DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ It's not just you — furniture is garbage these days. Here's what you can do about it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementMike Coleman has seen a lot in his five years selling vintage furniture. Reselling high-quality, vintage furniture is a growing business. taikrixel/Getty ImagesHow furniture materials got so…cheapInnovation in materials during the 20th century disrupted the furniture business. It's not just about where you look for quality furniture, but also about rethinking the decision-making process before purchasing a piece. Coleman, of Big Mike's, said even he acknowledges that in today's world, it's impossible to buy vintage 100% of the time.

Persons: —, Mike Coleman, I'm, Coleman, CoCo Ree Lemery, grandkids, Lemery, Jonathan Adler, it's, There's, she'd, James W, Gayle DeBruyn, Anthropologie, DeBruyn, Gary Coronado, Big Mike's Organizations: Service, Purdue University, Consumers, Furniture, Kendall College of Art, Ferris State University, Urban, Los Angeles Times, Facebook, Ikea Locations: Chicago, China, Williams Sonoma, India, Zara, Banana Republic, Watts, Los Angeles , CA

☆ 'The shooting has to stop': World's biggest shipping company pleads with Congress to help end Houthi Red Sea chaos
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-30 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Ralby stressed the crisis in the Red Sea is not just a U.S. problem, but recent attacks by the U.S. military have led to greater targeting of its vessels. After those attacks, Maersk announced it would no longer be transiting the Red Sea. MSC announced on December 17 that it would divert its services that would typically transit the Red Sea and the Suez Canal around the Cape of Good Hope. Sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea adds one to two weeks to a one-way shipping journey relative to the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Rising freight costs were a big component of inflation during Covid and the Red Sea crisis has renewed fears that another bout of supply chain-triggered inflation could occur.

Persons: Ralby, Ian Ralby, Darr, Charles, Bud, Salud Carbajal, Biden, Hapag Lloyd, Bab, Good Hope, Jon Gold, Phillips, Ralph Lauren, Levi Strauss, Gold Organizations: U.S, Mediterranean Shipping Company, U.S . Navy, Coast Guard, Maritime Transportation, MSC, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Maersk, Maersk Detroit, Maersk Chesapeake, Navy, Intelligence, Suzuki, Volvo, Michelin, Ikea, National Retail Federation, Bank of America, Van Heusen Corporation, Birkenstock, Capri Holdings, Nike, Corp Locations: Suez, Ismailia, Egypt, Yemen, U.S, Iran, Gulf, Aden, Maersk, Good, Europe's, Asia, Europe, Vietnam

☆ Retail return fraud is rising as key holiday deadline approaches
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Courtney Reagan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

As more consumers shop online and send back more of those orders, retailers have moved to crack down on fraud. Retailers expect 16.5%, or $24.5 billion worth, of holiday returns to be fraudulent this year, according to a survey by Appriss Retail and the National Retail Federation. Shipping back an empty box or a different item than was received, such as a box of bricks instead of a television, is the most common form of return fraud, according to Pitney Bowes' Ramachandran. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Source: Appriss Retail/National Retail FederationReturn abuse is more commonThere's also less egregious behavior, often considered return abuse rather than fraud. More than half, or 56%, of consumers confess to "wardrobing," according to a survey from fraud prevention firm Forter.

Persons: it's, Vijay Ramachandran, Pitney, we've, Michael Osborne, Marc Metrick, That's, Pitney Bowes, Ramachandran, fraudsters, Osborne, Doriel Abrahams, Abrahams, Jeff Greenberg Organizations: Pitney Bowes, Retailers, Appriss Retail, National Retail Federation, Appriss, Saks, Shipping, CNBC, National, Federation, Ikea, Universal, Getty Locations: Doral , Miami

☆ Bobbi Brown is still living a life of luxury and lipstick — and it's all on her own terms
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Bobbi Brown is a beauty icon with two major makeup brands. But through it all, Bobbi Brown has never budged from her status as a beauty icon. Bobbi Brown on set for Jones Road. It's hard to describe," Brown told BI, though she notes that "no one" does the "no-makeup" look better than her brand. According to SimilarWeb, a software company that analyzes internet traffic, the Jones Road site reached more than 850,000 visits in November 2023.

Persons: Bobbi Brown, Brown, —, Yogi Berra, Estée Lauder, freebies, Becca Cosmetics, James Charles, Ben Ritter, Jones, Cody Plofker, Plofker, There's, it's, SimilarWeb, she's, that's, Bobbi Organizations: Business, Service, Scholastic, Brands, Jones, Athletic Greens, Ikea Locations: Montclair , New Jersey, New York, Montclair, TikTok, New Jersey, London

☆ I'm 38 and suddenly thinking about aging all the time. I don't want to dress or wear my hair like I'm trying to 'look young.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Melissa Persling | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

I'm not sure why the realization that I was getting along in years surprised me so much. I don't want to look like I'm trying too hardNow that I'm thinking more about my age, I often wonder if I'm trying too hard to appear young . I don't spend every waking moment cursing the young and trying to get men to look at me. (I also know from experience that Aveeno products will not make you look anything like Jennifer Aniston, unfortunately.) But I will never wear a bra as a shirt, no matter how cute I feel, because I am 38.

Persons: I'm, I've, Melissa Persling, I'd, Jennifer Aniston

How Houthi Attacks Have Upended Global ShippingShipping routes before attacks After attacks EUROPE ASIA Suez Canal Red Sea Gulf of Aden Malacca Strait AFRICA Area of Houthi attacks Continued traffic South Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Ships diverted after attacks Cape of Good Hope Shipping routes before attacks After attacks EUROPE ASIA Suez Canal Gulf of Aden Red Sea AFRICA Area of Houthi attacks Continued traffic South Atlantic Ocean Indian Ocean Ships diverted after attacks Cape of Good Hope Shipping routes before attacks After attacks EUROPE Suez Canal Gulf of Aden Red Sea AFRICA Area of Houthi attacks Continued traffic Ships diverted after attacks Cape of Good Hope Note: To show the changing paths of ships that regularly traverse the Red Sea, 3,461 cargo vessels recorded at entrances to the Red Sea in the last three months are shown. Those detours, and the Houthi attacks, have persisted despite airstrikes by the United States and its allies against the Houthis. Houthi attack involving commercial vessels Other Houthi attacks in the Red Sea Three commercial vessels were struck in one day on Dec. 3. Nov. 15, 2023 Dec. 1 Dec. 15 Jan. 1, 2024 Jan. 15 Houthi attack involving commercial vessels Other Houthi attacks in the Red Sea Nov. 15, 2023 Armed Houthi fighters boarded a commerical vessel. The Houthi attacks have delayed China’s annual surge in exports before its factories are idled next month for the Lunar New Year.

Persons: Cape, Jan, JPMorgan Chase, Port Said Organizations: Global Shipping Shipping, Atlantic, Ships, Good Hope Shipping, Shipping, United States Central Command Shipping, Ikea, East, JPMorgan, Maersk, U.S . Energy Information Administration, Rotterdam EUROPE Venice, Good Hope, EUROPE Venice, International Monetary, Trade, Galaxy Leader, U.S . Navy, America Locations: ASIA Suez, Aden Malacca Strait AFRICA, ASIA Suez Canal Gulf, Aden Red, Suez Canal Gulf, Suez, Africa, Yemen, Israel, Gaza, United States, U.S, Asia, Europe, China, Northern Europe, East Coast, Maersk Hong Kong, The Singapore, Singapore, Slovenia, Port Said, Egypt, Port, Russia, Ukraine, India, Rotterdam EUROPE, Rotterdam EUROPE Venice Barcelona, Istanbul ASIA SYRIA LEBANON IRAN ISRAEL IRAQ Strait, Hormuz GAZA Suez, Kuwait, Red, Mumbai Malacca, YEMEN AFRICA, Aden, Good, Good Hope EUROPE ASIA SYRIA LEBANON ISRAEL IRAN IRAQ GAZA Suez, Strait, Hormuz Red, YEMEN, EUROPE, EUROPE Venice Tokyo Barcelona, Istanbul Shanghai ASIA SYRIA LEBANON IRAN ISRAEL IRAQ GAZA, Hormuz Hong, Suez Canal Kuwait, AFRICA Red, Mumbai Bangkok YEMEN Malaca, Istanbul Shanghai SYRIA LEBANON IRAN ISRAEL IRAQ ASIA GAZA, Suez Canal AFRICA Kuwait City Red, Red Sea, Beijing

☆ How to find a hobby
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-20 | by ( Diamond Naga Siu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

But if that's not for you — or if you're struggling to find something to do outside of work — experts shared how to find a hobby. The big storyA guide to finding a hobbyRobyn Phelps/InsiderHaving a hobby can help people tackle their work and personal life with more energy. Treat finding a hobby like a projectYou likely won't find the perfect fit immediately, Laura Vanderkam, the author of "168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think," told me. Or if they're also trying to find a hobby, ask what the people around them do for fun. Be patient but proactiveAdvertisementVanderkam told me that finding a hobby just takes a bit of time, experimentation, and being open to different things.

Persons: —, that's, Robyn Phelps, I've, Alexis Haselberger, Laura Vanderkam, It'll, Vanderkam, Haselberger, they're, she's, Joey Hadden, andresr, Kornmesser NASA's James Webb, Gen, Patrick Pleul Organizations: Service, Business, Orient, Express, Volkswagen, Ford, Tesla, LinkedIn, ESO, ESA, Hubble, Kornmesser NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, IKEA, Getty, Ikea Locations: Venice, Brandenburg, Schönefeld, Dahme

☆ Top CEOs fear that volatile supply chains are now just the new normal
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Kristian Helgesen | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesDAVOS, Switzerland — Top CEOs are closely following tensions in the Red Sea, warning that this kind of volatility for supply chains is likely here to stay. Houthi rebels from Yemen have attacked commercial vessels traveling in the Red Sea since November. Supply chains were massively disrupted during the pandemic and the subsequent bounce back, given the restrictions and the closure of borders. Tobias Meyer, the CEO of DHL, shared concerns over the new normal for supply chains. "We have an issue in the Panama Canal, we have an issue in the Red Sea.

Persons: Ebba, A.P ., Kristian Helgesen, Jesper Brodin, Brodin, Tobias Meyer Organizations: A.P, A.P . Moeller, Maersk, Bloomberg, Getty, Ingka, CNBC, Economic, IKEA, DHL Locations: Suez, Egypt, DAVOS, Switzerland, Red, Yemen, Iran, Gaza, United States, Hope, Africa, Asia, Europe, Davos, Panama

☆ Red Sea attacks already bigger issue for supply chain than pandemic, maritime advisory warns
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The strikes are a response to attacks on the Red Sea, adding complexity to the regional conflict originating from Israel's Gaza war. With that exception, "This [the Red Sea crisis] is the largest single event – even larger than the early pandemic impact," Murphy said. Sea-Intelligence analyzed current vessel delays compared to delays over the last several years in a report for clients. A leading ocean supply chain advisory firm is warning that the disruptions to shipping from the Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea are already more damaging to the supply chain impact than the early Covid-19 pandemic. "Threats to Red Sea shipping are a threat to maritime commerce worldwide," said Steve Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association.

Persons: Luis Boza, Alan Murphy, Murphy, Hope, Steve Lamar Organizations: Getty, Intelligence, MSC, Volvo, Michelin, Ikea, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Logistics, CNBC Locations: Lisbon, Portugal, U.S, Yemen, Red, Gaza, Suez, Good Hope, Europe, United States, Asia

☆ Fears of prolonged Red Sea shipping crisis fuel inflation fears, as oil, retail cargo delays rise
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

"If so, we expect the soaring freight rates and equipment shortage will continue till the third quarter," it advised clients. This would be on top of the revenue lost by diverted container vessels which are required to pay between $500,000-$600,000 per transit. "However, given the longer transit times vessels are experiencing, the market may face a shortage of empties across Asia until sailings normalize." Evelyn Fornes, Home Depot spokeswoman, said it is working with logistics carriers to find alternate routes to limit any impact from the Red Sea conflict. East Coast freight rates soar While freight rates for U.S. West Coast ports have yet to spike, freight rates for the East Coast and Gulf are up.

Persons: Folden, Shell, Jean, Charles Gordon, Nyttingnes, Torm, Euronav, Tom, Hafnia, Andy Lipow, Kuehn, Nagel, Ami Daniel, Goetz Alebrand, Stephen Schwarz, Paolo Montrone, Kuehn + Nagel, Alan Baer, Baer, Evelyn Fornes, Fornes, Lane Organizations: Galaxy, Houthis Media, Getty Images, Anadolu, Getty, U.S, Clarksons Securities, Honour Lane Shipping, Wall Street, Shell, Suez, Authority, Lipow Oil Associates, Logistics, CNBC, DHL Global, Asia Pacific, Kuehn, USA, Home, Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Volvo, Michelin, Ikea, East, U.S . Locations: Iran, Yemen, Anadolu, Hafnia, Ardmore, Suez, Israel, Americas, Asia, Europe, Wells Fargo, Red, U.S, East Coast, U.S . West Coast, Gulf, East, West, West Coast

☆ Insurers shun many ships carrying goods through the Red Sea as attacks continue
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Matt Egan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The crisis in the Red Sea threatens to damage the economy by increasing prices on consumers and delaying the shipment of goods. A Houthi official vowed on Wednesday that attacks on “Israeli-linked” vessels in the Red Sea as well as the Arabian Sea will continue. Ikea also does not foresee any product shortages from the Red Sea problems. “Shippers are now much better at using alternative ways of moving their goods around the world,” Zandi said. “We have not seen the situation in the Red Sea translate into material movements in prices in the US such as consumer goods and gasoline prices,” Schwartz said.

Persons: ”, Marcus Baker, Marsh McLennan, Baker, Vicent Clerc, ” Clerc, CNN’s Richard Quest, Mark Zandi, Zandi, Kristalina Georgieva, Quest, ” Zandi, Stephen Schwartz, ” Schwartz Organizations: CNN, US, US Central Command, Maersk, International Monetary Fund, Oxford University . Shipping, P, Moody’s, Global, IMF, Economic, Wednesday, Ikea, Wells, Wells Fargo Global Receivables, Trade Finance Locations: Israel, Marsh, Suez, Africa, China, Davos, Switzerland, “, Asia, Europe, Germany, Wells Fargo, Iran

☆ Ikea says it's going to cut prices this year, and the company's comments on deflation should be setting competitors on edge
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewCompanies across the board have been hiking prices massively in the last few years, citing relentless supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and Russia's war in Ukraine. Speaking to Reuters at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Broden acknowledged "quite significant deflation" upstream in its supply chain. AdvertisementIkea also has enough inventory to offset price hikes from any supply chain shocks, Brodin told the news agency. To be sure, Ikea hiked prices in 2022, citing supply chain bottlenecks and higher raw material costs, but the furniture giant started cutting price late last year, citing easing price pressures. US grocery giant Walmart signaled deflation in November as well — but that was before the Red Sea Houthi attacks dragged into the new year.

Persons: —, Jesper Brodin, Broden, Brodin, It's Organizations: Service, Business, Ingka, Ikea, Reuters, Red, Economic, Energy Locations: Ukraine, Davos, Switzerland, London, Russia

☆ Tesla to pause German production over Red Sea disruption
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

London CNN —Tesla plans to pause most production at its only European factory due to supply chain problems caused by attacks in the Red Sea. In recent weeks, Houthi militants, based in Yemen, have ramped up attacks on vessels traveling through the Red Sea, saying they are revenge for Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza. As a result, six of the world’s 10 biggest shipping companies — namely Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, ZIM and ONE — have been largely or completely avoiding the Red Sea. Volkswagen, Germany’s biggest carmaker, said Friday that its passenger car division did not anticipate “significant” restrictions to production over the situation in the Red Sea, according to Reuters. Economic reverberationsTesla’s decision will amplify fears that a prolonged closure of the Red Sea route — which connects with the vital Suez Canal — will hurt the global economy by snarling supply chains and driving up the prices of goods.

Persons: London CNN — Tesla, Tesla, Joe Biden, Brent, “, ”, Robert Yawger, Matt Egan Organizations: London CNN, CNN, RTL, Maersk, MSC, Lloyd, CMA CGM, Carriers, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, Volvo, Reuters, Volkswagen, Economic, Ikea, Crocs, Container, British, West Texas, Mizuho Securities Locations: Red, Berlin, Europe, Yemen, Gaza, South Africa, Belgium, Suez, British, Drewry, Iran

☆ This Louis Vuitton ‘sandwich bag’ costs more than $3000
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Carrying lunch into the office from home can be one way to save money — except, perhaps, when it is stored in Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton sandwich bag costing over $3,000. Model Anna Ewers carried the sandwich bag during Pharrell Williams' debut show for Louis Vuitton in Paris in June 2023. But it’s not the first time that Louis Vuitton has drawn inspiration from everyday (and, traditionally, much cheaper) accessories. In its Spring-Summer 2007 collection, the fashion house paid homage to the budget-friendly checkered plastic laundry bags beloved the world over. In 2022, the brand also released a cross-body bag resembling a paint can (complete with metal handle), “decorated with playful references to Louis Vuitton’s heritage.”In 2007, Louis Vuitton paid homage to the humble laundry bag.

Persons: Pharrell Williams, Louis Vuitton, Williams, Anna Ewers, Louis, Giovanni Giannoni, —, it’s, Louis Vuitton’s, Francois Guillot, Virgil Abloh, ”, Marcel Duchamp —, Ashish Gupta, ” “ It’s, ” Gupta, “, Balenciaga Organizations: CNN, Louis Vuitton, West Hollywood, Getty Locations: Paris, Pont, West, AFP

☆ How the Red Sea crisis could clobber the global economy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The Suez Canal accounts for 10-15% of world trade, which includes oil exports, and for 30% of global container shipping volumes. Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc told the Financial Times Thursday that re-establishing safe passage through the Red Sea could take “months.” “It could potentially have quite significant consequences on global (economic) growth,” he added. Ikea has warned of shipment delays and potential shortages of certain products due to disruption in the Red Sea. Some ocean carriers that ordinarily transit through the Panama Canal had rerouted to the Suez Canal before the attacks in the Red Sea escalated, according to logistics company C.H. Matthew Burgess, vice-president of global ocean services at the firm, said global shipping capacity would be constrained for a while yet.

Persons: Joe Biden, Vincent Clerc, Germany’s, Mohamed, El Erian, ” Simon MacAdam, Lily Millard, Ben May, Good Hope, ”, ” It’s, Abercrombie &, Nathan Howard, “, ” Philip Damas, —, Judah Levine, Levine, Eric Thayer, Carolina Klint, Marsh McLennan, Robinson, Matthew Burgess, we’ve, Gene Seroka, Burgess, C.H Organizations: London CNN, British, Energy, World Bank, Maersk, MSC, Lloyd, CMA CGM, Financial Times, Global, Germany’s Kiel Institute, Allianz, Bank, Capital Economics, Oxford Economics, European Automobile Manufacturers ’ Association, Ikea, CNN, Abercrombie, Abercrombie & Fitch, Bloomberg, Getty, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors, Marsh, United, Port Locations: Iran, Crocs, Suez, Yemen, Gaza, Germany, Brent, Gulf, Oman, South Africa, Germany’s Kiel, Red, Israel, Good, Europe, ”, China, Asia, Los Angeles, United States, Panama, Rotterdam, of Los Angeles, of New York, New Jersey

☆ Global shipping rates set to jump as carriers avoid the Red Sea amid Houthi attacks
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-10 | by ( Lori Ann Larocco | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Freight prices are set to jump Monday, while longer transit times around Africa are disrupting and delaying deliveries of products. British clothing retailer Next recently warned of stock delays as a result of the longer ocean transit. "This creates strong motivations for ocean carrier(s) to increase rate(s) by establishing General Rate Increases (GRIs), Peak Season Surcharge (PSSs), and other contingency or emergency surcharges," the company said. "HLS warned Transpacific freight rates could spike to highs not seen since early 2022, with the Suez Canal route suspended, and the Panama Canal route restricted." Kuehne + Nagel analysts told CNBC that 419 vessels are currently being rerouted due to the Red Sea situation.

Persons: Jon Gold, HLS, Good Hope, Kuehne, Nagel, Franziska Bietke, Mark Rhodes, Rhodes Organizations: Lane Shipping, Ikea, National Retail Federation, CNBC, MSC, U.S ., East, U.S . Shipping Act, Federal Maritime Commission, Kuehne, Logistics, Crane Worldwide Logistics, CNBC PRO Locations: Suez, Ismailia, Egypt, Iran, Red, Africa, Asia, British, West Coast, Panama, U.S . West Coast, East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, South Africa's, Good, Project44, Europe

☆ Trefor Moss — Reporter at The Wall Street Journal
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-03 | by ( Trefor Moss | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Trefor MossTrefor Moss is a reporter in The Wall Street Journal’s corporate bureau in London, where he covers Europe’s big retailers, including Adidas, H&M, IKEA and Inditex. Prior to joining the U.K. team, Trefor spent most of his career as a foreign correspondent in Asia. He joined the Journal in Hong Kong, where he previously ran his own media company, before moving to Manila to cover regional politics and security. He subsequently worked in the Journal’s Shanghai bureau, where he covered business in China. Trefor began his career as a business reporter in London and is a graduate of the University of Oxford.

Persons: Trefor Moss Trefor Moss, Trefor Organizations: Adidas, IKEA, Inditex, U.K, University of Oxford Locations: London, Asia, Hong Kong, Manila, Shanghai, China

☆ They Spend Thousands Decorating Homes No One Will Ever Go Inside
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Sarah E. Needleman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

So far this year, Michael Hogan has spent more than $5,000 on metal bar stools, a curved sofa and other modern décor to furnish a newly built home he’ll never live in. That is because the dwelling is so small it is better suited for a resident the size of a mouse. Take a tiny load offHogan is among a new cohort of dollhouse devotees who are shaking up how grown-ups indulge in the classic children’s hobby. Instead of outfitting old-timey homes with old-timey décor, they are assembling contemporary miniature abodes packed with tiny versions of trendy trappings sold in stores such as IKEA and West Elm.

Persons: Michael Hogan, he’ll Organizations: Hogan, IKEA Locations: West Elm

☆ She Spends $1,000 a Month Decorating Homes No One Will Ever Go Inside
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Sarah E. Needleman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Michael Hogan, he’ll Organizations: Hogan, IKEA Locations: West Elm

[1/6] People load up their newly purchased items from Best Buy on Black Friday in Wheaton-Glenmont, Maryland, U.S., November 24, 2023. A record 130.7 million people are expected to shop in stores and online in the U.S. on Black Friday this year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates. But at 6 a.m. on Friday at a Walmart in New Milford, Connecticut, the parking lot was only half full. "It's a lot quieter this year, a lot quieter," said shopper Theresa Forsberg, who visits the same five stores with her family at dawn every Black Friday. And the rise of online shopping has reduced the importance of Black Friday as a single-day event.

Persons: Leah Millis, Cowen, David Klink, Theresa Forsberg, Michael Brown, Kearney, Jeff Gennette, Jimmy Lee, there's, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Carlos Araejo, Ruiz, It’s, ”, Paul Aheren, Puma, Siddharth Cavale, Helen Reid, Arriana McLymore, Katherine Masters, Andrew Hay, Bianca Flowers, Danielle Broadway, James Davey, Deborah Sophia, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry Organizations: REUTERS, Shoppers, Huntington Private Bank, Walmart, Target, National Retail Federation, Garden, Insider Intelligence, Macy's, Adobe Analytics, Wealth Consulting, Amazon, Adobe, Nordstrom, “, Saks, Puma, Israel Football Association, IFA, Thomson Locations: Wheaton, Glenmont , Maryland, U.S, RALEIGH, N.C, New Milford , Connecticut, Paramus , New Jersey, Indianapolis, Israel, Palestine, United States, Dallas, Raleigh, Crabtree, Boston

Brokerage TD Cowen lowered its U.S. holiday spending estimate to 2% to 3% growth, from 4% to 5%, as it forecast flat Black Friday traffic. With many consumers squeezed by persistent inflation and high interest rates, U.S. holiday spending is expected to rise at the slowest pace in five years. A record 130.7 million people are expected to shop in stores and online in the U.S. on Black Friday this year, the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates. In France, Italy, and Spain, most shoppers planned to buy clothing on Black Friday, with electronic goods coming second, according to a PwC survey. Thanksgiving Day discounts online peaked at about 28% for toys, while electronics had discounts as steep as 27%, Adobe said.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Cowen, Theresa Forsberg, “ It’s, ”, Jill Lizzo, she’s, “, I’m, Lizzo, PwC, hasn’t, Naomi Ojomo, Jeff Gennette, Barbie, John Roberts, Apple AirPods, Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Oscar de, Katherine Masters, Arriana McLymore, Helen Reid, Mimosa Spencer, Corina Pons, James Davey, Siddharth Cavale, Arriana, Deboarh Sophia, David Gaffen, Miral Fahmy, Nick Zieminski, Frances Kerry Organizations: Black, REUTERS, Shoppers, National Retail Federation, Insider Intelligence, Barclays, Macy's, Adobe Analytics, Adobe, Walmart, Argos, PlayStation, Apple, Thomson Locations: Westbury , New York, U.S, RALEIGH, N.C, New Milford , Connecticut, . U.S, Harlem, Manhattan, France, Italy, Spain, Zara, Canary Wharf, London, British, Paris, Madrid, New York, Raleigh , North Carolina, Bengaluru

☆ VCs didn't care about OpenAI's weird board structure. It was all about investing in Sam Altman and its 'transformative' tech.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Madeline Renbarger | Vishal Persaud | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

OpenAI's venture capital investors weren't thinking about its mission to serve "humanity" by developing artificial intelligence. After Altman's ouster, Vinod Khosla, an early investor in OpenAI, came to his defense despite the criticism. OpenAI's complex and unique corporate governance structure meant that VCs could invest in the capped profit entity, but never earn any influence over the nonprofit board of directors, all of whom were either cofounders or appointed outside AI experts. The board structure and its governance are all likely to change as part of the deal to bring Sam Altman back as CEO of OpenAI. The purpose of the newly formed OpenAI board – consisting of current board member D'Angelo, former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and former Salesforce co-CEO Bret Taylor – is to vet and potentially appoint an expanded board of up to nine people, and that Microsoft and Altman want board seats, The Verge reported.

Persons: Sam Altman, OpenAI, Altman, VCs, Sam, Altman's, Vinod Khosla, Yunus, Khosla, Wesley Chan, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, Tasha McCauley, who's, Joseph Gordon, Levitt, Helen Toner, Adam D'Angelo, Karthee Madasamy, it's, David Sacks, D'Angelo, Larry Summers, Bret Taylor – Organizations: Business, Tiger Global Management, Khosla Ventures, Sequoia Capital, Microsoft, FPV Ventures, Rand Corporation, Georgetown's Center for Security, Emerging Technology, MFV Partners, Qualcomm Ventures, Ikea, Bosch, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Bertelsmann Foundation, Carlsberg Foundation, Craft Ventures Locations: OpenAI, Silicon Valley, Hollywood

☆ Singapore's Temasek warns that fake agents in China are trying to sell scam investments
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Clement Tan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An undated photo of a signage at Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings' headquarters in the Southeast Asian city-state. Singapore's Temasek Holdings warned that scammers are allegedly trying to sell financial investment products or instruments to unsuspecting individuals while posing as agents of the firm's office in Shenzhen, China. "We have been alerted to a scam in China that involves the impersonation of Temasek in Shenzhen, using our registered office name 'Temasek Holdings Advisors (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.' / '淡马锡投资咨询 (深圳) 有限公司'," Temasek said in a statement Wednesday. Temasek does not directly sell any investment products or financial instruments in China. We have not authorized any third party to do so on our behalf," the Singapore investment company added.

Persons: scammers, Temasek Organizations: Temasek Holdings, Singapore's Temasek Holdings, Temasek, Temasek Holdings Advisors, Co, Singapore, Apple, Ikea, Xinhua Locations: Singapore, Shenzhen, China, Beijing, Shanghai, Myanmar

[1/8] Waste from international clothing brands is stored before being used to fuel kilns at a brick factory on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia November 17, 2023. It found pre-consumer garment waste including fabric, plastic, rubber, and other materials from the brands was being burned at seven factories. The factories were burning garment waste to save on fuel costs, it said. Brick factory workers reported regular migraines, nosebleeds, and other illnesses, the UK report said. LPP said it was unaware its textile waste was being burned in brick kilns, and has contacted its agents responsible for placing orders in Cambodia.

Persons: Lululemon, Co's, Betty, Tilley Endurables, Armour, Lidl, LICADHO, LPP, Tilley, Clare Baldwin, Helen Reid, Katherine Masters Organizations: Cambodian League, Promotion, of Human, REUTERS Acquire, Adidas, Walmart, The Cambodian League, of Human Rights, Reuters, UNDP, Royal Holloway, University of London, Navy, Lidl Stiftung, Reebok, Venus, World, Cambodian Ministry of Environment, Sarom Trading, Thomson Locations: Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Cambodian, Kandal

☆ Honda’s new scooter is also the box it comes in
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Peter Valdes-Dapena | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —There are lots of electric scooters available today in a huge range of styles and prices. Honda’s original micro-bikeThe real inspiration was the Honda Motocompo, a tiny motorcycle Honda offered for a few years in the early 1980s. Peter Valdes-Dapena trying Honda's new electric scooter, the Honda Motocompacto. Its memory inspired someone in Honda’s California design studio –- someone Honda won’t name because he’s left the company –- to sketch out a modern version. Also giving you confidence will be the seriously sturdy latches locking the seat, handle bars and wheels in place before you start riding.

Persons: Honda, Peter Valdes, he’s Organizations: CNN, Honda Locations: United States, Honda’s California, footpegs

Search resuls for: "Ikea"

25 mentions found