7xm to mm
2025-01-10   

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season , customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don't expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptc y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That's why paper books remain relevant," Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season's impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands' End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there -- so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. "Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”As the two clubs engage in a subtle dance of recruitment and negotiations behind the scenes, fans and analysts alike are left speculating on the potential outcomes of this intriguing reverse poaching scenario. Will the pharmaceutical factory succeed in luring the Real Madrid prodigy to their ranks, or will the Galacticos manage to secure valuable additions from the factory's talented lineup?Algert Global LLC Purchases 25,050 Shares of Alignment Healthcare, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALHC)7xm to mm 。

In conclusion, the Gansu Transport Department's swift and comprehensive response to the snowstorm blue alert underscores its dedication to safeguarding the well-being of residents and travelers in the region. Through proactive measures, effective communication, and strategic collaborations, the department is actively preparing for and mitigating the impact of low temperatures and snowfall on transportation systems. By prioritizing safety, efficiency, and responsiveness, the Gansu Transport Department sets a commendable example for other provinces facing similar winter challenges.In November, the Development Index of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in China witnessed a notable increase of 0.2 points. This rise reflects the resilience and potential of the SME sector in China amidst various challenges and uncertainties in the global economic landscape. The continuous growth and improvement in the SME sector are crucial for fostering innovation, driving economic expansion, and creating job opportunities.

Chelsea, under the guidance of the talented Thomas Tuchel, have undergone a remarkable transformation since his appointment as manager. The Blues have shown resilience, tactical astuteness, and offensive firepower, making them a tough opponent for any team in the league. With the likes of Timo Werner, Mason Mount, and N'Golo Kante in their ranks, Chelsea's attacking prowess and defensive stability have propelled them into the title race.

The opposition's decision to reveal these photos was a deliberate attempt to challenge the perception of Assad as a cold and heartless leader. By showcasing his private moments with his family, they sought to undermine his authority and legitimacy in the eyes of the public. However, the tactic also raised questions about the ethics of using personal family photos as a political weapon.

The Los Angeles Galaxy will aim to complete one of the most remarkable transformations in Major League Soccer history on Saturday when they host the New York Red Bulls chasing a record-extending sixth MLS Cup crown. A year ago, the California franchise had hit rock bottom, plummeting to their worst ever regular season record to finish one place off the bottom of the Western Conference. The team that had once been a home to the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were engulfed in crisis, with fans boycotting fixtures after nearly a decade of failure on the field. Moreover, the Galaxy's status as one of MLS's glamour clubs had been diminished by the arrival of Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, as well as the emergence of city rivals Los Angeles FC, winners of the MLS Cup in 2022. The febrile atmosphere at the Galaxy prompted team ownership to shake up their front office, with Will Kuntz appointed general manager to replace long-time predecessor Chris Klein, who was fired in May 2023. The turnaround since those changes has been dramatic. After winning just eight fixtures in the 2023 season, the Galaxy under head coach Greg Vanney won a record-equalling 19 games this season to finish joint top of the table, second only to leaders LAFC on goal difference. The Galaxy kept up their winning ways in the postseason, swatting aside Colorado 9-1 on aggregate to wrap up their first round series, before thrashing Minnesota United 6-2 and then squeezing past Seattle 1-0 last weekend. Those results have left the club on the threshold of a first MLS Cup title since 2014 and a record sixth championship overall. Victory in Saturday's showpiece in Carson would be especially sweet for Vanney, who appeared in three MLS Cup finals with the Galaxy as a player in 1996, 1999 and 2001 -- and lost all three. Reflecting on his team's journey to this year's final, Vanney said this week his team had thrived under the pressure of being expected to challenge for silverware. "The expectation is to be in games like this, to win trophies and win championships," Vanney said. "This group has come out and attacked it from day one and hasn't been afraid of it or in awe of it -- and that's one of the beauties of this group. "I'm excited for this group and this opportunity and now the objective is to win it and put the stamp on it, rewriting a new group of players and new legacy for this organisation." Vanney's task has become more complicated by an injury to star midfielder Riqui Puig, who suffered torn knee ligaments in last week's Western Conference final win over Seattle and will miss Saturday's game. "He's the ultimate competitor," Vanney said. "He wants to win, compete, and take responsibility on the field. He drives the team in so many ways. "We're going to have to adapt, and we're going to have to adapt in a collective way." The Galaxy meanwhile will be wary of a New York Red Bulls line-up that have ripped up the form book en route to the final. After finishing seventh in the Eastern Conference -- 27 points behind leaders Inter Miami -- the Red Bulls stunned reigning champions Columbus in the first round of the playoffs before wins on the road over rivals New York City FC and Orlando to book their place in their first MLS Cup since 2008. New York's Scotland international midfielder Lewis Morgan says the team is unfazed by Saturday's assignment in Los Angeles. "For me, it doesn't really matter where it is: it's playoff football," Morgan said this week. "It's not the regular season. These games are more cagey. You go 1-0 up, we defend a little bit deeper and we're relying on guys at the back. There have been massive performances." rcw/bb

WUHAN, Nov. 30: Small plastic particles in water have become one of the most concerning consumer pollutants due to their pervasive presence in water sources. A Chinese team has developed a new strategy to remove those microplastics that adversely affect health. The study published on Saturday in the journal Science Advances described a new reusable and biodegradable foam that can absorb microplastics in water with an efficiency of up to 99.8 per cent in its first use. The researchers from Wuhan University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology employed a sustainable fibrous foam made of chitin from squid bone and cellulose from cotton. The foam has a porous structure that can attract and interact with diverse microplastics commonly found in electronics, food packaging, textiles, and other industrial products. The team evaluated the foam's performance using samples from four real-world water sources -- irrigation water, lake water, seawater and pond water -- to see if the foam would work in water found in a natural setting. The foam absorbed nearly 100 per cent of microplastics in its first cycles in samples, and the removal rates of this biopolymer-based material exceeded 95 per cent after five cycles, demonstrating its good reusability. According to the study, the material's adsorptive capacity remains basically unaffected by inorganic particles, heavy metals, organic pollutants, and microorganisms in water. "Microplastics entering terrestrial and aquatic habitats will continuously increase for thousands of years due to the alarming volumes of plastic waste in the environment," said Deng Hongbing from Wuhan University, the study's corresponding author. The study suggests that biomass materials could be a cost-effective solution for tackling the intricate problem of microplastic contamination in water, said Deng. The team has already applied for a patent for this technology, hoping to bring it into real-world water treatment or home water purifiers in the near future.In 2024, Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a significant surge in its tourism sector, with over three million domestic and international tourists visiting the region this year. Officials said the growth is largely due to the ambitious initiatives undertaken by the government to boost tourism across various sectors. An official said that the Jammu and Kashmir administration launched an ambitious plan to develop 75 new tourist destinations, 75 heritage and cultural sites, 75 Sufism and religious sites and 75 adventure treks, to attract tourists across all four seasons. Work on these projects is in full swing, with ongoing developments across the region, he added. These initiatives, he said, encompass various facets of tourism, including nature, adventure, pilgrimage, heritage and sports tourism. “Efforts have been made to explore new tourism avenues such as amusement parks, water sports, rafting, rock climbing, and snow parks to attract a broader spectrum of tourists,” the official said. He said that to strengthen J&K’s tourism brand, a sustained marketing strategy has been implemented, with a strong emphasis on utilising information technology to better reach global audiences. “Eco-friendly infrastructure is being developed to standardise tourism products and services, and targeted marketing strategies are being employed to tap into emerging markets, which will contribute significantly to J&K’s economic prosperity,” he added. A key initiative includes simplifying the registration and renewal processes for tourism units through a Single Window Clearance mechanism, designed to improve the Ease of Doing Business. The government has also encouraged private sector participation, particularly through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), in developing tourism infrastructure, according to the official. He said the tourism strategy in J&K focuses on harnessing the potential of emerging sectors such as Adventure Tourism, Caravan Tourism, Helicopter Tourism, Eco-Tourism, Pilgrimage Tourism, Rural Tourism, Wellness Tourism, Agro Tourism, MICE Tourism, Heritage Tourism and Golf Tourism. “Promoting sustainable tourism has been a priority, with a strong emphasis on preserving J&K’s unique natural and cultural heritage,” he said. “To further complement these efforts, the development of highways and wayside amenities is ongoing to improve accessibility to tourist destinations, including the promotion of off-beat locations.” The official said that a comprehensive roadmap for J&K’s tourism sector development in 2024 includes initiatives for developing lakes and wetlands, new tourist circuits, seasonal tourism, and off-the-beaten-path destinations. There is also a focus on improving accessibility to tourist spots, with continued investments in advanced marketing and promotional strategies, he informed. “Capacity building and human resource development remain central to these efforts, ensuring sustainable tourism that aligns with the region’s carrying capacity,” he added. Several major infrastructure projects were completed in 2024, which have enhanced J&K’s appeal as a prime tourist destination. Among the highlights is the completion of the Wellness Centre at Mantalai, built under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme at a cost of Rs 80 crore, which offers amenities such as huts, a spa, a yoga and meditation centre and a helipad. Similarly, the Hazratbal Shrine development in Srinagar, under the PRASAD Scheme, costing Rs 40.46 crore, has not only enhanced facilities for pilgrims but also created job opportunities for locals, the official said. Looking ahead, the Tourism Department plans to further enhance J&K’s offerings through high-quality tented accommodations, five-star hotels, skiing facilities, adventure activities, eco-tourism parks, and wellness centres. There are also plans for the development of international institutes in collaboration with the private sector. “Leisure sports and health and wellness centres at popular tourist spots are part of our strategy to enhance J&K’s tourism profile,” the official said. He said the notable projects underway include the development of the Jammu Water Park, a vertical lift from Peerkho to the Mubarak Mandi Complex, and the prioritisation of 20 off-beat tourist destinations for development under the State Capex Budget for 2024. The Tourism Department is also working on optimising the utilisation of newly created assets by outsourcing their operations and maintenance to private players, generating employment opportunities for the local population. The department is also identifying new trekking routes and pilgrimage/Sufi circuits to connect famous shrines with lesser-known pilgrimage sites to further enhance the tourism potential of J&K, the official said.

In a surprising turn of events, journalist Wilcox has stepped in to temporarily take over the responsibilities of Ashworth, who is currently unavailable due to unforeseen circumstances. While this sudden change may have initially caused some concerns, it has been confirmed that Vevers will remain in his position until the end of January.The company also reassured customers that data redundancy and backup systems were in place to ensure that no data loss occurred as a result of the incident. Alibaba Cloud's disaster recovery protocols were activated to ensure the continuity of critical services and to safeguard the integrity of customer data.

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