumene product.
Nickel’s role in the EV revolution has also taken something of a dent from Tesla itself, which is using non-nickel batteries in its Model 3 cars in China. The switch to lithium-iron-phosphate batteries reduces costs but also reflects technical enhancements to a product that was regarded as legacy technology just a year ago.
It is becoming clear that battery design is not going to be a binary competition such as the much-cited 1980s battle between Betamax and VHS in video-taping. Rather, multiple technologies will co-exist to feed a differentiated global market for vehicle functionality.
This is not to say that EVs won’t be a critical component of the nickel market going forwards, just that the relationship between sales growth and nickel usage may not be as linear as previously thought.
Nickel bulls may have to defer their great EV expectations for a while yet and focus on what is happening in the currently far more significant stainless steel sector. If the INSG is right, it could be a bumpy ride.


text:
Bellair Scotland handed the keys of the Vicar Street premises – home to over 30 businesses and 150 people – over to Tartan Commercial Ltd, who are also owners of The Lighthouse business centre in North Berwick.
It was stated it will be business as usual for tenants, with Tartan Commercial keen to keep Falkirk Business Hub operating as normal and the existing management
team will remain with Bellair chairman Alistair Campbell joining Tartan Commercial as a non-executive director to provide both continuity during the handover period as well as helping the growth of the wider business.
Tartan Commercial managing director Nick Watson will replace Colin Campbell as managing director of Falkirk Business Hub.
The Bellair team admitted the decision to sell the hub was a hard one.
They took the former home of the town’s General Post Office and renovated it in 2013 to create a modern, vibrant business centre. It now provides serviced office
accommodation for a diverse community of businesses ranging from accountants and solicitors to make-up artists and a bustling, award-winning coffee shop.
However, as the only serviced office property in the Bellair portfolio, the team recognised they had taken the Hub as far as they could.
Alistair Campbell said: “We didn’t take the decision to sell lightly. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve created at Falkirk Business Hub. It’s become an important focal point for the local business community and a great marker for the town.
“Bellair is now moving in a different direction with a focus on different commercial property investments. We’ve made sure we are selling to the right people who will
build on the success of the Hub and are committed to its continued success in the future.”
One of the properties Bellair is investing in is the former Burton building in Falkirk High Street.
The firm is planning to convert the premises, which closed down a couple of years ago, into two ground floor retail units and three first floor flats.
Colin Campbell, managing director of Bellair, said: “We want to create two relatively small retail units with one front facing onto the High Street. Then we want to create three two-bedroom flats above.
“Our goal here is to take a redundant building in a key location in Falkirk’s High Street and re-purpose it for the benefit of the town. Our proposed floor plan for the retail units and three apartments is in keeping with the council’s plans, with the purposes of getting people back onto the High Street.
Bellair has been in talks with Falkirk Council planners to try and make this happen.
Meanwhile the new boss at Falkirk Business Hub is excited to get to know the existing tenants.
Nick Watson said: “We’re great admirers of what has been achieved at Falkirk Business Hub. We see it as the benchmark for serviced office accommodation in Scotland and we’re keen to maintain its success in the town.
“We feel it sits perfectly alongside our first Business Centre in North Berwick and indeed will be looking to incorporate some learnings from Falkirk to our existing operation.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to expand our business.”