Retail News CRM

Category: General

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest General Retail news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • WhatsApp has a Newsletter feature in the works

    WhatsApp has a Newsletter feature in the works

    WhatsApp has been working on a plethora of cool features recently, and many new features and features under development get regularly discovered in beta versions of the popular chat app. The latest report from WABetaInfo on features in the works for the app tells us that the company is now working on a newsletters feature. 

    The folks at WABetaInfo have discovered references to the useful feature in beta 2.23.5.3 for iOS. It is unclear whether the feature will be called “Newsletter”, it could very well be a codename for the feature as well, so do keep that in mind. 

    As you might imagine judging by the name (or codename) of said feature, it will be used for broadcasting information. You can receive useful updates from groups, local officials, sports teams, or other organizations. 

    This new feature will likely be an extension of the Communities feature – another useful social feature that allows up to 10 groups to be linked together. 

    The Newsletter feature seems to be a “separate and optional” section of the app, and it is said to be apart from standard chats and groups. So far, there’s no preview of where the feature will be situated on the app. Understandably, newsletters won’t be encrypted end-to-end (they are intended for a large group of recipients). 

    You will be able to search for Newsletters you will like to follow using handles. You will be in control of who you follow, and others won’t be able to see who you’re following – all in all, it seems Newsletters won’t pivot to a public social network and they will remain a personal space. To protect your privacy, WhatsApp will mask and hide the phone numbers of users who create or subscribe to a newsletter.

    It is still quite early to say when this feature will show up in an official WhatsApp release. Also, we don’t currently have more details about it, but when we know more, we’ll make sure to let you know, so stay tuned!

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  • Gold prices slip

    Gold prices slip

    SJC gold price dropped 0.15% to VND67 million ($2,815.72) per tael Thursday afternoon.

    Gold ring price remained unchanged at VND54.35 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Globally gold prices rose on Thursday, helped by a slight pullback in the dollar, although prospects of U.S. interest rates staying higher for longer kept bullion on a tight leash, Reuters reported.

    Spot gold was up 0.2% at $1,828.17 per ounce.

    Elevated interest rates dampen gold’s appeal as an inflation hedge while raising the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding asset.

    Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting showed on Wednesday policymakers agreed rates would need to move higher, but that the shift to smaller-sized hikes would let them calibrate more closely with incoming data.

    “The Fed stated they’re still looking at combating inflation and raising interest rates, but not as aggressive as before… because of that, gold prices have retreated a little, and this morning they’re just consolidating,” said Brian Lan, managing director at Singapore-based dealer GoldSilver Central.

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  • Global Sources:  Insights on the sourcing now and beyond

    Global Sources:  Insights on the sourcing now and beyond

    An internationally trusted multichannel B2B sourcing platform, Global Sources has revamped its online sourcing platform, https://www.globalsources.com/ (GSOL) now offers new features such as tailored recommendations using big data algorithm, in-depth industry articles from the Sourcing Knowledge Center, in-stock products, Ready to Order, and Instant chat with translation to connect authentic buyers and verified suppliers globally. GSOL’s supplier pool includes 97 of the world’s Top 100 retailers.  To seize the emerging opportunities, the GSOL offline trade show is expected to have a smooth recovery in various global markets in the coming years, including Brazil, Vietnam, and India. In October 2022, the Global Sources 2022 Fall Hong Kong show returned and held a huge success.

    A platform for buyers

    The company has over 50 years of sourcing experience and vertical focus expertise. They connect over 10 million O2O buyers and suppliers. The high-quality supplier community has been verified by the supplier verification system. Since GSOL was launched in 1996, they have enabled buyers to fulfil their needs and secure real-time tracking effectively and safely.  With the support of tailored sourcing solutions and trustworthy market information in the past five decades, the platform is a continuous pioneer in supporting the sourcing community with expertise and technology. 

    “The demand from buyers (retailers and wholesalers) is evolving in these few years. Online alternative engagement models are critical for business success and buyers by doing away with the usual limitations on physical customer interactions. Retailers are innovating the in-store experience online. GSOL enables buyers to interact with suppliers by offering online trade shows, using 360o VR Showroom to create virtual factory tours of verified supplier factories, and launching Business MATCH, in which buyers can match with professionals to take care of the entire sourcing process. From collecting sourcing requirements and identifying desired suppliers to making the connection via online and offline channels.” said Carol Lau, Senior Vice President of Client Service, Sales Support & Analytics, Global Sources.

    Facing current global challenges

    Due to the recent supply chain challenges, GSOL is innovative in launching regional sourcing pages to facilitate sourcing in different markets. Buyers can find verified and trustworthy suppliers in suggested intensive manufacturing regions and get the latest local sourcing trends and export policies. With reasonable pricing and good quality standards, buyers can gain a competitive edge in the local market and find various in-demand products flexibly.  On the other hand, GSOL has offered various multi-language versions, including Spanish, German, French, and Portuguese, strengthening the connections between buyers and suppliers in the different marketplaces.

    The Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda is showing increasing urgency. There is a global shift of priority towards sustainability and eco-friendly business.  Retailers are placing pressure on their supplier network to be more transparent and more sustainable, re-evaluating their operations to meet these demands and remain desirable.  “To support the supplier community to be more sustainable, buyers can filter products via the specific categories, materials, and desired features related to recycling using GSOL, where “sustainable” or “eco-friendly” products can be found. In addition, ESG-related certifications, such as the Global Recycled Standard, are recommended to be seen on the relevant product page. Now buyers can feel more comfortable in their decisions with a tangible proof point,” highlighted Carol Lau.

    A new age of buyers

    The market of millennial buyers and small business entrepreneurs is rapidly expanding in part due to the pandemic. GSOL has many newly registered buyers from this age group. To accommodate their needs and the evolving sourcing trends in the market, GSOL also brings in sustainable sourcing features with a high calibre of efficiency and professional support.

    A large reason behind the accommodating measures is that Millennials have grown up surrounded by technology.  As a result, technology is integrated into their daily lives.  Technology, primarily cell phones, is used for everything currently: entertainment, keeping up with friends, banking, and ordering takeout.  Shopping is no exception. Technology has so seamlessly fused with the lives of the younger generations that they expect it to be a part of their everyday experiences. GSOL is staying one step ahead by providing the right digital resources for this new age of buyers.

    Other than ongoing updates on the GSOL APP to enable sourcing on-the-go, GSOL also offers personalized sourcing services to millennial buyers. This includes sending invites for request for quotations (RFQ), the ability to place an order immediately with the “Ready to Order” feature. This feature allows orders to be placed more easily and more conveniently to get a quicker, more reliable, and more transparent delivery service in order to get the best offer that fits their specific needs.

    Furthermore, price has a great influence on millennials’ purchase decisions sometimes even above quality. Therefore, buyers may focus more on the availability of small or direct orders or pursue a low Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) service to save costs in the shipment process.

    Global sourcing of the future today

    There are many factors to consider when choosing a global sourcing platform. From the ease of use to features enabling a sustainable approach to business and shopping. With 85% of respondents surveyed indicating they expect hybrid sellers will be the most common sales role over the next three years, businesses have an opportunity here to partake in this important trend. An O2O hybrid sourcing model is most likely to provide customers with what they need.

    Industry leaders must be proactive to ensure a more distributed and collaborative future. They need digital solutions that facilitate easy entry into new markets and with new suppliers, centrally optimize their supply chains, and provide end-to-end visibility from the point of order to delivery. This is what GSOL offers its users, and it’s the way forward as it best accommodates the current market and buyer needs.

     

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  • What Questions Should I Ask a Freight Forwarder?

    What Questions Should I Ask a Freight Forwarder?

    Choosing a freight forwarder to deliver your shipment requires careful consideration. You’ll be trusting this company with your valuable goods. It’s crucial to do your research and hire someone with a proven track record of delivering shipments safely and timely.

    Needless to say, you have several options to choose from. But how do you know which one is right for you? Here is a guide to help you narrow your options to the new freight forwarder for your needs.

    Questions to Ask a Freight Forwarder

    When looking for a freight forwarder to handle your shipping needs, asking the right questions is essential to ensure you’re making the best decision for your business. Here are some key questions to ask a freight forwarder to ensure you get the best service possible. If you’re looking for a reliable partner, check out Dedola – import freight forwarder.

    What Services Do You Offer?

    Ask the freight forwarder you’re considering for a comprehensive list of services, such as freight consolidation, warehousing, customs clearance, and delivery. Ask them what forwarding methods they use and whether they provide the method that you’re looking for. Ensure you understand what services are included in their offering and what additional services may be available for an additional fee.

    What Are Your Rates?

    It’s vital to get an understanding of the freight forwarder’s rates and fees before you agree to anything. Ask for a quote and find out if any discounts are available, such as bulk or seasonal discounts. Also, inquire about any hidden fees that they may charge.

    Once you have a handful of quotes, compare the prices and see which one fits your budget. Don’t let the rate be the sole deciding factor. It’s okay to pay a few extra bucks if it means that your shipment will be safe throughout the journey.

    Do You Provide Tracking?

    Tracking is essential when it comes to freight forwarding. You would want to ensure your shipment is on time and secure. Make sure you ask the freight forwarder if they provide tracking services. You should also inquire about the type of monitoring available, such as tracking by air, sea, or land. This way, you can sleep easy knowing that your goods will be delivered on time.

    What Is Your Turnaround Time?

    Turnaround time is a critical factor when it comes to freight forwarding. This could vary from company to company. Ask the freight forwarder what their typical turnaround time is. This will give you a better idea of how long it will take for your goods to be shipped and delivered. You could also choose a freight forwarder accordingly if any of your goods need to be delivered on an urgent basis.

    Do You Have Insurance?

    Your shipment could be susceptible to several risks, including boat capsizes, derailing trains, airplane crashes, vehicle collisions, and whatnot. To avoid feeling anxious while waiting for the freight’s safe delivery, hiring an insured freight forwarder is crucial. Ask the freight forwarder if they have insurance for goods in transit. This will give you peace of mind that your goods are insured in case of any damage or loss during transit.

    Trusting another person with the safety of your goods is a huge thing. The least you can do is ensure you’re putting your faith in the right professional. By asking the right questions, you’ll be able to ensure you’re selecting the best freight forwarder for your needs. Ask as many questions as necessary to ensure you get the best service possible and put your mind at ease.

  • Cebu Pacific restores flight network

    Cebu Pacific restores flight network

    Cebu Pacific is set to restore 100% of its pre-Covid network and capacity by March 2023. It now flies to 34 domestic destinations and is set to bring back all its 25 international destinations before the end of the first quarter.

    To support the return of domestic flights, the low-cost airline bundles fares to offer passengers a discount of up to 28% on their baggage, seat, and CEB Flexi fees when booking directly through the airline booking website.

    CEB offers three fare bundle options; Go Basic, Go Easy, and Go Flexi.

    On the Go Basic option, you pay for your fare and get one hand-carry baggage weighing up to 7 kg for free. With Go Easy, you can choose your standard seat and check in one piece of baggage weighing up to 20 kg.

    Score the biggest discount on your seat and baggage fees and automatically get a CEB Flexi add-on with Go Flexi. This allows you to cancel your flight, store its amount in your Travel Fund, and get all the benefits of the Go Easy bundle.

    Each fare bundle must be purchased at the initial booking for the discount to apply. CEB Fare Bundles cannot be refunded, transferred to another passenger, or stored in a Travel Fund without a purchased CEB Flexi add-on.

  • Steelmaker Hoa Sen eyes smallest profit in 10 years

    Steelmaker Hoa Sen eyes smallest profit in 10 years

    Steelmaker Hoa Sen Group expects a modest after-tax profit of VND100 billion (US$4.2 million) to VND300 billion this year as a raft of potential pitfalls loom.

    Whichever figure it achieves will be the lowest in the last 10 years, mainly due to anticipated export difficulties.

    According to the first scenario envisioned by Hoa Sen, the company will post sales of 1.4 million tons of finished products, with revenues of VND34 trillion, and after-tax profits of VND100 billion.

    With a more optimistic scenario of selling 1.5 million tons of finished products, the company expects to gain VND36 trillion in revenue and VND300 billion in profit.

    In the last 10 years, the lowest profit target the company has ever set is VND400 billion and the highest is VND1.65 trillion.

    Hoa Sen’s management said steel exports this year have many potential uncertainties in the context of increasing competition and trade barriers.

    Tightened monetary policies and higher lending interest rates as well as foreign exchange rates will also affect the company’s production and business.

    Hoa Sen reported after-tax losses of VND680 billion from October to December 2022, the first quarter of this fiscal year.

    According to Viet Dragon Securities Corp., having incurred net losses for two consecutive quarters, the steelmaker is experiencing the most difficult period in its history.

    Hoa Sen’s difficulties are considered to be twice as bad as its competitors as it operates in both the manufacturing and retail sectors.

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  • Changi Airport’s retail sales start steady post-Covid recovery

    Changi Airport’s retail sales start steady post-Covid recovery

    Changi Airport’s retail sector has shown signs of recovery with SG$1.1 billion (US$823.4 million) in sales recorded last year after Singapore relaxed Covid-related border restrictions in April.

    However, concession sales last year represented just 37 percent of sales in 2019, the last full year without border closures. Retail revenue in December was at 58 percent of the pre-Covid levels on the back of a passenger traffic recovery to 72 percent.

    The biggest spenders at Changi Airport are from Indonesia, India and Thailand, as the prolonged Covid-19 situation in China – its major market – caused the near absence of travelers from this market. Liquor & tobacco, perfumes & cosmetics and luxury were among the most popular product categories.

    Changi Airport recorded more than 13 million transactions during the year with an average of 35,000 transactions daily.

    As Changi Airport has seen more traffic since the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, the airport has increased its promotional activities to lure customers and enhance their shopping experience, including the ‘Be A Changi Millionaire’ campaign.

    Last year, Changi Airport teamed up with Lotte Duty-Free to host the the ‘World of Wines and Spirits’ event, which brought together products from 75 brands, including Bowmore, The Macallan, Midleton, The Singleton and Penfolds. The company plans to launch the second installation of ‘World of Wines and Spirits’ this year.

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  • Coles’ profit up, but inflation expected to dull second-half

    Coles’ profit up, but inflation expected to dull second-half

    In its first half, Coles has overcome supply-chain challenges and inflationary pressures to record a 17.1 percent lift in tax-paid profit.

    For the 27 weeks to January 1, sales from continuing and discontinued operations reached $21.4 billion – up 4 percent – while tax-paid profit rose to $643 million.

    Supermarket sales reached $18.85 billion, up 4.6 percent, which the company says was supported by the retailer’s ‘Locked’ and ‘Dropped & Locked’ value campaigns.

    With consumer shopping behavior beginning to normalize post-Covid during the half, online sales dipped 6.6 percent to $1.4 billion. Severe flooding and cool weather conditions resulted in availability challenges during the half across fresh and frozen produce categories.

    Supermarket inflation peaked at 7.7 percent in the second quarter, increasing from 7.1 percent in the first quarter.

    Coles’ liquor division sales fell 2.4 percent to $1.95 billion as the business cycled 15 weeks of Covid-related on-premise closures and restrictions in the previous corresponding period across NSW, Victoria, and the ACT. Store closures from flooding in the eastern seaboard, a wet and cool spring, and the summer’s start affected sales in the first half. Online liquor sales grew 13.7 percent.

    Liquorland continues to be the strongest-performing banner while express delivery was expanded to 560 stores.

    The fuel and convenience business – which has been sold to Viva Energy – earned $607 million, up 5 per cent, driven by growth in the food-to-go category, particularly of coffee and fast food.

    “We are well positioned to navigate the current macro environment and as we look to the future, we expect improving availability, population growth and moderation in out-of-home dining, which has been elevated post-Covid to positively impact the business and provide further opportunities for growth,” Coles said in a statement.

    The business expects inflation to moderate in the second half and farm-related availability to improve.

    Meanwhile, Leah Weckert has been named Coles’ new MD and CEO as outgoing CEO Steven Cain, announced his retirement. He will step down in May.

    Weckert has been a senior member of the executive leadership team since the demerger of Coles from Wesfarmers in 2018. She has also held several leading positions within the group including chief executive of commercial and express, CFO, people and culture director and state GM of Victorian supermarkets.

    Cain said: “I would like to thank the Coles board, team and our many partners for their support, insights and resilience – particularly during Covid, bushfires and floods. I would like to congratulate Leah on becoming my successor and I wish Coles continued success, and know that the best is yet to come.”

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  • AirAsia records over 1 million seats sold during its FREE* Seats campaign

    AirAsia records over 1 million seats sold during its FREE* Seats campaign

    AirAsia’s first FREE* Seats Campaign for the year launched last Friday, aimed at further revilatlising the travel and tourism industry in Asean, has proven to be one of its BIGGEST hits yet, with a whopping 1.2 million seats sold across both short haul and long haul flights in less than a week.

    There are still almost 4 million seats available for those eager to venture out, exclusively on the airasia Super App and website, until this Sunday for travel between 1 March 2023 and 10 December 2023. Guests can simply click on the ‘Flights’ icon on the airasia Super App or website.

    The FREE* Seats Campaign, launched by Dato’ Sri Tiong King Sing, Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), follows AirAsia’s pledge to fully support the Ministry in its mission to strengthen Malaysia as a multi-faceted and multi-destination attraction, and boost tourism in the region.

    This marks another record-breaking sale for AirAsia, whose ‘FREE* Seats Campaign’ is much awaited by the masses in and around Asean. The airline is set to fly 69 million guests annually which will provide a much welcomed boost to the travel sector in Malaysia and Asean.

    Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A said, “To see AirAsia breaking records and continuing to outdo itself year after year is motivating for me as we strived so hard to come out of the pandemic stronger than ever ‒ and here we are today with another amazing milestone to celebrate. It’s tremendously uplifting to see such strong demand across Asean destinations and this sale is a true testament that AirAsia is indeed the ‘People’s Airline’. As the saying goes ‒ size matters! When we say bigger and better, we mean more than just the numbers— from our incredibly low fares, better on-time performance and to our group-wide commitment to providing an enhanced travel experience for millions of our guests, who choose to fly with us each and every time. We aim to be more than just a ‘low cost airline’, but one that delivers top notch customer experience and constantly innovates to listen and meet our guests’ needs. You can always count on us to be bigger and better.”

    Adventure seekers have been snapping up FREE* seats by the minute to their favourite short haul destinations, with the likes of Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia, Phuket and Krabi in Thailand as well as Bali in Indonesia being amongst the most popular choices.

    Seats to other AirAsia and AirAsia X destinations which are also on sale now for a steal have also been in strong demand. Starting from RM99*, guests have snapped up thousands of international flights to Chennai, Kolkata, Hong Kong and the Maldives ‒ and to mid-long haul destinations such as Taipei, Seoul, Perth, Melbourne at as low as RM329*.

    To further strengthen its commitment to offer better flying experience for its guests, AirAsia also launched an industry-first Flight Delay Insurance* powered by Tune Protect. It offers a one-off payment of RM200 if the flight is delayed for a minimum of two hours from the originally scheduled departure time or any new departure time. It is now available for FREE to all guests who book their flights from 10 to 19 February 2023 for the travel period between 1 March 2023 and 10 December 2023. The insurance will be available for purchase starting 20 February 2023 from RM10 (one way) or RM14 (return) on the airasia Super App and the website. AirAsia has also partnered with BigPay exclusively to provide automatic claims credited to the BigPay user’s account within three (3) working days for guests who received the complimentary Flight Delay Insurance*.

  • Zuckerberg copies Musk announcing Meta Verified for Facebook and Instagram

    Zuckerberg copies Musk announcing Meta Verified for Facebook and Instagram

    It looks like Twitter isn’t the only company willing to put a little blue checkmark next to your name in return for a stream of monthly payments. As you probably know, Twitter is asking $8 per month or an annual payment of $84 to join Twitter Blue, which, among other features, will allow you to have your identity verified with a blue checkmark next to your name. Today, Meta co-founder, chairman, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Meta will test a new service called Meta Verified.

    Meta calls Meta Verified a subscription bundle for Instagram and Facebook and includes a verified badge that shows that you are who you say you are and have verified your identity using a form of government ID. The bundle also helps protect subscribers from having their identities impersonated by using “proactive account monitoring.” Meta Verified members will also have access to a real person to handle common issues that an Instagram or Facebook user might have.

    Other features of the program will give Meta Verified users increased visibility and reach. This means that subscribers will have their posts prominently appear in certain areas of the Instagram and Facebook platforms such as “search, comments, and “recommendations.” Lastly, the subscription bundle offers users exclusive features that will allow them to express themselves “in unique ways.”

    The Meta Verified subscription bundle will be available starting later this week in Australia and New Zealand as a direct purchase on Instagram and Facebook. Make the purchase on the web, which will cost the equivalent of $11.99 per month. If you subscribe via the Facebook or Instagram app on iOS or Android, the price is the equivalent of $14.99 per month. Hmm. Why should an in-app purchase from the App Store or Google Play Store be 25% more expensive (wink, wink)?

    To be eligible to sign up for the program, accounts have to show that they were active in the past with a prior posting history, and the account owner must be at least 18 years of age. Those applying for a Meta Verified subscription must submit a government ID to Meta showing their name and photograph (like a Driver’s License, for example) which must match the name and photo used on their Facebook or Instagram account.

    Meta says, “We’re also committed to continuous monitoring and review of reported violations, as well as taking swift action against those who try to evade our systems.” There will be no changes to accounts on Facebook and Instagram that are already verified based on previous requirements.

    The company states, “Long term, we want to build a subscription offering that’s valuable to everyone, including creators, businesses, and our community at large. As part of this vision, we are evolving the meaning of the verified badge so we can expand access to verification and more people can trust the accounts they interact with are authentic.”

    After being tested in Australia and New Zealand, Meta says that it hopes to bring Meta Verified to the rest of the world soon.

    Back when the company was known as Facebook, it made what is arguably the best acquisition of all time in the tech industry by paying $1 billion for Instagram back in 2012. Some believe that Instagram is now worth in excess of $100 billion. Instagram has matured from a camera filter app to a broader, more well-rounded social media site.

    In 2014, Facebook announced its purchase of messaging app WhatsApp for an initial price of $16 billion. By the time the deal closed a few months after it was first revealed, the final price tag of the transaction had ballooned to a range of $19 billion-$21 billion due to Facebook’s increasing stock valuation.

  • Google warns iOS, Android users about an upcoming change to location data

    Google warns iOS, Android users about an upcoming change to location data

    Google is warning both iOS and Android users about estimated photo locations. This feature, which is used with photos stored in the Google Photos app, looks at the background of photographs and videos you’ve taken with your phone’s camera and using landmarks visible in the image, tries to figure out where the picture or video was taken. While Google no longer uses your Location History to figure out where you snapped a photo or recorded a video, it works around this by using other methods.

    Google’s alert pops up in the Photos app and says, “Photos locations come from multiple sources, including locations estimated by Google Photos. We stopped using Location History to estimate photo locations, but we’ll continue estimating using other sources when ‘Estimate missing locations’ is on.” The alert also asks whether you want to keep any existing estimated locations or have them removed.

    As Google notes, “Choosing ‘Keep’ means you can use existing estimated locations to organize and find photos.” If you choose to delete them, you will get a message that says, “Deleting estimated photo locations based on Location History may result in permanent loss of those estimated locations. Your photos will be kept.”

    You might have estimated photo locations toggled on by default. To check, open the Google Photos app and tap on the profile picture in the upper right corner of the screen. Tap on Photos settings > Location > Location sources. There is a toggle for  “Estimate missing locations.” If it bothers you that Google is using landmarks in your pictures to take an educated guess about where you were, make sure that this setting is toggled off.

    You can also edit or remove an estimated location from a picture stored in the Google Photos app by opening the app, and tapping on the picture or video. Tap the three-dot overflow menu and “Edit” (with the pencil icon). Add or select a location from your recent locations or tap Remove location to have any location associated with a picture or video deleted. Pictures that have a location added by your phone’s camera cannot be edited.

    Google Photos users on iOS or Android will have the option of keeping or removing estimated locations before May 1st. If you don’t make a decision before then, Google will automatically remove the existing estimated locations from your Photos app on or after that date.

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  • Update to iOS version of WhatsApp adds multitasking feature already available on Android

    Update to iOS version of WhatsApp adds multitasking feature already available on Android

    Back in December of last year, we told you that WhatsApp was conducting a beta test involving a Picture-in-Picture (PiP) feature for video chats on iOS. Now, according to 9to5Google, we can tell you that version 23.3.77 of the iOS variant of the WhatsApp app is available, allowing users in the middle of conducting a video call to access another app without having to pause or disconnect the video call that is in progress.

    The PiP works like this. When you are engaging in a video call and want to multitask by opening another app, exiting WhatsApp will minimize the video chat and allow it to float above other apps. You can move it around the screen with your finger while the video chat continues and the other app you want to open is underneath it. The feature might not work right away and WhatsApp says it will disseminate it over the coming weeks.

    The update to version 23.3.77 also includes new features, including adding captions when sending documents to contacts in personal or group chats. You will also be able to use longer group subject names and descriptions when describing a WhatsApp group. Following the update, these names and descriptions can be as long as 2,048 characters which is a huge increase from the prior 512 characters allowed.

    Stable-mates Facebook and Instagram allow users to create personalized avatars and now WhatsApp users can do so as well. To create your own avatar, open the WhatsApp app and go to Settings > Avatar > Create Your Avatar. Follow the directions and tap on Done. That’s just the first step. To make your new Avatar the profile picture on WhatsApp, open the app and tap on your profile picture. Then tap on Edit > Edit.

    Again, this update is for iOS only since Android users already have Picture-in-Picture capabilities for video chat on WhatsApp. If you want version 23.3.77 of WhatsApp for iOS right away, you can install the version of WhatsApp from the App Store since it already includes the aforementioned features including PiP for video chat.

  • How Retailers Are Benefiting From Major Sports Events Like The Olympics And World Cup?

    How Retailers Are Benefiting From Major Sports Events Like The Olympics And World Cup?

    The sports industry is a billion-dollar industry and offers an excellent opportunity for retailers. For example, sports events like the Olympics and World Cup offer multiple opportunities for retailers. The demand for sporting events is increasing daily, and more brands are becoming more practically involved to appear more appealing to sports fans.

    Sports betting operators are not your typical retailers. However, they are among the business operators that benefit from major sports tournaments. For instance, during the Asian Games, a platform like Tiền thưởng William Hill registers more activity. To ensure their platforms reach their full potential, the operators usually offer their users bonuses and promotions to give them a more enhanced sports wagering experience.

    This article examines how retailers benefit from major sports events like the Olympics and the World Cup. Let’s dig in.

    Increased Sales

    Major sporting events usually cause people to stay at home more which could cause a downfall for retailers. However, most promote online shopping platforms to deliver sales during these times. They usually use perks such as free deliveries to attract as many customers as possible.

    Therefore, most marketers build this into their campaigns and drive customers online rather than to physical stores.

    The retailers also use promotions and offers for their in-store customers during sports events. For instance, retailers having sportswear such as team jerseys can have special offers for specific jerseys before a significant match. If you take the recent World Cup in Qatar as an example, retailers sold many jerseys belonging to major stars like Ronaldo, Messi, and Mbappe.

    Merchandizing also helps to boost retailers’ sales. During such massive tournaments, the retailers can partner with their suppliers to create event-specific t-shirts, scarves, and mugs, among other products. Such products are usually in high demand during tournaments. Therefore, retailers stock them in high volumes to boost their sales.

    Increased Brand Awareness

    Many retailers also take advantage of major sports events to create brand awareness. During such tournaments, emotions are high, and loyalty to country is at its peak. Retailers take advantage of such times to rally their fellow compatriots behind their brands. Some of the customers and connections they make during such tournaments last past the tournament helping brands to grow.

    Bottom Line

    Retailers who approach major tournaments like the World Cup and the Olympics strategically reap massive benefits. Their sales increase past the tournament, boosting their client base and brand awareness.   

     

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  • Your iPhone might soon be able to read iMessages in your friend’s voice

    Your iPhone might soon be able to read iMessages in your friend’s voice

    Apple has applied for a new patent allowing iMessages to be read in the sender’s voice. And no, this is not Siri reading the message or a straight-up voice note. This is your phone reading the written words as it thinks they would sound and be said by the person writing them.

    For those of you who have used a VoIP service, this might remind you a bit of the Voicemail transcription some of those apps have, albeit working somewhat backward, as it is words being turned into audio and not the other way around.

    As we already established, this would be nothing new practicality-wise, since Siri can already read out loud messages to you whenever you find it convenient. If this feature does end up reaching real implementation in Apple’s devices, it would serve more as a fun extension that would bring personality to iMessages, which might sound superficial, but these little details tend to be quite liked by most users.

    Whenever one side sends a message via the iMessage app to another person who owns an iPhone, the phone asks if they would like to attach a voice file. What is this voice file you ask? Well, the good news is that you don’t actually have to manually train some voice model because you have already been doing that by talking to Siri.

    Siri would have already created and stored the file on your phone by using all that it has heard you speak. Once you send that voice file, on the opposite side the recipient would get to choose whether they want to receive just your message or the file with it. If they decide to accept both, then in the future your messages will be read with a simulation of your voice,

    Keep in mind that this is a just a patent, so there is no certainty about the feature reaching actual implementation in the future. That said, it is easy to imagine, as it just seems like something Apple wouldn’t skip on.

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  • Vietnamese airlines race to find new investors

    Vietnamese airlines race to find new investors

    Pacific Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines are seeking new investors to help them overcome financial difficulties and speed up their post-pandemic recovery.

    Vietnam Airlines, which owns approximately 98% of Pacific Airlines’ shares, has been searching for new investors for its subsidiary carrier since last year.

    The national flag carrier is also looking to sell its stake in jet fuel distributor Skypec to help alleviate some of its difficulties and gradually reduce its losses.

    By the end of last year, Vietnam Airlines was recording an accumulated loss of nearly VND34.2 trillion ($1.45 billion), and its shares are at risk of being delisted as the carrier is set to record three annual losses in a row.

    Bamboo Airways is also seeking new investors to help its ambitious development plans.

    Although the airline was expected to be invested in by a large southern property company, the deal has yet to be finalized and the airline is still looking for new investors.

    Rookie Vietravel Airlines is also seeking investors and has requested the government to increase its charter capital sixfold to more than VND7.6 trillion, mainly to expand its fleet.

    By 2030 the airline seeks to have VND8.25 trillion in charter capital, in which shareholders contribute VND2 trillion, with the remainder coming from undistributed profits and other investors.

    Nguyen Quoc Ky, chairman of Vietravel Airlines, said “the airline is lucky as it has attracted interest from some investors.” He added that the airlines prioritizes domestic investors who can journey with the airline for a long time.

    Each airline has its own strengths to entice investors.

    Pacific Airlines and Vietnam Airlines possess prime flight slots at major airports like Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat.

    Bamboo Airways is the fastest growing airline with a fleet of 30 jets just four years after it was launched. It also has a network covering both domestic and international markets.

    Vietravel Airlines is part of tourism firm Vietravel’s ecosystem and therefore has a large customer base and a connection with tourism markets.

    Nguyen Hai Quang, a lecturer at the University of Economics and Law under Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, acknowledged that the pandemic has severely impacted the airline industry and that finding new investors is essential.

    “The aviation business requires large capital and aircraft-related expenses,” he said, adding that this is a good time for investors to join the industry.

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has forecast that the global aviation industry will become profitable again this year with a profit to sales ratio of 0.4%.

    But Quang also said that challenges lie ahead for Vietnamese airlines, and one of these is the recovery of the international markets.

    “Only when international markets resume pre-pandemic levels can Vietnamese carriers report profits again,” he said.

    Other factors such as fuel price, currency exchange rates, global economic growth and inflation will also play important roles in the performance of airlines, Quang said.

    When new investors are found, airlines will have many opportunities for growth, he added.

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