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Tag: viral

  • Google Debunks Viral Rumors: Gemini AI Not Trained on Gmail Data

    Google Debunks Viral Rumors: Gemini AI Not Trained on Gmail Data

    Clarifying the Misunderstanding

    Recently, there has been a significant amount of attention given to rumors suggesting that Google has been utilizing personal emails to develop its Gemini AI. These rumors have been dismissed by the company itself via social media, assuring users that their personal emails are not being used for training the artificial intelligence (AI) system. The rumors seemingly originated from misconceptions about long-standing settings, rather than a covertly introduced policy change.

    If one has been active on social media platforms recently, they may have come across posts suggesting that Google is clandestinely using Gmail data to train its artificial intelligence models. Often, these posts refer to a setting in Gmail titled “Smart features and personalization,” urging users to disable it promptly. As a result, even some tech security platforms initially reported the story before later issuing corrections.

    To dispel any concerns, Google has issued a clarification, asserting that Gemini is not trained using Gmail content. They further explained that the “Smart features” setting, which powers functions such as tab sorting and Smart Compose, has been in existence for an extended period and is not a new tool intended to extract user data. The flurry of concern appears to be a typical example of internet misinformation becoming distorted and exaggerated.

    Addressing Privacy Concerns

    This incident underscores the current heightened sensitivity regarding AI and data privacy. Given the continuous scrutiny faced by companies such as OpenAI over web scraping and data usage, it is understandable why users are exceedingly vigilant. The competitive nature of the landscape further compounds this issue. For instance, Apple is marketing its forthcoming “Apple Intelligence” as a privacy-centric alternative that primarily processes data on-device to avoid the sort of fears associated with the potential misuse of cloud-stored data.

    For Google, navigating this space is a balancing act. While the company is deeply involved in AI and requires vast amounts of data to compete effectively, losing the trust of its billions of Workspace users is a risk it cannot afford to take. If users start to believe that their private communications are being used to train AI chatbots, they may begin to explore other options. This incident serves as a reminder to tech giants that they need to explicitly communicate the functions of their “smart” settings, or the internet will fill in the gaps with worst-case scenario assumptions.

    Restoring Confidence

    Google’s prompt reaction to clarify the situation was important. Understandably, many users were alarmed, considering that tech companies have not exactly established a trustworthy reputation in recent years. Speaking from a personal perspective, I depend on Gmail’s smart features frequently, with the priority inbox being a particularly valuable tool. The confirmation that these features do not supply my emails to Gemini for processing is reassuring.

    However, this serves as a wake-up call for Google’s UI team. If an existing setting is ambiguous enough to be misconstrued as a “spyware toggle” in a viral social media post, it might be time to reconsider the description provided.

    Questions & Answers

    Is Google using personal emails to train its Gemini AI?
    No, Google has explicitly stated that it does not use personal emails to train its Gemini AI.

    What caused the misconception about Google using personal emails for AI training?
    The misconception appears to stem from misunderstanding about the “Smart features and personalization” setting in Gmail, which has been around for a long period and is not a new tool designed to extract user data.

    What do Gmail’s smart features do?
    The smart features in Gmail power functions like tab sorting and Smart Compose. They do not feed user emails into any AI system for training or development purposes.

  • ZUS Coffee Backlash: Customer’s Viral Video of Coffeegate Sparks Nationwide Outrage in Malaysia

    ZUS Coffee Backlash: Customer’s Viral Video of Coffeegate Sparks Nationwide Outrage in Malaysia

    A recent incident involving a customer at a ZUS Coffee outlet, the largest coffee chain in Malaysia, has sparked outrage and controversy on social media. The customer’s aggressive behaviour, captured on video, has been widely shared, igniting conversations about customer service and workplace respect.

    The Viral Outburst

    The video, allegedly recorded at a ZUS Coffee outlet in Malaysia, reveals a heated exchange between a female customer and a female barista. In the footage, the barista can be heard instructing the customer, who is filming the incident, to leave the store. The customer, reacting aggressively to the request, retorts in Mandarin, “Why should I leave? I’ve already paid for my coffee!”

    In a display of anger, the customer knocks over a cup of coffee, splashing the contents across the counter and onto the barista’s hand. She then throws the cup at the employee. The barista, in response, tosses the empty cup back over the counter, barely missing the customer. The customer continues her tirade, hurling the cup directly at the employee, hitting her head, and unleashing a flurry of obscenities.

    While the video does not disclose what led to the altercation, sources have indicated that it may have been triggered by the customer’s dissatisfaction with the speed of the service.

    The Social Media Reaction

    News of the incident spread rapidly across social media platforms, eliciting support for the barista and prompting calls for ZUS Coffee to back their employee. Many social media users underlined the importance of a comprehensive investigation by the company and emphasised the need to protect local workers from abusive behaviour by foreign customers.

    One social media user, reflecting on the incident, commented, “I sincerely hope ZUS doesn’t let her go. Working in the retail sector is challenging enough without having to deal with difficult customers.”

    This incident has also sparked broader discussions about respect and treatment of staff in the retail and service industries. Some individuals have even threatened to boycott ZUS Coffee if the company remains silent or takes punitive measures against the barista, thereby applying pressure on the coffee chain to respond promptly.

    ZUS Coffee’s Response

    Responding to the incident, ZUS Coffee released a statement later the same day supporting the barista, referred to affectionately as a ‘Zurista’ within the company. The statement read, “Since the incident, we have initiated the necessary procedures to conduct a thorough investigation. We stand by our Zurista during this difficult time.”

    The statement continued, “Working in retail can be challenging, and the situation should never have escalated to the point it did. Ultimately, we’re all just human trying to do our best.”

    ZUS Coffee also urged the public to respect the employee’s privacy and to avoid disseminating false information online or offline while the investigation is ongoing. The coffee chain reiterated its intolerance of any disrespectful behaviour towards its communities and its commitment to creating a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone.

    Questions & Answers

    What was the incident at a ZUS Coffee outlet in Malaysia?
    A female customer at a ZUS Coffee outlet in Malaysia was filmed throwing coffee and shouting obscenities at an employee, triggering a heated debate on social media about customer service and workplace respect.

    How has the public reacted to the incident?
    The incident has sparked strong reactions on social media, with many expressing support for the employee and calling for a thorough investigation by ZUS Coffee. Some individuals have threatened to boycott the coffee chain if it doesn’t take appropriate action.

    How has ZUS Coffee responded to the incident?
    ZUS Coffee has issued a statement supporting the employee, assuring that a comprehensive investigation is underway and urging public respect for the employee’s privacy. The coffee chain has also reiterated its commitment to a safe, respectful, and supportive working environment.

  • Mobile phone ads gain greater purchase during Tet in Vietnam

    Mobile phone ads gain greater purchase during Tet in Vietnam

    Vietnam recorded the fourth highest mobile in-app ad revenues (eCPM) in the Asia-Pacific region during Tet 2018. It ranked behind China, Singapore and the Philippines, according to a report recently released by Vietnamese digital advertising service company Adsota.

    The report also showed that app downloads were the highest 10 days prior to Tet in 2017, while downloads peaked on the first day of the 2018 Tet, showing that the Lunar New Year holiday was a highly effective period to execute user acquisition campaigns for app developers.

    The number of mobile app ad requests (the number of ads displayed in apps) rose by 32 percent in Vietnam during this holiday compared to other days in January and February, said the report.

    Many Vietnamese mobile app developers have gone global and succeeded in the U.S. or Australia by targeting foreign holidays like Black Friday and Christmas. Overall, the highest downloads of Vietnamese-developed apps came from India and the U.S. at 13 and 11 percent respectively, followed by Brazil and Indonesia at 8 percent and 6 percent respectively.

    In terms of revenue, profits from the U.S. market contribute around 20 percent of overseas revenue generated by Vietnamese applications, followed by other developed markets like Australia at five percent; and Germany, Japan and Korea at three percent each.

    Of some 95 million people in Vietnam, 73 percent use mobile phones, 42 percent use smartphones and 50 million people use mobile social media, according to the report.

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  • Dapper Dan is holding Gucci accountable for controversial “blackface sweater”

    Dapper Dan is holding Gucci accountable for controversial “blackface sweater”

    Renowned Harlem fashion designer and tailor Dapper Dan’s relationship with Gucci through the years has been a rocky road. After gaining notoriety for knocking off the Italian house’s logo in his designs throughout the ’80s and ’90s, the tables turned in 2017, when Alessandro Michele was taken to task for knocking off one of Dap’s designs in his Cruise 2018 collection.

    However, all’s well that ends well: Both parties made peace and began working together. Not only did Dapper Dan collaborate with Gucci on a vintage hip-hop-inspired capsule collection and lookbook, the Kering-owned luxury label underwrote his brand new studio and atelier in Harlem, also making him the face of a special tailoring campaign.

    As lovely of a story as this is, it might not wind up with a happy ending. Just last week, Gucci apologized for (and pulled from shelves) an $890 sweater that resembled blackface. After several days of impassioned conversation among fans on social media, the brand released a statement, saying: “Gucci deeply apologizes for the offense caused by the wool balaclava jumper … We consider diversity to be a fundamental value to be fully upheld, respected and at the forefront of every decision we make. We are fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization and turning this incident into a powerful learning moment for the Gucci team and beyond.”

    While acknowledging the misstep and the need to prioritize diversity is a step in the right direction, the situation did not sit well with Dapper Dan. On Sunday, he posted a statement of his own on Instagram, insinuating that his partnership with Gucci may be on thin ice. “I am a Black man before I am a brand,” he wrote. “Another fashion house has gotten it outrageously wrong. There is no excuse nor apology that can erase this kind of insult. The CEO of Gucci has agreed to come from Italy to Harlem this week to meet with me, along with members of the community and other industry leaders. There cannot be inclusivity without accountability. I will hold everyone accountable.”

    Gucci made a concerted effort to make things right with Dap — and, seemingly, to educate themselves about both his neighborhood and his culture — the last time they were at odds, but this understandably hits very close to home, and could certainly cause major issues within their business partnership.

    Whatever the outcome, this case only underscores the dire need for more inclusion and diversity in the industry, as the frequency with which fashion brands slip up in regards to racism only gets higher by the day. It’s a change that needs to be implemented immediately, and hopefully Gucci will set an example for its industry peers, as it’s already been known to do in other areas.

  • Place to reate your own watch

    Place to reate your own watch

    The Mills officially opened at the end of 2018, becoming a new landmark that combines historical and cultural retailing, attracting a number of local brands in Hong Kong. The Mills is a revitalization project from Nan Fung Group scheduled for completion and actually completed in 2018. A destination consisting of a business incubator, experiential retail, and a non-profit cultural institution may be relatively unfamiliar to Hong Kong people; yet The Mills’ vision and history is a purely Hong Kong story.

    It witnessed the manufacturing heyday in the 1960s, and now it carries the legacy towards a future of applied creativity and innovation. Visitors can explore the continuity of an authentic Hong Kong story, where themes of textile and industry are woven into experiences of innovation, culture, and learning.

    Eoniq successfully raised funds for launching a project a few years ago on the Indiegogo crowdfunding network, which is for customers to make their own personalized unique watches at The Mills. Through engaging in different workshops such as designing automatic tourbillon, printing dial and burning blue steel pointer, customers may experience the watchmaking process.

    In recent years, Swiss watchmaking brands have opened shops all over Hong Kong, however, the Hong Kong local watch industry has also had a glorious history during the 1950 – 1980.

    Although local watchmaking has already faded out, Li Junguo (Quinn), one of Eoniq’s founders, decided to set up his own brand with two partners in 2014.

    “I started building up the brand after I left my work at McKinsey since 2011. It is because I am interested in watchmaking, so I find some fine caliber factory online, and  contact the French freelancer to help me ordering from France as the people from Swiss watch factory usually only speak in French,” he said.

    After buying the caliber from the factory, the brand will assemble the watch according to the custom design of the guests.

    In fact, Eoniq had opened stores in Sheung Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui K11 before, but the shop could hardly afford a monthly rental fee of 1 million HKD in Tsim Sha Tsui.

    In terms of online sales, Eoniq’s customer profile is diversified and located in different regions, namely, Taiwan, Malaysia, Australia, the United States, and Europe.

    “The Mills was interested in Eoniq, knowing that we were assembling the watchmaking on our own, and asked if we could make the watchmaking process transparent so that the visitors could see the process of watchmaking. Thus, we have been given a space on the ground floor at The Mills, which became our current flagship store.”

    For the Automatic Tourbillon design workshop, customers can engrave their name, special phrase, signature or pattern on the watch. With the assistance of a watchmaker, guests can assemble the watch by themselves.

    Guests can also add personal elements to the dial, such as handwritten words or patterns, and there is a traditional printing machine to allow customers experiencing the traditional printing method on the surface of the watches.

    “Our brand is getting bigger, so I hired more masters in watches, including a watchmaker who had previously worked in Omega. In addition to allowing our guests to design their own watches, we want to let more people understand the value of watchmaking.”

  • International Food Business: Current scenario and future in India

    International Food Business: Current scenario and future in India

    The misconception about Gourmet Food in India is amazing. There are many who equate gourmet with imported food, which is far from the reality. To encapsulate what the concept of gourmet is all about, let me say that it is less about the food than about the person who is the subject of the word. The term and its associated connotations are used positively to describe people with a refined taste and passion towards food.

    Add the word gourmet to any food or drink and, voila, it feels fancier, more upscale and generally more desirable. Gourmet food connotes food and drink that takes extra care to make or acquire. Gourmet food has a certain flair around it as it is usually found or made only in certain locations. The ingredients used are usually exotic, hard to find in regular grocery stores, and they are usually unique in flavor and/ or texture. Gourmet ingredients usually blend herbs and spices in an interesting manner to add flavour to the food. For example, lemon olive oil spray, black truffle balsamic glaze, and white wine vinegar are a unique take on the otherwise simple ingredients.

    Being an advocate of international food business for over 20 years now, I have seen the F&B sector in India go through various highs and lows over the years. But the one thing that I can say with absolute certainty is that the gourmet food category in the country has a tremendous scope and potential to grow in multiple areas, many of which still remain a virgin territory for food companies wanting to explore the business of international foods. We have been working diligently to bring new and exciting global gourmet food brands from all around the world to India. We have built our reputation through a commitment to offer unique products at competitive prices and we strive to never compromise on the quality of products or services that we offer. It is a passion for many of us who function in the realm of international food business and we aim to bring diversity to our Indian consumer base.

    Two-Way Trade is the Key to Future

    We firmly believe in two-way trade and in the current globalized world, it is a grave mistake to keep our consumers deprived of food options and opportunities available elsewhere in the world – from gourmet cheese to epicurean chocolates to the varieties of rice or spices or fresh fruits or exotic vegetables. The list is never ending and we must continue to explore to make it even more expansive. Unfortunately, our trade figures have been none too encouraging on this count. In the calendar year (CY) 2016, India exported consumer foods worth US$ 11 billion and imported consumer foods valued at US$ 4.25 billion. While our exports grew by 0.50 percent over the previous year, imports showed a decline of about five percent.

    The low takeoff of international food in India is surprising considering that there are quite a few success narratives around it: Italian pasta, Vietnamese basa, mayonnaise, Californian almonds, Canadian canola oil, Chileans walnuts and Washington apples, to name a few. When we look at Italian pasta, considered to be one of the most gourmet ingredients in Italian cuisine, the product is widely available in the country – from hand made to artisanal to commercially made – and it has penetrated the deepest corners of the Indian market with extensive marketing, transforming the kitchens of the aspirational Indians.

    A commodity like Californian almonds, which has about 80 percent of almond market share in India, touched a whopping US$ 693 million sales figure in India for 2016.

    For imported foods to expand their consumer base in India, it must be kept in mind that Indian consumers are rational shoppers who want value for money.

    Obviously, there is no one-size fits-all concept for a country as big as India but to have a deeper market penetration it is important to learn from the market leaders and try to do things the right way. Many of us confuse India with China, which is just not the case as the Indian market has its own set of business dynamics and consumption patterns here continue to evolve and offer valuable lessons in business.

    Teething Issues and Role of Associations like FIFI

    While on the one hand, we are facing teething issues like those associated with demonetization or Goods and Service Tax (GST), on the other hand, we also have government agencies like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India that is willing to think out of the box and listen to the version of the trade side. We, at the Forum of Indian Food Importers (FIFI), have given numerous representations to Government of India and are pleased to note that several of our suggestions have been entertained as we always had a logical and scientific presentation to make. We still have some pending areas of concerns but are pretty confident that the regulator and trade will be able to come together on a common ground in the interest of the greater good of the food industry and consumers. Food safety is of utmost priority for us and, as industry representatives, we want global suppliers to understand the fact that Indian consumers have become very demanding and want only quality products. We are clearly out of the era when international companies looked at India as a not very important market for their food products. For many global food companies, India is now a critical country for doing international trade.

    Government’s Initiatives

    The Food and Beverage sector is governed by several Government of India agencies like Ministry of Health’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Ministry of Food Processing and Industries (MoFPI), Ministry of Consumer Welfare, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce and Industries, and Ministry of Finance.

    With Government of India’s “Make in India” campaign, MoFPI aims to boost growth in the food processing sector by leveraging reforms such as 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in marketing of food products and by offering various incentives at the central and state government level along with a strong focus on supply chain infrastructure.

    – Government of India has relaxed foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for the sector, allowing up to 100 percent FDI in food product e-commerce through the automatic route.

    – FSSAI plans to invest around Rs 482 crore (US$ 72.3 million) to strengthen the food testing infrastructure in India, by upgrading 59 existing food testing laboratories and setting up 62 new mobile testing labs across the country. Additionally, FSSAI has been aggressively introducing numerous notifications pertaining to imported Food and Beverage category.

    – The Indian Council for Fertilizer and Nutrient Research (ICFNR) will adopt international best practices for research in the fertiliser sector, which will enable farmers to get good quality fertilizers at affordable rates and thereby achieve food security for the common man.

    International Chains Entering Indian Market

    With India opening the doors to numerous international restaurant chains, the youth is able to break the tradition and try several new international cuisines. This exposure is generating employment, changing the F&B scenario in India, bringing in international business practices, world-class technology, standard operating procedures and opening the way for trade. These chains buy imported ingredients or products to get a marketing edge or when such ingredients are not available domestically. They are able to lead the way for upscale manufacturing in the country and create more avenues for employment. It is important for us as an industry to understand that our strategy should be to grow hand-in-hand with these international chains and to open more ways for doing business with all stakeholders. Some of these chains, which already have a sizable market presence in India, are Chilli’s, Barista, Café Coffee Day, Au Bon Pain, McDonald’s, Subway, KFC, Starbucks, Tacobell, among others.

    Market Size Growing Despite all Odds:

    Despite numerous challenges such as high base tariffs and the fallout from the implementation of new regulations like demonetization and GST, the Indian market for imported and international foods is showing a noticeable growth trend. India is emerging as a favorite market destination for many national and international players in the food business. The Indian foodservice sector is valued at US$ 48 billion and is anticipated to grow to US$ 77 billion at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10 percent by 2021. The Indian food and grocery market is the world’s sixth largest, with retail contributing 70 percent of the sales. The Indian food processing industry accounts for 32 per cent of the country’s total food market, is one of the largest industries in India and is ranked fifth in terms of production, consumption, export and expected growth. The Indian gourmet food market is currently valued at USD 1.3 billion and is growing at a CAGR of 20 percent. India’s organic food market is expected to increase three times its current size by 2020.

    The online food ordering business in India is in a nascent stage but has a huge potential and a promising future. The online food delivery industry grew at 150 percent year-on-year with an estimated Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of US$ 300 million in 2016.

    Emergence of Social Media

    We should not underestimate the role of the new generation bloggers and social media enthusiasts who are instrumental in shaping the trends and are helping brands and products to get visibility and gain popularity with the consumers. They are emerging as an alternative to the traditional media and are a less expensive media tool. However, they also act as watchdogs of quality and standards for the foodservice industry. Social media is helping to generate exciting stories around the foodservice industry but at the same time, we need more honest voices that understand the food business and its nuances better.

    Traditional Marketing Avenues Still Hold True

    While new marketing tools are becoming popular, the traditional methods should not be considered obsolete as they continue to have deeper penetration and visibility. Participation at trade shows and conferences, print and electronic media activities continue to rule the game and offer a range of visibility without comparable alternatives.

    Way Forward for the Imported F&B Industry

    The Indian consumers represent a community of diverse sentiments. A majority of them favour an experimental palate, which creates a plethora of opportunities for the international F&B sector in country. While maintaining a balance between aspiration and tradition agrees perfectly with the Indian palate, culinary trends originating in the West are promptly picked up by Indian social media and are translated on the ground with an instant recognition. The earlier practice of trends coming to India after three to five years of introduction in the Western world is now a thing of the past. This willingness to accept international trends without any inhibition has played a pivotal role in the marketing of international brands in India and has opened up the entire market for international foods. As a result, recent years have seen the launch of numerous new categories like gluten-free breads, organic chocolates and many others products in country. However, as mentioned earlier, it is important for us to ensure quality delivery to our consumers and adhere to the food safety regulations. We need a more organized voice in trade to echo the this message and to take the India story to many more global markets.

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  • The rise of men’s cosmetics

    The rise of men’s cosmetics

    Chanel is launching a make-up line entirely for men Boy de Chanel collection in 2019, and other brands might follow. Just as Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel rocked the boat by flouting gender dressing rules in order to marry style and comfort in the early 20th century, the iconic fashion house is stirring the waters once again with a male make-up line.

    Striving to rewrite the rules and break free of gender codes, Boy de Chanel will boast three products to add to the luxurious French cosmetics collection in 2019.

    Almost a century after the European empire launched a make-up line for women, Chanel’s first cosmetic collection for men will see the products encapsulate the brand’s classical elegance through its midnight blue and white packaging, highlighting only the essential products.

    Touted as being a name that captures the essence of masculinity, the foundation, lip balm and eyebrow pencil are aimed at boosting confidence and erasing imperfections through a long-lasting formula that creates natural results.

    Chanel says its first make-up line for men “reaffirms the ever-changing codes of an unchanging vision” because beauty is not a matter of gender, it is a matter of style.

    You can expect the SPF 25 foundation Le Teint to have an “undetectable result” as it is described as being invisible to the eye and touch while offering a second skin with natural correction and high protection. It will protect skin from aging while allowing it to breathe through an airy micro-mesh leaving it shine-free.

    Promising to keep lips supple for eight hours, the moisturising lip balm is packed with jojoba oil and shea butter that leave a “featherweight effect”.

    Offering to boost self-confidence in one stroke, the Boy de Chanel eyebrow pencil defines and fills out the brow line with the spiral brush and tapered twist tip.

    Drawing inspiration from the female world of style to craft the timeless products, Chanel strives for inclusivity with “no absolutely feminine or masculine prerequisites” to empower cosmetic fans to be whomever they desire.

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  • Brands planning to cash in on rising menswear trend

    Brands planning to cash in on rising menswear trend

    This week, Nike launched its new collection of yoga wear for men. While this was the company’s first foray into men’s yoga apparel, the move was very much in line with competitors who have been making a push into the menswear apparel market recently. Lululemon, whose bread and butter has long been women’s yoga trousers, is one of those competitors. Former CEO Laurent Potdevin described menswear as one of the brand’s “best-kept secrets.” The company is now looking to grow this division into a billion-dollar business.

    Gap also jumped on the bandwagon last year, with its new casual menswear brand Hill City. But a push into menswear stretches beyond the athletic wear market – Madewell rolled out menswear in September, Saks Fifth Avenue recently closed its womenswear store in Brookfield Place but kept its menswear location open, sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen launched their own menswear collection for fashion brand The Row last year, and the list continues.

    These brands are all looking to capitalise on a big change in fashion, and that is that in the not too distant future, menswear may outgrow womenswear.

    Business intelligence firm Gartner L2 estimated that in just two years, revenue growth of men’s clothing will surpass that of women’s clothing. This data is backed up by Euromonitor International, which estimated that men’s lines will outperform women’s over the next six years. 

    “Fashion has always been about women but men are finally having their time,” says Lizzy Bowring, catwalk director at trend-forecasting agency WSGN.

    Bowring believes that the rise of a young, fashion-conscious male consumer is a key reason for this. “It’s the younger men that are driving the push for menswear,” she says. “These men are more savvy and aware, and there is a lot of competition to look the part.”

    Ayako Homma, beauty and fashion consultant at Euromonitor International, echoed these thoughts in an email.

    “One key trend is men’s changing perception of fashion. Men are spending more time, effort and money on their grooming and appearance,” she wrote.

    Experts say that this peak in menswear can be traced back to a boom in streetwear clothing, which has been driven by brands such as Supreme, Yeezy, and Off-White. These brands have experienced explosive growth in recent years and are considered to be redefining the fashion landscape.

    These labels have been embraced by luxury players, a move that has in turn given new life to some of the luxury brands.

    Louis Vuitton recently hired industry pro Virgil Abloh to become its new artistic director. Abloh is responsible for setting up perhaps the buzziest streetwear brand of all, Off-White, which was recently ranked the hottest label in the world.

    “The men’s business has exploded in the past five years,” Roopal Patel, fashion director of Saks Fifth Avenue said. Patel said the focus had shifted to bringing in newer menswear-focused labels such as Off-White.

    “We’ve gone from just category addressing to designers looking at how they’re going to wardrobe a man’s lifestyle, everything from work to evening to weekend to sport,” she said.

    Industry insiders say this trend is here to stay. “It’s more than a buzz. It’s a deeper trend,” said Sidney Toledano, head of LVMH’s fashion group. He continued: “There’s strong demand across the men’s fashion industry, in all its shapes and forms, and which comes in part from a younger clientele. We see it very clearly in the sales.”

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  • Love Yourself a BTS-themed coca cola

    Love Yourself a BTS-themed coca cola

    Coca-Cola launched BTS-themed bottles as part of its “Share a Coke” campaign on Monday. The bottles come in seven different designs – each one representing a member of the K-pop boy group – with inspirational messages referencing the group’s song titles. This year, the special Coke bottle labels read in Korean “Your spring day is today,” “I’m fine if it’s you,” “Run like yourself,” “You’re really dope,” “You are my idol,” “Go instead of worry” and “This year is blazing fire.”

    Bottles are also decorated with images of the members’ faces and vivid colors like pink, yellow and green.

    The BTS-themed drinks are available in grocery stores and convenience stores across Korea. They come in 350-milliliter (12-ounce) aluminum cans and 500-milliliter, 1.5-liter and 1.8-liter bottles.

    Coca-Cola in Korea has been launching special edition Coke bottles as part of its Share a Coke storytelling campaign since 2014. The campaign’s goal is to help consumers share hopeful messages with friends and family by exchanging the drinks with one another.

  • Era when eggs taking over Instagram

    Era when eggs taking over Instagram

    Eleven days ago, the anonymous Instagram account world_record_egg posted its first image, what appears to be a simple stock photo of a brown egg. “Let’s set a world record together and get the most liked post on Instagram,” the caption read. The photo has now reached that goal, with over 42 million likes as of Tuesday afternoon. It blew past the previous record holder over the weekend, the first photo Kylie Jenner shared of her daughter Stormi, which garnered only around 18.5 million likes after it was posted last year.

    It is easy to root for the Instagram egg and its other nihilistic siblings, like the halved white onion that only wants more Twitter followers than President Donald Trump.

    These accounts are not inherently interesting or important—many of them post barely any content at all—but they are made so because the internet decides they should win the attention lottery. In an era of rampant spam, thirst traps, and stolen memes, the egg became popular by straightforwardly asking for likes and nothing else. It is absurd. It is delightful. It feels righteous, charitable even, to help these accounts amass larger online followings than those of world leaders or members of the Kardashian family.

    Anything can be mapped onto the canvas of a blank brown egg, and so thousands of remixes have predictably been created that riff on the original. Ellen DeGeneres, for her part, put Kylie Jenner’s face on the egg on Monday, in the hopes that by putting them together, she can attract more engagement than the two most popular Instagram posts combined.

    Why did this egg take off where others have failed, that’s not clear. But the creator is clearly familiar with some of the engines of online fame. They tagged a number of people and publications that regularly cover viral memes like LADBible, Mashable, BuzzFeed, the Daily Mail, and YouTube star PewDiePie in the egg photo itself. Once the account took off, they began to sell “official” merchandise, including T-shirts that say “I LIKED THE EGG,” which go for $19.50. A request for comment sent to the email listed on the egg’s Instagram page went unanswered.

    The account behind the egg, which has nearly 6 million followers, is also an incredibly valuable marketing vehicle. Brands could spend thousands of dollars to advertise with it, according to sources in the influencer marketing industry who spoke with Recode. When the egg goes out of style, its creator could also sell the account or pivot to sharing another type of content with the massive audience they’ve already attracted.

    The egg’s creator may instead simply continue to try to profit off the popular meme, as other viral food sensations have before them. In 2014, after Zack Brown went viral for raising more than $55,000 on Kickstarter to make potato salad, he threw a potato-themed party and two years later released a potato salad cookbook. Carter Wilkerson—the teen who became famous in 2017 after Wendy’s promised a year of free chicken nuggets if he achieved 18 million retweets—went on to sell nugget-themed apparel for charity. Max Miller, the guy behind the half onion, also sells merchandise and claims a portion of sales are donated to charity too.

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  • The Alley Taiwan debuts in Singapore

    The Alley Taiwan debuts in Singapore

    Taiwanese bubble-tea chain The Alley is to open its first outlet in Singapore. Despite the undisclosed location, the brand has already got Singaporean bubble-tea fans excited with an announcement on its Instagram and Facebook pages. Established in 2013, The Alley is well-known for its brown sugar tapioca (Deerioca) milk tea served in cups with with round bases.

    The chain has outlets in Canada, US, France, Korea, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand. The Alley entered Vietnam in November 2017, and now has 35 stores nationwide.

  • IGD predicts five trends set to shape retail in 2019

    IGD predicts five trends set to shape retail in 2019

    Seamless in-store shopping experiences coupled with innovative advances in technology are among IGD’s five key retail trends for 2019. “Next year’s biggest trend of all is likely to be the continuation of rapid and radical change in the food and grocery industry,” said Toby Pickard, head of insight, innovation and futures at IGD.

    “We have already seen a significant pivot towards innovative new technology, and there is no sign of this letting up next year. Shoppers’ expectations have changed, and the retail and grocery sectors are working to meet those expectations in every area of business,” he said.

    IGD’s five key retail trends for 2019 are:

    Data dictates the way: This year has seen data become more valuable to the retail sector than ever, with 46 per cent of supply-chain experts now actively prioritising data-driven business. As well as helping to boost sales, accurate data will be vital for tools that allow retailers to understand customer behaviour – and reward their loyalty.

    Through customer datasets, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in-store, retailers can target products and offers more effectively while maintaining appropriate stock levels and improving customer service. Insights gained through closer customer engagement will provide invaluable guidance to retailers looking to grow their businesses: making stronger connections beneficial to both groups.

    Doing good is good businesses: Companies will increasingly take the lead on sustainability while issues such as food waste and plastic pollution make headline news. This has translated to changing attitudes across the generations. Nearly three quarters (74 per cent) of UK shoppers say they have become more aware of the environmental impact of plastic packaging over the past year, and this has led to innovations such as biodegradable wrapping and plastic-free supermarket aisles. Retailers are no longer thinking about just reducing waste, but want to make a positive, tangible contribution. The next wave of innovative and leading retailers and brands will move beyond reducing their impact.

    Seamless stores: Physical stores will offer a much more digital experience next year, by using technology to make it easier for customers to find items and gain more product information. Some 85 per cent of UK shoppers would like to see the roll out of more in-store technologies. This should lead to a faster shop for many, where searching aisles and shelves for the right item is replaced by an app that guides shoppers to where they want to be.

    “Physical stores offer customers a more tangible shopping experience, where they can see products before they commit to purchase,” sais Pickard. “This gives these spaces an advantage over online providers, and we are seeing stores begin to capitalise on that and add in extras to incorporate more of the benefits of online.

    “A recent example of this is Il Viaggiator Goloso, a premium Italian brand, which has enabled its electronic shelf-edge labels to show the online reviews and scores products have received. This gives customers a more informed choice in store.”

    Help me be healthy: Most shoppers aspire to eat and live well, with 85 per cent saying they are actively trying to improve their diet, but aspirations don’t always translate into action. “We believe shoppers will be more health conscious going forward, so supporting them to both look and feel good will be a major priority for retailers and their suppliers. This means that both consumers and businesses will be thinking more about wellness and the role of retail in promoting cleaner living going forward,” says Pickard.

    Anywhere, anytime: IGD expects innovative new social-commerce solutions to emerge throughout next year. Retailers and suppliers will deliver targeted marketing, and new ways to make online shopping more social, instantaneous, and convenient.

    “Next year, we will see retailers think increasingly about making every moment shoppable,” says Pickard. “A recent innovation was EasyJet making it possible for Instagram users to find and book holidays to new destinations, simply by clicking on a photo they have seen. Whether through targeted marketing or simple ways to make purchasing more seamless, shopping is becoming not just more convenient but more instant as well.”

    IGD says shopping will become seamless and omnipresent, with people no longer needing to visit a retailer’s online store. As they look at pictures, watch videos or TV they’ll be able to just add products to a shopping cart.

    “This has the potential to change the way that retailers think about selling in the future.”

  • Catwalk to be presented in Dear So Cute China store

    Catwalk to be presented in Dear So Cute China store

    Design firm Lukstudio has created a theatrical-style shop and cafe as a promotional and retail space for fashion platform Dear So Cute in Chinese Haining. Inspired by South Korean cafe/fashion trends, the design is intended to communicate the brand’s values and showcase products to younger consumers. The store layout features a backstage rigging system to adjust display features as with a theatre stage, and incorporates elements of the Hainingese shadow puppet tradition in its design.

    According to a report, the retail space emphasises the brand’s “forever young energy” with a minimal, contemporary look and pink highlights, serving as a neutral backdrop for the activities going on in the space. One standout feature is a stage in the fitting room area for customers to “catwalk” before friends while deciding on purchases.

    “In today’s retail environment, most people shop online for the convenience and the reassurance of the review system,” Lukstudio’s founder Christina Luk said. “However, I believe when it comes to delivering a brand’s identity and values, the physical store is much more effective.”

    View the store design in the gallery below (7 images) :

  • “Falling Stars Challenge” has striked Asia

    “Falling Stars Challenge” has striked Asia

    The Falling Stars Challenge, a meme that has rocketed through Asia, features people posing as if they’ve fallen out of their luxury cars, with the luxury contents of their luxury bags spilling out on the pavement for all to see. The expensive goods are meticulously arranged so followers can admire the makeup, jewelry, shoes and other items that have oh-so-embarrassingly been laid bare.

    But the meme has become democratized, spreading from its beginnings as a way to take the humble out of humblebragging.

    It now encompasses any number of chosen identities, becoming a way to display the physical items and pursuits most closely associated with oneself.

    It’s popular among beauty and photography bloggers, fitness and food enthusiasts, and artists of all sorts.

    Hospital workers have shown off the tools of their trade, while others, with a touch of self-deprecation, have offered their more accessible collections of yoga mats, junk food and trash. They don’t even need to fall out of cars.

    The challenge originated in Russia and has spread throughout Asia, especially in China, where thousands of people have participated on Weibo, a popular social network.

    Even rigid government departments have joined in.

    The Consular Protection Center of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a photo that showed a worker falling into a pile of paper.

    A police school photographed a fallen officer surrounded by bullets.

    The challenge has spread beyond Russia and China, with tens of thousands of posts from various countries appearing on Instagram.

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