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The top 2012 concert tours have been announced, and ticket sales records may be broken with this year's line-up, which includes everyone from Van Halen and Bruce Springsteen to Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and more.
Numerous reports have suggested that sales and revenue records could be surpassed due to the high number of big-name acts who are expected to hit the road in 2012.
We can foresee this being a record year for revenue certainly, and possibly even for attendance, Gary Bongiovanni, editor of the concert-industry tracking magazine Pollstar, told the Los Angeles Times.
Below is a run-down of what looks to be the top ten most popular concert tours of 2012, as we can tell so far (no particular order), and all the details are broken down in this great slideshow.
2. Van Halen
7. Lady Gaga
9. Beach Boys


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Since AI has started growing in various industries, large companies have been successfully implementing AI to improve customer experience in travel industry as well.
Hotel chain “Hyatt” has recently unveiled their new Intelligent Virtual Assistant. As reported, it allowed the company to save $4.4 million on customer care without sacrificing the quality of service its customers expected.
It is also possible to use AI and ML to build recommender systems, which are capable of finding the most relevant content to be shown to web visitors. Most importantly, it is now evident that AI and ML represent the reality of running a travel business in 2021, meaning that business owners should be taking advantage of every opportunity to adopt AI/ML-powered solutions.
If we think international tourism, the data for Q3 of 2021 shows clearly that AI and ML have the potential to slow down negative effects of the pandemic by catering to every customer. For example, Mexico managed to regain its 2019 income on tourism while Germany and Turkey had just minor drops.

domain: news


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The oil firms are also keen to raise LPG
sales since unlike LPG
for household kitchens, which is sold at a subisidised price, auto LPG
is sold at a profit.
Hadi said that with this rise, LPG
is now selling at Rs75 to 76 per kilogram in Karachi, 11.
demand growth is particularly rapid in China and India, as a result of which Asian demand is rising by 5% per annum against a world average growth of 4%.
Since 2002, Pertamina has four times raised the price of LPG
But Blake and Rowland contend that authorities must tackle LPG
leakage if they want to reduce ozone further.
Provides operator information for all active and planned LPG
He said the LPG
association would be fully co-operating with the government by presenting workable proposals to resolve issues for promoting LPG
to extend immediate relief to consumers who were already faced with high prices of daily-use commodities.
Companies and Distributors also reduced their rates following the reduction in Producer Prices.
consumption in the country is small compared with its large population.
Even in "Pucca" houses where natural gas connections are not feasible and not readily available or where the supply of natural gas has become irregular due to some technical reasons, LPG
is a good substitute.
Provides operator and equity information for all the LPG
tankers in the world
currently will operate eight VLGCs on the water, including four of Dorian LPG
's VLGCs: Corvette, Corsair, Captain John NP and Captain Nicholas ML, of which two are ECO vessels.


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In a recent clinical trial the health experts have discovered that vaping does not have any adverse effects on health. Around 200 chain smokers volunteered and started using vape or the e-cigarette for about 24 months while their lung functioning was being monitored and nicotine & tobacco constituents were being recorded.
Nothing extremely concerning really came up and no serious safety concerns were recorded among the volunteers. Using vape was leading in the reduction of nicotine levels and started showing withdrawal symptoms, During the study levels of constituents due a regular cigarette were reducing while the weight was still stagnant.
Some of the leading vape retailers have stated that the study is explanatory in itself and indicates all the major health issues that an individual might have to face if she/he tends to use the vape regularly, hence, they are wise enough to take an informed decision.
The research indicated that the regulation of vape is not modelled on tobacco product, but it encourages innovation and compliance with robust product quality and moreover manufacturing and also taking care of the safety standards.
With the coming in of vape or what they call it is an e-cigarette, the retailers of normal cigarettes had to go through loses and with the statements provided by such studies have resulted in increasing the market and Target Audience for vape retailers. Along with its availability in different flavours, it has attracted a huge number of non-smokers as well.
Vape would soon bring a revolution in the lives of smokers and would soon aim to eliminate the traditional tobacco smoking.


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McFlurry fanatics and mint chocolate fans will be over-the-moon that McDonald’s are bringing back the beloved Aero McFlurry
McFlurry fans were disappointed when the chocolate and mint ice-cream went missing for a whole four years, but the Aero McFlurry is landing back in the fast food chain on Monday 1 May.
Though, you better be quick, the tasty treat is available for eight weeks only.
Yet to make a permanent return to McDonald’s restaurants, the Aero McFlurry is sadly only available until 25 June.
The chocolate and mint blend is available in a regular size for £1.39, and a mini size for just £99p.
You can choose to have your ice-cream topped with chocolate chunks, and a chocolate or peppermint sauce depending on what takes your fancy.
The last time the flavour was available was back in 2015, so as you can imagine, fans are raving about the latest edition to the menu on social media.
One said: ‘McDonalds are doing a mint aero mcflurry, never been more excited.’
Another added: ‘McDonalds is bringing back aero mcflurrys🙌🏼.’
Another said: ‘Aero mint McFlurry making a return?!?!😭 ERM YES💚💚💚💚.’
And, McDonald’s have other exciting news – a strawberry lemonade is being added to the menu for summer, as well as a new millionaire’s frappe.
One excited Twitter user said: ‘Them frozen strawberry lemonades are coming back soon to McDonald’s also with a new millionaire frappé and aero chocolate and mint McFlurry 😊you’re welcome.’
Previously, fans expressed their disappointment when the McFlurry ice-cream disappeared from the menu.
One said: ‘Mcdonalds need to stop playing and bring out a mint aero mcflurry asap.’
Another added: Not that I’m partially worried? but where oh where has the “Mint Aero” McFlurry got to! #McDonalds
The launch of the new summer range signals the end of McDonald’s Monopoly prize game, which sadly finishes on Tuesday.
But, it seems McDonalds fans are more excited that this minty Aero ice-cream treat returns.


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Now Paysafe Group Partner Skrill accepts cryptocurrencies
Skrill the leading digital wallet provider is now accepting cryptocurrencies. Recently they have confirmed it in their official Twitter page. They are offering their customers to instantly buy and sell cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Etherium and Litecoin. Customers can buy or sell cryptocurrencies faster than ever in Skrill.
Lorenzo Pellegrino CEO of Skill commented
“The world of cryptocurrency trading is exciting and dynamic, and our digital wallet service very much lends itself to this environment. I’m confident that the ability to trade in cryptocurrencies quickly and easily through Skrill will appeal to consumers both now and in the future. We know many people want to experiment with cryptocurrency trading but don’t know where to start and we’ve made the entire process very straightforward.”
At this moment their cryptocurrency buy sell is live in over 30 countries including Australia, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UAE and the UK.
But there is some rules that customers will only be able to buy and sell cryptocurrencies but not be able to transfer their holding cryptocurrency to other Skrill customers. After all it's a great achievement for crypto platform. Skrill and crypto involvement makes the financial system more powerful.


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The stock has jumped more than 13% in the last three weeks, since the company announced the formation of a special board committee to evaluate “strategic options” [read: find a buyer]. However, the shares are still more than 20% below their level prior to the company’s disastrous earnings report on June 28. And that does not include the stock’s peak around the $18 mark in January before the formal launch of the new BlackBerry 10 handsets that have since been met with tepid demand.
The report late Wednesday from the Wall Street Journal – which said the company was working to speed up its sales process – has given the stock some juice. But while the timing may be entirely coincidental, it’s worth noting that this particular leak came just one day after the surprise acquisition of Nokia’s handset business by Microsoft – which effectively removed two potential partners from BlackBerry’s list.
Among those left, all face either notable business challenges of their own, a potentially hostile regulatory review or the lack of a compelling business to take on a smartphone maker whose fortunes have dimmed considerably. Among the usual suspects left are:
Apple: Plenty of money, but no real reason to do such a deal, the size of which would be way out of norm for a company that prefers to keep its acquisition activities small and quiet.
Samsung: Plenty of money, and possibly some interest in owning its own platform (despite its considerable investments in Android). Still, any foreign bidder for BlackBerry would likely face stringent review from regulators, given the Canadian government’s interest in the company’s future, as well as its considerable business supplying smartphones and services to the U.S. government.
Huawei: Plenty of money, but the Chinese handset maker seems to have taken itself out of the running, telling reporters on Wednesday that it prefers to grow its business on its own, according to Reuters. And, like Samsung, would likely face heavy political resistance.
HTC: Some money, but struggling with its own declining smartphone business. Swallowing an acquisition that could be in the neighborhood of $7 billion would be a tough call. Few analysts seem to consider HTC a likely bidder.
That leaves companies outside the handset space who may want in. Amazon , Dell and Hewlett-Packard could be included in this list, though each has its own strong reasons for passing on BlackBerry. And of course, the speculation above does not preclude the possibility of multiple companies taking on parts of the BlackBerry business, or a group of Canadian investors taking the company private. For the moment, investors seem to be hedging their bets.


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The PM’s office stated in a press statement that specific proposals were shared with SoftBank where it could enhance its investments in India
In 2021 alone, the investor pumped over $3 Bn into the Indian startup ecosystem across 17 deals
To facilitate SoftBank’s future participation in India in key areas such as technology, energy and finance, the duo discussed various reforms that can be undertaken
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently in Japan on a two-day visit to attend the Quad Summit 2022. On his first day, among other leaders, the Prime Minister met Masayoshi Son, board director and founder of SoftBank Corporation.
According to the PMO, PM Modi appreciated SoftBank’s role in India’s startup sector and the duo discussed SoftBank’s future participation in India in key areas such as technology, energy and finance.
They also discussed various reforms being undertaken to enable the ease of doing business in India. The PM’s office stated in a press statement that specific proposals were shared with SoftBank where it could enhance its investments in India.
According to ANI, Son was quoted saying, “India is growing quickly and there are new startups and unicorns every day. I think India’s future is bright. PM Modi is committed to the success of India – supporting startups, unicorns and making India the centre of tech in the world.”
SoftBank X India – The Difference Between Capitalists & Investors
SoftBank is one Indian startup ecosystem’s top investors in the ranks of Tiger Global, Sequoia and Y Combinator, among others. The Masayoshi Son-led venture capital firm backs companies in telecommunications, internet services, AI, smart robotics, IoT and cleantech sectors. The group hosts:
- The SoftBank Vision Funds, which are investing more than $135 Bn to help extraordinary entrepreneurs transform industries and shape new ones
- The $5 Bn SoftBank Latin America Fund and the newly-launched $3 Bn SoftBank Latin America Fund II
- And The SB Opportunity Fund, a $100 Mn fund dedicated to investing in enterprises founded by entrepreneurs of colour in the US
Of these, the investor invests in Indian startups via the Vision Funds. In 2014, SoftBank had set a decade-long target of investing $10 Bn in Indian startups. By 2021, it has already invested more than $8 Bn in India across 60+ funding deals, on the road to achieving its target much ahead of the stipulated timeline.
Then in December 2021, SoftBank Investment Advisers CEO Rajeev Misra said that the investment giant would invest another $10 Bn in the Indian startup ecosystem, especially in B2B SaaS, fintech and edtech – an idea reiterated by Son.
Thus, it came as a shocker when Son told SoftBank executives to ease investing in tech firms.
Falling Investment Pace In India
As Masayoshi Son and PM Modi discussed the country’s startup ecosystem during the trade meeting and security dialogue between Australia, India, Japan and the US, it is noteworthy that Indian startups are heading towards a market correction.
Rising interest rates, the Russia-Ukraine war, heavy inflation across the world and plummeting value of public markets across the world are diminishing the country’s funding activities.
Add to this, the global decline in investments in publicly-listed tech giants with super-high valuations does not paint a rosy picture, especially for late-stage investors including SoftBank – who have the most turnaround on their investments when these startups go public.
Although India is currently home to around 40K startups, many companies are shifting their headquarters to Dubai, Singapore and Switzerland, among others, to be close to their investors or have better ease of doing business.
Facilitating dialogue and specific proposals with one of the Indian startup ecosystem’s major international investors ensures that the market corrections happen smoothly.


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Onboard Hospitality has launched the Get Onboard Now! campaign in collaboration with leading inflight hospitality specialists. The campaign is designed to push onboard hospitality provision back up the agenda to build passenger confidence and revive enthusiasm for the real joys of travel.
“It really has been a tough year for our sector but the time is now right to push onboard hospitality provision back up the agenda.”
Onboard Hospitality editor, Julie Baxter, says: “It really has been a tough year for our sector but the time is now right to push onboard hospitality provision back up the agenda. Hospitality supports and normalises passenger confidence and by focusing on it we really can revive enthusiasm for the travel experience.
“The Get Onboard Now! Action Group will aim to bring together high-quality senior travel buyers and suppliers to raise the profile of onboard hospitality as a key part of travel recovery post pandemic.”
The Action Group will seek to identify and promote best practice solutions that support quality passenger experiences and airline profitability. It will focus on three key themes:
People – the talent and skills needed to deliver best hospitality
Planet – sustainability in onboard products/catering/supply chain
Profits – emerging revenue streams and digitalization
It will seek to re-engage the debate around the value of hospitality, drawing on global trends and insights from other sectors to drive hospitality into a new era onboard. Onboard Hospitalitywill provide the forum for debate and provide the oxygen of publicity to initiatives and innovation supporting sector hospitality at its creative best.
We want to hear from you.
If you are an air, rail, cruise or ferry operator with specific needs in these areas – come forward and share the issues with peers and help develop thought leadership on the solutions you require.
If you are a supplier with needs or solutions in these areas, step up to the campaign, share your research, ideas and solutions, and help spearhead recovery.
Email your ideas and expressions of interest in supporting the campaign and Action Group to email@example.com
We are also shining a light on product and service excellence through our Awards.


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Key trends in beauty and personal care for 2022 include waterless washing, high-puff hairstyles and fermented ingredients, according to trend roundups from Pinterest and WGSN.
1. Fermented beauty
Fermented ingredients can enhance skin absorption of actives or even boost antioxidant levels. These qualities make these materials a clear winner for beauty in 2022 and beyond, per a new report from WGSN.
The trend is led by the Korean and Japanese markets, per the report, and draws on naturally occurring bacterias that can prolong product shelf life. It also offers a sustainability appeal.
Previously: Skai's 2022 Beauty Trends
2. Waterless washing
Waterless beauty has been one of the hottest innovation sectors in the industry, driven by a desire for more sustainable and shelf-stable products.
WGSN predicts this trend will now merge with hygiene for waterless washing products. This will be appealing to those without access to clean water, as well as those seeking greener products.
3. The color of joy and positivity
WGSN's Coloro sister brand has selected Orchid Flower as the color of 2022, featuring an "intense magenta" that reflects an "appetite for joy and positivity." The color will perform well in physical and virtual spaces, the firm argues.
Previously: 2022 Beauty Trend Forecast
4. High puff hairstyles
According to Pinterest's 2022 beauty trend roundup, a love of natural textures is driving the popularity of high-puff hairstyles, as shown by the platform's search data.
High puff hairstyle searches have grown 165% in the period between October 2019 and September 2021. Space buns natural hair searches grew 100% in the same period, while searches for "two puffs natural hair hairstyles" jumped 65%.
Meanwhile, searches for short natural hair styles jumped 185%, while "natural hair bun styles" searches increased 160%.
5. Nail scapes
Another theme in the last two years has been the rise of individualist expressions of beauty, per Pinterest.
In 2022, Pinterest predicts consumers will apply "landscape-style designs on their digits." Related search terms are particularly strong among millennials.
Per Pinterest, "galaxy nail art" searches between October 2019 and September 2021 jumped 115%. Searches for "Aurora nails" have risen 400%.
At the same time, searches for "ocean nails acrylic" rose 500%, "desert nails" jumped 105% and "geode nail art" searches increased 200%.
6. Rebel cuts
Similar to the nail scapes trend, many consumers will pursue "hard-to-miss hair" styles, including octopus hair, mullets and bob cut wigs. This trend, per Pinterest, is driven most by Gen Z.
Bob cut wig searches were up 300% between October 2019 and September 2021.
In the same period, octopus haircut searches jumped 200%, while "shaved head dye designs" exploded 1,200%, "short hair mohawk" increased 200% and "mullet hairstyle" rose 190%.


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- S&P 500 closed higher as equities continue to consolidate.
- The energy sector once again leads the way as oil remains strong.
- Earnings season mixed, but big tech sees Nasdaq lag behind.
Equities continue to catch a bid on Monday as hope swirled for a reopening of the Chinese economy. Those hopes appeared to be dashed midway through the morning, but an article in The Wall Street Journal revived them later. Equities appear to be overlooking the fact that China’s reopening will cause a spike in inflation and oil as the demand side pushes higher. That will mean even higher bond yields, and already this is leading the Nasdaq and tech to repeatedly underperform in the past month.
Inflation does benefit some sectors, obviously energy, but also some areas where companies can pass on higher prices to consumers, who in the initial stages remain relatively price inelastic. We have seen this from consumer staples. Currently, the economy is growing, employment is strong, and consumers are continuing to spend. Pepsi (PEP), Coca-Cola (KO), Domino’s Pizza (DPZ) and airlines have all reported strong earnings with the airlines seeing huge demand due to the weaker dollar. It is not only in the US either. Monday saw Europe’s largest carrier, Ryanair (RYAAY), say that it sees consumers still spending despite price pressures.
S&P 500 (SPX) news
Earnings season has continued with some negative guidance from Lyft (LYFT). Meta Platforms (META) popped on news of job cuts, and Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC) soared on hopes for President Trump running in 2024. All eyes will now turn to the midterms to see how that probability rises on the back of Republican’s showing. Apple (AAPL) shrugged off supply chain issues to close in the green after it initially opened lower.
S&P 500 (SPX) forecast
Technically, the index needs to hold above 3,806 if this rally is to sustain itself. That will then see a move to test resistance at 3,892. If the rally stalls and fails to break 3,806, then the move begins to look increasingly over. A fall to 3,646 and then fresh yearly lows would then be likely.
SPX daily chart


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W Ventures Holding Chairman Habib Wehbi was featured in Forbes Middle East’s Top CEOs 2023, as an “investment architect” in Media Experiences, Technology, Industrial, and Financial sectors.
In a notable achievement, W Group – through its entities Hypermedia and DigitAll – has secured finalist positions in three categories at the upcoming…
In a recent interview with Edge Middle East Magazine, member of ITP Media Group, Philip Matta, the Group COO at W Group, shed light on the transformative impact of technology on the Out-of-Home (OOH) sector and how W Group, and its subsidiaries Hypermedia and DigitAll, have been at the forefront of this evolution.
W Group Chairman and CEO Habib Wehbi was featured by Arabian Business magazine among the 100 Most Inspiring Leaders in the Middle East, as a “testament to the extraordinary accomplishments of the individuals who shape our region”.
In an Interview with Campaign Middle East magazine, W Group Chairman and CEO Habib Wehbi unveiled the “555 Strategy”, an ambitious plan that aims to achieve significant growth for the group within five years.
DigitAll, a subsidiary of W Group, Signs an Exclusive Partnership with Advertima to Bring Next Generation AI Technology in Retail Media and DOOH Industry to the GCC
DigitAll, a subsidiary of W Group leading digital transformation and the evolution of measurable smart media in the region, and Advertima, the global market leader in real-time audience measurement, have entered a partnership that designates DigitAll as Advertima’s exclusive agent in the GCC region.
In a press release published today, DPAA the global trade marketing association, driving the growth and digitization of out-of-home media and its growing role in the omnichannel mix, announced that W Group, along with its two entities Hypermedia and DigitAll, have joined the association.
Digital transformation has foreshadowed the present era that businesses operate in, points out Habib Wehbi, chairman and CEO of W Group, to CEO Middle East magazine.
W Group took the stage at The Marketing Society’s UAE 2022 Conference: Changemakers Ignite.
In alignment with the government’s vision to make Dubai one of the most dynamic and active cities in the world and inspire everyone to create a fitness-focused mindset and seek healthy, active lifestyles, W Group aimed to encourage a fit and healthy environment within its community by creating “WGO”, an internal fitness challenge based on Dubai Fitness Challenge government gambit.


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Belgians are having to fork out extra for his or her favourite snack — fries, or fried potato sticks — on account of rising power, commodity and labour costs.
Belgium is the world’s greatest exporter of fries and other frozen potato products, with 5.3 million tonnes of potatoes processed in keeping with year and despatched to consumers in more than A HUNDRED AND SIXTY nations.
“Fries being such a very powerful product for Belgium, after all, emotionally when you have an increase of 10 or 20 cents a element it’s heartbreaking, much greater than a washing machine or a pair of brogues,” Bernard Lefevre, president of the national union of makers of potato fries, instructed Reuters.
besides as higher power prices, which are affecting households and companies nearly in all places, Belgians are having to deal with a ban on unmarried-use plastic forks and plates traditionally used whilst consuming fries.
Costs going up
“we’d like gasoline to make fries … However you can not fry fries with a candle,” said Lefevre, who expects costs to rise through approximately 10 in line with cent within the coming months, after years of little change.
Potatoes are seen frying in oil at Balasi’s Brussels fry stand on Thursday. Belgian fry makers say they expect prices to upward thrust through approximately 10 per cent in the coming months. (Yves Herman/Reuters)
The coronavirus pandemic has additionally caused shortages of sauces together with mayonnaise, seen by way of Belgians as a will have to while eating their fries.
For Bertrand Balasi, who serves fries from his kiosk in an antique tram in Brussels, emerging prices are inevitable.
“There are increases in prices of quite a lot of issues — be it of fat, of potatoes, power. So although we know the cost of fries is symbolic, we might need to lift them to be able to keep selling a high quality product,” he mentioned.
A component of fries from Balasi’s stand. in addition to emerging costs related to fry manufacturing, the pandemic has also caused shortages of sauces, including mayonnaise, a must for Belgians while eating fries. (Yves Herman/Reuters)


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Last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 5 into law. The bill forces employers to classify gig workers as employees and may force companies like Uber and Lyft to remake their business models. AB5 was introduced by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez earlier this year to codify a recent Supreme Court decision (the Dynamex case) into law. Under AB5, which will go into effect on January 1, 2020, a worker will be considered an “employee” rather than a “contractor” if his or her job forms part of a company’s core business, if the company can direct the way the work is done or if the worker has not established an independent trade or business. The new classification means that workers would now be eligible for employee protections like minimum wage, meal breaks, paid sick days and health insurance benefits.
AB5 covers workers in a variety of industries, including health care, janitorial, construction, trucking and media. Doctors, accountants, architects, real estate agents, travel agents, graphic designers and investment advisors — along with some other professions — will not be subject to the strict employee rules under the new law.
Now that legislation has become law, workers who believe they are incorrectly classified as contractors have two options: a lawsuit or a complaint to the Labor Commissioner. They are not wasting any time—just three days after AB5 was passed, grocery delivery company Instacart was hit with a lawsuit alleging the company has misclassified its workers as independent contractors to avoid paying overtime, providing unemployment insurance and scheduling paid rest breaks. Many Lyft and Uber drivers have filed class action lawsuits claiming that they were misclassified and are owed mileage reimbursement and other backpay. DoorDash is also facing a class action lawsuit arguing that drivers are entitled to a guaranteed minimum wage on top of 100% tips. A lawsuit filed on behalf of cleaners and repairmen against Handy argues the company must pay up to $25,000 in penalties per California worker that has been misclassified. The trucking industry has already shelled out millions of dollars in settlements to drivers claiming they were misclassified as freelancers.
Our law firm has now represented the interests of many businesses and owners of businesses facing these types of lawsuits. These lawsuits may not only bankrupt an otherwise healthy business, but the judgment can often reach the personal assets of the individual business owners (even when the business is incorporated). Business owners in these and many other industries must now decide whether or not to comply preemptively or risk being sued by workers and state officials. Further, the new ruling will likely feed the fire of lawsuits filed by employees at smaller companies, blurring the lines on what constitutes being employed.
We strongly encourage California business owners to first reach out to an employment attorney to complete an analysis of worker classification, and then to reach out to us to help set up asset protection structures for the assets of the individual owners and the assets of the business.


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Indiana head coach Tom Allen provided an update on the Indiana football program on Tuesday afternoon.
The annual Cream & Crimson Game is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 12, at Memorial Stadium. Kick-off time is officially set for 7 p.m. ET. Admission is free.
Video Credit – IU Athletics
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There are many important points of consideration on which WhatsApp’s payment service doesn’t comply.
WhatsApp has been pulled into the limelight since the real-time messenger platform was granted a UPI-based payments feature since last few weeks. While the payments feature was seen by consumers as a feature that would change the way users use WhatsApp, several rival digital payments services have pointed out many exceptions that have been applied to WhatsApp’s service.
Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma recently took to Twitter to convey his displeasure, stating that WhatsApp was playing an unfair game by skipping on most of the essential features that every digital payments service had to abide by. While many other digital payment services had broken silence on the matter by leaning towards Paytm’s stand, WhatsApp has yet to comment anything on the matter.
WhatsApp’s payment service utilises the same UPI platform that other payment services use. Paytm has given out some basic pointers that every UPI-based payment service has to abide by. Following are some of the noteworthy requirements that are absolutely necessary in order to operate a digital payment service legally using NPCI’s UPI code in India.
Apart from these mandatory issues, there are some more features that WhatsApp’s payment service misses out on:
While most of the above mentioned requirements are missing from WhatsApp’s latest payments service, it should be kept in consideration that WhatsApp’s payment service is still in the testing phase. Therefore, most of the requirements missing now from the service could be added by the time the service rolls out officially to all users. There could also be a possibility that the system could be pulled out and redesigned before the public rollout of the WhatsApp’s payment feature.
Stay tuned for all the developments related to the WhatsApp payment controversy on Deccan Chronicle Technology.


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Coincident with our Monthly Theme call earlier today at 1pm eastern, the market began to sell off dramatically into the close. The primary piece of new information from the call was our expectation that Spain could miss numbers for GDP growth and deficit reduction. So while S&P’s conflicted head of sovereign analysis was hanging up the skates today and going into a new line of work, we were attempting to analyze this situation real-time.
The other noteworthy catalyst in Europe that occurred shortly after our call was that Germany is banning some forms of short selling related to shares of financial institutions and government bonds. Specifically, the German government is focused on naked short sellers relating to CDS on sovereign debt in Europe. The obvious question is: what will this do to the CDS market for European sovereign debt? That is, if the market is no longer two ways . . . will there be a market for CDS? And if there is no market for CDS, or ability for large institutions to buy insurance, will they buy European sovereign debt at the same prices or in the same amounts?
Take the market’s reaction for what it is -- the wrong type of regulation. Naked short sellers or CDS buyers don’t take markets down, fundamentals do. Or in this case, perhaps, fundamentally misaligned government-implemented market regulations do.
As we’ve outlined in the chart of the XLF (financial sector ETF) below, government-implemented short bans don’t end well. Or more aptly, they don’t provide the solution they are intended to solve for . . .On September 18th, 2008, the SEC implemented a short selling ban on certain financial stocks to “protect the integrity and quality of the securities market and strengthen investor confidence.”
It’s too bad there wasn’t a inverse ETF on SEC policies. The XLF peaked the next day at $22.38 and finally troughed on March 9, 2009, almost 6 months later, at $6.26, a decline of 72%.
I think more people than just Hank Paulson were throwing up on that ride.
Daryl G. Jones
R3: REQUIRED RETAIL READING
May 18, 2010
TODAY’S CALL OUT
Each of these four names seems to have a mind of their own in trading off balance sheet for P&L. The key takeaway from earnings season thus far is that the volatility of these financial rates of change is picking up.
TJX: By far and away the best, with a 23% spread between sales and inventories. But the off price channel – led by TJX has just put up what is likely to be the peak. Companies can’t maintain peak margins and double-digit sales/inventory spread while margins are near peak.
DKS: Tricky Dicky pulled a nice little ‘about face’ and swung back into the upper right hand quadrant after falling off the wagon in 4Q. One thing I like about layering the different trajectories over one another is that you can see the relative volatility in financials. Interesting how DKS looks more like WMT as it relates to P&L/Balance Sheet volatility than it does TJX or ANF.
ANF: Woof. Seriously. It’s so rare that a company has a few quarters of clearing inventory, and drops right back into Quadrant 2. That’s a VERY dangerous place to be. I’m trying to balance 1) higher SG&A + Int’l growth commitment against 2) lower capex guidance at a time when the dollar is strengthening. The delta in capex reduction can’t be explained away entirely by fx. I still think this could be a big stock – but I don’t mind being late on it. In fact – unless answering the question noted above gives me any particular insight, I’m more inclined on the other side.
WMT: Ironically, the all-powerful Wal-Mart didn’t look so hot here – relatively speaking. The quarter looked good and the sales/inventory spread looks good relative to margins -- but the latest data point is a negative change on the margin.
LEVINE’S LOW DOWN
- With excess supply of big box real estate in the market, landlords are joining the trend of downsizing in retail by sub-dividing existing space in an effort to drive occupancy. Demand from businesses that can fill stores left behind by Linens ‘N Things, Circuit City, and G.I. Joe’s has not been sufficient to offset excess capacity. The upside of this recent trend is that with new construction still limited by tight financing, smaller format concepts will have more options for growth then may have otherwise been available only months ago.
- One of our favorite discount luxury online retailers – Gilt Groupe is now expanding into home goods again exhibiting the lack of scalability of this model (recall they recently offered gourmet salami). This is further evidence suggesting that sourcing higher-end apparel continues to be a challenge as luxury players seek to meet increased demand at traditionally legacy channels.
- With the reporting of the first positive same store sales result in 15 quarters, Lowe’s noted that the results were in some part driven by extremely favorable weather conditions and the government subsidized “cash for appliance” programs. With that said, the trend did improve within the quarter, with a notable pick up in bigger ticket items such as kitchen and bath. Overall, 21 of 23 regions posted positive sales growth for the quarter.
Estee Lauder to Buy Smashbox Cosmetics - The Estée Lauder Cos. Inc. has gone Hollywood, nabbing the photo-studio-born makeup company Smashbox Beauty Cosmetics Inc. in a bid to move deeper into the fast-growing, alternative retail channel and gain entrée into the digital media space. <wwd.com/business-news>
College Hiring Sees Small Uptick - The prospects for new college graduates looking for fashion and retail jobs are improving. Small fashion firms have reduced payrolls and have brought in unpaid interns to take up the slack. Despite some 290,000 jobs created in April in areas ranging from manufacturing to professional services, the unemployment rate for the wholesale and retail trade was 9.5 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.According to the 2010 job outlook from the National Association of College and Employers, firms plan to hire 5.3% more new college graduates in 2009-2010 than in 2008-2009. That’s the first positive news since October 2008. <wwd.com/retail-news>
Report: Young Consumers Shift Brand Loyalty in College Years - Nike is still clearly the brand to beat among younger consumers, but support for the brand wanes as teens move into their college years and then builds again as they age. Conversely, Adidas picks up steam with the college and post-college consumer. While Nike finished with a BSI score well over 700 points overall, both genders, and the 13-17 yr olds, it dropped to 683 among the 18-24 year old group. Adidas has a solid hold on the second spot finishing nearly 100 points higher than Under Armour in the #3 spot. <sportsonesource.com>
Li & Fung Ltd., the world’s biggest supplier for retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has $1 billion to buy other companies, President Bruce Rockowitz said.
A bond sale earlier this month boosted its acquisition fund, Rockowitz said in Hong Kong today. The company sold $400 million of 10-year bonds denominated in U.S. dollars. Li & Fung, founded in southern China in 1906, has announced a sales target of $20 billion this year, a 49 percent jump from 2009, when revenue fell for the first time since the Hong Kong- based company first sold shares to the public in 1992. Acquiring rivals, and a new contract to supply Wal-Mart, will enable it to reach the sales goal, the company said. <bloomberg.com/news>
Target Ups its Electronics and Video Games Department - Target stores are rolling out a new open layout with 30% more space for its electronics and video games department. U.S. video games hardware, software and accessories sales in 2009 generated revenue at nearly $19.66 bn, according to The NPD Group. The revamped layout, expected to be completed by June, will feature product accessible fixtures, organized by platforms and game genres. In addition, many stores will also have Learning Centers and Trial Stations. <licensemag.com>
Indian Ban on Raw Cotton Exports - Indian apparel manufacturers feel the country’s ban on raw cotton exports and abundant supplies of cotton at lower prices, combined with the global economic recovery, will help clothing exports rise about 10% this year. Elsewhere in the region, however, India’s protectionism is having a decidedly negative effect, especially in Pakistan and Bangladesh, textile-producing countries that are heavily reliant on comparatively cheap Indian cotton. Indian farmers and merchants, meanwhile, are angry they have been shut off from their international buyers. On April 19, India indefinitely suspended exports of raw cotton shipments in a bid to bring down domestic prices and ensure there was sufficient cotton for manufacturers here. The ban has hit the countries that buy large quantities of cotton from India, which became the world’s second-largest cotton exporter after adopting genetically modified strains of the plant. In the first two months of the year, it replaced the U.S. as the biggest exporter of cotton after China bought in 265,460 tonnes of Indian-grown cotton, a rise of 1,694 percent from a year earlier. <wwd.com/business-news>
Gap to Open Stores in Italy - Gap Inc. revealed plans to open the first Gap and Banana Republic stores in Italy this year. The stores will be located in central Milan, next to one another in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, one of the busiest shopping streets in the city. Next year, the company is expected to roll out stores in Rome and other Italian venues. The company is expanding its presence globally and, in light of its strong customer base in London and Paris. Gap brand has stores in Japan, the U.K., France and Ireland, while Banana Republic has units in Japan and the U.K. <wwd.com/retail-news>
Lucy Activewear Hires a Nike Exec as its President - Former Nike Training global director of business development Shaz Kahng is the new president of Lucy Activewear, a brand owned by consumer brand manufacturer VF Corp. Kahng will oversee all aspects of the Lucy brand, including e-commerce and marketing. <internetretailer.com>
Coach and Target Settle Case - Coach Inc., Target Corp. and LF USA reached a settlement Monday that ended an infringement lawsuit the accessories maker brought last year. Court records said the suit, filed in U.S. District Circuit in Manhattan, was voluntarily dismissed. “We are pleased to have reached a settlement that is satisfactory to all parties,” said Todd Kahn, Coach senior vice president and general counsel. Coach accused Target of selling handbags that infringed on the trade dresses of its Patchwork and Ergo designs.<wwd.com/business-news>
Sears Picks New Digital Agents - Publicis Groupe's Digitas has won digital media planning and buying duties for Sears Holdings after a review, according to sources. Annual spending on the account is estimated at $30 million. <brandweek.com>
African Growth & Opportunity Act Missing the Mark - Ten years after the African Growth & Opportunity Act was enacted, it is clear the extension of duty free benefits alone were not enough to build a vibrant, regional apparel industry. When the agreement known as AGOA extended duty free preferences to more than two dozen eligible African countries, it was hailed as a positive model for linking trade with aid for developing regions. Apparel producers, enticed by the duty free benefits the act extended, shifted production into the region. In 2005, five years after AGOA was enacted, it looked like the initiative was on track to be a success as the region’s share of U.S. apparel imports doubled. But in the intervening years, AGOA’s slice of the U.S. market has shrunk back to pre-agreement levels. In February 2010, AGOA countries claimed a 1.12 percent share of U.S. apparel imports, up only slightly from 2000 when the region shipped 1.02 percent of apparel to the U.S. At their peak in 2004, AGOA imports represented a 2.24 percent share of the U.S. apparel market. <wwd.com/business-news>
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In this High vs. Low Society that we live in, participation levels in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are soaring. The higher end consumer, meanwhile, continues to come back strongly.
Since late 2009, Keith has referred periodically to the participation levels in the USDA’s Food Stamps Program. Each time, it was noted that the percentage of the population participating in the program has increased drastically since Bernanke took the helm at the Federal Reserve. February’s data shows that almost 40 million people, or one-in-eight Americans, received food stamps (chart 1, below). While this is a staggering number, it could grow even without deterioration in the consumer; researchers are commenting that one-in-three people eligible for the program are not taking advantage of the benefits.
For context, in November 2008 we wrote a note entitled, “EYE ON POVERTY: FOOD STAMPS”, that discussed the number of participants in the program exceeding 30 million for the first time. According to USDA forecasts, the number of participants will increase to 40.5 million by the end of this fiscal year, ended September, and will grow to 43.3 million in 2011. New highs have been set, monthly, since December 2008. Interestingly, as Director of Hedgeye’s Retail Team, Eric Levine pointed out in a recent note, the sequential growth in monthly Food Stamps Program participants is slowing for now (chart 2). Levine points out that this is “marginally good news for those concerned about the state of the U.S. consumer”. However, over the longer term, should our Q2 theme, Inflation’s V-Bottom play out and high unemployment levels persist, the situation could continue to deteriorate. As unemployment benefits run out for some of America’s jobless, it seems clear that a larger proportion of eligible people will take advantage of the program.
At the end of the day, numbers don’t lie; people do. Since March 2009 the S&P500, fuelled by the Fed-sponsored Piggy Banker Spread, has shot up almost 70% (taking into account recent market declines). From March 2009 to February 2010, the number of people enrolled in the Food Stamps program increased 20%. Our view on Inflation’s V-Bottom continues to be confirmed by the data (see the Early Look from May 11) and will only serve to exacerbate the situation lower and middle class families face with the stagnant employment outlook. The employment outlook, along with mounting inflation, is taking a toll. We have said it before; many of those on Main Street are not experiencing the “recovery” that has bolstered Wall Street.”
SJM has already dented LVS’s VIP share with its junket push and now, LVS may be feeling the Mass pinch as its market share has plummeted in May.
We’ve written quite a bit about SJM’s big push for junket share, and it has indeed paid off – if market share and no margins was their goal. Higher commission rates paid to junkets and the company’s unique “franchise” structure that offloads more of the risk and reward to the operators have contributed to expanding share. As can be seen in the chart below, SJM’s Mass share has also increased but not nearly at the rate of VIP's.
It’s hard to be too pessimistic on any Macau operator when the market is growing at a potential 85% clip (in May). However, for a variety of reasons, LVS is losing share, which could be an issue once the market inevitably slows.
We do know that the Venetian junkets were directly in the sight line of SJM which partially explains the sharp degradation in LVS’s VIP share. We also believe Encore took a big chunk out of LVS in May, contributing to a 5% sequential drop in share in May month-to-date relative to April. If SJM is serious and successful in its Mass Market aggression, LVS’s properties could be most at risk given their higher Mass mix.
SJM maintains third party operating arrangements at many of its properties. On its quarterly conference call this morning, SJM discussed the opportunity for the satellite properties to cultivate a Mass business. They believe they’ve only scratched the surface. We’ll see over the coming months but the opportunity certainly seems to be there.
Position: Long Germany (EWG); Short France (EWQ)
We’ve been on the tape warning of mounting inflation pressures in the UK. Earlier in the month the UK Producer Price Index for April measured +13.1% on an annual basis. Today, the UK Consumer Price Index for April registered +3.7% year-over-year, up from March’s rise of 3.4%.
For context, we’ve charted UK CPI versus Eurozone CPI below. Within the Eurozone (16), only Greece (at +4.7%) has a higher inflation rate than the UK; and among the EU states (27), only Romania and Hungary (in addition to Greece) have higher inflation rates than the UK, at 4.2% and 5.7% respectively.
Although inflation has surpassed the top-side limit of 3% set by the Bank of England for the last two months, Governor Mervyn King downplayed the rate as “temporary” in a statement today, citing “substantial spare capacity.” We’ll take the other side of the trade, namely that rising inflation is not just a near-term issue in the UK. As Keith has noted in his work, “US sovereign debt problems are only different than Western European ones in one key factor – timing. The darkest days for professional US politicians who perpetuate a fiat currency policy are coming.” Alongside the US, we’d add the UK to our theme of Duration Mismatch. Stay tuned.
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Greece?s consumer price index slowed to 3.9 percent year-on-year in April, from 4.5 percent in the previous month, despite rising tobacco and alcoholic drink prices, according to the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT).
ELSTAT said on Monday that the price of alcoholic drinks and tobacco goods rose 11.6 percent in the last twelve months while accommodation prices jumped 9.4 percent, mainly due to the rising cost of heating fuel.
Among the items which became cheaper where heath services, including the cost of medicine, where prices retreated 1.2 percent since April last year.
Greece?s European Union harmonized consumer price index recorded an annual increase of 3.7 percent, down from 4.3 percent increase in March, ELSTAT added.
On a eurozone level, where the 17 countries share the single currency, inflation crept up to an unexpectedly high 2.8 per cent in April, keeping pressure on the European Central Bank to raise interest rates again later this year.


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Compass Diversified completes the sale of Advanced Circuits
Compass Diversified has completed the sale of its majority-owned subsidiary, Compass AC Holdings, the parent company of Advanced Circuits Inc., to APCT, a manufacturer of high-reliability PCBs, and portfolio company of Industrial Growth Partners.
The sale price was based on an enterprise value of USD 220 million plus estimated cash and working capital adjustments subject to customary post-closing true-ups. After these adjustments, as well as for an allocation to Advanced Circuits' non-controlling shareholders and the payment of transaction expenses, Compass Diversified received approximately USD 170 million of total proceeds from the sale at closing.
“We are deeply proud of our partnership and success with John and Jeff Yacoub, which started more than sixteen years ago. CODI’s permanent capital structure and support throughout this partnership has generated significant value for our shareholders, and we are grateful for the Advanced Circuit team’s contributions and look forward to their continued success,” says Elias Sabo, CEO of Compass Diversified, in a press release.


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TORONTO, Nov. 30, 2012 /CNW/ - The CAW is strongly urging the Ontario and federal governments to hold onto its shares of General Motors and not sell them for any short term fiscal or political gain.
"The Conference Board of Canada and Scotiabank have both recently issued reports indicating that auto industry profits in North America are at record highs, and poised to get even stronger," said CAW President Ken Lewenza. "This is clearly not the time to sell the government's shares."
Lewenza made the comments in reaction to today's news that the Ontario government is considering selling its shares in GM.
Independent economic studies have confirmed that the Ontario and federal governments have received a net fiscal benefit from their original investments in GM and Chrysler during the financial crisis of 2009. "The enormous personal and corporate tax revenues paid by a revitalized auto industry and the tens of thousands of auto assembly and parts workers in Canada, mean that this investment has already paid dividends for Ontario workers and taxpayers," Lewenza said.
The federal and provincial governments have much more to gain in holding onto their shares, and using them to leverage a larger production footprint in Canada by GM in the future, Lewenza suggested.
"Contrary to conventional free-market rhetoric, it makes good business sense for governments to own direct equity stakes in crucial industrial firms. This is the practice in other successful auto exporting jurisdictions, like Germany, France, and Asia, and it should be our practice, too," Lewenza stated.
"Whether it likes it or not, the Ontario government is clearly in the auto business, and has to be. This industry's presence in Ontario is too important to Ontario's economic and fiscal health for government not to play a central role," Lewenza concluded.
In its April 2012 auto policy document called "Re-thinking Canada's Auto Industry: A Policy Vision to Escape the Race to the Bottom," the CAW urges governments to maintain their minority stake in GM.
"We urge the Canadian and Ontario government to maintain their current minority share of General Motors, and to utilize that share in a more pro-active effort to ensure that Canada's economic interests are respected in GM's future business decisions," the report states on page 37.
The full report can be accessed at: http://www.rethinktheeconomy.ca/resources.
Finance Canada has indicated government support for the industry saved 52,000 jobs.
SOURCE: Canadian Auto Workers Union (CAW)
For further information:
contact: CAW Economist Jim Stanford (cell) 416-230-2046 or CAW Communications Shannon Devine (cell) 416-302-1699


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Beaver County Times
An Aliquippa woman was charged with retail theft after Center Township police said she tried to steal items from several township businesses Sunday afternoon.
According to a Center police report, Teena M. Genes, 24, of 300 Superior Ave., Apartment 302, entered Marshalls along Wagner Road around 3:30 p.m. and took several items, then went to the adjacent Ross Dress for Less and took other items.
Genes, along with another person whose name wasn’t available, also went to the nearby Target and took additional items, police said.
The total value of the items, according to police, was $556.


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The search is on for a second start up company to join the businesses at Sheffield’s acclaimed Krynkl development.
The Krynkl project at Shalesmoor, devised by award winning city multi disciplinary practice Coda Studios, was created entirely from recycled shipping containers.
The £500,000 eco-friendly design design – the first of its type outside London – won the support of Sheffield Council and is now home to several companies including Redbrik Sales and Lettings Agents, Sis Beauty, Dermaglow, R1SE Youga Studio, Chocolate Mester, Colloco, Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Joro and the Sky Bar.
But space has also being set aside specifically to encourage start up businesses to move in and take advantage of what has being described as a ‘mini creative industries hub.’
The first winner of the scheme in 2016 was creative events agency Freshly Squeezed, launched by partners Laura Thomas and Celina Ploskonka.
And now that their year in Krynkl is coming to and end, the search is on for another start up to take up a space within the complex and make the most of all the facilities and support available for successful growth.
“We are offering free office units for 12 months to the city’s best and most innovative start up businesses,” said Coda Studios Managing Director David Cross.
“We are inviting young start up businesses and entrepreneurs to write to us with their business proposal and explaining why they could benefit from being part of the unique Krynkl community.
“Freshly Squeezed have certainly made the most of their time in Krynkl and now they are ready to move to the next level we need another fledgling company with the same sort of vision and enthusiasm to see the potential in bringing their business into the Krynkl family.
“This isn’t just an office space, it’s a lifestyle and leisure development that can be adapted to any community’s needs,” said David.
“The past year has proved our faith in the Krynkl concept was entirely justified and we remain keen to encourage fledgling businesses to become part of this groundbreaking commercial concept.”
Anybody interested in applying should contact Tim Bottrill, pictured above, at Colloco. Visit colloco.co or call 0114 299 3121.


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A new gameplay trailer for the upcoming Japanese tactical RPG, Grand Kingdom has been released prior to the game’s launch in Japan on 19th November.
Similar to a lot of Japanese RPGs, Grand Kingdom which is currently in development for PS4 and PS Vita by MonoChro, has players fighting enemies in a turn based battle system where they can command multiple units at a time for melee or ranged attacks.
Players can also have healers in their party to heal injured team mates during battles. Friendly unit placement and battle formations also play a big role during fights and can be the key to victory.
Grand Kingdom will not only feature a singleplayer mode but also online multiplayer modes where players can fight other players and defeat them to expand their territory. The game will also support online cross-play between PS4 and PS Vita.


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Status: 04/13/2022 5:10 p.m.
The Tengelmann group is abandoning all of the Russian activities of its DIY store subsidiary Obi. The company is selling the country’s 27 branches to a Russian investor – apparently also for fear of impending expropriation.
Family group Tengelmann ended the Russian business of its DIY chain Obi with a hard cut. The entire Russian subsidiary with its 27 hardware stores and 4,900 employees in the country will be handed over to an investor – without Tengelmann receiving any money for this.
All legal entities in Russia have been transferred to an investor without payment of the purchase price, the hardware chain announced today. The company apparently prevented an impending expropriation in the country. The name of the investor was not mentioned. The relevant authorities have yet to agree to the sale of the markets, he added. The only condition is that the Obi brand can no longer be used in Russia in the future.
Resistance from Russian managers
Tengelmann boss Christian Haub said in an interview with “Manager Magazin” three weeks ago that he expected an expropriation in Russia – and that branches there should be deregistered. For “moral reasons,” he said, he could not imagine doing business in Russia and thus indirectly supporting the regime there financially.
German leaders had already decided in mid-March to close Obi hardware stores in Russia. But the Russian managers simply reopened them. Obi’s German management then separated the crates from the waiters. The Russian newspaper “Wedemosti” spoke of a “serious conflict between Obi’s Russian management and the German majority shareholder”.
The French chain Leroy-Merlin sticks to Russia
Many Western companies have already given up their activities in the country – or greatly reduced – due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In the hardware sector, French competitor Leroy Merlin retains the Russian market, unlike Obi. Closing markets would pave the way for confiscation and put money in Russia’s coffers, said the Mulliez family, which owns 85% of Leroy Merlin’s holding company. You can’t punish the Russian collaborators for a war they didn’t decide on.
Leroy Merlin is therefore criticized. Calls for a boycott of the hardware chain fuse on social networks. “Leroy Merlin is the first company in the world to fund the bombing of its own businesses and the murder of its own employees,” the Ukrainian Defense Ministry tweeted.


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Microsoft is rolling out a new emergency update for Windows 10 to patch a bug causing BSOD (blue screen of death) while connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The issue only pertains to the newer WPA3 security, which essentially means only a small number of users were affected. The bug is said to be a part of the recent Windows 10 1909 cumulative updates with version number KB4598298 released last month and KB4601315 released a few days back.
As of now, Microsoft is rolling out an out-of-band patch with version KB5001028 to resolve the issue. Notably, Windows 10 1909 comes with build version 18363. The KB5001028 patch bumps the build version from 18363.1377 to 18363.1379. “You might receive stop error 0x7E in nwifi.sys with a blue screen when you attempt to use a Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3) connection. You are more likely to encounter this issue when reconnecting to a Wi-Fi network after disconnecting, or when waking from sleep or hibernation. Note: Most Wi-Fi networks are currently using WPA2 and are not affected,” said Microsoft.
The KB5001028 out-of-band update is available via Windows Update or you could manually download it from the Microsoft Update catalog. You can also download the patch using the following links:
Additionally, Microsoft also recommends trying the following steps as an alternative, although they may not apply to all users:
- Update your device to Windows 10, version 2004 or version 20H2.
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network using WPA2. To do this you may need to reconfigure your access point or router settings.
- Connect using a wired ethernet connection.
Windows 10 recently got a new optional update which included an important fix affecting a minority of gamers that were facing system crashing issues when gaming full-screen or in tablet mode. The KB4598291 patch for May 2020 Update and October 2020 Update also includes an important fix for users affected by the bugbear where they would be signed out of apps and websites after restarting their system.
The post Windows 10 emergency update fixes Wi-Fi bug causing BSOD crashes appeared first on xda-developers.


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WASHINGTON, DC — The stock market remains volatile and concerns grow over the impact of the U.S. trade war with China, but consumer confidence in the market for buying and selling homes continues to remain positive – a key indicator that kitchen and bath remodeling is likely to remain on solid footing through at least the balance of 2019 (see related Barometers, Page 8).
According to the latest in a quarterly series of “Housing Opportunity and Market Experience (HOME)” surveys conducted by the National Association of Realtors, an increasing percentage of U.S. households – buoyed by low interest rates and moderating price hikes – believe that now is a good time to both buy and sell a home. The HOME survey, whose results were released this summer, polled about 900 households in the second quarter, according to the NAR.
According to the NAR’s findings, 65% of surveyed U.S. households said they believe that now is a good time to buy a home. Some 38% indicated that they “strongly believe” that statement, while 27% said they “moderately” believe it. In contrast, only 35% disagreed, stating that now is not a good time to make a home purchase (see graphs at left).
The NAR survey also revealed that 73% of respondents believe that now is a good time to sell a home. Those who believe that sentiment “strongly” totaled 46%, while 27% said they believe that now is not a good time to sell a home.
Optimism was greatest among those who earn $100,000 or more, as well as those who reside in rural areas.
Among those surveyed who do not currently own a home, 27% said they believe it would be “very difficult” to qualify for a mortgage based on their financial status; 30% said it would be “somewhat difficult” to qualify. Sixty-eight percent of those who earn under $50,000 believe it would be at least somewhat difficult to qualify for a mortgage, compared to 23 percent of those earning over $100,000.
According to Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Washington, DC-based NAR, home prices have increased only moderately in recent months, a major factor impacting the mindset of consumers.
“With home-price appreciation slowing, home sellers understand that the days of large price gains from holding out an extra year are over,” said Yun.
Yun said he expects GDP growth to ease to 2% in 2019 and 1.6% in 2020, although growth predictions remain uncertain due to ongoing trade tensions. Interest rates, he said, will likely remain low.
Although the market should get a short-term boost from lower mortgage rates, existing-home sales are likely to be flat in 2019, at 5.34 million, according to the latest NAR forecast. Amid tight inventory conditions, the median price for existing-home sales is expected to continue increasing, but at a slower pace through 2020.
“Lower mortgage rates, along with job and wage growth, will lead to an increase in existing-home sales,” Yun observed, predicting that the current trend will continue, a positive sign for the kitchen and bath market since home buying is a major determinant of residential remodeling activity. ▪


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It is to be seen how the Trump Administration will go about achieving its goal of balancing trade between the two economies. Although a spokeswoman clarified on Trump’s tweet to even out this trade surplus, a lot more clarity will be required before the imposition of tariffs which could potentially start a trade war.
Clarifying on a tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump, a spokeswoman for the White House said, the U.S. Administration is pushing China to curb its trade surplus by at least $100 billion.
In 2017, the U.S. reported a record trade deficit with China to the tune of $375 billion while China reported its 2017 U.S. trade surplus at $276 billion.
However, the White House spokeswoman declined to detail how the U.S. administration would press China to slash its surplus and boost the purchase of U.S. products, including aircrafts and soybeans; or whether it would press China to significantly change its industrial policies, or further reduce its production capacity of steel and aluminum.
As yet, it is unclear as to whether this reduction of $100 billion in U.S.-China trade surplus would address U.S. complaints of China’s coercive policies that effectively require U.S. firms to transfer their tech know-how to their Chinese joint venture partners in order to gain access to its market.
This issue is a key element in the U.S. probe under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which trade experts say might not be applicable to China since the alleged Chinese violations of U.S. intellectual property may fall outside of WTO rules.
“If the U.S. wants to reduce its trade deficit, it has to make Americans more hard-working and conduct reforms in accordance with international market demand, instead of asking the rest of the world to change,” reads an editorial in Global Times, a Chinese state-run tabloid.
“Once a trade war starts, capable countries won’t bow to the U.S. China has tried hard to avoid a trade war, but if one breaks out, appeasement is not an option.”


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World debut at Essen Motor Show: During a press meeting at noon on 29 November 2019, Recaro Automotive Seating will present its new performance shell Recaro Podium at its stand 3A47 in hall 3. The seat boasts a general operating permit for use on public roadways as well as a homologation for use in competitive motorsports. The new Recaro seat will be presented by a true team of experts: The Recaro brand experts Timo Bernhard, Sidney Hoffman and Frank Stippler will introduce the Recaro Podium and other product novelties during a casual press forum. They will all be available for autographs afterwards. Market launch for the Recaro Podium is scheduled for mid-2020.Go to exhibitor My events
Plan your visit to the trade fair!


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Earlier this month, Apple released tvOS 10.1, with the new TV app, to the public. And now a new beta is available for developers.
Control Center got a big redesign in iOS 10. Instead of jamming everything into one page, there are now different panes. And there’s a whole different pane dedicated to media playback. This means that previously obvious media controls, including AirPlay controls are now distributed between two screens. That can lead to confusion.
For anyone who owns an Apple TV, and finds themselves looking at screen savers more often than not, Apple has added a few new things to look at in between binge watching that show.
DirecTV, which is owned by AT&T, will host its own live TV streaming service in the coming weeks, and a new report sheds some interesting details as they relate to Apple.
An issue that has been plaguing some second- and third-generation Apple TV owners is starting to impact many more owners.
Journalist Walt Mossberg had a lot of conversations with Apple’s co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, and apparently one of them included a brief hint at Apple’s plans for a self-branded TV set.
Eddy Cue Insists Apple Isn’t in the ‘Business of Trying to Create TV Shows,’ but Isn’t Against Helping
Leading up to the unveiling of the fourth-generation Apple TV running tvOS, which brings an App Store to the set-top box, rumors were still swirling that Apple had plans to launch its own streaming TV option, and, possibly, launching its own original content as well.
Apple TV game developers can now force players to use a game controller if their title isn’t suitable for the Siri Remote. Until now, all titles have had to be compatible with the Siri Remote, which makes it difficult to play more complex games.
Apple has been steadily updating its tvOS platform, which can be found on the fourth-generation Apple TV, ever since its debut.
Jeff Bezos when questioned at Recode’s Code Conference as to why Amazon does not sell the Apple TV or Google Chromecast due to unacceptable business terms. The CEO said that Amazon sells plenty of competing products on Amazon, including Roku, Xbox One, and PS4, and that it wants its Prime Video player to be available on all such devices but with acceptable business terms.


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Today, Apple released the second beta of the macOS Big Sur 11.3 update (model number: 20E5186d). Developers can use the software update in the system preferences to download the beta version of macOS Big Sur 11.3 after installing the appropriate configuration file in the Apple Developer Center.
This new beta update comes with a couple of new features and improvements. There are updates for the Safari browser, app compatibility, reminder app, and more. With the Safari browser, developers can now rearrange the “Start Page” and place the features where they want. For the reminder application, the addition is that the reminder list can now be re-arranged with certain details. Developers can use date (due or creation), title, or priority list to rearrange the reminder list. Furthermore, the reminder list is now printable (“File”> “Print”). A new feature with the reminder app is that you can now drag and drop reminders.
Gizchina News of the week
M1 Macs can now better run iOS apps
Furthermore, Apple’s M1 Macs can now better run iOS apps. A new Touch Alternative preference panel allows users to set keyboard commands for touch input alternatives when running iPhone and iPad applications on the M1 Mac. Also, the app can display on a large window if the Mac permits.
Apple has added a new “Made for You” library shortcut in Apple Music to find personal mixes and replay playlists. The “Listen Now” section has also been updated to support highlighting live events.
There are new sorting options and printing options in the Reminders app. Apple Music has also updated the Made for You shortcuts and the live event options in the Listen Now section.
In the Apple News app, there is a redesigned Apple News + tab, which has a dedicated “Made for You” section, and a new browser tab for easier browsing of available content. The new “Made for You” section is designed to help Apple News + users find their favorite magazines and newspapers faster, and it also adds new tools for managing download issues.
macOS Big Sur 11.3 also adds support for the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X/S controllers for use with macOS games.
In recent times, Apple has been struggling with bugs that affect its system. The macOS Big Sure 11.1 and 11.2 were not bug-free. However, Apple has released multiple updates to satisfy the needs of users. We can only hope that the macOS Big Sur 11.3 does not have any significant bug.


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Tire Recappers is committed to serving our customers with the best possible retreads at the lowest possible price.
Nashville, TN (PRWEB) August 05, 2015
Tire Recappers, a Nashville-based tire retread company, has added new tire sizes to its highway tread designs. The new tire sizes are now available at tirerecappers.com.
“Tire Recappers is committed to serving our customers with the best possible retreads at the lowest possible price,” said Lee Ford, Vice President of Tire Recappers. “We are pleased to be adding these new tire sizes to better serve our customers.”
The new tire sizes will include the following:
-P275/55R20 highway tread design
-215/60/16. highway tread design
In addition, Tire Recappers will replace its All Star M/S and All Star M/T tires with the new P235/75/15 All Star Mud and Snow 2. This dual purpose tread design covers the needs of both mud and snow driving. It features an open tread design that cleans out in the mud and is studdable for snow and ice driving.
Retread tires provide a convenient and reliable alternative to brand new tires. By choosing tire retreads, drivers can save money on tire costs, help protect the environment from waste and remain safe on the roads. Each tire from Tire Recappers go through a quality inspection process, buffing, recapping and final inspection to ensure the best possible product.
Learn more about Tire Recappers by visiting tirerecappers.com.
About Tire Recappers
Tire Recappers is a family owned and operated business. Since 1960, the company has been providing a safe, economical alternative to new tires. Each tire goes through a strict inspection process to guarantee the best possible quality. For more information about Tire Recappers, visit tirerecappers.com.


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Google has put an end to a recent report that claimed it cancelled a horror game which Hideo Kojima was working on exclusively for Stadia.
In a statement issued to GamesRadar last week, Google clarified that such reports are “inaccurate and reported hearsay as fact” because any assertions about cancelled Kojima projects on Stadia are not true.
Kojima stated last year that he was “pretty pissed” about a “major project” which got cancelled in the end. There were many speculations at the time that the cancelled project may have something to do with the long-rumored Silent Hill reboot. However, last week, VGC claimed that Google was in talks with the Metal Gear and Death Stranding creator last year for an “episodic horror game” on Stadia. Google though was the one to pull the plug in the end.
Google recently decided to shut down its internal studios for first-party games which means that Stadia as a platform currently only caters to third-party games. Google has not categorically stated why but a low adoption rate as well as a lackluster revenue stream are probably the ones behind the shutdown.
Google has reportedly spent millions of dollars to convince major publishers to port their best franchises and games to Stadia. Ubisoft alone received more than $20 million just for its Assassin’s Creed and The Division franchises. Take-Two Interactive was similarly part of an overly expensive agreement to port Red Dead Redemption 2 and NBA 2K20 to the cloud-powered platform at launch. These deals unfortunately never broke even for Google.
Google Stadia vice president and general manager Phil Harrison has reportedly pointed at Microsoft or rather its acquisition of ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion as one of many factors to mark the closure of first-party Stadia games.


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It was not an auspicious beginning to the holiday season. On Black Friday, we learned that a hacker had broken into the servers of Chinese toymaker VTech and lifted the personal information of nearly five million parents and more than 200,000 children. The data haul included home addresses, names, birth dates, email addresses, and passwords. Worse still, it had photographs and chat logs of parents with their children.
The exploit raised the obvious question: as more toys become connected to the Internet, how many have lax security? And how many millions, or hundreds of millions, of children are in danger due to it? We got a partial answer on Dec. 4, when Bluebox Security discovered serious vulnerabilities in Mattel’s Hello Barbie, the Internet-connected version of the iconic doll toy. It is entirely possible that the majority of Internet-connected toys have serious vulnerabilities. There are many reasons for this.
First, these are the early days of hack-attacks on toys, so hackers have a head start. And then there are no real regulations for the Internet of Things — devices that are connected to each other and to the Internet. It isn’t just toys; the Internet of Things includes appliances, cars, and a host of previously unconnected digital and semi-analog devices.
The Internet of Things is not secure, largely because companies don’t feel obliged to invest the time, money and effort necessary to secure their devices. There also aren’t any global security standards or accepted guidelines. To make matters worse, companies are not required to tell consumers what information they are gathering and how they will protect it. The recall by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, in July 2015, of 1.4 million Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles demonstrated the extent of the problem. The company had long known about security vulnerabilities in its touchscreen and Uconnect systems, yet it didn’t correct them until Wired magazine and The Post published exposés showing how the vehicle could be hijacked while the driver was at the wheel. Lives could have been lost due to that.
Protecting children from hack attacks is exceptionally important. They are vulnerable and innocent. And that makes them emotionally charged targets for cyber-extortion attacks. Imagine if a truly evil hacker had accessed the VTech systems and intercepted communications or captured images from the cameras. Parents could have easily have faced extortion through threats to harm their kids. And many would have paid. Last year, Fox 19 reported that a man hacked into a baby monitor in a home in Cincinnati, Ohio, and started screaming “Wake up baby!” at a 10-month-old girl. The parents, understandably, felt violated.
VTech quickly admitted that its security had not been up to snuff. But let’s be clear about this. VTech had little real incentive to worry about security. Of course, the company did not want to harm its customers; but there is no real bite in the laws seeking to penalize companies for failing to protect their customers’ data. Even in California, where companies are legally required to quickly disclose hacks and warn customers that their data have been stolen, breaches continue. Globally, cyber attacks increased by 48 percent from 2013 to 2014, according to a large survey by consultancy PwC. Those attacks cost businesses, on average, $2.7 million per incident.
It is possible that recall costs are not sufficient motivators. Rarely are victims compensated for the loss of control of their identity, an unfortunate gift that keeps on giving for many years to come. VTech earns $2 billion in revenue and says that Internet-connected children’s products are amongst the fastest area of its growth. A better way to deal with this might be to dramatically raise the penalties for lax security. This could be accomplished by insurance companies but should also include some mandatory payback clause to compromised customers. Or perhaps it could be a contribution system whereby all manufacturers of connected devices pay into a compensation pool. This is, of course, another flavor of insurance. Businesses would hate this idea, but it might force them to do the right thing.
Increases in government regulations are rarely productive and can often harm innovation. But it may be prudent to expand the equipment authorization program of the FCC. This requires the testing of radio frequency devices used in the United States to ensure that they operate effectively without causing harmful interference and that they meet certain technical requirements. These requirements could include the encryption of data and other security safeguards. This is particularly important given that our Internet of Things devices are mostly manufactured in China. The security holes could allow snooping on an unprecedented level — in homes as well as offices.
And here’s a really radical thought.
What if we mandated that businesses create systems that allow customers to control their own data — to see what is being collected and to alert them when those data are stolen? This has long been a pipedream of privacy activists. But we are actually tantalizingly close to having the capability of creating such as system.
My colleagues at Stanford Law School, and many others, have been researching how this would work. Roland Vogl, who heads Codex, the Stanford Center for Legal Informatics, envisages a system that allows people to manage and analyze all of their structured data, including those generated by Internet of Things devices. End users would connect their devices to a “personal dashboard,” through which they will be able to monitor and control their data. They would select which data can be shared and with which companies. Vogl says there are already some implementations of these technologies, such as OpenSensors and the Wolfram Connected Devices Project.
The solutions aren’t difficult. We just need the motivation, regulation and coordination. The alternative, in today’s Wild Wild West of Internet of Things development, is a runaway increase in security nightmares. It is better to set the standards now and ensure a safer cyber world for our children and ourselves.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.com


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In August 2016, India launched the Government e-Marketplace (GeM), a centralised portal to overhaul the way central and state government entities bought goods and services. Five years and Rs 1,45,500 crore ($19 billion) worth of transactions later, the platform is set to take things to the next level.
The Ken has learnt that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which owns and operates GeM, has sought approval, via a cabinet note, to add infrastructure works like road and bridge construction to the platform. By adding this, GeM takes a huge leap forward in its mission to become the gateway for all government procurement.
GeM has already hired consultants to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the inclusion of infrastructure works. It has already carried out a proof of concept to manage work project tendering. If and when the government gives it the green light, this will be a massive expansion of the scope of GeM. Goods and services account for only 30-40% of the government’s overall procurement. Infrastructure works accounts for the rest.
It’s little wonder, then, that GeM expects to almost triple its gross merchandise value gross merchandise value Gross Merchandise Value The total “throughput” of sales a platform manages during a given period, like a year (GMV) to Rs 1,00,000 crore ($13 billion) in the year ending March 2022. Another boost in this direction comes from an ongoing integration with the railways department, which has been in the works for more than a year. Already, the railways uses GeM for the purchase of stationery, computing devices, etc. However, the rest of its procurement is done through the Indian Railways Procurement System, the department’s own procurement marketplace.
Once the integration is successful between the two systems, the railways will use GeM to also procure complex machinery for the department. This integration could add a whopping Rs 70,000 crore Rs 70,000 crore Financial Express Piyush Goyal: Rs 50k cr worth annual procurement from MSMEs on anvil post GeM’s integration with Railways Read more ($9.3 billion) to GeM’s annual GMV.
The government wants to bring all kinds of procurement under one umbrella to benefit from the cost savings of demand aggregation. It also helps streamline the procurement process, providing composite and comparable data in one place.
But for GeM to become India’s only unified procurement system, it must provide seamless integration between ministries and government bodies across goods, services, and infrastructure works. Integration of complex, unique systems, however, isn’t a cakewalk. The National Informatics Centre National Informatics Centre National Informatics Centre Government's software and system integration unit (NIC), for instance, maintains more than 40 variations of e-tendering applications, even as it runs the nine-year-old Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP).


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The Dec. 22nd finale of the Business Cares Food Drive may be fast approaching, but campaign chair Wayne Dunn said there is still a need for more donations to help Londoners through challenging times.
It has been a year like no other. Businesses and employees throughout the Forest City have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
These are the times when community matters most. With the COVID-19 pandemic response creating so much uncertainty, Business Cares has been asked to assist with the London and Area Food Bank’s annual Spring Food Drive that runs from April 3 through April 13.
Londoners answered the call and proved once again that taking care of business means taking care of people, as the Business Cares Food Drive collected a record 476,000 pounds worth of food and cash donations for this year's campaign.
The 2019 Food Drive -- the 20th annual campaign -- concluded today with its day of giving and the 476,000 pounds represents a 7.4 per cent increase over last year's record total of 443,000.
The Business Cares Food Drive concludes on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, but the campaign still needs donations to help it reach its goal of 443,000 pounds worth of food.
"Every year the generosity of the London community is inspiring," said Business Cares campaign chair Wayne Dunn "However, we still need donations to achieve our goal to help the many individuals and families in need. We have our fingers crossed that the campaign will get some nice surprises between now and Friday morning."
Tampon Tuesday started after a fateful visit to the London Food Bank -- 10 years later, it has grown and evolved to become a Canada-wide institution. And tomorrow you have an opportunity to make a difference and support the organization that inspired it all!
The Business Cares Food Drive doesn't kick off until Nov. 29, but many businesses are already on board, collecting donations, and making plans to make a difference.
On Nov. 23, 2019, as part of its fifth anniversary celebration, the 1103 Adelaide St. N. SportsClips Haircuts location is giving you the opportunity to get a-"head" of the game by offering you a $5 haircut when you bring in a food donation for the Business Cares Food Drive in Support of the London Food Bank.
Though the colder weather may still be a few weeks away, there's no better time than now to start getting into the spirit of giving! The Business Cares Food Drive, in support of the London & Area Food Bank is gearing up for what we know will be another successful campaign thanks to the generosity of Londoners and London businesses.
This year's campaign official kicks off on Nov. 29, 2019 with a ceremony at Western University's London Hall. The campaign runs through Dec. 20. And we wanted to reach out to you today to ask you to start planning your support.
Londoners answered the call and proved once again that taking care of business means taking care of people, as the Business Cares Food Drive collected a record 443,000 pounds worth of food and cash donations for this year's campaign.
The 2018 Food Drive -- the 19th annual campaign -- concluded today with its day of giving and the 443,000 pounds represents a 1.8 per cent increase over last year's record total.
The 2018 edition of the Business Cares Food Drive is rapidly reaching its conclusion but there's still time -- and the need -- for your support!
The Drive concludes on Friday, Dec. 21st, as we deliver non-perishable food items and donations to the London Food Bank, but can still donate to the cause. Visit businesscares.ca for more details.
We need your help to reach our goal of 435,000 pounds of food! Thank you for your generosity and continued support of the Business Cares Food Drive.
Taking Care of Business Means Taking Care of People
Though measures to fight Covid-19 have kept us farther apart, this year the need for us to come "together" to support those in need is more prominent than ever. This year's campaign may be more virtual, but the need is very much real. Learn how you can donate to the cause.
Want to know where your donations go? Learn more about how your donations help our community.


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HOUSTON -- Cash is still the most-used payment option, even as the popularity of digital payments increases, according to a study released by Cardtronics and Edelman Intelligence. And in convenience stores, cash is practically as strong as ever.
The Houston-based payment company and Chicago-based research firm partnered for the third year to survey 1,000 adults in the United States. The survey examined how consumers are using cash compared to other forms of payment.
Results of the survey amount to a staunch defense of a payment ecosystem with cash as its backbone while cards and digital options meet the needs of consumers when cash can’t.
Click through for more details from the study and what it said about c-stores …
Cash in c-stores
Cash is easily the most popular form of payment in c-stores, with 59% of respondents saying they used cash in a c-store within the past six months. Debit was the second-most used at 44%.
Snacks, a common c-store purchase, are one of the purchases that consumers use cash for the most, with 54% saying they use cash when buying snacks. The only type of purchase that consumers use cash for more is paying the babysitter.
Though these numbers indicate that consumers prefer a mix of payment methods, digital is the only method that grew in use in c-stores, albeit slightly, from 2016 to 2017. Frequency of use of all other payment methods either decreased or stayed stagnant.
Even so, digital is a long way from being dominant, as only 9% of respondents said they used it within the past six months.
Obligatory millennial slide
Like any consumer study, the survey’s findings were full of insights on how millennials approach payment. Despite the perceived notion that millennials will be the first to charge into any technological fad, the data indicated that millennials are largely loyal to cash.
A full 75% of millennials said they use cash regularly, despite the availability of other payment options. Unlike other generations, three-fourths of millennials use at least three payment options each month. The only exception to this rule is credit, which millennials seem hesitant to use. The study attributes this behavior to the generation’s aversion to debt.
Surprisingly, urban millennials seem to be the most attached to cash. “In fact, three-fourths (75%) of urban millennials think the entire payments landscape is moving too fast toward digital,” according to the report.
Strength of circumstance?
It’s possible that some survey respondents report a regular use of cash because many businesses only take cash or make it inconvenient to pay with anything else. “Over two-thirds (68%) of people prefer cards or digital payment but specifically keep cash in their wallet as a backup form of payment—and use it regularly,” the report said.
In fact, a full 67% of people said they feel “nervous” when they don’t have cash on them or in their wallet. This is even true among millennials, with 70% in agreement.
Alternatively, the strength of cash could be attributed to the purchase of less expensive items. The survey found that 82% of people agree they use cash for smaller items and other forms of payment for more expensive items. Despite a 4% decline in the use of cash overall, 68% of consumers use cash for purchases under $10.
It seems that not even cash can escape the influence of online shopping’s rising popularity. The report says that while it does not measure the often-talked-about shift from brick-and-mortar stores to online retailers, it acknowledged what it called the “Amazon effect” on physical retailers and its adverse effect on the use of cash.
But despite the rise in popularity of online shopping, cash remains the most commonly used form of payment. The report concludes that while cash may not be the best payment option for every situation, it’s an option that consumers keep coming back to, even as the number of payment options increases.