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.

  • New helpful features are added to Google Maps

    New helpful features are added to Google Maps

    Google continues to work on Google Maps as the app matures from one that gets you safely and quickly from point “A” to point “B” to one that not only gets you to point “B” but also shows you where to go, stay, eat and more once you do arrive at point “B.” Today, Google announced some new features for Maps that are designed to help users deal with some of the pains of travel whether it is the daily commute to the office,  a vacation, or just a jaunt to the local supermarket to stock up.

    The new features for Google Maps include one that will come in handy for commuters and others. If you happen to rely on public transit for the majority of your trips, you can now get the lay of the land and discover how crowded your subway car, bus, or train will be. This is important if you hate getting squeezed inside a subway car with sweaty, irritable commuters.

    If Google Maps informs you that you should expect a cramped ride, you can always wait for the next subway car, bus or train so that you can enjoy some space and perhaps more importantly, some peace and quiet on your journey. The information is computed using machine learning AI and will soon be expanded to cover more than 10,000 transit agencies in 100 countries around the world.

    In New York and Sydney, Google is testing the release of this information for the individual car levels on trains. This will allow Google Maps users to choose where to stand on the platform in order to find the least crowded part of the train.

    With new variants of COVID like Delta and the deadly Lambda versions keeping the pandemic alive, Google knows that it is still important for people to know the latest news about COVID-19. The COVID layer on Google Maps will provide information about what is happening in your area about COVID including restrictions that you need to know about and local resources that you might find helpful.

    Google suggests that before you leave for your destination, go to Google Maps, search for your destination and scroll down to the Business Profile to see how busy the place is right now. This way you can adjust your plans if your destination is mobbed. Some businesses allow you to schedule an appointment through Google Maps. All you need to do is search for the business, check availability, and reserve your time. You can make changes and manage your appointments via the app’s Saved tab.

    Google Maps will soon allow you to look back in order to plan ahead. All Android users can use the Trips tab to revisit past trips. Google notes that you can export this information and share your past travels with others.

    The Business Profile will also show a location’s operating hours, current COVID-19 safety precautions, trending dishes, and reviews. Speaking of dishes, tapping on prompts inside Google Maps will allow you to share information for any restaurant in the U.S. including the eatery’s average price range or whether you ate in or took the meal home to consume.

    Lastly, Google Maps will allow users to pay for things like street parking or public transit directly from the app. For the former, type in the meter number and then hit pay and refill to make the contactless payment. When you arrive at any public transit, your phone will show an option to make a payment which you can tap to initiate.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Philippines AirAsia to revive Clark hub end this year

    Philippines AirAsia to revive Clark hub end this year

    Philippines AirAsia plans to strategically restore its hub at Clark International Airport, northwest of the capital Manila, in October 2021, pending the easing of travel restrictions and an increase in travel demand, says Chief Executive Officer Ricky Isla.

    “Once travel restrictions ease and demand picks up soon, we are eyeing to strategically restore AirAsia’s Clark hub hopefully by Q4 of 2021,” he said in a statement, after joining Philippines President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte and other government and industry representatives in witnessing the inspection and dry-run of the airport’s new second passenger terminal (Terminal 2) building on July 19, 2021. Isla said the new terminal would boost the airline’s drive towards a stronger rebound post-COVID-19. Government representatives echoed his sentiment saying they hoped AirAsia Philippines would make a strong come-back in 4Q21.

    According to the ch-aviation schedules module, the AirAsia Group unit will restore flights from Clark on October 1, 2021, to the following domestic destinations:

    • 4x weekly to Cagayan de Oro Laguindingan;
    • daily to Caticlan;
    • daily to Cebu;
    • 4x weekly to Davao, increasing to daily frequencies by January 1, 2022;
    • 4x weekly to Iloilo (from October 2);
    • 4x weekly to Puerto Princesa; and
    • 4x weekly to Tacloban.

    AirAsia began its Philippines operations at Clark in March 2012, a move that helped push connectivity in northern and central parts of Luzon, the country’s largest and most populous island that also includes Manila. Before the pandemic, AirAsia Philippines flew to 10 destinations from Clark, including the domestic points being restored, and internationally to Seoul Incheon (South Korea), Kaohsiung and Taipei Taoyuan (Taiwan).

    Punted as Asia’s next premier gateway for North and Central Luzon, the new terminal is expected to relieve congestions at Manila Ninoy Aquino Int’l (NAIA), which has an annual capacity of eight million passengers. The new terminal will increase capacity at Clark to 12 million passengers annually and boost air transport capacity for the Greater Capital Region, including the cities of Angeles and Mabalacat within the Clark Freeport Zone in the province of Pampanga.

    Operated by the Luzon International Premier Airport Development (LIPAD) Corporation, the second terminal has been constructed at a cost of PHP12.55 billion peso (USD243 million). It forms part of the so-called “Build, Build, Build (BBB)” program of the Philippines government. Under the model, the infrastructure was built by the government using its own funds, while the operations and maintenance are handed over to the private sector.

    Spread across 110,000 sqm, the new terminal features 18 passenger boarding bridges, 3,881 parking spaces, and 20 bus parking bays. It also facilitates an end-to-end contactless passenger experience from the bus ride, check-in, bag drop, and even when ordering meals.

    Clark International Airport currently serves 27 destinations in 10 countries, involving six airlines, according to ch-aviation data. The airport has two runways (02R/20L and 02L/20R) both measuring 3,200 x 60 metres at an elevation of 148 metres MSL.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Toys ‘R’ Us to open immersive Australian experience centre

    Toys ‘R’ Us to open immersive Australian experience centre

    Tru Kids Brands and Candytopia have worked together to create a new, innovative play experience – the Toys R Us Adventure.

    The immersive experience will celebrate the fun surrounding toys and play, and is scheduled to open mid-October at Brookfield Properties in Chicago and Edens Lenox Marketplace in Atlanta.

    The Toys R Us Adventure will feature full sensory brand and play experiences with interactive playrooms and installations featuring the Toys R Us mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe and toy suppliers including Melissa and Doug, Spin Master with the Paw Patrol brand and Schleich. Consumers will have the chance to interact and take pictures with both classic and new toys.

    “The Toys R Us brand was built upon celebrating the joys of childhood and we are thrilled to partner with the creatives behind Candytopia to introduce an exciting new way to play for guests of all ages,” said Richard Barry, CEO of Tru Kids.

    “As we focus on bringing a re-imagined Toys R Us to the US we believe this live experience, coupled with our new experiential retail stores, will attract families from around the world and create a unique opportunity to rediscover the magic of this beloved family brand.”

    The limited-run engagements will remain in Chicago and Atlanta throughout the holiday season, before moving to other major US cities in 2020.

    Tru Kids Brands also recently named toy industry veteran Jamie Uitdenhowen as president of Toy Retail Showrooms, the new joint venture that operates and manages Toys R Us stores in the US.

    In addition to the Candytopia partnerships, two new Toys R Us stores will open in Houston, Texas and Paramus, New Jersey.

    Lees ook:

  • Singapore’s Reopening Takes a Step Back

    Singapore’s Reopening Takes a Step Back

    Covid-19 measures will be tightened again from Thursday (July 22) to Aug 18, as the city-state tries to stem a spike in community cases.

    Singapore is scaling down social gatherings to a maximum of two and banning dining out amid a spike in Covid-19 infections in the city-state that emerged from karaoke lounges and the city’s main fishery port, which has spread to 26 markets and food centers.

    Based on the assessment on the way the cases have developed and the many clusters we are seeing, and how it is likely to have transmitted into the community, we have to put in place something to slow down the transmission, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, who chairs the country’s Covid-19 task force, said in a press conference on Tuesday.

    The number of new cases in the community has increased from 19 cases the week before, to over 500 cases in the past week, according to the Health Ministry.

    A review of the long-awaited air travel bubble (ATB) between Singapore and Hong Kong was also pushed back to late August.

    Both parties will remain in close contact and monitor the public health situation in both places before taking stock in late August on the ATB, Singapore’s Transport Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

    The ATB was slated to launch in November 2020, but has been beset by numerous delays. Last week, Hong Kong lawmakers urged the government to scrap the arrangement, citing Singapore’s shift from a «Covid zero» strategy towards learning to live with the virus.

    Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the country is on track to achieve its target of having two-thirds of the population vaccinated before National Day, which falls on August 9.

    Currently, 50 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, but 200,000 seniors have yet to take the jab.

  • New Hyster UT Series 4-5t forklifts target driver comfort and low total cost of ownership

    New Hyster UT Series 4-5t forklifts target driver comfort and low total cost of ownership

    A new range of the Hyster® UT Series is being introduced to Australasia and the Asia-Pacific, to provide enhanced driver comfort and a low total cost of ownership for the forklift operator.

    The new H4.0-5.0UT internal combustion counterbalance pneumatic tyre forklifts, with lift capacities from 4,000-5,000kg, complement the broader range of Hyster UT Series forklifts in providing cost-effective performance for everyday materials handling tasks.

    “The H4.0-5.0UT range features the toughness and backup Hyster is known for globally, with simple and easy to use features that are catered to utility applications, resulting in a lower total cost of ownership,” says Mr Cornelius Tan, Area Business Director, Asia, Hyster-Yale Group.

    “Industries that may sometimes have low intensity applications – such as food and beverage, frozen produce, manufacturing, distribution and truck and transport – don’t need the advanced features as compared to 24/7 operations, but they still need a high quality forklift with outstanding sales and service backup, which is what Hyster can deliver, through its dealership network,” says Mr Tan.

    “The Hyster H4.0-5.0UT range delivers an ideal solution to utility materials handling needs, without compromising on performance,” he says.

    Driver-focused features

    The new H4.0-5.0UT forklifts – in 4,000kg, 4,500kg or 5,000kg models – have a number of features to further enhance driver comfort, visibility and ease of operation, including:

    • A small diameter steering wheel with adjustable steer column. The 300mm steering wheel is easy to manipulate, responsive, with optimum manoeuvrability when working in confined spaces. The ideally positioned steering wheel allows up to 8 degrees of tilt adjustment, to suit a variety of different operators.
    • A high-strength profiled steel overhead guard to provide enhanced operator protection and structural reliability.
    • Excellent through-mast visibility of the load and the operator’s forward field of view, which optimises comfort, safety and productivity.
    • A large access area for service and repairs, including large access space to the engine compartment to minimise downtime when servicing the forklift.
    • A suspension seat for excellent comfort.
    • Interchangeable components, including overlaps with other forklifts in the same range, which further optimises maintenance and spare parts inventories.
    • Improved lift speed, which enhances productivity.

    Features of the new H4.0-5.0UT series. From top left, moving clockwise, small diameter steering wheel, high-strength overhead guard, large access area for service and repairs, and excellent through-mast visibility

    The new machines’ value proposition – “Meets the Need. Makes the Move.” – relates to customers who prefer simple and easy to use functionality features, with proven materials handling solutions backed by a supplier that they can trust, together with a reputable dealership service network extending across Asia Pacific, which includes Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Korea and Taiwan.

    Simple serviceability and low cost of ownership

    The use of high quality, robust components, and an efficient system of filtration and cooling helps contribute to optimizing operations and reducing wear and tear. This, together with the fast availability of cost-effective replacement parts, reduces service maintenance requirements and costs.

    “Due to the simplicity of components and specifications, servicing can be carried out swiftly and cost-effectively. Large access areas combined with simple, interchangeable components across the product range further optimises maintenance and minimises total cost of ownership,” says Ben Newey, Hyster-Yale Group Vice-President Sales, API (Asia, Pacific and India).

    Strong distributor network

    Hyster already has a strong and long-established professional dealer and service network extending across Asia-Pacific. This strength is in turn backed by Hyster globally, which has been building relationships and partnering with customers, suppliers, dealers, and employees over many decades. www.hyster.com

    The new Hyster UT series range embodies the quality features that have been at the heart of the Hyster brand for nearly 90 years, including intelligent design, product testing, quality of manufacturing, quality of suppliers and environmental emphasis.

    Rather than offer one-size-fits-all solutions, the UT Series philosophy opens a discussion with customers to ask, “What are your specific needs and what are your operating hours on a daily basis?”

    “Then our established Asia-Pacific dealer network can bring their extensive expertise to deliver cost-effective, quality solutions for each individual customer,” says Mr Tan.

    For Information about Hyster-Yale Asia-Pacific, please contact:

    Natalie Allatt

    Regional Marketing Officer, Asia-Pacific

    Hyster-Yale Asia-Pacific Pty Ltd

    Email: [email protected]

    Mobile: +61 403 469 424

    T +61 2 9795 3810

    Hyster-Yale Group, Inc., designs, engineers, manufactures, sells and services a comprehensive line of lift trucks and aftermarket parts marketed globally primarily under the Hyster® and Yale® brand names. Subsidiaries of Hyster-Yale Group include Nuvera Fuel Cells, LLC, an alternative-power technology company focused on fuel-cell stacks and engines, and Bolzoni S.p.A., a leading worldwide producer of attachments, forks and lift tables under the Bolzoni®, Auramo® and Meyer® brand names. Hyster-Yale also has significant joint ventures in Japan (Sumitomo NACCO) and in China (Hyster-Yale Maximal). Hyster-Yale Group, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (NYSE:HY). Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc. and its subsidiaries, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, employ approximately 7,700 people worldwide.

    For Media Release inquiries, Please Contact:

    Brent Whyte or Jack Mallen-Cooper

    Whyte Public Relations

    T: +61 2 9901 4306

    E: [email protected]

    W: www.whytepr.com.au

    © Hyster-Yale Asia-Pacific Pty Ltd. 2021, all rights reserved. HYSTER is a registered trademark of Hyster-Yale Group, Inc.

     

  • India’s Reliance Retail to buy Just Dial for $469 million

    India’s Reliance Retail to buy Just Dial for $469 million

    Reliance Retail is to buy nearly 41 percent of search and database firm Just Dial for US$468.84 million.

    Billionaire Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Retail will also make an open offer to public shareholders of Just Dial to acquire an additional 26 percent, according to regulatory requirements.

    Reliance has been on an acquisition spree to ramp up its online retail offerings and, over the past three years, has bought British toy retailer Hamleys, music streaming service Saavn, online furniture retailer Urban Ladder and e-pharmacy Netmeds.

    The deal with Just Dial, subject to shareholder and other approvals, will help Reliance get access to the company’s massive merchant database that spans across the country.

    The deal will boost “the digital ecosystem for millions of our partner merchants, micro, small and medium enterprises,” Isha Ambani, a director at Reliance Retail, said in the statement.

    Just Dial has a database of about 30.4 million listings as of March 31 and gets consumer traffic of about 129.1 million unique users each quarter.

    The capital infusion from the deal will help Just Dial expand discovery on its platform and boost transactions for millions of its products and services.

    Just Dial’s MD VSS Mani will continue to lead the company, the statement said.

    Lees ook:

  • Nearly 8,000 Vietnamese farmers take to online sales

    Nearly 8,000 Vietnamese farmers take to online sales

    Nearly 8,000 Vietnamese farmers started trading on e-commerce platforms in the first six months, up 191 percent year-on-year, as authorities pushed the development of the digital economy.

    The total value of agriculture produce on e-commerce platforms in the period tripled to VND944 billion ($41 million), according to a Ministry of Information and Communications report.

    It stated this was the result of the ministry and municipal authorities pushing postal companies to partner with e-commerce platforms to help distribute produce.

    This year, Vietnam’s lychees became the first agricultural produce to be exported to Europe via a domestic e-commerce platform.

    Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung said e-commerce and logistics is the future of the postal sector, thanks to technology paving the way.

    Vietnam’s digital economy is forecast to grow by 29 percent annually from 2020 to $52 billion by 2025, according to a study by Google, Temasek Holdings and Bain & Co.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Taxi firm Vinasun continues to remain in the red

    Taxi firm Vinasun continues to remain in the red

    Taxi operator Vinasun reported a loss of VND66 billion ($2.87 million) for the second quarter, its sixth consecutive quarterly loss as Covid-19 continued to wreck its business.

    Revenues were VND150 billion, the lowest since the company listed on the stock market in 2008.

    Before the fourth wave of Covid began at the end of April Vinasun had said its financial structure was “stable and healthy” and it hoped to increase market share in the recovering market by investing in 500 new cars to take its fleet size to 3,368 by the end of the year.

    It targeted revenues of VND1.05 trillion this year, up 4 percent from 2020, and expected to reduce its losses to VND79 billion from VND210 billion last year.

    Lees ook:

  • Google Maps is giving out potentially fatal directions to mountain climbers

    Google Maps is giving out potentially fatal directions to mountain climbers

    When Apple launched its own mapping and navigation app in iOS 6, the goal was to replace Google Maps on the iPhone. But Apple Maps was such a fiasco that just weeks after the launch, CEO Tim Cook apologized for Apple Maps’ shortcomings and suggested that iOS users turn to alternatives like Google Maps, Waze, and other navigation apps until the issues were fixed.

    One particular mistake put Apple Maps users in real peril and led Inspector Simon Clemmence of the Victoria Police in Australia to call the app life-threatening. It turned out that the directions that the app provided to at least six people driving their vehicles to Mildura took them through the Outback with temperatures as high as 115 degrees. The area is lousy with poisonous snakes and cell reception is spotty.

    The problem was that Apple Maps had Mildura 43 miles away from its actual location. Australian cops put out a warning telling iPhone users that drivers who used the app to get to Mildura ended up driving for over 24 hours without food, water, or cell service. One person had to walk over 24 hours before finding cellular connectivity for his handset. Apple Maps has been greatly improved since and now it is Google Maps’ turn to disseminate potentially deadly directions.

    At the end of last week, the John Muir Trust and Mountaineering Scotland, the organizations that watch over mountain climbing, hill walking, snow sports, and similar activities in Scotland, released a warning. The organization expressed concern that climbers and hikers were using navigation apps to get directions to Scotland’s highest mountain named Ben Nevis.

    It seems that Google Maps is giving directions to hikers that could be lethal. At least that is the opinion of Heather Morning, Mountaineering Scotland’s mountain safety adviser. Morning says that “For those new to hill walking, it would seem perfectly logical to check out Google Maps for information on how to get to your chosen mountain…even the most experienced mountaineer would have difficulty following this route (from Google Maps).”

    Morning adds that “the line goes through very steep, rocky, and pathless terrain where even in good visibility it would be challenging to find a safe line. Add in low cloud and rain and the suggested Google line is potentially fatal.” Both organizations wish to speak to Google about removing any life-threatening routes. However, Google has reportedly yet to respond to appeals from John Muir.

    A Google spokesperson did comment about the possibly life-threatening directions and said, “We built Google Maps with safety and reliability in mind, and are working quickly to investigate the routing issue on Ben Nevis and surrounding areas.”

    Google said that it examining the issue and said, “To help both novice and experienced hikers more easily find trails that suit their level of expertise, we’re now updating our driving routes to take people directly to the visitor center, where they’ll be able to speak with staff about the best trail to take.” But the directions to Ben Nevis are not the only directions from Google Maps that could end up killing someone who follows the app’s directions.

    Mountaineering Scotland’s Morning states “Modern navigation technology brings some amazing advantages for hill walkers, but this example is clearly not one of them. Walkers and climbers with even a little experience will know to read information from a map, whether digital or paper, and if they are looking for downloadable routes know to use reputable sources and check several sources to ensure the information they are accessing is the right route for their level of experience and ability.”

    She goes on to say that “…especially on Ben Nevis, many people are not aware of where to get reliable information and may quite naturally assume that Google Maps, which got them from their home to the foot of the mountain, can carry on and do the job right to the top. This is not the case.”

    A couple of paragraphs ago we hinted that there is another possible fatal set of directions offered by Google Maps. According to Mountaineering Scotland,  a route shared by Google Maps to Scotland’s An Teallach mountain “would take people over a cliff.”

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Apple removes app at Amazon’s request

    Apple removes app at Amazon’s request

    Last month, the Fakespot Secure Shopping app was launched in the App Store. With the app, users get to experience shopping on Amazon “as it should be, with genuine products and reviews, reliable sellers, great prices and fewer returns,” the app developer said. Earlier today, Apple removed the app from the App Store at the request of Amazon. The latter said that it was concerned that a new update to its iOS app allowed Fakespot to “wrap” the Amazon app without permission which could lead to the collection of data belonging to Amazon customers.

    Such data includes email, addresses, credit card info, and the browser histories of Amazon users. However, the online retailer admits that it doesn’t know for sure whether Fakespot is using this information.

    Apple never gave fakespot a reason why it removed his company’s app from the App Store. However, a few hours ago Apple disseminated a terse statement in which it said that it regretted the lack of an amicable solution to the issue and that it removed Fakespot from its iOS app storefront. Khalifah, obviously not happy with Apple’s decision, said, “Apple hasn’t even given us the ability to solve this. We just dedicated months of resources and time and money into this app.”

    Amazon says that Fakespot violates Apple guideline 5.2.2 which states that “If your app uses, accesses, monetizes access to, or displays content from a third-party service, ensure that you are specifically permitted to do so under the service’s terms of use. Authorization must be provided upon request.” Considering that Fakespot is an overlay that “wraps” around Amazon and that “hell no” is not permission, it would seem that the online retailer has a good case.

    In a statement, Amazon said, “The app in question provides customers with misleading information about our sellers and their products, harms our sellers’ businesses, and creates potential security risks. We appreciate Apple’s review of this app against its App Store guidelines.” The Fakespot is still available for Android devices from the Google Play Store.

  • Instagram tests banner reminding subscribers to use Facebook

    Instagram tests banner reminding subscribers to use Facebook

    In April 2012, Facebook purchased Instagram for $1 billion in cash and stock. At the time, many analysts felt that Facebook had overspent since Instagram was a photo-sharing app known mostly for its filters. But the last laugh belongs to Facebook as Instagram has matured to become one of the most visited social media destinations online with an estimated valuation of $102 billion.

    Instagram is testing a new banner at the top of users’ feeds that suggests that they check out features that are “only available” on Facebook. In a statement, an Instagram spokesperson said, “We’re testing a way to let people who have connected their Instagram accounts to Facebook know about features only available there, such as how to find a job, date online, buy and sell goods, or catch up on the latest news.”

    “A very small group” of Instagram users who have agreed to link their accounts will see the banner according to Facebook. Those Instagram users tired of being reminded over and over again that Facebook exists can dismiss the banner. And despite the limited nature of this test, it is another attempt by Facebook to bring the two apps closer together.

    It appears that the goal here is for Instagram, with over 500 million average daily users, to promote Facebook and bring users back to the mothership. Facebook had 1.88 billion daily average users during the first quarter of this year. An unnamed book published last year said that Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is jealous of Instagram’s success leading the executive to fret that Instagram could eventually cannibalize Facebook.

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

    Lees ook:

  • Vietnam Embassy requests hastening nonstop Bamboo Airways flight to US

    Vietnam Embassy requests hastening nonstop Bamboo Airways flight to US

    The Vietnam Embassy in the U.S. expects further favorable conditions from US agencies for Bamboo Airways to operate its inaugural non-stop flight connecting Vietnam and the States.

    In the official dispatch on July 9, the embassy expresses its gratitude to the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and Federal Aviation Administration for supporting and facilitating flights to repatriate thousands of Vietnamese citizens stranded in the U.S. due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    While international commercial flights remain suspended, Bamboo Airways has been granted permission to conduct charter flights to transport goods and passengers to the U.S., the foreign mission of Vietnam emphasized.

    Regarding the plan, the embassy requests continued support from all concerned parties. On Nov. 6, 2020, Bamboo Airways was licensed to conduct flights connecting the States and Vietnam by the U.S. Department of Transport. On June 23, 2021, the airline submitted the necessary documents to the Federal Aviation Administration of the U.S. to complete procedures for its first charter flight.

    “The embassy would appreciate it if the relevant U.S. agencies could consider all the submitted documents by the Bamboo Airways on June 23 at their earliest convenience,” the dispatch stated.

    In fact, Bamboo Airways was officially designated to exploit charter flights to the U.S. in May 2021. The airline has acquired slots to conduct regular non-stop flights from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco and Los Angeles.

    As of now, Bamboo Airways has fulfilled technical requirements to conduct non-stop charter flights to the U.S. with its wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet, approved by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

    The airline is rushing to establish a representative office in the U.S., in cooperation with San Francisco International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport.

    According to a Bamboo Airways representative, the carrier is working with U.S. agencies to complete procedures for its first non-stop flight to depart at the end of July or early August.

    Bamboo Airways has officially entered into cooperation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to pilot the digital health passport IATA Travel Pass, marking significant progress in the airline’s preparation for international routes reopening. Besides, the carrier is implementing Covid-19 vaccinations for all employees and related affiliates, creating perimeter protection for seamless operation. Bamboo Airways’s Covid-19 prevention process is considered the most comprehensive and effective, achieving an absolute level of 7/7.

    Lees ook:

  • Mapmaker TomTom Lowers Forecasts As Chips Shortage Weighs

    Mapmaker TomTom Lowers Forecasts As Chips Shortage Weighs

    Dutch navigation and digital mapping company TomTom on Thursday cut its 2021 outlook, amid a global shortage in semiconductor chips that has disrupted auto supply chains and could eat into its revenues from carmakers. TomTom now anticipates revenues of 500-530 million euros ($592-$627 million), compared to the 520-570 range it had previously guided, and cut its free cash flow guidance from around 6% to around 5%.

    The company, which has posted a quarterly net loss for the last two years, reported a loss of 23.6 million euros – deeper than the 15 million analysts had predicted.

    “When we gave our guidance early this year we knew the semiconductor shortage could have an effect, but it is very difficult to know when the worst part is over and we start to see recovery,” finance chief Taco Titulaer told Reuters in an interview.

    Titulaer now expects it will take until at least the end of the year for automotive supply chains to start normalizing, though the situation should improve from the third quarter.

    The shortage has had the twin effect of cutting car production, he added, and pushing manufacturers to prioritize simpler cars that use fewer chips.

    In the second quarter, TomTom nevertheless saw revenues from its automotive business jump 18% compared to last year, when the first wave of lockdowns shut down large parts of the industry.

    Major carmakers have again had to cut back production this year due to the coronavirus-sparked chips shortage – including major TomTom customers such as Stellantis.

    Titulaer said that though volumes of car sales were showing strong improvement on 2020, the previous year had been “quite dire”.

    With volumes still below 2019 levels, he said it could take a couple quarters for these to get back to normal.

  • Vietnam Airlines plans cargo carrier in Covid-19 response

    Vietnam Airlines plans cargo carrier in Covid-19 response

    National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines plans to form a cargo carrier as part of efforts to shore up its business that has been hard hit by Covid-19 outbreaks.

    The carrier has converted seven passenger planes into cargo carriers – five wide-bodied Airbus A350s and two narrow-bodied A321s, Vietnam Airlines chairman Dang Ngoc Hoa said at its annual shareholders’ meeting Wednesday.

    In June, its cargo transport revenue, which normally accounts for 10 percent of the total, surpassed that of passenger transport.

    According to Vietnam Airlines CEO Le Hong Ha, the airlines has considered establishing a cargo carrier for years, but the time was not considered opportune.

    Over the past two years, and especially in recent months, cargo transport has generated bigger revenues, so Vietnam Airlines is considering the plan more seriously, Ha said.

    Chairman of retail company Imex Pan Pacific Group, Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, has asked for permission to establish a cargo airline named IPP Air Cargo with an investment of $100 million, but the national aviation authority has informed the transport ministry that it will not recommend the establishment of any new carrier until 2022, given the pandemic situation.

    Budget airline Vietjet has re-configured 4 Airbus A321s to transport cargo.

    Meanwhile, foreign express delivery giants like DHL and UPS have increased flights and payloads to transport goods to Vietnam by air.

    According to a transport ministry report sent to the government, the proportion of cargo transport in local airlines’ total revenues in one year amid the Covid-19 outbreaks tripled against the pre-pandemic period.

    In the first half of this year, Vietnam Airlines racked up losses of some VND9.823 trillion (nearly $427.1 million). It has estimated consolidated losses of VND14.526 trillion this year, up nearly 30 percent against last year, and consolidated revenues of nearly VND37.4 trillion, down 11.6 percent.

    Lees ook:

  • 10 Jobs in Retail You Can Do While Still in College

    10 Jobs in Retail You Can Do While Still in College

    According to a study by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, 70% of college students work while studying. Some are forced to do so to take care of their family and bills. In contrast, others do it to get some extra bucks other than pocket money and gain experience.

    However, they can all agree that juggling work and school is not the easiest experience. Things get worse in the case of formal employment since most of the employers give limited flexibility and not very rewarding salaries.

    Luckily, students can enjoy more flexibility with an array of jobs in retail that allow them to manage their time effectively.

    Even better, if you have a hard time balancing work and school due to assignments, you can entrust professional essay writers with your projects. This will allow you to manage all your tasks with ease.

    Boutique Sales Associate

    If fashion and design are your things, you should consider working in a boutique as a sales associate. This is a perfect option if you are studying a course in this niche. It gives you the perfect opportunity to practice as you wait to complete school and get into the real fashion world.

    Part-Time Sales Representative

    The retail sector is full of sales rep opportunities. With a good employer, you can choose your ideal schedule, and although the pay may not be the best, you will get the chance to interact with customers and perfect your sales skills. Everyone has to start from somewhere. Working as a retail sales representative may be your stepping stone to becoming a wholesale business owner in the future.

    Hardware Products Loader

    Tons of hardware stores out there are looking for part-time employees to help load heavy products and equipment into the customers’ vehicles.

    If you feel energetic and strong enough to carry loads from the store to the car, this is a great chance to work in a rewarding environment. Apart from being energetic, you should also be good at interacting with people and offer good customer service.

    Such jobs are mostly seasonal but require you to be available on weekends and holidays. This is definitely a suitable time for students. 

    Warehouse Worker

    You do not necessarily have to be a forklift guru to work in a warehouse. The e-commerce industry is rising continuously. This forces warehouses to work around the clock to offer speedy services. This makes them a perfect working station for college students since most warehouses are operating at night and on weekends.

    You can get a job as a warehouse representative during your ideal time. You could work for a few hours during the weekend for some extra cash. Some tasks to consider at the warehouse include sorting and packing, picking orders, and quality control.

    Work in the Food Sector

    Perhaps you have always wanted to work in a restaurant or set up your eatery after college. You don’t have to wait until graduation to fulfill your dream. You may even sell street food in the evening to exercise your passion.

    The good thing about working as a food service worker is you get extra income in the form of tips. Some duties of a food service worker include light food preparations, taking orders, and serving.

    On-Demand Staffing Job

    There are hundreds of on-demand staffing jobs available for part-time workers, and students are no exception.

    All you need to do to get into the mobile marketplace is to create an online profile and share your portfolio. You can then search for available jobs based on your preferred niche.

    It could be in beauty, fashion, and design, selling electronics, you name it.

    Pharmacy Technician

    If you are studying medicine, working as a pharmacy technician will prepare you for the real world. The job involves stocking shelves and data entry. You may also be tasked with printing labels and other light tasks to save the pharmacist’s time.

    The good thing with pharmacy technicians is that you can choose to only stock the shelves and print labels which will take you a few hours. Then you are off to school.

    Artisan

    If art is your thing, consider spending your free time making paintings, leather goods, or handwoven textiles. You may choose to sell them online or join a shop near you where you get paid for every piece sold. The job allows you to practice your passion and perfect your skills as you earn.

    Ice-Cream Shop Server

    Undoubtedly, there are many ice-cream shops around your school, and it would be very convenient to work as a server or cashier there.

    Ice-cream joints are busy in the afternoon hours when the temperature rises. If you don’t have classes around that time, you can rush to the shop and get back to school work in the evening. The salary is quite decent, and you only get to work for a few hours per day.

    Smoothie Maker

    Smoothies are another students’ favorite. You can take advantage of this to make extra funds right outside your school. You only need a reliable blender for a start, fruits, and a few cups, and you are ready to go. If you can, get a bench and watch how students and bypassers will flock to your station.

    You may also include some snacks on top of the smoothies to differentiate your business. 

    Final Thoughts

    Do not wait until you are out of college to collect your first paycheck. Working while in college gives you a sense of responsibility. It also makes you feel good earning extra cash to buy that one thing you have always wanted. Most importantly, working prepares you for life after school.

    The retail sector provides an opportunity for anyone regardless of their passion or skills. The best part is that most of the jobs do not demand any experience, so you can start any time. Check out the above jobs in retail, and select one that suits your passion.