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Tag: Australia

  • Amazon Australia invites dogs into the workspace

    Amazon Australia invites dogs into the workspace

    Amazon Australia will now permit employees to bring their pooches to work at its Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Canberra offices. The global Dogs at Work (DAW) program currently has 8000 registered pooches. Having dogs at the workplace is shown to reduce stress levels, increase interaction between employees and boost morale.

    Independent research commissioned by Amazon Australia found that 23% of Australians welcomed a dog into their family during the pandemic while seven out of 10 dog owners want to take their pets to work.

    One in two owners feels anxious to leave their pets at home while more than 57% think their dogs will struggle when they return back to the office.

    Senior human resources business partner Laura Nemaz said the DAW program is already proving a ‘massive hit’ with employees.

    “Dogs add to our dynamic and collaborative workplace and we’ve found they are an unexpected mechanism for connection.”

    The most popular dog breeds among Amazon Australia employees are Labradors and King Charles Cavaliers. Other breeds that have been registered include Samoyeds, Dachshunds, Miniature Schnauzers, Border Collies, French Bulldogs, Vizslas, and Boston Terriers.

    In order to participate in this workplace benefit, dogs must be registered. Employees need to provide the dog’s name and breed, registration form, microchip, and vaccination certificates.

    Once registered, DAW pooches will each receive a ‘Woof Pack’ that includes a branded bag, a doggy mat for them to lie down, a water bowl and a key chain along with treats at each reception.

    Dogs will also have their own designated lift from the loading dock of the facility in order to not impact the other residents/tenants of the building.

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  • Apple iPhone gets stuck inside Qantas aircraft, earns frequent flyer miles

    Apple iPhone gets stuck inside Qantas aircraft, earns frequent flyer miles

    An iPhone was lost by its owner on a Qantas flight and the handset ended up stuck on the plane during several international flights. The action started on May 6th as detailed in an online forum called the Australian Frequent Flyer Community. That is when a member of the community using the handle “Rugby” asked for a phone number for Qantas’ lounge.
    He needed the number because his wife had apparently left her iPhone on a Qantas plane. Rugby wrote that thanks to the “Find My” app, he knew that the handset had boarded the plane with his wife, flying from Sydney to Auckland. It then flew back to Sydney, went from Sydney to Honolulu to Sydney, and then flew from Sydney to Auckland to Sydney again.
    Meanwhile, the Rugby family was able to follow the phone’s travels and there must have been enough battery life for the phone to continue sending out signals. The device was believed to be stuck in the seat that Mrs. Rugby had been sitting in during the original flight. You would have thought that this would have led Qantas to do whatever was needed to extricate the phone from the chair.
    That’s because the airline always makes announcements warning passengers that a phone stuck in a chair could catch on fire. Indeed, back in 2016 an iPhone stuck in a business class seat on a Qantas flight from L.A. to New York caught fire after the lithium battery inside the phone was crushed. The passenger tried to use the recliner to free the device and it ended up bending the battery and engulfing the phone in flames.
    Luckily, the onboard crew was able to put out the fire using fire extinguishers and Qantas decided to redesign the seats on its planes. You would have thought that the airline would have put forth a more serious effort to find and/or free Mrs. Rugby’s Apple iPhone considering the mid-flight fire that took place only a few years back. One person monitoring the thread suggested that the Rugby’s send an email to Qantas to let them know of the potential threat to the airplane.
    Another member of the community had a good point about how poorly Qantas is cleaning its planes between flights if it couldn’t find the phone. Also, the airline’s security checks between flights are also lacking.
    After the phone made three roundtrips and landed in Sydney for the third time, a member of the forum assisted Qantas with the retrieval of the phone. It wasn’t known whether this person was a passenger who had been following the forum or a Qantas employee who is a member of the forum. Regardless, the Rugby’s received a call from a Qantas employee who said that they had the phone and would be taking it to international baggage services.
    Mr. Rugby was in Auckland when he heard from Qantas that they had his partner’s iPhone. He picked up the well-traveled device the following week when he returned to Sydney. By the way, leaving your phone on a plane is not an isolated situation. A member of a forum called One Mile At A Time who goes by the name of “JD,” wrote, “Flew MEX-FRA first class (747) a couple of years ago. When I woke up I could not find my iPhone anywhere.”
    He continued. “After a perfect in flight, it was like an out of body experience… I couldn’t find it, the flight attendants couldn’t find it and the other poor passengers in first class were like “get over it”. I was so embarrassed but once everyone deplaned, mechanics came on board and finally was (sic) able to find it… we almost missed our connecting flight but was elated to have my iPhone back for our month long vacation in Europe.”
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  • Singapore sneaker reseller Ox Street to launch in Australia, NZ

    Singapore sneaker reseller Ox Street to launch in Australia, NZ

    Singapore-based online sneaker resale marketplace Ox Street is launching a trans-Tasman expansion, opening an e-commerce store in Australia.

    “Australia is a perfect fit for the community we want to build in the long-term,” said Gijs Verheijke, founder and CEO at Ox Street. “We see a big supply gap when it comes to Australian buyers having access to the most coveted sneakers, whether they’re hot new drops or all-time classics.”

    Verheijke said the company, which was acquired by Carousell last October, has already built a large network of resellers across Australia and New Zealand during the past few years. Ox Street said the emphasis is on enabling faster delivery times and greater access to supply in an industry dominated by US and European megabrands.

    The Australasian launch is part of Ox Street’s ambition to build a “global hub for sneakerheads,” Verheijke said. The company’s short term plan is to build brand equity and a large part of that is being trusted to robustly authenticate the products before they reach buyers.

    Founded in 2019, Ox Street operates across eight Southeast Asian countries, targeting Gen Y and Z investors, collectors and fashion-conscious consumers. The brand reported sales growth surging more than four-fold during the past year.

    As part of the Australia launch, Ox Street has partnered with Sneaker Freaker in an Instagram-based sneaker giveaway worth more than $2000.

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  • Singtel-owned ATN and AustralianSuper acquire Axicom

    Singtel-owned ATN and AustralianSuper acquire Axicom

    Singtel-owned Australia Tower Network (ATN) and AustralianSuper have announced the acquisition of Axicom, one of Australia’s leading providers of telecommunications tower infrastructure, for A$3.58 billion.

    Axicom owns and operates approximately 2,000 telecommunication sites located in metro and outer-metro locations across all eight states and territories and major cities in Australia.As ATN’s shareholders, AustralianSuper and Singtel said the strong synergies between Axicom and ATN would provide exceptional growth opportunities which will benefit customers, employees, and the community in the long term.

    AustralianSuper head of infrastructure, Nik Kemp, said Axicom is a high-quality asset that will deliver long-term value to AustralianSuper members.

    “Axicom is complementary to our existing digital infrastructure portfolio and this acquisition will result in the creation of a provider with a truly national footprint that will connect the vast majority of Australian families and businesses,” Kemp said.

    “Axicom has all of the characteristics we are looking for in an infrastructure asset and there are strong synergies between the two organisations. We look forward to working with the great teams of both ATN and Axicom to bring these two strong businesses together and leverage the great opportunity we have to continue to deliver for customers and AustralianSuper members.”

    Singtel Group chief corporate officer, Lim Cheng Cheng said, “This acquisition is a unique opportunity to scale up ATN’s operations and expand its customer base. It also reinforces Singtel’s commitment as a long-term investor in the Australian telecoms space where our goal has always been to provide more options and build better communications for Australian consumers and businesses. In combining ATN and Axicom, AustralianSuper and Singtel will be working closely to realise the significant operational synergies created.”

    AustralianSuper acquired a 70% stake in ATN from Singtel in November last year. Following the Axicom acquisition, Singtel’s shareholding in the combined ATN/Axicom business will be 18%, with AustralianSuper at 82%.

    Kemp said AustralianSuper will continue to seek further opportunities in this sector both domestically and globally.

    “AustralianSuper is looking to double its infrastructure portfolio over the next five years from its current A$31 billion. We believe that there will be significant growth in demand for digital infrastructure and will actively consider future opportunities in this space.”

    ATN chief executive officer, Cameron Evans, said ATN was looking forward to broadening the relationship with Axicom’s customers and providing them with access to the over 2000 current ATN sites and more than 565 new sites under construction.

    “Bringing together Australia’s two largest independent wireless telecommunications infrastructure operators provides real strategic advantages and strong value creation opportunities. It will also provide greater support for our customers as they continue to deliver essential services to the community such as mobile coverage, internet services, broadcast and emergency services,” Evans said.

    “We look forward to working with the team at Axicom to bring our two businesses together and leverage the opportunities we have with our top-quality digital infrastructure to connect Australians for generations to come.”

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  • McDonald’s Australia appoints new CEO

    McDonald’s Australia appoints new CEO

    McDonald’s Australia has named Antoni Martinez as its new chief executive to replace outgoing boss Andrew Gregory, who is moving to a global role as head of franchising at the fast food giant.

    Mr Martinez will move back to his native Australia at the end of the month to take up the new job on May 1 from Seoul, where he is currently managing director of McDonald’s Korea.

    Mr Gregory has worked at McDonald’s Australia since 1996, starting as a crew member and working his way up to chief financial officer before taking on the top job in 2014.

    Under his leadership, McDonald’s Australia has delivered consistent, record growth in sales, profitability, and market share. Coffee, delivery and digital sales have been among the most significant drivers of growth.

    “McDonald’s Australia is one of McDonald’s largest and most successful markets in terms of growth, employment, and economic impact,” Mr Gregory said.

    “I am proud to be handing the reins of this great company to Antoni at a time of strong, sustained performance.“

    “As I step up and into a global position, I have every confidence that he is the best leader to return home and drive the plans for our continued growth, innovation, and success.”

    Mr Martinez takes over at a difficult time as the chain makes a big push into regional areas. It is facing an uphill battle in attracting the right franchisees who are willing to move and invest upwards of $1.5 million cash in the business.

    “Macca’s” has about 100 new restaurants in the pipeline over the next three years, about one-third of which will be in regional areas.

    The group has 1020 McDonald’s restaurants across Australia and nearly 85 percent of those are franchise operations. It is a major employer with more than 110,000 people in restaurants and corporate offices, and is the largest employer of youth in the country.

    Mr Martinez will also be grappling with possible wage increases being determined by the Fair Work Commission’s wage panel, which would come into effect on July 1. Unions are pushing for a 5 percent increase in the minimum wage this year to more than $21 an hour to cope with the surging cost of living.

    Mr Martinez started at McDonald’s in Melbourne in 2000, before moving into senior leadership roles including development director and market director for the southern region, where he was responsible for operations, franchising and marketing for more than 300 restaurants.

    In February 2020, Mr Martinez relocated to Seoul to lead South Korea’s McDonald’s team.

    Mr Martinez said he was excited to return to Australia, where he planned to focus on providing opportunities for its people to develop their skills.

    “I stepped outside of the Australian market to gain valuable international experience and have watched with a great sense of homegrown pride the continued growth and innovation of the Australian business,” he said.

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  • Ferrero recalls some Kinder products in Australia, NZ ‘as a precaution’

    Ferrero recalls some Kinder products in Australia, NZ ‘as a precaution’

    Italian confectionery group Ferrero has recalled several children’s chocolate products in Australia, having already recalled products in multiple European countries earlier in the week. The recalled products could potentially be contaminated with salmonella, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) announced on Thursday. The chocolates, including some Kinder products, were sold in large supermarket chains such as Coles and Woolworths.

    “Consumers should not eat this product and should return the products to the place of purchase for a full refund,” the FSANZ said in a statement. Ferrero’s Australian arm is recalling Easter baskets and some Kinder chocolate eggs.

    The Kinder Surprise 20g single and three-pack eggs are not affected. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have launched investigations into the salmonella outbreak and plan to publish an assessment next week. So far, 105 confirmed cases and 29 suspected cases of salmonella, most of them in children under the age of 10, have been recorded in Europe, according to the authorities. Almost half of the salmonella infections were recorded in Britain, with the first case being detected as early as January 7.

    Other countries affected by the recall include Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland, Israel, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

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  • Vietnam to import coal from Australia amid power shortage fears

    Vietnam to import coal from Australia amid power shortage fears

    Vietnam wants to import around five million tonnes of coal from Australia amid a domestic shortage that has forced power plants to cut production.

    Apprising Australian ambassador Robyn Mudie about this on Friday Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien sought his help to link up Vietnamese companies with their Austrian counterparts so that they could start buying the coal this month.

    Australia is one of the world’s biggest coal exporters. The trade ministry is also looking for sources in South Africa. National utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) said this week that several thermal power plants in the northern and central regions are cutting down production to 60-70 percent due to a coal shortage.

    It also warned of the risk of power shortages from this month. But the trade ministry has said there will be no power shortages this year. It is mobilizing around 3,700 megawatts from other coal- and gas-fired plants and renewable and hydropower sources.

    EVN said that by 2025 another 5,500 megawatts of renewables are needed to ward off power shortages. It has also called for incentives for rooftop solar. The company is seeking the government’s permission to build wind power plants in the north. Most plants now are in the central and southern regions.

    Coal-fired plants accounted for 43.6 percent of total power generation in February, according to EVN. Vietnam promised to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in the U.K. last November.

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  • Australian Researchers To Study How Tesla Car Batteries Can Power Grid

    Australian Researchers To Study How Tesla Car Batteries Can Power Grid

    Australia’s University of Queensland (UQ) on Wednesday said it would recruit Tesla Inc car owners around the world to analyze if the vehicle’s spare battery capacity could support the energy grid and even power homes in the future. The university has partnered with analytics platform Teslascope for the research project, which it said would be a world-first trial that would check how owners of electric vehicles (EV) currently drive and charge their vehicles. For the first phase of the study, Tesla owners in Australia, the United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Britain can apply. The program could be expanded later to include other electric vehicle companies.

    With increasing numbers of electric vehicles globally, scientists are looking to find how the batteries can provide other cleaner energy services besides helping lower emissions in the transport industry. Researchers at UQ said most EVs are driven only one-eighth of their daily driving range of 400 km (249 miles), providing opportunities to store energy and export power to the grid using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) chargers. “(The study) will not only help to inform EV policy internationally but importantly assess the feasibility of using EVs as batteries-on-wheels,” Jake Whitehead, Research Fellow at UQ, told Reuters.

    V2G technology is a connection between the EV and the grid through which power can flow from the grid to the vehicle and vice-versa. That potentially enables car owners to sell energy to the network, while utilities could use electric cars as a backstop during peak demand periods. The study, which aims to initially recruit 500 Tesla owners, will collect usage data through the vehicle’s software interface and in return users will be offered a free premium subscription to Teslascope for a year. Australia last week pledged A$178 million ($132 million) to ramp up the rollout of charging stations for electric vehicles but did not set targets to phase out petrol cars.

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  • Barry Callebaut expands NSW chocolate plant

    Barry Callebaut expands NSW chocolate plant

    Barry Callebaut has completed the expansion of its Campbellfield factory in Melbourne, after the 11,000 m2 site was acquired in 2020.

    The expansion will cater for local industrial food manufacturers with new production lines to increase the total operating capacity and its range of chocolate offerings. The range will now include liquid chocolate, compound, buttons and chips, in addition to the products already produced at the site such as coatings and fillings.

    “This factory expansion underlines Barry Callebaut’s ongoing commitment to Australia. The facility further strengthens our regional footprint in Asia–Pacific, producing safe and high-quality products. The move is in line with our ambition to locate production close to our customers,” said Jo Thys, President of the Asia Pacific region for Barry Callebaut.

    The factory will be equipped with chocolate refining and conching lines, which will enable the company to serve the Australian food industry from artisans to global manufacturers.

    “I am proud that our Gourmet chocolates have been brought into the country for many years now. Today, I am even prouder that our high quality ‘Made in Australia’ products are available in higher volumes, creating more chocolate happiness for our local consumers,” said Denis Convert, Managing Director Australia at Barry Callebaut.

    “With the expansion of our Campbellfield factory, we are well-positioned to become the leading chocolate manufacturer in Australia.”

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  • Global milk tea chain Gong Cha will add 17 stores in Australia

    Global milk tea chain Gong Cha will add 17 stores in Australia

    Global milk tea chain Gong cha is planning to expand in Australia with a further 17 stores this year.

    That’s adding to the 118 stores already operating.

    The plan for growth is part of a bigger international expansion goal, which sees the business focus on development in countries such as Japan, Mexico, New York, and the Philippines.

    Around the world Gong Cha had 1661 stores at the end of 2021, including 90 new outlets opened in Japan. The growth represents a 17 percent rise from the previous year.

    Also this year, another 25 stores planned to open under the guidance of the New York master franchise. South of the border in Mexico the plan is to almost double the number of stores to 51; while the Philippines store count is expected to grow by another 34 new milk tea venues.

    The Gong cha brand was founded in Taiwan in 1996 and is now owned by the Gong Cha Group, headquartered in London.

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  • Danone becomes Australasia’s largest B Corp-certified company

    Danone becomes Australasia’s largest B Corp-certified company

    Danone has become the largest B Corporation (B Corp) certified food and drink company in Australia and New Zealand, joining a growing list of over 400 businesses to achieve the certification in the region and over 4,700 globally. 

    B Corp is a growing global business movement committed to the highest levels of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.

    The rigorous certification is independently administered by B Lab and awarded to companies that can demonstrate verifiable positive impact through policies and practices for employees, communities, customers, and the environment.

    The certification is part of Danone’s broader global commitment for all its business entities to become B Corp certified by 2025. Currently, more than 60 percent of the company’s global sales are covered.

    “We’re thrilled to have achieved B Corp certification across our wholly-owned businesses in Australia and New Zealand,” Danone head of Corporate Affairs Scott Pettet said. “The journey to certification isn’t an easy one and nor should it be. B Lab has rightly set the bar very high, which makes the achievement all the more rewarding for every Danone employee in Australia and New Zealand. We also know that increasingly, employees, customers, consumers, and broader society expect a much stronger stance from businesses and brands on important social and environmental issues.”

    B Lab, a not-for-profit organization, was founded in the US in 2006 with the idea that a different kind of economy was not only possible but necessary — and that business could lead the way towards a new, stakeholder-driven model. Some of the world’s best-known brands such as Patagonia, Inc., The Body Shop, and Ben & Jerry’s count themselves as part of the global B Corp movement.

    “I am so excited to see Danone Oceania joining over 4,700 Certified B Corporations worldwide — a truly diverse group of businesses unified by the idea of using business as a force for good,” B Lab Global co-founder and co-CEO Bart Houlahan said.

    “Globally, the Danone group has been a partner with us for many years, using its profile to add credibility and accelerate the growth of this movement. The success at Danone Oceania is part of this story and I look forward to continuing to work with Danone globally as we work to create an inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy.”

    In Australia and New Zealand, Danone sells a broad range of specialized nutrition products to support healthy growth and development during the first 1,000 days, as well as products that address some of the world’s biggest health challenges. This includes faltering growth, food allergy and rare metabolic diseases, age-related conditions and chronic disease, frailty, cancer, stroke, and early Alzheimer’s disease.

    “To have a business the size and complexity of Danone achieve B Corp Certification is a huge step for us in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. It builds on the work of 400 local B Corps, large and small, who have led the way,” B Lab Australia & Aotearoa New Zealand CEO Andrew Davies said.

    “Danone’s certification also shows it is possible for big business to have a positive impact, to hold themselves accountable, and to grow whilst focusing on the stakeholders it impacts in all aspects of its value chain.”

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  • Menulog expands services as demand grows

    Menulog expands services as demand grows

    Australian food-delivery service Menulog has added more than 2200 convenience and grocery partners as demand surges. The company says it has experienced 23-per-cent growth since January last year with demand booming in suburban and regional markets as well as metro cities. Independent businesses represent 37 per cent of Menulog’s grocery and convenience partners.

    Menulog has signed on IGA supermarkets, BP and Quickstop United Petroleum as new trading partners, with plans to add more in the near future as it continues to expand.

    Menulog MD, ANZ, Morten Belling, said Menulog’s point of difference had always been its breadth of coverage across Australia, fully serving metro areas, and with a strong courier and partner network spanning suburban, regional and rural areas.

    “We’re seeing exponential demand for convenience and grocery deliveries across all parts of Australia, in part driven by changes in consumer buying habits that started as a result of Covid restrictions,” said Belling.

    Customer demand is expected to rise this year and Menulog wants to prioritise its grocery and convenience delivery services even though retail trading restrictions have eased.

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  • Slyp raises $25 million in Series A fundraising

    Slyp raises $25 million in Series A fundraising

    Digital receipts fintech Slyp has closed a $25 million Series A with the backing of Australia’s big four banks, and plans to use the fresh cash to launch new products and features on its platform.

    The oversubscribed funding round was supported by new investors such as advisory and investments firm Sayers Group, alongside additional investment from the nation’s largest banks.

    While NAB was the first bank to integrate the fintech’s software, Slyp is now working with other financial institutions, as well as buy-now-pay-later providers to get its tech in the hands of millions more Australians.

    “We’re delighted to officially announce our Series A. Thanks to the growing and unwavering support of our investors and partners, Slyp is on track to make Smart Receipts available to half of all Australians by the end of this year,” co-founder Paul Weingarth said.

    “The funds raised will be invested directly into our unique technology that enables Slyp to deliver the most seamless, intuitive, and sustainable proof of purchase in the world, while building new products to improve the entire purchase experience.

    “This year, we will be laser-focused on expanding our presence within the in-store retail and hospitality ecosystem, working closely with Australia’s retail network and leading banks to switch off the paper receipt and transform the customer checkout experience, for good.”

    Founded in 2017 by former PayPal executives Paul Weingarth and Spiro Rokos, alongside former ANZ group data officer Mike Boyd, the fintech delivers ‘smart receipts’ inside of banking apps, cutting out the need for paper in a transaction altogether.

    More than 880 stores and venues are now using the platform, including Chemist Warehouse, Mitre 10, JD Sports, Harris Farm and Hunter St Hospitality and Pacific Concepts.

    Slyp is also looking to expand beyond smart receipts by introducing a product that will allow customers to link their loyalty cards to their payment cards, which will be released later this year.

    Since launching smart receipts in late-2020, 1.2 million have been sent to a customer’s NAB app or via SMS in the last 12 months.

    “Creating seamless digital experiences for our customers is a key investment focus for NAB Ventures and Slyp Smart Receipts has been a perfect fit. The economy is becoming increasingly digitised and Slyp’s technology is creating a more convenient and sustainable experience for our customers,” NAB Ventures managing director Todd Forest said.

    “We’re proud to be an inaugural investor since 2018 and it’s been great to watch the company grow.

    “Since becoming the first major bank to integrate the Slyp solution into our mobile banking just over a year ago, the feedback from NAB customers has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s been really pleasing to see more and more partners sign-up to Slyp and it made the decision to reinvest our next natural move.”

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  • The Australian Federal Court rejects Facebook’s argument that it couldn’t be sued

    The Australian Federal Court rejects Facebook’s argument that it couldn’t be sued

    There has been a new development regarding an Australian case against Facebook and the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in which the personal data of millions of people was collected without their consent. The Australian Federal Court rejected Facebook’s argument that it can’t be sued under Australian privacy laws since it doesn’t do business or collect personal information in Australia.

    The court’s opinion is that Facebook does business in Australia because it installs cookies on the devices of Australian users. This, according to the court, is ‘an important part of the operation of the Facebook platform.’ Also, according to the court, any website accessible in Australia is doing business in the country.

    But, according to Facebook, a cookie isn’t installed where it was placed but where it was sent from. Given that Facebook’s servers aren’t located in Australia, it means that Facebook doesn’t do business there. Facebook also explained that its data centers had delivered digital signals to user devices, which had resulted in a change in the digital status of those devices.

    The company also gave an example in which a person from overseas sends a letter to Australia. Upon receiving the letter, the reader decides to take action that has an economic impact. This could never be interpreted as the sender doing business in Australia.

    According to the court, Facebook’s explanation ‘proves far too much,’ and is ‘divorced from reality.’ The court also stated: “It proves too much because it has the consequence that no computer-based activity in one jurisdiction can ever amount to more than an effect in computers located in another.”

    The lawsuit against Facebook originated from the violation of the privacy of many Australian Facebook users in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which happened more than four years ago.

    By using a personality test app called “This is Your Digital Life,” a consulting firm called Cambridge Analytica gained access to the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their permission. Although only 53 people in Australia had the app installed, the app managed to collect the data of approximately 311,074 other people in the country via these 53. The gathered information from the app was then used mainly for political advertising, like the Brexit and Donald Trump campaigns.

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  • Vegan food platform VEats launches in Sydney

    Vegan food platform VEats launches in Sydney

    Founded by Australian duo Lara Young and Susan McCarthy, VEats is a new plant-based platform focussed on helping consumers looking for convenient plant-based options in the country. They describe the digital solution as a “first-of-its-kind” for the market, enabling users to explore all businesses with animal-free food options within a designated city. Whilst a user finds a restaurant they want to go to on the site, tables can be booked at restaurants, food can be ordered for delivery and takeaways can be queued.

    The Australian-based VEats platform is currently being piloted, with a Sydney-first rollout. Coordinating the launch to happen as part of Veganuary, the founding team is thinking on an international scale. U.K. expansion is in the planning stage, with Brighton and London as first targets. Bamford Capital is on board as an equity partner and business advisor for domestic and global ambitions.

    Young and McCarthy have more than three decades of combined business and marketing expertise. The two have worked together before, they created a joint digital marketing agency. VEats is being launched alongside as something of a passion project, particularly for Young.

    “Having grown up as a meat-eater all my life, it never crossed my mind that there was another way of living,” she explained in a press statement. “At the age of 36 I was overweight, overworked, managing being a wife, a mother of three, running two businesses, and everything else life had to throw at me. Food was always there to comfort me.

    “Being a massive foodie, I had to learn about a whole new way of eating. The journey wasn’t easy and I spent hours and days researching restaurants, checking menus, calling ahead to get them to accommodate me, and trying to veganise food through other delivery platforms. I knew that if it was hard for me, it would be hard for anyone trying to make the transition to plant-based eating. That’s when I had the idea for VEats.”

    Young and McCarthy say they have 600 businesses listed on the VEats platform already, spanning the breadth of Sydney. Included are fully plant-based companies, as well as any offering three or more animal-free food options. The two are confident that as Veganuary comes to a close, more than 50 directory inclusions will offer table booking and delivery options. Sydney was selected for the pilot launch due to its plethora of vegan hubs. Newtown has become synonymous with plant-based eating, with its ‘vegan mile’ reportedly growing by the week.

    Confirmed restaurant partners include KoshariKorner, Gigi Pizzeria and recently-opened Flave. Meal delivery service Just Add Vegan has linked up as well. In a coup for the founders, Australia’s leading online ordering platform Order Up! has come on board. It will give directory-listed businesses cost-effective access to ordering and pick-up functionalities. “We are proud to be partnering with the team at VEats to help make plant-based eating easy and accessible in your everyday life,” Clive Thorpe, CCO of Order Up! said in a statement.

    Australia is making strides to become a leading producer of animal-free products. Wide Open Agriculture is a perfect example of a domestic company seeking to disrupt the status quo. In this case, the dairy industry, which is the country’s fourth largest sector. Having bagged $20 million at the end of last year to ramp up production of plant milk, it represents a significant consumer mindset shift.

    Fellow Australian brand ProForm Foods received in the region of $5 million last year, from Harvest Road. With new facilities completed, expansion of a Sydney location is planned, alongside global distribution.

    It’s not all positive news, however. Australia’s meat industry has taken umbrage at the rise in popularity of animal-free foods. It claims that consumers are confused by packaging and are accidentally buying and eating plant-based meats. Supported by a survey paid for by various meat, seafood and poultry companies.

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