Thursday, January 31, 2019

CHIBA PREFECTURE WELCOMES VISITORS TO "STRAWBERRY-PICKING FARMS"

CHIBA, Japan, Jan. 30, 2019 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

Strawberry production is flourishing in Chiba Prefecture, home to more than 100 strawberry farms where visitors can enjoy "strawberry picking," which is quite popular with tourists. Varieties of strawberry species are grown on many of the strawberry-picking farms, and visitors can enjoy eating the berries to compare their tastes. Notably, "CHI-BA+BERRY," a new strawberry variety that hit the stores in January 2017, is available only in Chiba Prefecture. The prefecture where Narita International Airport is located is easily accessible from overseas. Chiba Prefecture, endowed with mild climate, is welcoming spring full of flowers right now. Please come to springtime Chiba to enjoy eating "CHI-BA+BERRY."

Photo1: Enjoyable "strawberry picking"
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102229/
201901292634/_prw_PI1fl_YHNG9408.jpg


Photo2: Delicious large fruit "CHI-BA+BERRY"
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102229/
201901292634/_prw_PI2fl_f9bv5SZM.jpg


The logo of "CHI-BA+BERRY: Chiba's mascot character "CHI-BA+KUN" is the landmark https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M102229/
201901292634/_prw_PI3fl_iLZBVCna.jpg


1. About "strawberry picking" in Chiba Prefecture
- There are more than 100 strawberry-picking farms. "CHI-BA+BERRY" is cultivated by about 50 farms.
- The strawberry-picking season is from January to around May.

2. About "CHI-BA+BERRY"
- The berry itself is big and its shape is beautiful.
- It is sweet and delicious.

Source: Chiba Prefectural Government

--BERNAMA

SUNWAY MALLS REVEALS INCREASE IN YEAR-END FOOTFALL FOR FLAGSHIP MALL

The increase of unique visitors to Sunway Pyramid was due to the opening of several flagship shops and new brands, plus the co-hosting of Artbox Malaysia 

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Amidst a more cautious economy and GDP growth, Sunway Malls reveals that the brand’s flagship mall, Sunway Pyramid, has been enjoying higher footfall since Q42018.
 
In general, malls in Malaysia has at least 4 peak cycles; the Lunar New Year, Hari Raya, Christmas and May-June school holiday weekends. To remain relevant yet sustainable, Sunway Malls executed the strategy to create another peak cycle for footfall through international collaborations.
 
“2018 was indeed an interesting year for us. Cautious consumer sentiments encouraged us to think out of the box on creating more purposeful visits to our malls. As a mall owner-operator for over 20 years, we knew there is an upside to capitalise on the non-peak periods for traffic arrivals for sustainability of the business. So for 2018, we co-hosted Artbox Malaysia, the first in the country, to attract new shoppers and fulfil the potential of Sunway City simultaneously,” says HC Chan, CEO of Sunway Malls & Theme Parks.
 
In comparison to the festive seasons of Lunar New Year and Hari Raya in 2018, Sunway Pyramid saw a 30% increase in footfall during the Artbox Malaysia weekends in November. The mall also registered a general 20% growth in sales during that weekend.
 
“International attractions like Artbox has proved to be able to draw good footfall, and there was tremendous spill-over effect to Sunway Pyramid. Our observations showed good patronage pre and post ArtBox visits where there was higher frequency of dining activity,” Chan adds. The mall also picked up greater spending which saw a 20% sales growth throughout fashion, beauty and F&B trade categories.
 
Since then, Sunway Pyramid has seen an increase of 12% growth for January 2019 as compared to January 2018. Chan believes there are several factors that contributed to this growth.
 
“The trigger is Artbox Malaysia. It brought us new visitors or shoppers who have not visited us for the past 1 year. Following weeks after, we have been opening flagship stores and F&B outlets such as Pull & Bear, Ippudo, Din Tai Fung and Family Mart. We also brought in Tiger Sugar and Moomin Bubbles, their first stores in Malaysia. We will also be seeing the opening of the first in Malaysia, Hai Di Lao which has a strong following in Q22019. It was a holistic strategy to re-introduce Sunway Pyramid to new potential shoppers,” says Chan.
 
Sunway Pyramid recently completed a refurbishment exercise that spanned 500,000 square feet including the revamping by its 3 main anchor tenants – Aeon, Parkson and Pyramid Ice Rink. The refurbishment equivalent to 25% of its total net lettable area was one of the mall’s largest exercise to date with the intended strategy to keep its retail offering abreast in the face of intense industry competition.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=33720

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

HOSHI CORPORATION STARTS ACCEPTING ORDERS FOR MANUFACTURING MADE-IN-JAPAN COSMETIC PRODUCTS BY FULLY UTILIZING BONDED COSMETIC FACTORY

TOKYO, Jan. 29, 2019 /Kyodo JBN - AsiaNet/ --

Hoshi Corporation, the Tokyo-based OEM and ODM cosmetic company, has received a license from the Okinawa Regional Customs to operate Japan's first bonded cosmetic factory.

The company is strongly geared toward exporting OEM and ODM cosmetic products with its logistics base in Okinawa, as driven by growing international demand for made-in-Japan cosmetic products, mainly to Asian and Oceania countries. Currently Hoshi has been dealing with over 700 overseas clients.

The bonded cosmetic factory operation license has enabled the company to fully use its high manufacturing technology and quality to reduce costs and realize swift production, thereby offering you affordable manufacturing plans thanks to reduced tariff and storage costs.

Website: http://hoshicorp.jp/bondedfactory/
Devices available for access: PCs, mobile phones

- Features of the Okinawa factory:

The Okinawa factory is located in the Global Logistics Center (Okinawa GLC) that is operated by Okinawa Yamato Transport Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd., a major player in the logistic industry in Japan.

By operating the bonded factory in the Okinawa GLC area neighboring Naha International Airport, Hoshi can undertake filling, packaging, assembling operations and store materials in the bonded area.

- Business advantages by fully utilizing Okinawa bonded factory:

TARIFF CUTS
You are NOT required to bear import duties imposed on cosmetic packages.

EXPRESS DELIVERY
The Okinawa factory is adjacent to Naha International Airport, allowing the lead time of import and export to be reduced.

GLOBAL LOGISTICS NETWORK
Make use of the global network of the Yamato transportation group, the largest logistic company in Japan.

RELIABLE MADE-IN-JAPAN BULK
High quality is assured by manufacturing under the Japanese GMP.

SMALL-LOT PRODUCTION
Accept manufacturing orders starting with a lot of 500 units.

REDUCE STORAGE COST
Product storage inside the Okinawa GLC is available at low cost.

SUPPORT CROSS-BORDER EC BUSINESS
Hoshino supports cross-border e-commerce business by utilizing its logistic facility as your business hub.

- Business flow by utilizing Okinawa bonded factory:

STEP 1
Transfer cosmetic bulk to Okinawa factory from Hoshi's domestic cosmetic manufacturing factories.

STEP 2
Import Korean or Taiwanese cosmetic packaging.
*Selected high-quality Taiwanese and Korean packaging can be imported at preferential tariff rates.

STEP 3
Fill cosmetic bulk into imported containers.
Final finishing process of assembling and packaging.

STEP 4
Export to your clients/agents (a third country) without custom clearance.
Image: Comparison chart https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/
M104323/201901212418/_prw_PI1fl_1S4u95E7.jpg


Geographical advantage of Okinawa, the southernmost island of Japan:
- The only 24-hour operating customs clearance system in Japan
- Less than 4 hours on flight to major Asian cities
- Located at the center of the mass Asian market of 2 billion customers

Advantages of choosing Hoshi Corporation as your OEM partner:
- Track record of exports to more than 20 countries
- Decades of cosmetic OEM business experience with over 700 domestic and overseas clients, with over 20,000 product types handled
- 4 manufacturing factories in Japan (Tokyo, Gunma, Saitama and Okinawa)
- A proven and trusted service that has been steadily forged since Hoshi's founding

Company Profile
Name: Hoshi Corporation
Address: 31-2, Kanda Higashi Matsushita-Cho, Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, 101-0042, JAPAN
CEO: Tsuneo Hoshino
Founded: April 30, 1975
Capital: 80,000,000 yen

Business lines:
- Sales of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and health foods
- Planning and sales of containers and packaging materials
- Planning and contract manufacturing of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and health foods

SOURCE: Hoshi Corporation

--BERNAMA

Thursday, January 24, 2019

V-CAT TO BEGIN A NEW TYPE OF CROWDFUNDING, USING DIGITAL CURRENCY

Enabling Global Exchanges for Personal Assets

HO CHI MINH, Vietnam, Jan 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- V-CAT Vietnam will develop a new type of crowdfunding services that uses digital currency. A platform that uses the JC-coin digital currency will be built, and all data involved in transactions will be safely protected with leading-edge blockchain technology. Any user with JC-coins can exchange any physical or digital assets they might own on the platform for more JC-coins. This will provide the funding needed to develop revolutionary new products and services, together with users worldwide, and will enable new investments in all kinds of different businesses.

V-CAT is proceeding with development of the MALLLESS platform in advance of an April 2019 launch of services. The goal is to host 10 million users worldwide by 2020. What makes MALLLESS unique is that businesses and individuals can take advantage of the point-transfer transaction model website and the proprietary wallet mechanism, both of which enable any selling of new or used goods, or of intangibles. There is also conversions possible for key virtual currencies like Bitcoin, and for real world currencies like dollars and euros. There will also be compatibility with the JAM point system (http://ogb-jam.com/merit/) that V-CAT already offers.

Work is also underway to launch services with a crowdfunding app, Raudo, in August of 2020. The goal is to engage 10 million users worldwide by 2021 which would not only allow anyone, anywhere in the world, to easily participate in crowdfunding and would also make the provisioning of that funding possible without requiring additional development work for currency encryption.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=33668

​NEW YPO GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SURVEY FINDS YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS OVERWHELMINGLY BELIEVE BUSINESS IS A FORCE FOR GOOD

Ninety-three percent surveyed say business should have a positive impact on society

DAVOS, Switzerland, Jan 23 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- YPO, the premier global leadership organization for more than 27,000 chief executives, conducted a survey of its members in over 130 countries to get their thoughts on if the purpose of business is to have an impact on society beyond profits and wealth. 

YPO’s 2019 Global Leadership Survey, conducted 23 December 2018 through 4 January 2019 with more than 2,200 CEO respondents, found that a massive cultural shift about the role of business leadership is in progress as indicated by the following findings:

• A large majority of respondents (74 percent) say their perspective on their role as a business leader has changed in the past five years. Employees (43 percent), colleagues (40 percent) and their children (37 percent) were cited as some of the top influencers behind this new belief.

• Business leaders shared that they are much more inclined to make an impact through their business than by being involved in politics.

• The biggest obstacle, according to surveyed CEOs, in their efforts to create a greater impact through their business is government regulations (51 percent) with taxation cited as a distant second (27 percent). Regionally, political unrest was identified by members in Africa (32 percent) and MENA (39 percent) significantly more than the survey average (19 percent).

• CEOs said their top three concerns for the future are lack of quality education (37 percent), climate change (37 percent), and peace, justice and global institutions (30 percent). The depth and type of concern did vary by member geography:
  • Lack of quality education was noted as an issue among both Latin America (56 percent) and U.S. (41 percent) members.
  • Climate change was most cited among members in Europe followed by Asia (48 percent and 41 percent compared to the survey average of 37 percent).
• Leaders are acting to address these concerns through their business. Ensuring their business makes a positive difference (57 percent), creating jobs and prosperity for people (49 percent) and teaching/mentoring others (43 percent) are the primary ways that CEOs surveyed are focusing their efforts. Additionally, reducing waste and having an environmental impact were key focal points for participants in Asia (44 percent), Europe (44 percent) and Africa (43 percent).

For additional perspective on these findings, YPO concurrently surveyed more than 1,800 future leaders, people ages 18-31 with at least some college education, to see how their thoughts on these same topics compared to those of the current stewards of business. This group also overwhelmingly agreed (92 percent) that the purpose of business is to have an impact on society beyond pursuing profits and wealth.

Climate change (37 percent) was also a top concern among this younger generation and more than half of those surveyed (55 percent) want to reduce their environmental impact. Lack of quality education (27 percent), availability of work opportunities and economic growth (24 percent) and peace, justice and global institutions (22 percent) also weighed on future leaders’ minds.

Whereas most current leaders identify government regulations as the biggest impediment to making an impact, future leaders believe corruption (42 percent) and business leaders not being in interested in doing more (32 percent) are the real obstacles. 

YPO will be sharing the 2019 Global Leadership Survey findings at an upcoming panel discussion entitled Profit with Purpose: A New Global Model in Davos on 24 January 2019. Complete survey results are available at YPO.org/Davos.

YPO 2019 Global Leadership Survey Methodology:

The YPO 2019 Global Leadership Survey of its members was conducted by YPO from 23 December – 4 January via an online questionnaire with a representative probability sample of 2,283 YPO members. The sample included members in 110 countries. The questionnaire was in English. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 1.97 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

The companion survey of younger generation people (future business leaders) was conducted by YPO from 23 December – 4 January. A total of 1,871 global respondents, ages 18-31 with at least some college education, participated in the survey. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 2.3 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.

About YPO:
YPO is the premier global leadership organization for more than 27,000 chief executives in over 130 countries and the global platform for them to engage, learn and grow. YPO members harness the knowledge, influence and trust of the world’s most influential and innovative business leaders to inspire business, personal, family and community impact. Today, YPO member-run companies, diversified among industries and types of businesses, employ more than 22 million people globally and generate USD9 trillion in annual revenues. For more information, visit ‪ypo.org.

YPO Media Contacts:
Amy Reid, areid@ypo.org, +1 646 678 0575 (United States)
Serena Marchionni, smarchionni@ypo.org, +34 699 903 472 (Europe)
Vickie Tikam, vtikam@ypo.org , +60 012 331 7411 (Asia)
Angela Mers, amers@ypo.org, +1 415 298 8534 (United States/Canada)

Source : Young Presidents’ Organization, Inc.

--BERNAMA

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

SevOne hastens British Telecom´s digital transformation


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 16 (Bernama) – British Telecom (BT) has chosen SevOne Data Platform for next generation performance management to accelerate the execution of its digital transformation strategy.
“The SevOne Data Platform will provide BT with far greater analytics into its digital network infrastructure, enabling them to find and address the root cause of bottlenecks and other issues much faster than before,” said chief executive officer of SevOne, Jack Sweeney, in a statement.
SevOne, which developed the platform, said it simplified the extraction, enrichment and analysis of network and machine data from across multi-vendor environments, enabling users to collect performance at scale and provide actionable events based on automatic, abnormal condition detection.
Featuring real-time monitoring and reporting capabilities, the platform supports the latest software defined network (SDN) technologies, Enterprise WiFi and multi-vendor software defined wide area network (SD-WAN) architectures.
The platform will provide BT’s service teams with a single, real-time view of the health of their customers’ networks, hence to rapidly detect and help resolve issues, minimising costly downtime and disruption.
BT’s customers will have a complete end-to-end view of their applications’ performance and data flows. This will help them make better informed decisions on how to prioritise network resources across their business.
“With support for our network today, along with next generation network technologies including multi-vendor SD-WAN, SevOne will enable us to roll out new products and services to our clients today and into the future,” said chief technology information officer, Global Services of BT, Hriday Ravindranath.
SevOne is a leading provider of network and infrastructure management solutions headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. More details at www.sevone.com
-- BERNAMA

MPP Global launches new functionality for eSuite platform


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- MPP Global – a technology company that delivers eSuite, the world’s smartest subscriber management and billing platform – has launched a new functionality in the platform which enables media organisations to create and manage the sale of physical subscriptions.
The company, in a statement, said the development of this functionality was borne out of the common challenge for publishers when managing multiple systems for deploying bundled and digital subscriptions.
In response to the challenges, MPP Global has worked with its vast media client base to develop a rich set of features for eSuite, enabling the successful launch of print, digital and bundled packages by using a single cloud platform.
The platform now offers complete subscription management for bundles, which combine digital, print and physical products, resulting in improved operational efficiency, increased speed-to-market and reduced cost of ownership.
Media organisations can quickly and easily deploy new products and services, accessing a single, central system for customer, fulfilment and entitlement management and reporting.
“With the Physical Subscriptions feature update, our clients can create pre-defined digital and physical product bundles or enable customers to build their own bundles using streamlined cart functionality,” said MPP Global chief executive officer and co-founder, Paul Johnson.
More details at https://www.mppglobal.com

-- BERNAMA

TOSHIBA MEMORY CORPORATION UNVEILS INDUSTRY'S FIRST UFS VER. 3.0 EMBEDDED FLASH MEMORY DEVICES

TOKYO, Jan 23 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Toshiba Memory Corporation, the world leader in memory solutions, has started sampling[1] the industry’s first[2] Universal Flash Storage (UFS) Ver. 3.0[3] embedded flash memory devices. The new line-up utilizes the company’s cutting-edge, 96-layer BiCS FLASH™ 3D flash memory and is available in three capacities: 128GB, 256GB and 512GB[4]. With high-speed read/write performance and low power consumption, the new devices are suitable for applications such as mobile devices, smartphones, tablets, and augmented/virtual reality systems.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190122006030/en/

The new devices integrate 96-layer BiCS FLASH™ 3D flash memory and a controller in a JEDEC-standard 11.5 x 13.0mm package. The controller performs error correction, wear leveling, logical-to-physical address translation and bad-block management for simplified system development.
 
All three devices are compliant with JEDEC UFS Ver. 3.0, including HS-GEAR4, which has a theoretical interface speed of up to 11.6Gbps per lane (x2 lanes = 23.2Gbps) while also supporting features that suppress increases in power consumption. Sequential read and write performance of the 512GB device are improved by approximately 70 percent and 80 percent, respectively, over previous generation devices[5].

* Company names, product names, and service names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Notes
[1] Sample shipments of the 128GB device will start today with the rest of the line-up to gradually follow after March. Specification of the samples may differ from that of commercial products.
[2] Source: Toshiba Memory Corporation, as of January 23, 2019.
[3] Universal Flash Storage (UFS) is a product category for a class of embedded memory products built to the JEDEC UFS standard specification. Due to its serial interface, UFS supports full duplexing, which enables both concurrent reading and writing between the host processor and UFS device.
[4] Product density is identified based on the density of memory chip(s) within the Product, not the amount of memory capacity available for data storage by the end user. Consumer-usable capacity will be less due to overhead data areas, formatting, bad blocks, and other constraints, and may also vary based on the host device and application. For details, please refer to applicable product specifications. The definition of 1GB = 230 bytes = 1,073,741,824 bytes.
[5] Toshiba Memory Corporation’s previous generation 256GB device “THGAF8T1T83BAIR”

Customer Inquiries:
Toshiba Memory Corporation
Sales Planning Division
Tel: +81-3-6478-2423
https://business.toshiba-memory.com/en-jp/contact.html

Information in this document, including product prices and specifications, content of services and contact information, is correct on the date of the announcement but is subject to change without prior notice.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190122006030/en/

Contact

Media Inquiries:
Toshiba Memory Corporation
Sales Strategic Planning Division
Koji Takahata
Tel: +81-3-6478-2404

Source : Toshiba Memory Corporation

--BERNAMA

Chris Hemsworth is Swisse Wellness Global Brand Ambassador

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- International actor Chris Hemsworth has sealed a partnership as Global Brand Ambassador with Swisse Wellness, Australia's No.1 brand in vitamins and supplements.

“We are looking forward to drawing out the core philosophy of our premium natural ingredients combined with the aspirations of living a better life and achieving one's personal goals,” said H&H Group Global Director of Marketing, Severine Brichard-Rooney, in a statement.

“Through Chris's ambassador role, we will work together to bring to life our heritage story and the foundations of our brand, and of course our signature line, 'Celebrate Life Every Day' (CLED),” she added.

Meanwhile, Hemsworth commented that the Swisse message of living healthier and happier aligned with his personal goals. He is looking forward to working with a company that shares these core values.

He joins the team of Swisse ambassadors with five others including highly-acclaimed Australian actress and long-term ambassador, Nicole Kidman, former international criketer, Ricky Ponting and celebrity chef, George Calombaris.

The global marketing campaign featuring Hemsworth will include television and advertising commercials, as well as content-led social media.

Headquartered in Australia, the company operates in 12 countries with more coming in the next 24 months.

-- BERNAMA

GTREASURY TO BUILD ON GROWTH WITH NEW CEO

SaaS Executive Renaat Ver Eecke Takes Helm as GTreasury’s CEO

Founder Orazio Pater Now Executive Chairman of the Board

Record-breaking 2018 with 64% year-over-year revenue growth

CHICAGO, Jan 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- GTreasury opened the New Year with a record-breaking 2018 and the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Renaat Ver Eecke. Orazio Pater, founder and former CEO of the innovative, SaaS treasury management systems provider, retired to assume his new post as Executive Chairman of the Board.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here:https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190121005070/en/
 

“I couldn’t be more pleased to have Renaat lead GTreasury to its next level of growth,” says Pater. “Not only do I trust Renaat with what we have already built here at GTreasury, but I know the company and our clients will thrive under his leadership. He’ll bring a discipline and rigor to both the software and the service, keeping client needs at the center of his strategy.”

Pater, an early pioneer of automated treasury management systems, founded GTreasury in 1986 to make work easier and more rewarding for treasury professionals. His succession plan over the past year-and-a-half saw a $42 million investment from growth equity firm Mainsail Partners, an expanded C-suite, the acquisition of leading risk management provider Visual Risk, and the introduction of a modern single solution for integrated treasury and risk management. By the end of 2018, the company experienced a record-breaking 64% year-over-year revenue growth.

“GTreasury’s business is built to win,” Ver Eecke says. “It has the people, the product and the investment behind it. This equates to a win for all treasury professionals, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to build on what Orazio has done here so well.” GTreasury serves over 750 large and mid-size treasury organizations across 31 industries throughout North America, EMEA and APAC.

Ver Eecke brings to GTreasury twenty years of proven experience in growing technology businesses. Most recently he was President of Teletrac Navman, a $200 million global SaaS business, which he led to double-digit growth. Prior to his role as President, he served as Chief Service Officer, building a services team across 14 countries by embracing a management discipline grounded in continuous improvement and deep customer insight.

To find out more about GTreasury, visit www.GTreasury.com or email marketing@GTreasury.com

About GTreasury

GTreasury is the leading innovator of integrated SaaS treasury and risk management solutions for the digital treasury organization. Using GTreasury’s modern technology platform, treasury organizations can configure any combination of Cash Management, Payments, Financial Instruments, Accounting, Banking, Risk Management, and Hedge Accounting, in one, integrated SaaS solution. Having acquired Sydney-based Visual Risk, GTreasury’s global footprint now spans North America, EMEA and APAC, with headquarters in Chicago. GTreasury is backed by San Francisco-based growth equity firm, Mainsail Partners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190121005070/en/

Contact

Zoe Sochor, +1.646.581.3277, ZSochor@gtreasury.com

Source : GTreasury

--BERNAMA

Friday, January 18, 2019

EUROMONITOR REVEALS THE TOP 10 GLOBAL CONSUMER TRENDS IN 2019


LONDON, Jan 16 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Global market research company Euromonitor International unveiled today a new white paper highlighting the top 10 global consumer trends to watch in 2019.

The annual report reveals emerging trends that provide insight into changing consumers’ values and explore how their behaviour is disrupting business globally.

“Intelligence is the common thread linking all trends in 2019. In a world full of choices, consumers’ needs and wants are fast-changing. How we live is so centrally dependent on the choices available that the biggest issue we face is how to make sense of it all,” comments Gina Westbrook, director of lifestyles at Euromonitor International.

According to the white paper, older consumers should be at the centre of business strategies. Later lifers are in better financial shape than the rest of the population, boasting the highest spending power among all age groups. People aged 50-59 years old earned 28 percent above the average income of all age groups in 2018.

“As people live longer and take better care of themselves, seniors feel and want to be treated as younger. Older consumers today have much more in common with the values and priorities of younger generations than one might think,” Westbrook adds.

Older generations are at the core of the ‘Loner Living’ trend, as seniors living alone far outnumber younger generations. According to the new study, the number of single-person households will increase by about 120 million by 2030.

“The Loner Living trend will become increasingly important as people – especially older consumers - across the world break the stigma of living alone and embrace their independent lifestyles,” comments Alison Angus, head of lifestyles at Euromonitor International. “Products and services that help these consumers celebrate their proudly independent lifestyles will succeed in capturing this growing market segment,” Angus adds.

Although people are living more independently, they still want to connect with others. At the root of the Digitally Togethertrend identified in the report is technological advancement providing authentic, life-like interactions online.

According Euromonitor International’s Lifestyle Survey, 45 percent of global consumers share photos or videos weekly, up from 38 percent in 2015, creating digital moments that can be looked back on and relived eternally. “The ‘Digitally Together’ trend will continue to shape how we connect and collaborate, create and experience together while physically apart,” Angus concludes.
 
Register now to receive a free copy of the report: https://go.euromonitor.com/white-paper-EC-2019-Top-10-Global-Consumer-Trends.html


ABOUT EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL

Euromonitor International is the world’s leading provider for global business intelligence and strategic market analysis. We have more than 40 years of experience publishing international market reports, business reference books and online databases on consumer markets.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190115005059/en/


Contact

Nathalia Ariza
Senior Communications Executive - Euromonitor International
Tel: +55 11 2970 2175
Nathalia.ariza@euromonitor.com

Source : Euromonitor International

--BERNAMA

ODAKYU GROUP STARTS 2019 LUNAR NEW YEAR CAMPAIGN






TOKYO, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- 

- Member Companies of Odakyu Group in Shinjuku, Hakone, Enoshima and Kamakura to Join Hands in Welcoming Tourists from Abroad -

The Odakyu Group started a "2019 Lunar New Year Campaign" from Wednesday, January 16, to Friday, February 15, 2019.

As part of the campaign, the Odakyu Group presents qualified travelers with coupons worth 500 yen each -- which can be used in Tokyo's Shinjuku district popular among travelers from abroad as well as in the Hakone, Enoshima and Kamakura districts -- popular tourist spots along the Odakyu railway lines -- and offers special goods aboard Limited Express Romancecar trains exclusively during the Lunar New Year period. Companies belonging to the Odakyu Group are joining hands in welcoming inbound tourists such as by wearing special "hospitality" badges.

Image1: Poster
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104691/201901152203/_prw_PI1fl_y7kIYOfE.jpg


Campaign website: https://www.odakyu.jp/english/springcampaign/
(English/Simplified Chinese characters/Traditional Chinese characters)

The following is the outline of the campaign

1. Odakyu Sightseeing Service Centers in Shinjuku to distribute coupons The Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center Shinjuku West and the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center Shinjuku South, tourist information centers for foreign tourists, offer a 500-yen coupon that can be used at designated Odakyu Group facilities to each of customers who purchase the "Hakone Kamakura Pass," a 6,500-yen excursion ticket exclusively for inbound tourists. Coupons are offered on a first-come-first-served basis, and their distributions end once they run out.

The coupons can be used at the following facilities: Shinjuku area: Odakyu Department Store Shinjuku, HALC, Shinjuku MYLORD, Flags, Odakyu Ace, Shinjuku Southern Terrace, Hotel Century Southern Tower, Hyatt Regency Tokyo.

*Some stores in these facilities do not accept the coupon.

Hakone area: Hakone-no-Ichi souvenir shop at Hakone-Yumoto Station Enoshima-Kamakura area: Shonan Fujisawa Concierge and Shonan Fujisawa Souvenirs at Fujisawa Station.

Image2: Coupon
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104691/201901152203/_prw_PI2fl_0SOb6w8m.jpg


2. Special goods sold aboard Romancecar trains

A "Japanese Sweets Set," filled with charms along the Odakyu lines, is sold aboard Limited Express Romancecar trains during this campaign for 1,000 yen including tax. The set consists of Japanese sweets produced along the Odakyu lines, special chopsticks and a towel, among other items. The Odakyu Group hopes that the set is a good souvenir for inbound tourists.

Image3: Japanese Sweets Set
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104691/201901152203/_prw_PI4fl_81H2xHCN.JPG


3. Staff members to welcome inbound tourists with "Omotenashi (hospitality) Badge" Staff members at Odakyu railway stations and in the Enoshima and Hakone areas each wear an "Omotenashi (hospitality) Badge" bearing messages such as "Have a nice trip" in six languages. Odawara and Hakone-Yumoto stations are decorated for the Lunar New Year to welcome inbound tourists.

Image4: Badge
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M104691/201901152203/_prw_PI3fl_j05DGZFo.jpg


Hakone Kamakura Pass, a discounted excursion ticket exclusively for inbound tourists

The Hakone Kamakura Pass allows its holders to enjoy services made available by Hakone Freepass and Enoshima-Kamakura Freepass -- excursion tickets popular with inbound tourists -- as well as unlimited rides on all lines operated by Odakyu Electric Railway. The three-day pass is priced at 6,500 yen for adults. Customers who show the pass at eateries, art museums and other facilities Odakyu has arranged partnership with can receive preferential services.

About Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
Odakyu Electric Railway, established in 1948, is one of Japan's major private railway companies. With the "Shinjuku" central transportation terminal in the capital of Japan, Odakyu lines extend to "Hakone," one of Japan's foremost hot spring tourist destinations, and "Enoshima-Kamakura," the historical seaside town close to the city center, and they are used not only for sightseeing but also by two million commuters traveling to work every day. In addition to transportation, Odakyu conducts a variety of other businesses, primarily in the Tokyo and Kanagawa areas, such as department stores, supermarkets, real estate, hotels and restaurants.

Source: Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.

--BERNAMA 

Thursday, January 17, 2019

POLYPLASTICS' NEW "DURANEX(R) 532AR" PBT RESIN PROVIDES EXCELLENT ALKALI STRESS CRACK RESISTANCE FOR AUTOMOTIVE MARKET

TOKYO, Jan. 17, 2019 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/ --

The Polyplastics Group has announced the introduction of a new polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin which delivers excellent alkali stress crack resistance for a range of automotive applications. The new grade, DURANEX(R) 532AR, also exhibits outstanding hydrolysis/heat shock resistance and electrical performance for components in the chassis and engine compartment.

(Photo1: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201901112141-O1-9z6ZU03e)
(Photo2: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/img/201901112141-O2-NW0g9obV)

As demand for durability, safety and reliability in auto parts continues to increase, DURANEX(R) 532AR has successfully reduced the risk of cracking in molded articles by preventing alkali from penetrating the inside of the resin, thus imparting toughness that helps generate less stress. This alkaline can arise from rust formation in metal parts. DURANEX(R) 532AR, treated with a hydrolysis-resistant formula, has greater durability than standard materials.

Recent test evaluations show that when specimens are immersed in alkali, cracking occurs within two hours in standard material DURANEX(R) 3300 and in hydrolysis- and heat shock-resistant DURANEX(R) 531HS. No stress cracking occurs in DURANEX(R) 532AR even when immersed for up to 200 hours.

Electrical components and sensors installed near the engine are also often metal insert-molded and there are cases when sudden temperature changes can cause heat shock fracture issues. This occurs because the metal and resin have linear expansion coefficients that differ by roughly a factor of 10. DURANEX(R) 532AR also has outstanding heat shock resistance and is capable of withstanding these harsh environments.

DURANEX(R) 532AR is ideal for use in parts installed in the chassis section and lower areas of vehicles which can be splashed with water and mud, and come into contact with chemicals such as snow-melting agents. This grade offers a combination of high reliability and long life even in harsh environments.

Please also visit:
https://www.polyplastics.com/en/product/lines/pbt_532ar/index.html

About Polyplastics
The Polyplastics Group is a global leader in the development and production of engineering thermoplastics. The Group's product portfolio includes PBT, polyoxymethylene (POM), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). With more than 50 years of experience, the company is backed by a strong global network of R&D, production and sales resources.

DURANEX(R) is a registered trademark of Polyplastics Co., Ltd. in Japan and other countries.

Source: Polyplastics Co., Ltd.

--BERNAMA

Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo to host Hina-matsuri event

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Japan’s Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (KPH), located in Shinjuku in Tokyo, will host the ‘Hina-matsuri through Tea Ceremony Culture and Hanging Art’ event, celebrating Japan’s cultural Girls’ Doll Festival or ‘Hina-matsuri’ from Feb 1 to March 28, 2019.
The hotel will display 6,800 handmade dolls and traditional art decorations and will serve special menu items commemorating the ‘Hina-matsuri’ at nine of its restaurants for the event’s duration, a statement said.
Hanging decorative art ornaments – hand stitched from cloth of old silk kimono garments by quilt artist Mitsuyo Matsuo and the 90 members of her Himawari Group of artists – and traditional wooden Mataro dolls from Kamikamo Shrine in Kyoto will be put on view.
In addition, KPH will exhibit various traditional and historical art items used in traditional Japanese tea ceremony, which has long been a part of the cultural upbringing of Japanese women from the Meiji period.
The ‘Tea Ceremony Culture Exhibition’, to be be held in cooperation with Honorary Professor Hiroichi Tsutsui of Kyoto University, will show tea cups, bamboo teaspoons, water vessels and other precious and beautiful instruments used in traditional tea ceremony.
-- BERNAMA

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

​LITHIUM WERKS APPOINTS T. JOSEPH FISHER III AS CHAIRMAN

HENGELO, Netherlands, Jan 14 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dutch energy storage and battery company Lithium Werks B.V. (www.lithiumwerks.com) has appointed T. Joseph (Joe) Fisher III as chairman of the board.

Fisher, who has been the company’s chief executive since he co-founded the company in 2017, is a 30-year veteran in the battery industry.

He will now also step into the role as chairman of Lithium Werks, while Kees Koolen will focus on the development of a separate battery company. Koolen remains a shareholder and supporter of Lithium Werks, and the two companies will continue to cooperate closely going forward.

“We are committed to playing a leading role in society’s energy transition to renewables such as solar and wind and our strategy remains unchanged,” Fisher said.

“We anticipate particularly strong growth in Europe, where battery demand appears to be insatiable. There is growing awareness amongst policymakers, companies and civilians that we will need batteries to ensure the lights don’t go out when there is no wind and the sun isn’t shining. As a European battery company, we are competitively positioned to deliver what our fast-growing customer base requires."

“As energy storage is an essential part of the energy transition, in Europe and across the world, we expect demand for lithium-ion batteries to grow tenfold over the next decade alone. Our industry must step up to the challenge and construct enough factories to deliver capacity in thousands of GWh over the next three decades.” said Fisher.

“Our expertise in safe, reliable, clean and sustainable energy storage solutions engendered dramatic growth in 2018. As we enter 2019, we expect to expand further in response to soaring demand through both organic growth and further acquisitions, including our future factory plans in China with our local partners.”

Lithium Werks, which already has three smaller battery facilities in China and has operations across three continents, plans to build multiple giga factories. The factories and related facilities will produce battery cells and systems for lithium-ion batteries to be used for energy storage and smart grids, as well as for large transportation equipment and industrial applications.

About Lithium Werks
Lithium Werks is a fast-growing global lithium-ion battery company, headquartered in Hengelo, the Netherlands, with production facilities in China and offices and warehousing facilities in the Netherlands, the US, the UK and Norway. Lithium Werks provides cells, modules and energy management systems to industrial, transportation, marine and clean energy storage markets.

Media Relations 
LWmarketing@lithiumwerks.com
+44 (0)28 9084 5411

Investor Relations
Investor.Relations@lithiumwerks.com

Source : Lithium Werks

--BERNAMA

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Jones Day announces partner´s move

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) – Global law firm, Jones Day, announced in a statement today its Global Disputes Practice partner, Simon Bellas, will be moving to the Singapore office.

Bellas will join Singapore-based partners, Matt Skinner and Zachary Sharpe, in expanding the firm's arbitration practice in the country and Hong Kong, while continuing to contribute to the firm's considerable Australian litigation and arbitration practice.

He will advise clients on construction claims and disputes, with a particular focus on large-scale energy and resources projects and related infrastructure matters.

He represents both owners and major contractors across industry sectors, including oil and gas, mining and infrastructure construction.

Admitted to the Supreme Courts of Queensland and Western Australia, as well as High Court of Australia, Bellas has been recognised for his work on behalf of clients by The AFR's Best Lawyers(c) in Australia; The Legal 500, Australia; Chambers Asia Pacific (Construction); and Doyle's Guide.

Jones Day has more than 2,500 lawyers in 43 offices across five continents.

-- BERNAMA