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UK fintech Atoa secures $2.2M as it kills Visa and Mastercard fees for businesses

Atoa Payments

There are more than 4 million small businesses in the UK which have no viable alternative to debit card payments and are reliant on Mastercard or Visa payment rails. Challenging this status quo, UK fintech Atoa Payments is announcing a $2.2M pre-seed funding round to reduce by 70% the payment fees and offer a new approach to making payments. The funding round was led by Leo Capital and Passion Capital and also included well regarded angel investors such as Matt Robinson (co-founder of GoCardless and Nested) alongside Moon Capital Ventures. Anil Stocker, Co-Founder & CEO of MarketFinance also serves as a company advisor. Mastercard and Visa payment rails have an effective duopoly in the market which enables them to get away with net margins as high as 51% at the expense of small merchants and their customers. On top of this, card machine providers charge small businesses up to 1.75%. Atoa is building a truly viable alternative for small businesses to accept payments at a fraction of those costs and to improve their cash flow meaningfully at the same time. Using Atoa is seamless. Businesses simply download the Atoa app and securely connect their merchant bank account. Set up takes less than 5 minutes, after which the merchant can accept payments via SMS, Pay-by Link or by displaying a QR code on their Atoa App or physical QR stand next to their till. At the same time, their customers do not need to download a separate app to pay which removes a substantial point of friction inhibiting merchant options until now. Any customer with a UK mobile banking app on their phone can securely pay a merchant who is using Atoa. Without requiring a separate consumer app, the customer simply scans the merchant’s QR code or clicks on the link sent by the merchant, selects their bank and then is redirected to their existing mobile bank app to approve the payment, meaning that the merchant receives the funds instantly. Sid Narayanan, Co-Founder of Atoa Payments said, “We are grateful to have the support and partnership of such strong investors validating our plans to break the card payment duopoly in the UK and to improve cash flows and economics for the country’s small merchants. At a time of record inflation and in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, the UK’s small and medium merchants are struggling to contain their costs, provide great service to the customers, and maintain profit margins. Atoa is here to empower merchants and to improve their cash flow and bottom line.” Atoa Instant Bank Pay allows small merchants to receive payments at a flat fee which is up to 70% cheaper than card machines provided by SumUp, Zettle or Square. The merchants then receive funds in their bank accounts instantly instead of having to wait 1-2 days as is the usual case with card machines and debit cards. Using Atoa involves no contracts (pay as you go), no hardware fees and no chargeback fraud risk (all payments are approved via bank app and have Strong Customer Authentication). By contrast, small retailers today are locked into contracts and typically have far from transparent fees to pay including authorisation fees, hardware fees, PCI compliance fees and more which all eat into their margins. Hardware fees can be as high as £29/month. Robert Dighero, Partner at Passion Capital, said “Atoa has come to the UK market at the right time to leverage open banking and bring to small and medium sized merchants a truly viable alternative to payment cards and card machines that can be deployed in-store within minutes. We’re delighted to work with the Atoa team after their first fintech success and look forward to partnering with them as they achieve even greater heights with Atoa. Shwetank Verma, Partner at Leo Capital, said “Leveling the playing field for independent, small and medium sized merchants is an obvious opportunity which benefits everyone, not least of which consumers. We have seen this business model succeed in India and SEA and we’re looking forward to working with the Atoa team to help them build another successful business in a massively growing market.” Since going live in June, the company has experienced more than 100% month on month growth in terms of both Total Payment Volume (TPV) and number of merchant customers. Over time, the founders’ ambitions are to become a mainstream small business friendly payment method replacing payment cards. About Atoa Payments Atoa was co-founded by Sid Narayanan, Cian O’Dowd and Arun Rajkumar, who all previously founded Singapore based fintech, KlearCard, which was acquired last year by Validus. Their first successful enterprise has motivated them to seek even greater heights and to have greater impact and to focus on one of the largest merchant retailer markets in the world, the UK. After securing their pre-seed funding round, the co-founders relocated to the UK and have achieved outstanding traction since summer 2022. About Passion Capital Passion Capital (passioncapital.com, @passioncapital) was established in 2011 to bring founder-friendly operationally-minded venture investing to the UK and Europe. Founded by former entrepreneurs instead of traditional asset fund managers, Passion was one of the first operator-led dedicated early-stage venture funds in Europe. Additionally, it was the first in the world to publish and use a plain English language term sheet and not to charge its portfolio companies any of its own legal or other fees, the first in Europe to publish fund infographics and to host joint office hours (for pitching sessions), and the first to manage a coworking office space. Over the last decade the team has invested in some of the strongest European founding teams including those from GoCardless, Monzo Bank, Lendable, Marshmallow, Tide Banking, Digital Shadows, Smarkets, Tray.io, urban, Spotahome, Butternut Box, Nested, PolyAI, Causal, Fertifa, Screenloop, Sequence, True Circle and many more. About Leo Capital Leo Capital is a Singapore based early stage venture fund, built by serial entrepreneurs with global experience. Leo Capital backs companies powering a software-enabled world and supports their founders on the journey from great founder to great CEO. We are excited about partnering with founders building the iconic companies of tomorrow. Please see http://www.leo.capital/ for more details. Contact Details Atoa Payments Bilal Mahmood +44 7714 007257 b.mahmood@stockwoodstrategy.com Company Website https://paywithatoa.co.uk/

November 24, 2022 06:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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100 Additional Small Businesses Owned by Women and People of Color in Oakland to Each Receive a $10,000 Grant from Comcast RISE, Bringing the Total Oakland Investment to $2 Million

Comcast California

Comcast today announced it will award an additional $1 million in grants to 100 small businesses owned by women and people of color, including Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, and Asian American owners, among others, in Oakland, bringing the total to $2 million to date. These recipients are part of the more than 9,500 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected as Comcast RISE awardees since November 2020. Oakland was one of five cities, including Chicago, Miami, Oakland, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., that was selected to award a $10,000 grant to 100 local businesses from the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, for a total of $5 million across 500 businesses, bringing the amount awarded nationwide to $21 million to date. Through Comcast RISE, the company also announced it will support 13,000 small businesses, owned by people of color and women, with monetary grants; a TV campaign, production of a TV commercial or consulting services from Effectv; or computer equipment, internet, voice, or cybersecurity from Comcast Business by the end of 2022. “We started our tamales business as a street food vendor in the Mission and eventually opened our storefront. Nice months ago, we relocated to a busier location in the Swan’s Market, which was an expensive move,” said Reyna Maldonado, co-owner of La Guerrera’s Kitchen, a family affair run with her mom. “Thanks to the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, we’ll be able to re-invest the funds back into our business.” In addition, Comcast RISE invests in ongoing mentorship and resources to help businesses succeed in the long run. The program has partnered with Ureeka, an online platform for entrepreneurs, to provide grant recipients with business coaching to help build skills in company foundation, growing customers and financial stability. All Comcast RISE recipients will also have a specialized online networking community within Ureeka with access to educational resources, sources of capital, and vetted experts such as U.S. Black Chambers, National Asian Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Association for Enterprise Opportunity, Walker’s Legacy and Operation Hope. Comcast RISE was formed in late 2020 to give small businesses owned by people of color the grants needed to not just survive, but thrive. From bakeries and barber shops to childcare centers and cleaning services, Comcast RISE has supported a variety of businesses, diversifying our local economies in more ways than one. There are more than 9,500 recipients from 704 cities across 37 states within the program. In November 2021, Comcast RISE announced a major expansion to all women-owned businesses nationwide. “It has been gratifying to see over 600 diverse California businesses across all industries and experiences benefiting from the Comcast RISE program,” said David Tashjian, Senior Vice President of Comcast for the California Region. “We want small businesses owned by women and people of color to continue to grow and thrive, overcoming the challenges of the current economy.” All eligible applicants will receive a monthly Comcast RISE newsletter with educational content, and all small business owners can visit the Comcast RISE destination on the X1 platform featuring aggregated small business news, tips, insights, and more. Just say “Comcast RISE” into the X1 voice remote. Comcast RISE is part of Project UP, the company’s comprehensive initiative to advance digital equity and help build a future of unlimited possibilities. More information and the applications to apply for either the grant program or marketing and technology services are available at www.ComcastRISE.com. With today’s announcement, the following 100 selected businesses in Oakland will each receive a $10,000 grant: About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. About Comcast Business Comcast Business offers Ethernet, Internet, Wi-Fi, Voice, TV and Managed Enterprise Solutions to help organizations of all sizes transform their business. Powered by an advanced network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is one of the largest contributors to the growth of Comcast Cable. Comcast Business is the nationâs largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and has emerged as a force in the Enterprise market; recognized over the last two years by leading industry associations as one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, visit www.business.comcast.com or call 866- 429-3085. Follow on Twitter @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. About Effectv Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, helps local, regional and national advertisers use the best of digital with the power of TV to grow their business. It provides multi-screen marketing solutions to make advertising campaigns more effective and easier to execute. Headquartered in New York with offices throughout the country, Effectv has a presence in 66 markets with nearly 35 million owned and represented subscribers. For more information, visit www.effectv.com. Contact Details Comcast California Adriana Arvizo +1 925-200-1919 Adriana_Arvizo@comcast.com

November 22, 2022 10:57 AM Pacific Standard Time

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Holiday Countdown

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

November 22, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Breaking the Stigma Around Obesity and Weight Loss Medication

YourUpdateTV

There is a long history of stigma surrounding obesity and weight loss medications. When diet and exercise don’t lead to effective weight loss, sometimes it’s our biology that’s holding us back. Recently, Dr. Rekha Kumar, Head of Medical Affairs at Found, conducted a satellite media tour to talk about personalized weight loss and its benefits. A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/qUhnxU91uPY Science shows that our biology can dictate up to 70% of weight gain, loss, and maintenance — yet the weight loss industry still reduces a person’s success to diet, exercise, and willpower. A variety of biological factors like genetics, hormones, metabolic rate and others contribute to our body’s “setpoint weight,” which is a certain weight that your body favors that is usually at the higher end of the scale. Your body wants to stay at this weight and fights hard to keep you there, and will even lower your metabolism or amp up your hunger signals to get back to your set point weight. Blaming obesity on a lack of willpower can take a psychological toll, causing people to feel shame, guilt, frustration or judgment, and fail to address biology as the core issue. Why Prescription Medication for Weight Loss? Obesity is a complicated disease that affects 40% of the US population, and it takes a personalized approach to each individual’s biology to treat it. Prescription medication can help people lose weight by fighting against their biology. Some medications work by suppressing appetite, and others work by curbing cravings. Weight loss medications have different mechanisms, and a doctor will have to evaluate if you're a good candidate for any of them. Not every medication is right for every person, and it’s common that if one doesn't work, a clinician might recommend trying a different medication. Historically, clinical care pathways for obesity management have only been available for patients at premiere academic medical centers, and typically have long wait lists. The Found’s program addresses a clear gap in access to weight care: Today, more than 40% of Americans have obesity, and yet only 1% of physicians specialize in obesity medicine. The medications Found offers are supported by clinical evidence to be highly effective and safe for helping aid with weight loss. Found has seen that members receiving medication plus behavior change support on the Found program have lost at least 13% more weight, and in some cases up to 229% more weight, than people receiving the same medication in clinical studies. Found is the largest online weight care clinic in the country, helping more than 160,000 Americans with their weight loss journey to-date. Found offers 13 different medications that can be combined to create more than 60 different possible treatment paths, available through their Prescription Program, each uniquely paired to address a person's biological and medical history. Found’s wide toolkit of medications fundamentally helps to serve a broader audience than others in the space. The Practice of Responsible Prescribing Found-affiliated providers are trained in the Found treatment protocol, which looks at various factors to determine the medication that will be safest and most effective for a member’s individual needs.Found-affiliated practitioners prescribe both FDA-approved branded anti-obesity medications as well as off-label generic combinations when determined safe by the treating clinician. The medications prescribed are the same medications that are offered in premiere academic medical centers.Treatment through the Found platform expands access to obesity treatment by bypassing long waitlists for appointments and copays for visits at in-person clinics. Found-affiliated medical providers are expected to always provide treatment and care that is in the best interest of their patients. For more information on Found’s weight care program, please visit joinfound.com Bio for Dr. Rekha Kumar, M.D., M.S. Dr. Rekha Kumar is recognized as an international leader in the field of Obesity Medicine. She is Head of Medical Affairs at weight care platform Found, as well as a practicing endocrinologist at an academic medical center in New York City. She also served as the former medical director of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Dr. Kumar has lectured internationally on the topic of the medical assessment and treatment of obesity. She has published several papers and textbook chapters in her field and serves as an Associate Editor of the journal Obesity. She is frequently quoted in the media on topics ranging from the diabetes epidemic in the United States to discussing fad diets, exercise trends, and the complications of Covid-19 in patients with obesity. Dr. Kumar’s areas of expertise include the clinical assessment of patients with obesity and metabolic syndrome, the effect of obesity on reproductive health and fertility, and thyroid disease. Dr. Kumar completed her undergraduate studies at Duke University then received her master’s degree in Physiology from Georgetown University. She continued on to receive her M.D. from New York Medical College and completed her residency training in Internal Medicine at the New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill-Cornell Medical College. Dr. Kumar obtained her clinical fellowship in the combined Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism program at the Weill-Cornell Medical College/New York Presbyterian Hospital and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Kumar has traveled abroad to India, China, and Tanzania to understand the scope of metabolic disease globally. She serves on the board of advisors of the Duke Global Health Institute. Dr. Kumar is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism, and Obesity Medicine. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 22, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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Madelaine Petsch Announced as First Celebrity Ambassador of Bamboo Underwear

Full Scope PR

Bamboo Underwear is thrilled to announce Madelaine Petsch as its first celebrity ambassador. As the official face of the brand, the Riverdale actress will appear in campaigns throughout the year. Bamboo’s mission is to bring the most comfortable underwear to the world, made using the highest quality viscose from bamboo, fabric that is breathable, moisture-wicking, and thermo-regulating. Bamboo offers an assortment of underwear and apparel. Bamboo Underwear fabric is known for being four-times softer than cotton which, just like bamboo sheets, gets softer over time. “I’ve been a fan of Bamboo for a long time so I’m very excited to be working with them now!” says Madelaine. "Madelaine Petsch is an incredibly talented actress and we are thrilled to have her as the face of Bamboo Underwear,” says Mathieu Landry-Girouard, Bamboo Underwear Co-Founder. “Madelaine really embodies the confidence and strength that our product helps people to feel, and we are excited to share all that this new collaboration will bring.” To kick-off the partnership, Bamboo Underwear will offer a generous Black Friday Sale starting from November 21st offering up to 75% off storewide, freebies, and many exclusive offers. The bestselling, everyday essential pieces are available at bamboounderwear.com and range from $21 – $66 in sizes XS-XXL. The brand also proudly provides carbon neutral shipping and 100% recycled shipment bags, which are compostable, biodegradable and reusable. ABOUT BAMBOO UNDERWEAR Bamboo Underwear is an underwear company that focuses on making the world's mostcomfortable underwear. From women's bralettes to men boxers, the company uses premiumviscose from bamboo to make sure wearers are comfortable all day long. Since its launch in2018, the brand has seen rapid growth in North America. Contact Details Chad Schubert chad@fullscopepr.com Jack Ketsoyan jack@fullscopepr.com Company Website https://www.bamboounderwear.com/

November 21, 2022 02:50 PM Eastern Standard Time

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Minuteman Press Franchisees Dawn and Dean Seifert Celebrate 15 Years in Youngstown, Ohio

Minuteman Press International Inc

Dawn and Dean Seifert, owners of two Minuteman Press franchises in Youngstown and Warren, Ohio, are celebrating 15 years in business for their Youngstown location, which opened in May 2007. Minuteman Press in Youngstown is located at 3200 Belmont Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44505. In January 2020, Dawn and Dean purchased Minuteman Press in Warren located at 2460 Elm Road NE, Unit 500, Warren, OH 44483. Prior to franchising with Minuteman Press, Dean grew up in a family-owned print shop while Dawn worked in banking. They decided to own a business “to set our own destiny,” says Dawn. When asked about their success and longevity over the past 15 years, Dean says, “There are 4 keys to our business: Being able to have two of our four children work with us in the family business. Our customer service – we never tell a client that something can’t be done. We update our equipment when needed to make sure we operate efficiently. Following the Minuteman Press franchise system and marketing to our clients and community.” Dawn adds the following insights on how they have successfully marketed the business. She says, “There are 4 primary ways we have grown our business: Getting involved in the community and sponsoring various local events. Visiting our clients on a regular basis. Providing customers with our branded promotional items. Utilizing email marketing campaigns.” For Dawn and Dean, their high-demand products from clients include “custom printed brochures, branded promotional products, and full-scale direct mail marketing campaigns that include graphic design, printing, and mailing.” Dean says, “People still like to have something to hold onto and printing is the perfect way to put your brand in their hands and make a lasting impression.” Today, the local business community is looking bright. Dean shares, “We are excited to be part of a community along Liberty’s Belmont Avenue Business Corridor, which is the Mahoning Valley’s home base for many family-owned businesses. We are local businesses supporting each other and our customers. One of the biggest rewards of owning this business is building real relationships with our clients and having them become part of our family.” As part of the Minuteman Press franchise system for 15 years, Dawn and Dean share their three key benefits of franchising: “The corporate and local regional offices are always just a phone call away. The training was perfect for us and laid the foundation for how we operate our business. The Minuteman Press FLEX software helps us manage our business – it is easy to learn and operate/maintain.” As for what advice they would give to other businesses owners right now, Dean says, “Don’t try to do everything yourself. Also, treat your employees right and share your growth with them.” For more information about Minuteman Press in Youngstown, Ohio, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/oh/youngstown/ For more information about Minuteman Press in Warren, Ohio, visit https://minuteman.com/us/locations/oh/warren/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and to see Minuteman Press franchise reviews, visit https://minutemanpressfranchise.com Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

November 17, 2022 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

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dbx-tv’s Total Cal Recognized as 2023 CES Innovation Awards Honoree

dbx-tv

dbx-tv® today announced Total Cal®, a patent-pending in-home audio tuning system has been selected as a CES Innovation Award Honoree. Total Cal was selected for its ability to improve the sound of televisions, soundbars, and portable/home speakers. The announcement was made in conjunction with the 17 th annual CES Unveiled New York event, an intimate, invitation only event showcasing what’s to come at CES 2023--the most influential tech event in the world. dbx-tv’s Total Cal gives TV, soundbar, and home speaker end-customers the ability to fine-tune the audio performance of their equipment for their individual listening environment. Controlled via a user-friendly app, Total Cal detects and corrects for acoustic issues in the home, ensuring all material sounds exactly the way it was intended. “The Total Cal system represents a breakthrough in consumer audio, bringing in-home tuning technology to budget-friendly electronics. Total Cal makes it easy for every consumer to experience high quality, accurate, and customized sound without the need for any audio expertise or complex A/V equipment“ says Les Tyler, the inventor of automatic equalization technology and President of dbx-tv. Based on dbx-tv’s professional audio measurement and calibration algorithms, Total Cal measures the device’s performance in the room at a variety of listening positions then re-tunes the audio parameters to provide customized, accurate sound quality. “dbx-tv’s sole focus is improving the sound of consumer electronics through clever audio processing--without increasing hardware costs for manufacturers or consumers. By harnessing the power of cloud computing and the mobile devices consumers already own, Total Cal works with the industry standard SoCs and DSPs manufacturers already design around, enabling them to deliver high-end audio processing in cost-conscious products” said Timothy Brault, Director of Sales and Marketing for dbx-tv. dbx-tv offers Total Cal to TV & speaker OEM/ODM manufacturers as a companion application to the company’s Total Sonics audio post-processing. Products utilizing Total Cal are expected to reach consumers early in 2023. Total Cal, along with dbx-tv’s other audio processing technologies, will be on display and available for demonstration at CES 2023 in suite 306 of the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. About dbx-tv dbx-tv has over 40 years of experience improving audio in TVs and other small speaker devices. Born from the pro audio legacy of dbx, dbx-tv has earned multiple television audio technology awards and has improved sound in over a billion devices worldwide. Learn more at www.dbx-tv.com. Contact Details Rainier Communications Jenna Beaucage +1 508-340-6851 jbeaucage@rainierco.com Company Website https://dbx-tv.com

November 17, 2022 08:13 AM Eastern Standard Time

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New Alvarez & Marsal Fall 2022 Consumer Sentiment Report - Highlights Impacts of Inflation, Weak Optimism

Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group

Category spend down y-o-y for basic needs, experiences, gifts & indulgences 7 in 10 Consumers plan to spend less on holiday shopping Rising prices create concern across all age groups New York, NY —November 16, 2022— Global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group (A&M CRG) today released its newest consumer report, Consumer Sentiment Survey Fall 2022, which looks at the impacts of inflation and resultant changes in consumer spending over the last year, as well as spending expectations into the holidays and for the coming six-month period. This is the third chapter of its bi-annual Consumer Sentiment Report, based on a survey of 1,500+ consumers matching the U.S. adult population according to gender, age, ethnicity, region and income. The report covers various changing behaviors in response to inflation, including around consumers’ holiday spending plans, shopping priorities by category, concerns over rising prices, other factors that will affect holiday purchase decisions, and more. “Our objective was to understand how inflation is affecting the American consumer in terms of their optimism or lack thereof, their buying patterns and expectations, and their preferred shopping channels – especially as we go into the holiday season” noted Jonathan Sharp, Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group, and lead author of the study. “What we found is that extended inflationary pressures are causing U.S. consumers to retrench further and curtail even more their discretionary spending – even categories that had seemed somewhat immune in spring 2022 are now under pressure.” Additionally, many fear that inflation has yet to peak, with 65% of consumers expecting prices to continue to rise in the next 6 months. The study found that: Almost 9 in 10 consumers have adopted new habits in response to inflation; 7 in 10 are altering their holiday shopping habits Among shopping priorities by category, only grocery was up, vs. dining out, which was down by 40% Concerns over rising prices rise with age, as do plans to spend less on indulgences Consumer expectations on things getting better, saving more, having more money, and plans to spend the same or more on basic needs were all down year-over-year This year’s holiday season looks like it will also be impacted by consumer spending reticence. The most significant changes people are making is a reduction in their overall gift spending; 1 in 3 shoppers plan to spend less on gifts this holiday season. The report provides insights into the factors that will have an impact on purchase decisions this holiday, including shipping fees, more limited return policies, potential upcoming sales, holiday availability, and Buy Now Pay Later options. “Smart retailers will remain agile in responding to deal-hungry, penny-pinching consumers,” added Jonathan Sharp. “Inventory management, pricing and cost management will continue to be severely challenged.” To download a pdf of Consumer Sentiment Survey Fall 2022, please visit: https://alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/insight/am-crg-consumer-sentiment-survey-fall-2022/ The Alvarez and Marsal Consumer and Retail Group (CRG) is a management consulting firm that tackles the most complex challenges and advances its clients, people, and communities towards their maximum potential. CRG combines the best of A&M’s broader firm's bias toward action and practicality with deep consumer and retail industry experience. CRG partners with businesses across a wide range of categories including Food & Beverage, Beauty & Personal Care, Grocery, Mass Merchandise, and Apparel & Footwear to drive significant performance improvement. Contact Details David Schneidman dschneidman@alvarezandmarsal.com Company Website https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail

November 16, 2022 11:47 AM Eastern Standard Time

How To Win At Holiday Hosting: Everything You Need to Know When Hosting Family & Friends

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/DmvrRaRjo4E November officially ushers in the holiday season, bringing with it the hustle and bustle we’ve been missing the past couple of years. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mia Syn says there are a few easy ways to win at hosting while setting the scene for all the fun, food, and festivities. PLAN THE MENU AHEAD OF TIME: This holiday season is expected to be as “back to normal” as possible after more than two years of restrictions. For those taking on the role of hosting, Syn admits it could be a little nerve-racking, “That’s why I recommend planning the menu ahead of time, including main dishes, drinks, desserts, and the overall presentation.” The Registered Dietician Nutritionist suggests kicking things off with an overflowing charcuterie board filled with a mixture of colors, textures, and flavors, including a variety of cheeses, meats, and lots of veggies. Syn says to make sure to include almonds, adding, “Look for flavors that will surprise your guests, but also help add a seasonal taste.” This year, Blue Diamond Almonds released its first-ever limited-time offer holiday flavored almonds. “They’re perfect for a seasonal charcuterie board or sharing as a gift or stocking stuffer. Your family will love the Blue Diamond Snickerdoodle Flavored Almonds. They have the delicious taste of a seasonal cinnamon sugar cookie… so good! And one of my favorites is the Peppermint Cocoa Flavored Almonds with a delicious chocolatey flavor and hint of peppermint.” These products are available at grocery stores nationwide and Amazon.com. Consumers can also use Blue Diamond’s product locator tool to find a nearby store. https://www.bluediamond.com/naughty-and-nice Facebook: www.facebook.com/BlueDiamondAlmonds/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/BlueDiamond Twitter: www.twitter.com/BlueDiamond DESSERTS WITH ADDED BENEFITS: A menu would not be complete without dessert. It may be a surprise, but Syn is a self-proclaimed “desserts girl,” saying, “I’m always about the desserts and this year I have a couple originals that are on the healthy side and taste fantastic!” She recommends a classic with a twist, blondies. “Believe it or not, my version is made with beans,” says Syn. The registered dietician nutritionist admits it may seem odd at first, but, “When cooked and rinsed well, beans can add moisture and fudginess to baked goods like brownies and blondies while cutting back on the amount of fat and flour needed. Not only that, but beans add nutrients such as plant protein, B vitamins, and fiber, making this a dessert with benefits.” Another option are Syn’s banana-sweetened chocolate chip oatmeal cookies. They’re made with a ripe banana mash, creamy peanut butter, quick oats, pure vanilla and dark chocolate chips. “There is also another surprise, these treats are made without flour, eggs, or added sugar,” says Syn. STOP DOING DISHES: Syn admits the menu building and preparation could be fun, but the cleanup is often taxing and takes up a lot of time. That’s why she suggests eliminating the time suckers, which includes washing dishes and loading the dishwasher. “We all know it takes time away from what’s really important. This time of year is so busy and should be spent on special traditions, making new memories, and being with the ones you love.” The Chinet® brand is focused on making cleanup easier so families can spend more time together. She says these products are made for exactly what’s on your menu, like a traditional honey-glazed turkey, or an old-fashioned ham with brown sugar and mustard glaze. For a more upscale affair, Syn suggests using the Chinet Crystal® products, which add a fancy touch to meals, perfect for a beef tenderloin, seared duck, or lamb with garlic and rosemary,” adding, “The crystal cups are great for that pre-dinner toast!” Most importantly, when partygoers are done eating dinner or dessert, Syn says, “Just toss the dishes and have all that extra time for family fun.” For more information, visit mychinet.com. Facebook: Facebook.com/mychinet Instagram: Instagram.com/mychinet Twitter: Twitter.com/mychinet Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

November 16, 2022 10:05 AM Eastern Standard Time

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