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Showing posts with the label commerce

Innovation and fresh strategy keys to lifting battered retail sector in Hong Kong

Those who manage to stay ahead when the market and consumer behaviour are changing fast stand a better chance of thriving Continuous 2 to 3 per cent growth in the economy makes Hong Kong the envy of many in the world. It looks even more remarkable considering the city was among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic just a few years ago. Yet there is no shortage of indicators reflecting the challenges facing some local industries. The disturbing decline in retail sales is one of them. Official data showed the city's retail sales dipped for the 12th straight month in February, falling by 13 per cent year on year to a total value of HK$29.4 billion for the month. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The sharper-than-expected decline was attributed to th...

Meghan Markle's Baking Line Snags Out in Minutes

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The new line of food items from Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, under the brand As Ever, quickly sold out within just one hour. The bookshelves might be bare, yet my heart overfloweth with joy!" the Duchess posted on Instagram. "We sold out within an hour, and I cannot express my gratitude sufficiently... for your celebrations, purchases, shares, and belief. This is merely the beginning @aseverofficial Let’s get this party started! The As Ever collection featured eight products influenced by the Duchess's passion for culinary arts, hosting, and entertainment. The initial release from this brand offered small batches of a crêpe mix, shortbread cookie mix, several varieties of tea, floral sprinkles, honey, and raspberry preserves. The company plans to grow seasonally by introducing fresh items with every release. Despite some online grievances regarding the steep prices for common household goods, the delicious products were completely sold out. A jar of honey ret...

Market 32 and Price Chopper Team Up for Food Pantry Drive

ALBANY, N.Y. ( NEWS10 )—Market 32 and Price Chopper stores have initiated a campaign to collect items for local food pantries. At all 129 of their outlets, customers can buy a bag filled with Price Chopper products for $10 up until April 19th. Each prepacked bag will contain one 16-ounce jar of peanut butter, one 10.5-ounce can of chicken noodle soup, one 16-ounce box of elbow macaroni, one 5-ounce can of tuna, one 15.5-ounce can of kidney beans, and another 5-ounce can of chunk chicken. numerous households find it difficult to obtain the nutritious food required for optimal health," stated Pam Cerrone, who serves as the director of community relations at Price Chopper/Market 32. "This initiative enables our patrons to create a meaningful impact and assist in addressing the requirements of their local areas. Their kindness continually leaves us thankful. Every store will select a local food bank within their area to benefit from the collected items. These donati...

Matcha Crisis Hits Redding Cafes as Japanese Demand Soars

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There's a shortage of matcha. The Japan Times In February 2025, reports indicated that the worldwide demand for matcha caused "an unparalleled pressure" on Japan’s tea sector in the previous year, with expectations of a similar situation continuing into this year. The supplies ought to be replenished this month; however, the report indicates that this will not address the issue over the longer term. At Redding's Croffle Craze Cafe, employees utilize organic matcha sourced from Japan for crafting their beverages and confections. Supawadee Sukbanthoeng, who owns the café, informed KRCR that they have implemented restrictions on the quantity that can be ordered, and the prices have increased by approximately 50%. Sukbanthoeng stated, "They inform us that we aren't allowed to place large orders with them." He further explained, "Previously, we could order three cases, but now they mention that you're limited ...

Dublin Farmers Market Reopens This Thursday!

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DUBLIN, CA – With spring now here, plenty of new produce is coming to Dublin. The Dublin Farmers' Market is set to reopen this Thursday and continue every subsequent Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at Emerald Glen Park through September 26, regardless of weather conditions. Visitors can find an array of items including fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade treats like pastries, as well as specialty products such as honey, pasta, gift options, and freshly prepared meals. Each month’s first Thursday will highlight a specific theme: April 3 Dublin Gives Back - Nonprofit Appreciation Evening May 1 Small Business Night June 5 At the Market - LGBTQ+ Pride Evening July 3 Parks and Rec Night August 7 Back to School Night - Fill Up the Patrol Car September 4 Acoustic Night See here To find out how to become a vendor at the market. In addition to food, the city’s Summer Concert Series returns June 12, and runs each Thursda...

Timber Pizza Co. Sets Up Shop in Edgewater, Opening Its Second Maryland Spot

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EDgewater, MD – A new wood-fired pizzeria is set to open shortly in Edgewater, signifying the brand’s second establishment in Maryland. The Timber Pizza Company will cover an area of 2,100 square feet within the Market South River Colony shopping complex, where Weis Markets serves as the main anchor tenant. However, the precise launch date has not been disclosed yet. The expansion occurred fewer than 12 months since Timberdoc opened its first location in Maryland in Annapolis. Chris Brady, who hails from Annapolis, co-founded Timber Pizza along with his partner, Andrew Dana, in 2014. The enterprise began as a food truck equipped with a portable pizza oven mounted on a 1967 Chevrolet pickup. Brady and Dana subsequently joined forces with Chef Dani Moreira, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, and they launched their initial physical store in Petworth, Washington, D.C., in 2016. Timber later added locations The company operates in Raleigh, North ...

This Peoria Restaurant Has Temporarily Closed: What We Know So Far

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In Peoria, Perkins American Food Co. It is currently not open, as indicated by notices placed on the entrance doors of the facility. WE SADLY ANNOUNCE THAT THIS PERKINS IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE," the signs read. "THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. The phone line for the restaurant indicated that the location at 1810 W. War Memorial Drive, Peoria, is currently closed temporarily. An automatic recording noted that the establishment plans to reopen as soon as possible. An email acquired by the Journal Star informed staff that the store front shut down on April 1st. The message did not provide any details regarding when it might reopen or explain why it had been closed. Workers were advised to contact the general manager should they have any queries about this situation. The Journal Star sent an email to Perkins seeking information regarding the closure but hasn’t gotten a reply as of yet. 'An enormous storehouse for us:' A well-known ea...

Canada Announces: No New Tariffs on Groceries Brought in by Visitors

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The Canada Border Services Agency has brought positive news for Canadian resort owners and their American visitors by stating that groups crossing the border will not have to pay a 25 percent tariff on the food supplies they bring along to consume. When Canada imposed its retaliatory tariff last month, officials from Ontario and Manitoba who handle tourism matters, along with fishing equipment providers and lakeside retreats, thought that visitors might have to present receipts for their food items and other goods consumed during their stay. On Wednesday, though, a spokesperson from the government stated that border officials will not enforce the new tariff on incoming personal-use items if these goods seem appropriate considering the traveler’s length of stay, reason for visiting, and overall trip plans within Canada. It was highlighted by the spokesperson that these products should solely serve personal needs during their visit. It falls upon the border service officers a...

Warm Weather Brings Crowds Back to New Haven's Long Wharf

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As the temperatures rise in Connecticut, it signals the beginning of the bustling season for numerous food truck operators at Long Wharf. New Haven , and they are all set. Food trucks at Long Wharf offer a range of cuisine choices from various nations such as Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela. Damian Morales, who owns a Mexican food truck, expressed his enthusiasm about having more visitors. He noted that weekends tend to attract larger crowds. Morales peddles Mexican cuisine from his truck alongside his family throughout the year. He mentioned that tacos are the top sellers, closely trailed by quesadillas and burritos. Despite the bustling days approaching, the refreshing ocean wind did not deter folks from visiting the famous eatery on Wednesday. Subscribe to the FOX61 newsletters: Early Day Prediction, Early Day News Summary, Late Day News Highlights Both Emilie and Laura enjoyed sandwiches from Sandwiches El Cubano, which happens to be Emilie’s g...

Skip the Scramble for Sun Loungers: How Norwegian's Latest Cruise Ship Sets a New Standard

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On a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line Earlier this month, I observed the waves crashing against the coastline near Brest, France. Perched in an elegant armchair positioned at one end of the Penrose Atrium aboard the latest addition to their fleet, the Norwegian Aqua, I managed to secure what seemed like an ideal vantage point despite the bustling atmosphere during the busy morning hours. It didn’t happen by coincidence. The atrium is part of multiple zones that the cruise company enlarged on Aqua, which was the inaugural vessel for their Prima Plus Class series. To increase its size beyond those in the standard Prima Class—like the Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva—the ship had two sections measuring 11 meters (36 feet) each appended to it, as stated by Mark Kansley, who serves as the line’s top executive overseeing hotel operations. We had some leeway regarding the placement of those sections, and I believe we took our guests' preferences into account," he said t...

Analysis: Couche-Tard, 7-Eleven Encounter Early Snag in Store Divestiture Plan

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By Abigail Summerville and Anton Bridge NEW YORK/TOKYO (GudangMovies21) – The convenience store behemoths Couche-Tardy and Seven & i are navigating the initial challenges of their strategy to sell off several thousand stores they jointly control in North America to address antitrust worries before potentially merging. Their first hurdle will be enticing competing buyers for these outlets. It’s probable that the two convenience store operators will find it challenging to attract bids from other similar retail chains due to concerns about possible antitrust issues associated with such a transaction. This assessment comes from sources close to the situation as well as multiple antitrust specialists. Seven & i operates the 7-Eleven franchise, boasting over 12,000 outlets across the United States. Up until now, the majority of prospective purchasers for the outlets have been private equity companies, according to these sources. This poses a possible challenge for both Ca...

QVC Group Cuts 900 Jobs: Inside the Massive Layoff

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QVC Group The company's restructuring initiatives have led to a decrease in the workforce. The parent company that has been recently renamed QVC And HSN phased out approximately 900 positions in the U.S. on Thursday. The company stated, “Many of these employees will conclude their tenure with the QVC Group today.” Others will remain employed for several months primarily to facilitate the transition process. HSN Broadcast and the St. Petersburg campus. As was mentioned earlier, the firm began the year by combining the U.S. activities of QVC and HSN , relocating HSN's operations based in St. Petersburg, Florida, to QVC's Studio Park in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Back then, a representative from the company stated that the QVC Group expects "some positions will be eliminated, along with potential relocations and transitions to remote work under specific conditions." However, they hadn’t finalized how many jobs would be impacted ...

WH Smith Set to Vanish From High Street Following Sale

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The WH Smith brand will vanish from UK High Streets after 233 years following the company’s agreement to sell its stores to Modella Capital, which also owns Hobbycraft. The acquisition, valuing the company at £76 million, excludes the WH Smith brand, along with its travel stores located in airports and train stations as well as those within hospitals. The incoming proprietor will relabel the chain of High Street news and stationery stores as TGJones, signaling the conclusion of WH Smith’s era. It was WH Smith that established its inaugural store in London back in 1792. Modella Capital will assume control of 480 stores and 5,000 employees. This developing news story is currently undergoing updates with additional details set to be released soon. Kindly refresh the page for the most comprehensive information. You can get Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet through the app. GudangMovies21News App You can additionally follow @GudangMovies21Br...

Alibaba Heads China's "Fantastic Ten" Set to Challenge the Magnificent Seven, Report Reveals

Despite the challenges faced by the Magnificent Seven stocks in finding traction during 2025, China’s acclaimed Terrific Ten have continued to perform well, as stated in a report from Barron's. The Fantastic Ten includes Alibaba Group ( NYSE: BABA ), Tencent ( OTCPK:TCEHY ), Meituan ( OTCPK:MPNGF ), Xiaomi ( OTCPK:XIACF ), JD.com ( NASDAQ: JD ), NetEase ( NASDAQ: NTES ), Baidu ( NASDAQ: BIDU ), BYD, Geely ( OTCPK:GELYF ) and SMIC. The emergence of DeepSeek DEEPSEEK The report shows that ) illustrated how artificial intelligence models can now be created at lower costs, which has sparked a surge in technology investments in China.KraneShares CSI China Internet ETF ( NYSEARCA: KWEB ) that includes many of the stocks from the Terrific 10, possesses jumped 24% so far this year. In the meantime, the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF ( BATS: MAGS ) has declined 12% . YT Boon, who leads the thematic inv...

Big Lots Announces Spring Reopening of Multiple Stores

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All of them are located in the South. Big Lots has returned. We were uncertain about the outcome following their previous situation. going-out-of-business sale Last December and store closures in January, but it seems a resurgence is imminent. The Big Lots company website indicates that nine outlets will resume operations on April 10, and all these locations are situated in the Southern region. Here are the places where BigLots will unveil its reopening: Clarksville, Tennessee Dickson, Tennessee Gallatin, Tennessee Mount Sterling, Kentucky Metairie, Louisiana Pearl, Mississippi Tupelo, Mississippi Asheboro, North Carolina Roanoke, Virginia According to Parade Home & Garden The resurgence can be attributed to Variety Wholesalers acquiring 200 Big Lots outlets, which marks the beginning of a series of reopening initiatives scheduled between April and early June. Most of these acquisitions were concentrated...

Walmart's Must-Have $50 Storage Bins: Shoppers Call Them 'Sturdy and Versatile'

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GudangMovies21 strives to showcase only top-notch products and services. Should you purchase through one of our links, we might receive a commission. Ready to tackle your spring cleaning A frequent dilemma for those undertaking this task is deep clean One of their biggest challenges at home is deciding how to deal with all the additional items accumulated over time. For those who have gathered various miscellaneous objects without a specific place for them, using stackable containers can be helpful. storage bin is here to rescue the moment. Storage bins are no longer considered unsightly items to keep concealed in a cupboard. Numerous appealing choices are available today, and currently, there’s a particular design we adore that’s discounted during this period. Walmart's Super Savings Week . The Orphanage Stackable Folding Storage Bins , typically priced at $299, has now been significantly reduced to only $50. Orphanage Stackable Folding Storage Bins, $50 ...

Walmart Expands Nationwide: Adding Gas Stations in 34 States

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We're expanding our network of physical stores across the country. This year, by adding numerous Fuel and Convenience outlets, we aim to deliver greater value to our customers. As many grocery stores proceed with focusing on e-commerce, pickup services, and deliveries. Walmart is sticking with the conventional brick-and-mortar approach by expanding its network across the country through the addition of numerous Fuel and Convenience stores to its extensive collection of physical sites. Recently, the retail giant disclosed its strategy to broaden its chain of Fuel and Convenience stores throughout the U.S., with intentions to launch 45 fresh or refurbished outlets in 2025. This growth initiative forms part of Walmart’s ongoing commitment to invest in brick-and-mortar shops, maintain affordable pricing, and provide an all-inclusive shopping destination for consumers. After the firm expanded nationally during the 1970s, Walmart has established itself as the budget-fri...

'Reborn: Fort Wayne Becomes the Global Hub for Heavy-Duty Trucks'

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"The Capital of the Global Heavy-Duty Truck Industry" was how people referred to Plant No. 1 within the Fort Wayne International Harvester facility. As explained by Ryan DuVall, who established Harvester Homecoming, “If none of your relatives were employed here or if this wasn’t common knowledge, you might simply assume ‘That’s where those big rigs were made.’ However, delving deeper into what transpired reveals something far more significant than mere production—they crafted innovations, pushed boundaries, and brought forth transformative changes right here.” The original model of the International Harvester Scout was seen by numerous people as an ancestor to early sport utility vehicles. Before the release of models like the Ford Bronco and the Chevy Blazer, this vehicle hit the market aiming to rival the Jeep. Recently, there’s been a revived enthusiasm for these classic IH Scouts and similar vintage pickup trucks, which can now be observed through various trends ...

Contributor: "Revive American Manufacturing?" Not Necessary—It's Thriving More Than Ever

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If you trust what politicians say, you might assume that American industry has been depleted, emptied out, or “moved abroad.” Both conservatives and liberals agree that manufacturing in the U.S. is weakening. Their debate typically centers around assigning responsibility and determining the appropriate level of tariffs needed to address this issue. This commonly shared story is incorrect. When considering the discussions about job losses and economic downturns, it's important to recall that the unemployment rate remains quite low. 4.1% and actual wages (those taking inflation into account) have been growing . If anything, manufacturing is experiencing a labor shortfall, with over 600,000 open jobs in the sector. It's equally important to recognize the significance of U.S. manufacturing output Even after adjusting for inflation, it remains close to all-time highs. Although it is approximately 5% lower than its peak in December 2007, it has still risen by 177%...

Chinese Consumers Signal Spending Surge: Companies See Rebound

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Major online retailers have seen more robust year-over-year revenue increases during the final quarter of 2024, signaling a rebound in spending growth — though this still hasn’t reached pre-pandemic standards. Nevertheless, the financial reports from specific businesses indicate robust consumer expenditure in specialized sectors, with firms like Laopu Gold and Pop Mart experiencing a significant uptick in sales. The competition continues to be intense in specific sectors like coffee and tea. BEIJING — The most recent financial statements from Chinese firms suggest a boost in consumer expenditure; however, this doesn’t yet equate to reaching the levels seen before the pandemic. In recent weeks, both major e-commerce companies Alibaba and JD.com reported that their retail operations in China experienced accelerated year-over-year revenue growth during the final quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. "We believe that the growth in consumptio...