A Dollar (store) goes a long way
Once mocked, they are booming Garth A. RoseThere was a time when some South Floridians scoffed at shopping at dollar stores. However, as more families struggle with relatively low incomes they are turning to these low-price bargain stores. And, as the demand for bargains increase, dollar stores have sprung up across the region.They include national chains like Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Family Dollar. Dollar Tree currently has over 90 stores in South Florida. Florida is one of their largest markets, second only to California.Today’s discount retail has come far from its past of mangy products and dinky layouts. Many discount chains have overhauled their stores, including larger food selections, more health and cosmetic products and even pharmaceutical services.“The image of dollar stores has changed dramatically over the years,” says consumer analyst Paula Dalton of West Kendall. “Dollar stores are now reputable enterprises, and similar to the Woolworth chain of the past. There are over 30,000 dollar stores in the US today, a 25 percent growth rate since 2011. This exceeds the growth of Wal-Mart which has grown some 20 percent since 2011.”Dalton notes however that it’s the availability of dramatically-reduced prices that attracts new clients – often millennials setting up house, and shoppers who previously shunned dollar stores for traditional retailers.“The attractive prices dollar stores offer has a strong pull on customers,” says Dalton. “Plus, the quality of their merchandise has improved. These stores definitely meet the needs of customers with limited cash in their pockets.”Dalton predicts that competition from these discount stores could weaken sales from traditional retail and department stores.“To be profitable, most of the traditional stores catering to local consumers will need to cut prices to attract shoppers. This is what dollar stores do.”Miami resident, Tammy Saunds, said in the past she mocked her sisters for shopping regularly at dollar stores, but now confesses to be a regular customer.“These stores now have such a wide variety of goods of improved quality, that meets the needs of people who are hurting financially.” says Saunds.“I now purchase toiletries, snacks and kitchen-ware at dollar stores.”This recent boom seems like a renaissance for the typical American discount store, originally known as “dime stores”, which have a long history of serving consumers during harsh economic times since the 19th century.Dime stores grew in popularity after the American Civil War, selling a variety of inexpensive goods, meeting the demands of consumers who couldn’t afford the high inflationary prices of wartime.
Former Trinidad & Tobago and Manchester United footballer Dwight Yorke is being sued by reigning Chutney Soca Monarch Neval Chatelal for the non-payment of a TT$250,000 loan.Yorke, 46, was reportedly loaned the money in March last year to assist in a financial bind.In the court documents filed last week, Chatelal claimed that Yorke approached him for the loan after his ‘Island Vibe’ fete which was held on March 4, 2017.Couldn’t approach bankThe court documents say the former national footballer was unable to secure a lender for the fete and as a result, was in a bind as he needed to pay those who provided service for the event. Yorke allegedly said that he could not approach the bank as the time for approval would place him in an embarrassing situation.Chatelal subsequently agreed to loan Yorke TT$250,000 with a TT$50,000 interest to be paid after two months. He reportedly deposited the money into the Dwight Yorke Foundation account on March 7 following the agreement.Two months following the deposit, Chatelal contacted Yorke who in December 2017, paid him TT$50,000.No responseIn January, a pre-action protocol letter was sent to Yorke where he was “invited to amicably settle the matter.” There was no response and on February 12, the legal proceeding was filed.In 2016, Machel Montano sued Yorke for falsely using his name to promote a party that year. He later dropped the lawsuit but had obtained an injunction to stop Yorke from using his name.
Sasher-Gaye Henry is set to continue as the Jamaica Sunshine Girlz coach following clear-the-air talks with Netball Jamaica.The former national player resigned last week, but the local governing body said in a statement it had met with Henry to discuss the matters surrounding the decision, and had managed to smooth over the issues.“Sasher-Gaye Henry met with the Human Resource Committee of Netball Jamaica and subsequently, with the president, Mrs. Paula Daley-Morris. The meeting facilitated open discussions about the factors surrounding the resignation,” Netball Jamaica said.“We are pleased to inform the public that all parties have agreed that what is most common among us is the love for netball and our unwavering commitment to netball to work together to move the sport forward.“Given the above consensus, the board of directors has voted not to accept Miss Henry’s resignation.”Henry quit abruptly just a month after she and fellow coach, Marvette Anderson, guided Jamaica to a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.Initial media reports said Henry was dissatisfied with her financial arrangement with Netball Jamaica, but she subsequently rubbished those claims.“There were two issues. One was related to the personal needs of my family, which I regard as a priority at this time,” Henry said earlier in the week.“The other, related to my increasing concerns about persistent professional weaknesses in the administration of the sport.”Henry and Anderson were appointed to oversee the Sunshine Girlz following the departure of Jermaine Allison-McCracken last August.
The F1 summer break wrapped up and the constructors and drivers were back on the grid in Spa yesterday for the Belgian GP.Quality driving was on display once again and even though Ferrari’s Sébastien Vettel had one of his best races this year, he had to settle for second place behind Lewis Hamilton who had come into this race knowing well that a win for Vettel would amount to him arriving Italy next week 21 points behind the Ferrari driver.Vettel said “It was a cool battle. It was a very difficult nine or 10 laps – heavy, fast laps as he was very quick and I had to do some very fast laps to stay ahead. I was just thinking I want to win this race. I’ve come here, I’ve told you what I’m coming here for and I’m not leaving here without it. It was a real aggression feel.”Sébastien Vettel came through with real quality aggression and thought he started “too good” after the restart for the final laps and haven not being less than 2 seconds away from Hamilton he was hoping for a mistake from the Englishman to pounce on. “I knew that we had a tyre advantage for the first couple of laps after the restart,” said the championship leader. “Exiting Turn One I was all over Lewis and it was not too hard to follow him. Maybe it was too good. Overall it was a very good race. It was good fun in the car because I was waiting for him to have an error and he probably was waiting for me to have an error. The quality was very high. I never really had a chance.”Daniel Ricciardo went past Valteri Bottas at the restart to claim a massive podium finish for Red Bull but it was disappointment for Max Verstappen as his engine could not go more than 10 laps. Kimi Raikkonen failed to slow down sufficiently behind the retiring Red Bull that Verstappen was in and he got hit by a 10-second penalty from the race stewards.Big disappointment for the Force India team also as Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez had yet another pair of collisions here with Esteban Ocon accusing Perez of “risking my life”. The pair, who are most likely to be banned by Force India from racing each other, have not been on talking terms since their most recent collision in Baku and with Ocon tweeting later in the night that “Perez tried to kill me 2 times”, it sure looks like their relationship is irreparably damaged.Finally and most unfortunately, the most popular event in 2017 behind Vettel and Hamilton on the podium is Fernando Alonso not finishing his race. The McLaren driver has battled with the Honda engines this year and his frustration is surely boiling over as heard over the team radio during the race in Belgium. Lap 5 – FA: “Embarrassing. Really embarrassing.”Lap 6 – Engineer: “Magnussen is 1.4 seconds behind Grosjean.” FA: “I really don’t care too much about the gaps. This is just a test.”Lap 17 – Engineer: “I suggest shape four to protect rears, just be careful of front locking.” FA: “No more radio, the rest of the race.”Lap 20 – FA: “Every car I overtake, they pass me on the next lap. I have no protection now…anyway, it doesn’t change my life.”Sounds like the two-time world champion might just be giving up on Honda and McLarenThe Formula 1 is back on September 3rd in Monza for the Italian GP.Related
Napoli returned to the top of the table on Sunday afternoon after they defeated Sassuolo 3-1 at home.Allan, Jose Callejon and in-form Dries Mertens were on target for Maurizio Sarri’s side as they move three points clear of Juventus. The Italian champions had earlier gone to the top on Saturday with a 2-0 win over AC Milan.Lazio maintained their hunt for the league title with a convincing 5-1 win over hosts and bottom club Benevento. Bastos, Ciro Immobile, Marco Parolo, Adam Marusic and Nani.Results:Benevento 1-5 LazioCrotone 2-1 FiorentinaNapoli 3-1 SassuoloSPAL 2013 1-0 GenoaSampdoria 4-1 Chievo VeronaUdinese 2-1 AtalantaTorino 2-1 CagliariStandings (Top 6):Napoli 31 pointsJuventus 28 pointsLazio 28 pointsInter Milan 26 pointsAS Roma 24 pointsSampdoria 20 points Related
Share Submit Hot Swap delivers “instant win” for Inbet’s retail betting clients January 2, 2019 Share Inbet to boost betting volume through Atomic platform December 20, 2018 StumbleUpon InBet Games has continued its assault on the virtual sports market by launching ‘3D Dogs Race’, a greyhound racing game available on all major delivery channels including mobile applications.Just a few months after launching ‘3D Tron Race’, a high speed race resembling the Light Cycles Match from the 2010 movie Tron, the software solutions provider has boosted its virtual sports portfolio with another “adrenaline boosting game”.The virtual simulation features a six-way race, in which 3D graphics, sound effects, multiple camera angles and animation features combine to drive in-race bets and build excitement for the bettors.Pavel Korolev, Business Development Director for InBet Games, said: “Following the summer release of 3D Tron Race, InBet Games is keeping its customers in the fast lane with the launch of 3D Dogs Race. As the dogs reach the finish line, this adrenaline boosting game will certainly test a bettor’s nerve.“It is another fantastic tool to stimulate customer engagement, through both attracting new players and entertaining existing customers while they wait for the outcome of their other bets. There is a variety of betting options for each race, including combination bets and those on the winner.”After developing two racing based simulation games, InBet Games has also teased the release of new football focused games ahead of the World Cup in Russia, having enjoyed success earlier this year by timing the launch of Penalty Kick with the start of the Confederations Cup. UEFA pushes VAR early for Champions League 2018/19 December 4, 2018 Related Articles
Share Share Submit Lee DrabwellPlaytech sports betting technology subsidiary, Playtech BGT Sports (PBS) has bolstered its executive leadership team confirming the appointment of former Ladbrokes Managing Director Lee Drabwell as new Chief Operating Officer (COO) for PBS’ UK and Ireland division.A seasoned industry veteran, Drabwell spent 29-years with Ladbrokes serving a number of senior executive roles within the firm’s retail arm. Drabwell left the enlarged Ladbrokes Coral group last April after latterly working as their Retail Operations Director.Confirming the appointment, PBS states that it has gained a best-in-class executive with immeasurable knowledge of the UK and Ireland betting markets.John Pettit, Managing Director for UK, Ireland, Asia, and Australia at Playtech BGT Sports, commented on the appointment : “Lee is an excellent addition to our senior team with decades of retail experience at one of the leading names in the sector, and we will be tapping into his expertise in the coming months.“He was a pioneer in the roll-out of SSBTs during his time at Ladbrokes and this experience will be invaluable to our expanding operations within the UK and Ireland.”In his new role, Drabwell will be responsible for leading and developing the PBS customer base across the UK and Ireland, as it looks to expand its sports betting solutions and deploy the latest content development.Drabwell has led a number of SSBT roll-out projects for Ladbrokes, and has acted as a key stakeholder in the operator’s retail strategy.Lee Drabwell commented on joining PBS executive team: “Playtech BGT Sports has been a driver of innovation in the retail space in recent years, and I’m looking forward to adding my operator-side viewpoint to the senior team.“I’m excited by the ambitious plans we have in store, both in terms of building on our operations with existing and new clients, but also with the product development which we’ll be implementing into partner’s retail shops in the near future.” GVC hires ‘comms pro’ Tessa Curtis to re-energise media profile August 25, 2020 Playtech goes live in the US with bet365 August 7, 2020 Jason Ader – No Boogeyman… Activism will play a vital part in reshaping gambling August 20, 2020 Related Articles StumbleUpon
Share Submit Former EGR North America Editor Martyn Hannah has announced the launch of new industry-focused content marketing agency ghostfoundry (ghostfoundry.com)The Leeds-based agency seeks to deliver effective marketing solutions for all industry stakeholders helping promote their services, products and operations through optimised content. Initial ghostfoundry services will include blog post creation, press releases, thought leadership articles and general copywriting. Furthermore, ghostfoundry will offer clients link-building capabilities alongside digital PR outreach through content distribution.Commenting on the agency launch Martyn Hannah, Director of ghostfoundry, said: “Given the increasing scrutiny operators and suppliers find themselves under for the ways in which they market to players, content marketing should be front of mind as it provides the perfect solution to the problem.“Properly executed content marketing strategies allow businesses to build genuine, long-term relationships with their target audience. Through authentic, high-value content it is possible to engage consumers/customers, build affinity with your brand/business, and foster incredible loyalty.“We look forward to working with online gambling businesses to help them unlock the true power of content marketing.” Share StumbleUpon
Share Share Soft2Bet continues new market drive with Irokobet launch August 26, 2020 StumbleUpon Related Articles Winning Post: Swedish regulator pushes back on ‘Storebror’ approach to deposit limits August 24, 2020 Submit Global Gaming adds sportsbook extension to Ninja property August 25, 2020 Ardalan Shekarabi, Sweden’s Minister of Social Security, has told national media that the government is ready to publish ‘stage two’ of its regulatory approach on gambling, focusing on enforcing tougher advertising and marketing restrictions upon licensed incumbents.Recognised as one of the highest-profile MPs within the governing Socialdemokraterna (social democrats) party, Shekarabi is the former Minister of Civil Affairs, who played a key role in drafting the re-regulation of Swedish online gambling laws during 2018.Despite moving his departmental position, the government has maintained Shekarabi as a key advisor in the regulatory development of Sweden’s gambling marketplace.Following the first quarter of trading under the new laws established by Sweden’s revamped ‘Gambling Act’ regulating online gambling services, Shekarabi would publicly criticise incumbents for undertaking ‘excessive and aggressive marketing practices’ targeting audiences across multiple media verticals.Shekarabi would sanction Swedish gambling inspectorate Spelinspektionen to carry out a review of industry advertising, assessing whether further systems and controls were needed to limit marketing output.Speaking to national media, Shekarabi confirmed that he was ready to publish stage two of Sweden’s regulatory framework in which the government will ‘tighten legislation’ with regards to advertising verticals and online casino.“I am happy with the whole thing, but there is still an area where we will have to spend a lot of our energy in the coming months, and that is advertising,” he said.“Here we have to regain control, as we need to tighten up the law to remove the aggressive game advertising, especially with regards to dangerous elements that are attached to online casinos.”Reviewing year-1 of Sweden’s re-regulation of online gambling services, Shekarabi maintained that despite legal challenges by incumbents, the government framework should be regarded as a ‘success story’.Of note, Shekarabi highlighted that the government and Spelinspektionen had been successful in carrying out its ‘channelization strategy’, in which consumers have engaged with authorised actors.Gustav Hoffstedt – BOSGustav Hoffstedt, Secretary-General of Swedish online gambling trade body BOS, would reject Shekarabi comments stating that the minister was ignorant of the black market reality facing consumers and incumbents.“Only the Minister believes this,” he countered. “Everyone else has received the alarming message from his own expert authority at Spelinspektionen is below the government’s target of 90 per cent, and that the sewerage will continue to decline. The licensing system is leaking players.”For 2020, Hoffstedt underlines that the Swedish government should rethink its channelisation requirements, removing legislation which only strengthens black market actors targeting Swedish consumers – ‘not because the licensed companies would break any laws, but because the gaming consumers in an accelerating development leave the licensing system’.Meanwhile, Jenny Nilzon, Chief Executive of Swedish Gambling Association SPER, has warned the government that year-2 of its regulatory agenda should focus on working with licensed incumbents who have committed to reducing their advertising volume.“The industry is working together to curb advertising and we see a big difference today compared to a year ago, both in volume and content,” she added. “If the law is to be tightened further, it is important to put it against the Channelisation, that is, the customers do not apply to unlicensed gaming companies. Unfortunately, we see this trend increasing, which is a more serious problem than industry advertising.”
Submit Share Related Articles CEOs of Sweden’s leading igaming operators have warned health minister Ardalan Shekarabi not to ‘torpedo his own gambling regulations’, emphasising that further restrictions on the sector will result in an increase of punters betting via unlicensed operators.As health minister overseeing Sweden’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Shekarabi has ordered Swedish parliament to adopt a series of temporary online gambling restrictions, protecting national citizens.In an open letter, the CEOs warned the Minister about the increasingly low channelisation on the Swedish gambling market.The letter said: “On January 1, 2019, new gambling regulations were introduced in Sweden. Minister for Public Administration Ardalan Shekarabi spearheaded the reform, with cooperation from the opposition, resulting in broad support in the Swedish Parliament.“The overall mantra was that the state should regain control of the gambling market after decades of gambling moving to companies that operated in Sweden without a license. Parliament’s preferred method of effective gambling market control is what is known as channelling.“As expected, this resulted in a crossroads where companies, with the aim of maintaining a long-term business model, welcomed more insight into operations and greater control over players’ behaviour in exchange for a well-functioning and sustainable gaming market.”The letter has since been signed by 12 CEOs, including: Pontus Lindwall, CEO of Betsson AB; Henrik Tjärnström, CEO, Kindred Group; Gustaf Hagman, Group CEO, LeoVegas; Therese Hillman, CEO, NetEnt AB; Ulrik Bengtsson, Group CEO, William Hill; Lahcene Merzoug, CEO, ComeOn Group; Henric Andersson,CEO, Suprnation; Tomas Bäckman,CEO, Hero Gaming; Alexander Stevendahl,CEO, Videoslots Ltd; Daniel Lindberg,CEO, Quickspin; Shelly Suter-Hadad, CEO, Casumo and Anthony Werkman, CEO, Betway.CEOs urged Shekarabi to ‘change strategy and protect the Swedish licensing system’, emphasising that a high rate of channelisation into the licensing system is necessary for effective player protection.Furthermore, the licensed operators highlighted their tax contributions to the Swedish economy, reinforcing the idea that a fall in betting levels via licensed operators will result in a fall in taxes.The letter continued: “We must remember that it is the customers who choose where the best product is. In a digital world, that power does not lie with the state, or with us as corporations for that matter.“We operate in a digital world and have direct access to all the relevant data needed to evaluate what measures can help strengthen our players’ safety and security while still providing attractive offers and products. The sad thing is that the government, with Ardalan Shekarabi at the forefront, does not want to talk to us about how we can work together and, with help from the insights we possess, develop a well-functioning Swedish gambling market.“This became especially clear when the Minister, on April 23, proposed new emergency restrictions, proclaiming that, “The Government sees major risks in the gambling sector right now.” But the overall gambling industry (private and state) doesn’t see the same pattern at all. Instead, we see how gambling has diminished compared to what it looked like before the covid-19 crisis struck.“Every company, regardless of industry, wants to be where the customers are. If the customers leave, the companies will follow suit. The Swedish gambling market not only provides safety and security to players but also contributes billions annually in much-needed tax revenue and investment in sports. By slowly eroding the Swedish gaming market month by month, the government risks bringing about major cuts in security, tax revenue, and societal investment.“We can only be left to wonder why Ardalan Shekarabi wants to torpedo his own gambling regulations.”Commenting on the letter, Secretary-General for Swedish trade association Branschföreningen för Onlinespel (BOS) Gustaf Hoffstedt, said: “My estimation is that the twelve gambling CEOs represent approximately half of the Swedish online gambling market.“It is crucial for the success of the licensing system and the safeguarding of customer protection that Mr Shekarabi withdraws his additional measures towards the locally licensed operators.“The licensing system is fragile and can’t endure further attacks from the Minister. He must do the opposite and safeguard the licensing system in the name of consumer protection.“From our perspective as a trade body for the industry we now open up and invite all CEOs for gambling companies to sign the petition, being a member of us or not. Our only demand is that the company stands by the petition and if it is a B2C company that it holds a Swedish gambling license.” StumbleUpon Share Björn Nilsson: How Triggy is delivering digestible data through pre-set triggers August 28, 2020 SBC Magazine Issue 10: Kaizen Gaming rebrand and focus for William Hill CEO August 25, 2020 Kambi takes full control of LeoVegas sportsbook portfolio August 26, 2020