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.

  • Google Messages app increases end-to-end encryption group chat limit to 100 participants in Beta

    Google Messages app increases end-to-end encryption group chat limit to 100 participants in Beta

    Google has been rolling out end-to-end encryption for group chats in its RCS Messages app and has reportedly completed the roll out to the Beta version. However, one limitation was that no more than 21 people could be added at a time for group chats to be eligible for encryption. Now it appears that Google is raising this limit to 100 people.

    This new limit matches the current 100-participant limit on RCS group chats, so you will no longer have to worry about whether your group conversation is encrypted. This contrasts iMessage’s current limit of up to 32 people in a chat for E2EE support.

    This change was not announced but rather found by Twitter user @SeeAreEff and reported on by Esper’s Mishaal Rahman and Android Police. Previously, if you added more than 20 people to a group chat, which equaled 21 including yourself, you would see the lock icon on the send button disappear. This is, of course, indicative that end-to-end encryption has been turned off.

    Remember, though, that encryption in group chats is still in beta and can only be used if you are using the Beta version of Google’s Messages app. It is currently unknown when this feature will reach stable status and make it to the regular version of the app.
    Meanwhile, you can check whether your group chat is encrypted by tapping on the group name at the top of the chat and checking the group details. There is a section dedicated to end-to-end encryption, which will let you know if the status is on and if your group conversations are safe from prying eyes.
    Lees ook:

  • Google’s “Find my Device” app gets a Material You redesign

    Google’s “Find my Device” app gets a Material You redesign

    Google turned to Material You as its official design language back in 2021 and has since then been slowly updating all of its native apps. However, there is one app in particular that had been neglected and never did get its Material You overhaul until now, the “Find my Device” app.

    Similar to iOS’ “Find my iPhone” app, Google makes the “Find my Device” app available to Android users who want to be able to track the location of their linked devices. Google has turned its attention to this app and is now pushing out an update to bring the new look to it.
    As you can see from the above screenshots, the first two images show the outdated design the app has been using since it launched. However, after the installation of version 2.5.001 things start to look more refined and modern.
    When opening the app for the first time after upgrading, a list of all compatible devices associated with your account will be displayed. Unlike the way it worked with the previous version, this actually makes it easier to choose which device you want to track.
    In addition, there is support for a dark theme, which corresponds to the system theme. However, the app is still missing support for themed icons, joining the ranks of the YouTube Studio app, which has yet to be updated for some reason.
    The new redesign appears to be part of this particular app version, not a server-side rollout. However, as it usually goes with any of Google’s apps or features, updates are usually staged and not everyone gets them simultaneously.
    In the meantime, you can check if the update is available to you by checking the Google Play Store. If it doesn’t
    Lees ook:

  • Coles “drops and locks” price of essentials until Easter

    Coles “drops and locks” price of essentials until Easter

    Australia’s major supermarket chains have dropped prices on hundreds of products as the cost of living crunch continues.
    Coles announced it would “drop and lock” prices on more than 300 new items from Wednesday until April 11, after the Easter weekend.
    Brands including Kellogg’s, Kleenex, L’Oreal, Morning Fresh, Gillette, Uncle Toby’s, Four N’ Twenty, Arnott’s, Steggles, McCain, Carman’s, and Cold Power, along with a number of Coles brand products, will be included in the price lock.
    Coles chief executive of commercial and express Leah Weckert said the new price lock included double the amount of items that had been included in the supermarket’s previous one last year.
    “We understand many Aussie households are feeling the pinch following Christmas and by dropping and locking the price of hundreds of popular and essential items we are honoring our commitment to helping Aussie budgets go further,” Weckert said.
    Woolworths meanwhile said while its 2022 Price Freeze program had ended, hundreds of products were still discounted.
    “We’ve recently reduced the price of more than 300 summer grocery staples as part of our Prices Dropped campaign,” a spokesperson said.
    “We will continue reviewing each cost increase request from our suppliers case-by-case basis, working together to manage market-wide inflationary pressures sensitively.”
    Both Coles and Woolworths committed to a six-month price lockdown in the middle of last year, and grocery prices were expected to boom when that expired.
    Coles said a survey of more than 7500 customers found 82 per cent were making changes to their grocery shopping to counter the rising cost of living.
    More than half (57 per cent) were buying more discounts, cooking more at home (51 per cent) and cutting back on treats (55 per cent).
    Woolworths has said it is also committed to meeting customer needs as the cost of living crisis continues.
    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • WhatsApp might let you share voice notes as status updates

    WhatsApp might let you share voice notes as status updates

    As you probably know, typing messages is old-school. Sending voice messages is the way to chat with your friends these days. It takes less time to compose such a message, and you can do it on the go, even while driving.

    In WhatsApp, you can send a recorded voice message to a friend, which is great, right? But you can’t use a voice message as a status update. This means that if you want to convey a note to all of your contacts, you will still need to type your thoughts on a virtual keyboard. And if you are tired of doing that, you will be happy to learn that WhatsApp might soon let you create voice notes as status updates.

    As WABetaInfo first reported, WhatsApp is releasing the ability to share voice notes as status updates to some beta testers with version 2.23.2.8 of the WhatsApp beta app for Android. The voice notes have a maximum length of 30 seconds and disappear after 24 hours, just like the text, photos, videos, and GIF status options.

    In terms of privacy, the new addition to the status updates is also end-to-end encrypted, and only the people chosen in your privacy settings will be able to listen to your shared voice messages. Also, you will be able to delete a shared voice note at any given time.

    As we can see from the images below, the new status update feature will be accessible within the text status section. The beta testers that currently have this function enabled also have a new microphone icon that allows them to record a voice note. Furthermore, it appears that you will be able to listen to your recording and discard it if you wish before sharing it.

    According to WABetaInfo, the feature will be rolled out to more users in the coming weeks.

  • IT services fetch FPT $1B in 2022

    IT services fetch FPT $1B in 2022

    At over VND25.5 trillion (US$1.09 billion), information and technology accounted for 58% of tech giant FPT’s revenues last year. Pre-tax profits were up 22.2% at VND3.42 trillion, or 45% of total profits.

    Revenues shot up by 23.4% to VND44 trillion and profits by 20.8% to VND7.6 trillion.

    Sales in key global markets soared, including 50% in the U.S. 36.4% in the Asia Pacific and 16% in Japan.

    FPT signed 31 large foreign contracts worth $5 million or more.

    Its revenues from telecommunications were up 16% at VND14.73 trillion, and from education, up 53% at VND4.71 trillion.

    Last year the company became a strategic shareholder in Japanese business consultancy LTS Inc, which is expected to bolster its digital transformation consultancy capabilities in the Japanese and Asia-Pacific markets.

    Established in 2005, FPT Japan has 2,000 employees and expects to double the headcount by 2025.

    It also targets becoming one of Japan’s top 20 IT services companies by 2025 and revenues of $1 billion by 2027.

  • Samsung Vietnam exports $65B in 2022

    Samsung Vietnam exports $65B in 2022

    Samsung Vietnam exported $65 billion worth of products last year, down 0.8% from 2021.

    The company’s exports accounted for nearly 9% of Vietnam’s total trade turnover of $700 billion last year, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai said during a recent meeting with Park Hark Kyu, president of Samsung Electronics.

    Khai also praised the company’s launch of its R&D center in Hanoi last month, which is Samsung’s biggest such facility in Southeast Asia.

    Park said he has traveled to Vietnam more than 20 times to look for investment opportunities.

    “For the last 10 years, every time I look back, I think that investing in a factory in Thai Nguyen Province was a wise choice,” said Park, referring to the northern locality where Samsung placed its key smartphone manufacturing plant.

    To date, Samsung has invested $18.2 billion in Vietnam and plans to increase the figure to $20 billion.

    Half of Samsung’s smartphones are produced in Vietnam.

    Lees ook:

  • Vietnam Airlines adds 108 flights for Tet

    Vietnam Airlines adds 108 flights for Tet

    Vietnam Airlines has expanded its Tet schedule for a fourth time with 108 additional flights with 20,000 seats.

    The airline said most of the flights are from HCMC and Hanoi to Vinh, Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, Da Nang, and Hue.

    In all there will 9,200 flights with 1.9 million seats between January 1 and February 5.

    Vietnam Airlines had earlier announced three additions in August and December for Tet in late January.

    Other carriers like Vietjet, Bamboo Airways and Vietravel Airlines have also added flights.

    Data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam showed that more than 90% of seats on flights from HCMC to central and northern destinations between January 14-21 had been booked as of January 12.

    Many people from the central provinces of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Quang Binh work in the southern city and return to their hometown to celebrate Tet with their family.

  • Airasia India announces 21 weekly direct flights between Surat and Bengaluru, Delhi and Kolkata

    Airasia India announces 21 weekly direct flights between Surat and Bengaluru, Delhi and Kolkata

    AIX Connect, a subsidiary of Air India, announced the launch of daily direct flights connecting Surat, Gujarat with Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, and connecting itineraries to Bhubaneswar, Kochi, Guwahati, Goa, Hyderabad, Ranchi, Bagdogra, Lucknow, Chennai, Jaipur, Visakhapatnam, Srinagar starting March 3, 2023. The addition of Surat, Gujarat, lays the foundation of the airline’s expansion plans in the region. The launch fares are ₹4,499 for Surat-Bengaluru, ₹4,299 for Surat-Delhi and ₹5,499 for Surat-Kolkata. Bookings can be made through the airline’s website www.airasia.co.in, mobile app and other major booking channels. Members of the Tata NeuPass rewards program can look forward to earning NeuCoins with every booking.

    Airasia India will begin operations to and from Surat, with 21 weekly flights at convenient times. Surat is the second largest city of Gujarat and is known for its diamond-cutting and polishing industries. Surat is a thriving commercial center with a rich history and culture and offers a range of business opportunities, as well as a variety of tourist attractions, including temples, museums, gardens, and more.

    Airasia India currently operates in two union territories and thirteen states, including Delhi, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Manipur. The airline is committed to providing convenient and affordable travel options.

    Talking about the launch of the new destination, Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer, AIX Connect, added “We are excited to announce our network expansion in the west of India, to Surat, Gujarat. The city has shown a robust demand for business and SME travel, and we believe it has great potential for future growth. We will be offering 21 weekly direct flights connecting Surat with Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, providing our guests with convenient and enjoyable travel experiences.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Gold prices increase

    Gold prices increase

    SJC gold prices gained 0.15% to VND67.3 million ($2,871.46) per tael Tuesday morning.

    Gold ring prices went up 0.18% to VND55.45 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Global gold prices inched lower on Tuesday, weighed by an uptick in the dollar, although hopes of slower interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve capped further losses.

    Spot gold was down 0.4% at $1,910.48 per ounce. The dollar gained 0.3%. A stronger dollar turns gold less attractive to buyers with other currencies.

    “Expectations of the Fed slowing pace of rate hikes has been supporting gold. Currently, we are seeing a technical pullback as prices entered the overbought territory. Also, the dollar is firming slightly,” said Ajay Kedia, director at Kedia Commodities, Mumbai.

    “We expect silver to outperform gold in 2023 as there is good industrial and investment demand amid low inventories.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Switzerland’s Largest Financial Center is Wooing IT Talent

    Switzerland’s Largest Financial Center is Wooing IT Talent

    Zurich continues to be of paramount importance as a regional financial center and the country as a whole. In terms of value added per capita, the financial sector is top. Nevertheless, a decline in banking jobs is expected.

    Zurich is and remains the country’s most important financial center. It is not only the pillar of the region’s economic strength but one of the largest employers, but differences between banks, insurance companies, and other financial service providers are likely to increase.

    A study published Friday by the Swiss economic research institute BAK Economics for the Office of Economic and Labor Affairs of the Canton of Zurich looks at developments over previous years and makes predictions for future developments.

    The Zurich financial center comprises cantons of Zurich, Zug, and Schwyz and contributed an added value of 29.9 billion Swiss francs ($32.1 billion) in 2021, about 16 percent of the region’s economic output. Compared to the last study of this kind, also in 2021, it marks a decrease of 1.3 billion francs. With over 97,000 full-time jobs, it is by far the largest financial center in Switzerland.

    Zurich’s financial center accounts for 45 percent of Switzerland’s financial sector in value-added terms and 42 percent of jobs. Compared with this, the corresponding figures for the next largest financial centers, Geneva including Vaud, Basel, and Ticino, are significantly lower.

    The sector is also a heavyweight in the city of Zurich itself, accounting for around 27 percent of economic output in 2021. Banks are even more concentrated in the city than insurance companies.

    The real gross value added of the financial industry developed more dynamically overall than the economy between 2011 and 2021, the report continues. In the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, it grew partly due to the increase in volume in the banks’ lending business and the stock market boom in 2021, helping to support Zurich’s economy.

    In the case of banks, the interest rate and commission business performed differently in 2022. While interest rate increases had a positive impact on the interest business, assets under management declined due to the stock market slump. Big signs of recovery are evident and overall, the added value of the industry is expected to increase slightly in 2022 (+0.3 percent) and 2023 (+0.7 percent).

    With inflation boosting the cost of insurance claims, insurance value added is expected to increase, albeit moderately, by +1.5 percent in both 2022 and this year.

    Differences are evident in employment trends. While jobs are disappearing at banks due to cost-cutting programs and the further thinning out of the branch network, IT jobs are in a growth phase. Insurers are likely to create more jobs in the areas of digitization, regulation, and sustainability, whereas other financial services are expected to see a slowdown in momentum.

    The Zurich region’s financial sector has above-average productivity at 307,000 Swiss francs in 2021, which is the highest of the industry aggregates analyzed. Insurers have the highest at 515,000 francs, followed by banks with 323,000 francs and 168,000 for other financial service providers. That compares to the economy as a whole at 183,000 francs.

  • Gold prices rise

    Gold prices rise

    SJC gold price gained 0.30% to VND67.2 million ($2,866.89) per tael Monday morning.

    Gold ring price went up 0.54% to VND55.35 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Global spot gold held at $1,918.60 per ounce, near nine-month highs, aided by expectations of slower interest rate hikes from the U.S. Federal Reserve.

    Market participants expect a 25 basis points rate hike increase at the Fed’s next policy meeting.

    Lower rates tend to benefit gold as they decrease the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding bullion.

    Premiums for physical gold rose sharply in China last week, buoyed by optimism around the country’s reopening before Lunar New Year festivities, while Indian traders offered steeper discounts as record-high local prices dented consumer sentiment.

  • Tools Available that Enhance Your Online Casino Gaming Experience

    Tools Available that Enhance Your Online Casino Gaming Experience

    It’s better to be prepared while opening an account and participating in online casino games. Additionally, preparations involve more than knowing the rules and which casino games to play. You ought to have access to various online casino tools to improve your games. This information and tools might not be as well-known as casino bonuses or free spins, although they are equally crucial if you want to increase your chances of winning or remain safe when playing with real money. The tools and resources frequently used when gambling at online casinos is discussed below.

    Timer

    Even though it sounds strange, a timer is among the top casino tools. Casino games at sites such as slot88 are unquestionably thrilling, enjoyable, and amusing. Playing casino games carries the risk of losing track of time and neglecting other crucial responsibilities, and a timer can help in this situation. It enables you to effectively manage your time to balance your playing time with other important responsibilities. You can set a timer and determine in advance how long you wish to play.

    Results tracker

    A tool like the Crazy Time Result Tracker is a program that provides players with historical data, allowing them to analyze their chances of winning a significant sum of money. It gives statistics about the number of spins, tries, and wins. In summary, it enables you to assess your winning potential in games involving wheel spins.

    Bonus calculator

    You can find the best tools at no cost. And this is what you get with a bonus calculator, which is a fantastic tool for all kinds of online casino gamers. Its use helps you determine whether the bonus offers are worth your time. The tool is available from a lot of online casino affiliates for free and is simple to use. To decide whether it’s worthwhile, specify the deposit amount, deposit match %, wagering requirement, and game contributions.

    Card counting app

    You may need to download this application if you intend to take blackjack seriously. It is based on a card-counting technique called high-low counting, in which you keep track of the card values placed on the table. This is an educational tool for all types of gamers, including those who enjoy other games, such as baccarat and roulette. The program is a card-counting tutorial that may show you how to do card counting. This program also enables you to learn tactics that can improve your abilities. Using the program also enables you to perfect Hi-Low, the most well-liked variation of the card-counting strategy. After utilizing and practicing with the app, you’ll feel more at ease playing live casino games at your chosen online casino.

    Virtual reality headset

    You also require this essential tool to improve your game experience. VR allows you to immerse yourself as much as feasible in the game’s reality. For games such as slots, roulette, poker, and blackjack, a VR headset is ideal. Your brain becomes actively involved in the gaming experience when you use VR.

    The above resources will undoubtedly enhance your game experience at online casinos like slot88. However, while using your new tools, be careful not to get distracted by the enjoyment to the point where you overlook other important responsibilities.

     

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • How to make money on stocks?

    How to make money on stocks?

    Many people ask questions about how to make money on stocks and how to trade Forex. There are several methods worth mentioning.

    Dividends

    This is a classic way to make money on stocks. You buy shares, and the company gives you a share of the profits – dividends. But there are some nuances. To receive dividends from the company, you need to buy shares in time, before the register of shareholders is created.

    Also, in many companies, dividend payments are not regular. There is a specific schedule:

    • in 3 months;
    • in 6 months.

    However, this is not a general rule, and different companies have their own rules.

    Speculation

    Speculation is now a less popular term, now this method is called trading. The essence of trading is that the shareholder earns money on shares due to market fluctuations. An entrepreneur buys shares when they are at their lowest price and then sells them when the stock rises. The market is constantly experiencing minimal fluctuations on which traders earn.

    At first glance, it looks simple, but without knowledge of the economy, the market can easily burn out.

    To have good income, you need to devote a lot of time to this occupation, so this should be the main occupation. You also need to understand that this is a risky job, because you can either make money or lose it, because there is no exact guarantee of earnings.

    Long term investment

    This type of income involves minimal risk. The bottom line is that you invest in stocks for the long term (don’t intend to sell before one year). But in order to feel the profits, you need to invest a large amount of money, in thousands or even millions.

    Long-term investments are not suitable for those people who want to earn big money here and now. This type of income is more suitable for those who are looking for passive income and do not know how to use their assets.

    How to buy shares?

    Let’s take a closer look at how to buy shares. 

    A broker is a person who is an intermediary between the exchange and the buyer. Previously, brokers were only people, but in the digital age, this can simply be done by a program. Thanks to this, the buyer can make a deal at any time, anywhere. Brokerage companies that have special licences for trading on the exchange market are now popular.

     You can also buy yourself through intermediaries or buy shares from other investors.

    You can also invest through mutual funds. In this case, the fund itself manages the portfolio, and the shareholder only receives dividends and pays commissions.

    How to invest in shares? To properly invest in stocks, you need to be informationally prepared. You must know everything about the market in which you operate. If you want to buy shares of a certain company, you must know not only documentary information, but also general information – about the company, what values ​​it has, its office, its physical location. All factors are very important and must be taken into account.

    Buy stocks for a long time (10 years), choose companies that will definitely last until then. Buy shares of various companies to minimize risks. Use the advice of brokers and experts.

     

    Investing all your money in stocks is not a good idea. To invest, you must have a financial cushion and a lot of capital.

     

    Such tips will help beginners better navigate the market and minimize losses in trading. After all, no one wants to lose their budget at the very beginning of their investment journey.

     

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • AirAsia India Is Now AIX Connect

    AirAsia India Is Now AIX Connect

    If you plan to travel to any destination in India within September 2023, we have an exciting surprise for you. If you feel like flight tickets are more expensive than your budget, you might be surprised to see the new AIX Connect prices. What is this new price and how can you get access to it? To know all about the recent updates of AIX connect, read till the end!

    AIX Connect, previously known as AirAsia India, made a grand announcement of its newest discount. The airline launched the #TimeToTravel offer with a huge discount of flat 23% for all the flights on the domestic network. So, if you are in the mood to travel anywhere in India till September of this year, you definitely need to check out this deal.

    AIX connect launched #TimeToTravel sale to influence and motivate more people to travel to beautiful destinations. From Kashmir in the North to Kerala in the South and from beaches to mountains to valleys, you can explore it all using this exciting discount by AIX connect.

    AirAsia India network has more than 50 direct and 100 connecting flights to 18 places. Whether you are traveling for business purposes or for holidays and vacations, this airline provides great travel experiences to all passengers.

    The weather is great right now to enjoy the holidays. India, being the home to such stunning locations, you can travel all around at any moment throughout the year. So, where are you flying to and fulfilling your travel expectations this year? 

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Gold prices rise

    Gold prices rise

    SJC gold prices gained 0.15% to VND67 million ($2,857.27) per tael Wednesday afternoon.

    Gold ring prices went up 0.09% to VND54.55 million per tael. A tael equals 37.5 grams or 1.2 ounces.

    Gold prices scaled an eight-month peak on Wednesday, underpinned by a subdued dollar, although they traded in a tight range as traders positioned themselves for inflation data that could influence the U.S. Federal Reserve’s rate-hike stance, Reuters reported.

    Spot gold was up 0.3% at $1,883.48 per ounce, highest since early May.

    The dollar index slipped 0.1%, making greenback-priced bullion cheaper for overseas buyers. Benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yields also edged lower.

    Overall, it looks like gold is currently consolidating into a range as the focus turns to the U.S. consumer price index (CPI) data on Thursday, said Ilya Spivak, head of global macro at Tastytlive.

    “If the data shows inflation is softer, then gold might go north of the $1,900 level. However, seeing if gold can get much traction beyond that would be interesting.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook: