By Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager at Sparck Technologies.

Companies can be schizophrenic about packaging and its costs. On the one hand, product packaging is closely scrutinised – a battleground between buyers seeking to drive costs down and marketers looking for ever greater impact and ‘shelf appeal’.

In recognition of Cyber Security Awareness Month, Uswitch Broadband experts set out to explore how well people are protecting themselves online. The survey uncovered common mistakes that leave people vulnerable to cyber risks, along with actionable tips on how to safeguard personal information.

Austria's Raiffeisen Bank International considers selling the Russian division or withdrawing it from the structure of the group. Raiffeisen's "daughter" will continue running "certain banking activities" in Russia to maintain license. At the moment, the bank can not get rid of all of its business in Russia, but is striving for this to happen, RBI CEO Johann Strobl said. The RBI Group in Russia is represented by Raiffeisenbank, as well as leasing, insurance and management companies. The company's subdivisions employ over 9,000 people.

IKEA extended the right to its trademark in Russia until August 2033. The IKEA trademark package included: the yellow-blue logo, a full list of company services and the right to officially sell its products in Russia. The headquarters of the corporation in the Netherlands submitted an application to Rospatent on August 1, 2023. The application was approved on February 2.

Vladislav Bakalchuk, co-founder of one of Russia's largest marketplace platform Wildberries, announced an attempted gangster-style takeover of the company. The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov posted a video of his conversation with Bakalchuk on his Telegram channel. Bakalchuk said that in early July, Russ Outdoor company, headed by Levon and Robert Mirzoyan, tried to take over the assets of Wildberries by means of legal schemes. According to the co-founder, they deceived his wife, Tatyana Bakalchuk, after which she left home without an opportunity to see her husband to discuss what was happening. The marketplace merged with Russ Outdoor Company in June; the shares of both companies in the business were approximately equal.

Offering insights into the most effective, tried and tested approaches to managing retail risk, supplier of loss prevention solutions and retail technology, Checkpoint Systems UK, has revealed the conference agenda for its upcoming appearance as title sponsor at Retail Risk London on 22 July 2021.

Despite increasing concerns surrounding food waste, more than 89 million tonnes of food are thrown away every year in Europe. The grocery retail sector contributes some 5% to the total amount, often due to expired fresh produce, equating to more than 4.45 million tonnes.

RFID technology does not just exist since yesterday, but especially now, it has a major impact on the profits and losses of companies, for example in retail and logistics. RFID tags that are attached to goods can be read with mobile computers in such a way that real-time results for transactions, stock levels or the order history of customers are displayed.

The premium quality barcode and RFID solutions provider inotec is currently producing 40 million RFID identification cards for a market-leading international discount supermarket chain. The exceptionally large RFID card order was placed after the discount supermarket’s strategic decision to install new crate track and trace systems. 

Supply chain hardware, software and services company Renovotec is launching a ‘fast improvement manufacturing programme’ designed to deploy those technologies that have the greatest impact on supply chain manufacturing.

SATO has launched its RAIN RFID1-based asset management solution ASETRA in Europe. The easy to deploy system comprising RFID tags, RFID printers and desktop reader/writers accurately and easily tracks and manages assets through the supply chain.

RAIN Alliance, the non-profit industry organisation supporting the development and adoption of Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), has published its bi-annual research report ‘Global Markets & Applications for RAIN RFID Solutions’, produced by VDC Research.

Manhattan Associates Inc has announced that PacSun, the specialty retailer of emerging youth brands and trending fashion, has selected Manhattan Active Point of Sale to enhance its omnichannel sales strategy and deliver a seamless, unified customer shopping experience.

Manhattan Associates Inc. has announced significant enhancements to its Manhattan Active Point of Sale (POS) application designed to meet the dynamic needs of modern store associates.

PayPoint and Teya have entered into a partnership that has led to the launch of a new service for Teya Business Account holders at PayPoint stores nationwide.

SUZOHAPP – a global market leader of software and hardware payment management solutions – will be exhibiting at EuroShop, the world’s largest retail trade fair from February 16-20 in Dusseldorf, Germany.On display at booth #6A75 will be the market leading CashComplete™ line of payment management solutions.

Most of us have used a self-service, multi-user kiosk at some point in our lives, to purchase train tickets, to select our burger at a fast food restaurant, to pay for parking in a multi-story car park, to check-in at a hospital or airport to name just a few.

The question is, will COVID-19, or possibly some future virus strain make people reluctant about using these now necessary machines

Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) has tied up with RAKBANK to facilitate the opening of bank accounts for RAKEZ clients through a digital kiosk within its one-stop shop service centre in Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaimah. The new kiosk allows clients to complete their application on the spot, without the need to visit a RAKBANK branch.

Janam Technologies, provider of rugged mobile computers and contactless access solutions, has introduced the newest addition to its Guardian family of access management hardware solutions.

Doddle, the global e-commerce technology provider, has introduced a range of self-service kiosks to its solution portfolio, enabling retailers and carriers to address the challenge of online returns. 

Global financial technology company SumUp has unveiled its Kiosk solution designed to transform how businesses process orders. SumUp’s Kiosk solution is claimed to be able to dramatically improve the speed at which merchants can process orders.

Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials EMENA has introduced AD XeroLinr DT, a new FSC-certified and phenol-free direct thermal (DT) linerless solution that drives productivity, reduces waste and advances sustainability.

BIXOLON Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of BIXOLON the global manufacturer of advanced receipt, label and mobile printers, has launched its SRP-330III thermal point-of-sale printer series for all ticketing and receipting operations in the retail, hospitality and transportation sectors, an enhancement of the previous SRP-330II.

On 26th June 1974, retail history was made with the scanning of the first-ever linear barcode. It started as a method to help supermarkets facilitate price look-up at the point of sale (POS) and has now become the common standard for commerce the world over, with global specifications managed by the international standards organisation GS1.

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has launched three new managed print services (MPS) solutions to enhance its support for resellers amid growing demand for print-as-a-service.

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has launched a compact range of mono laser printers for businesses, helping resellers to support customers with downsized offices and decentralised workforces.

Business technology solutions provider Brother UK has upgraded its professional labelling line-up, launching two new devices to help make compliance easier for electricians and network installers.

As many as 3,000 Wagner fighters joined the Akhmat special forces of the 2nd Army Corps of the Russian Armed Forces. Their commander Ratibor gathers people who will carry out the "tasks of the state.” The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, reported on Telegram that one of the commanders of the Wagner Group with call sign Ratibor would join the Akhmat special forces and bring in 3,000 fighters along with him too. The agreement was reached as a result of negotiations between the deputy commander of the 2nd Army Corps of the Russian Armed Forces, Apta Alaudinov, and Wagner commander, Alexander Kuznetsov (Ratibor). The Russian Defence Ministry approved the initiative. Kadyrov spoke of Ratibor as "an old comrade with whom he had fought side by side before.”

Ukraine dreamed of becoming "the key to the security of Europe's gas supply,” the gas hub of Europe. Moscow found this unnecessary. Ukraine wants to become EU's gas hub According to Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Svetlana Grinchuk, imports usually account for up to 10 billion cubic meters of the total volume of Ukrainian storage facilities of 31 billion cubic meters. Ukraine stores gas from Poland, Norway, Hungary, and other countries, which they receive even from the Caspian region, as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG), which comes to Europe from the United States. "The EU aims to phase out the use of Russian gas and reduce the share of fossil fuels in the energy mix. Ukraine can help achieve these goals," Grinchuk told Euractiv.

Russia's advance on the outskirts of Ocheretin shows that the Armed Forces of Ukraine do not have reserves to stop the offensive of the Russian Armed Forces. The five-kilometre advance of the Russian forces near Ocheretino was a narrow wedge up to 500 meters wide. The AFU could have attacked the Russian troops from flanks and the Russian assault troops would have been surrounded and crushed. However, it did not happen, and the Russian troops continue their combined arms offensive operation to expand their presence on the flanks, which makes it impossible to encircle them.

Russia continues to annihilate bases in Ukraine that could be suitable for using F-16 fighter jets. On May 29, the Russian forces struck the Yavoriv training ground in Lviv Region yet again. Kinzhal missiles hit Yavoriv firing range According to the Ukrainian authorities, F-16 fighter jets, technical personnel and pilots arrived in Ukraine after Easter. On Sunday, the Russian Air Force launched Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles to strike several airfields in Ukraine, including the Starokonstantinov airfield and the Yavoriv training ground. The latter sits 30 kilometres northwest of Lviv and 20 kilometres from the Polish border.

Uraldrone Plant presented the new Berdysh quadcopter for supporting assault troops. The new drone is designed to support assault troops, capable of using a grenade launcher and a flamethrower, Vladimir Tkachuk, Uraldrone Plant CEO said. The Berdysh is the latest development of Russian engineers. This is a heavy combat drone designed to support assault troops. This vehicle is a combination of impressive carrying capacity and high maneuverability, which makes it a formidable weapon on the battlefield.

The Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading industry event that connects retail’s changemakers and leading tech providers, has announced the shortlist of its 2024 Innovation Awards, which champion progressive, best-in-class technologies and solutions.

PPDS, the exclusive global provider of Philips Professional Displays and complementary hardware and software solutions, has announced the latest evolution of its multi-award-winning ePaper with Android SoC signage range, launching the new 13” Philips Tableaux 4150 at InfoComm 2024. 

With e-commerce leaders such as Alibaba, Amazon, eBay, and TikTok on hand to share insights at the China (Shenzhen) Cross Border E-commerce Fair (CCBEC) from 11 – 13 September 2024, the show will welcome nearly 1,500 exhibitors from around the globe.

Shanghai World of Packaging (swop) will take centre stage from November 18 to 20, 2024, at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre.

PPDS is participating at EquipHotel 2024 (3-7 November), with the latest innovations in its portfolio of hospitality display solutions, plus the launch of a brand new ‘all inclusive’ streaming partnership for Philips MediaSuite TVs.

A young woman in headphones was crossing railway tracks in front of an approaching commuter train at Sergiev Posad station in the Moscow region and was hit by the train. Miraculously, she survived and was almost unharmed, the Moscow Railway reported. The incident took place on November 6 at 17:18 at Sergiev Posad station.

A two-seat version of the J-20 fighter, the J-20S, was unveiled at the Zhuhai Air Show in China. The J-20S is notable for being the only two-seat design built on a 5th-generation platform. The second seat in the airplane is designed for the UAV operator. This configuration allows the J-20S to control unmanned wingmen thus enhancing the role of the fighter as a central information hub in combat.

Added January 24, 2006:

Added July 25, 2006:

Updated July 25, 2006: Young-Earth creationists consider the helium diffusion studies of D. Russell Humphreys and others to be one of their greatest achievements in arguing for a 6,000 year old Earth. A geologist shows that these studies are extensively flawed and include: serious miscalculations in their data, sampling the wrong rock type, failing to eliminate possible contamination, using equations that are based on invalid assumptions and relying on questionable data. Appendices C and D have been added in response to Dr. Humphreys' most recent statements in his January 2006 "Trueorigins" essay.

Added August 17, 2006:

Fifty years ago, the first retail barcode was scanned, marking a pivotal moment in computing history by linking a physical product to its digital identity.

To commemorate this milestone and in conjunction with Cambridge Tech Week, Orca Scan has launched a new exhibition, ‘Celebrating 50 Years of Barcode Scanning’, in collaboration with Datalogic and the Centre for Computing History.

AI-Media - the global provider of audiovisual encoding technology and AI-driven transcription and translation solutions, and Speechmatics - the provider of speech recognition technology, have announced a strategic expansion of their multi-year partnership to deliver new and better AI-driven products to market.

Paysend has launched instant and simple cross-border payouts to China UnionPay cards for its Enterprise customers.

British Business-to-Business (B2B) companies take on average 32 days to collect, collate and enrich all the necessary data for a new product launch, significantly impacting UK productivity and go-to-market times, according to research conducted by Akeneo, the Product Experience (PX) Company and leading provider of Product Information Management (PIM) solutions.

Paynetics, provider of embedded finance services, has entered into a strategic partnership with tell.money to implement the Confirmation of Payee (CoP) service. The collaboration ensures that Paynetics will take advantage of tell.money CoP service, allowing partners to embed financial services while staying fully CoP covered with minimal effort.

The Golden Quarter of retail is approaching. Perfect time for retailers to gather mounds of consumer data. But how to do so compliantly? Two Toronto-based marketing specialists have an answer: Precision Retail, a new venture offering what they believe to be the world's first and only rewards-based post-purchase survey plugin to capture 0PD.

Paysend and Mastercard have partnered to launch Paysend Libre in Mexico in a move to drive financial inclusion in a region where the majority of the population is still underbanked or unbanked.