| Toy retailer entertains web upgrade
Independent toy retailer The Entertainer has completed a website refresh and contracted ecommerce specialist Escalate Retail to provide a software suite for the back-end. The implementation cost just over 400,000, including overall hosting, development and license costs, in the first year but since the system went live in October 2007, one of the retailer's sites, thetoyshop.com, has increased sales by 147 per cent, according to The Entertainer's online marketing and ecommerce manager Richard Bewley. silicon.com Retail & Leisure Get the latest retail and leisure news straight to your inbox. Sign up for the R&L newsletter today! The system replaces a bespoke implementation made before thetoyshop.com and The Entertainer's other brand Gadgetshop were acquired, which was deemed too inflexible to be able to cope with the peaks and troughs of traffic.
International Speedway Corporation Announces Ten-Year Facility Naming ...
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- International Speedway Corporation ("ISC"), a leading promoter of motorsports activities, today announced a 10-year, multi-million dollar partnership with the Automobile Club of Southern California ("Auto Club"), the nation's largest member of the AAA federation, to re-name California Speedway as Auto Club Speedway of Southern California (the "Speedway"). Specific financial terms were not released. The partnership will place a premium on enhancing the fan experience at the Auto Club Speedway, with special initiatives aimed at Auto Club members, and a series of capital improvements that will make the racetrack more comfortable, accessible and enjoyable. Detailed plans are still being developed, but as soon as this year, fans can expect to see new escalators, increased shade, additional misting zones, and more interactive fan-friendly elements incorporating new technologies.
Action sought against Virk
In a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at rural development, the Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC) proposes to set up a training institute for farmers and unemployed youth at Zira in Punjab. To be spread over an area of 10 acres and completed in 18 months the institute would impart training to the beneficiaries in various vocational activities with a view to increasing their family income, banks executive director Allen CA Pereira, told The Tribune here today. After training, the beneficiaries would get loans at subsidised rates for starting their ventures besides getting the benefits of the government's subsidy, Atul Gautam, general manager, informed. Pereira, who was here to inaugurate bank's onsite ATM in Sector 47 here, said the bank was also in the process of promoting solar energy projects in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Uttarakhand to help solve the power shortage problems in these states.
High-pressure Storm: Norm Roberts feels heat as St. John's flounders
The team is 10-16 after Saturday's 30-point loss at Duke, and a dialogue about the program's future is percolating. In high school gyms, on the talk-radio airwaves and among St. John's most loyal and influential supporters, the question is asked whether the school will stick with Roberts or make a change. A determination probably is still weeks away and the value of Roberts' successes and failures will be measured by the university president, the Rev. Donald J. Harrington, and athletic director, Chris Monasch. "I'm not willing to pass judgment on a season until it's a complete season," Monasch said. "We knew our record would probably take a step back this year. The criteria we're looking for is whether there's a good core of players to build on." Roberts has removed the tarnish from the sex scandal and the subsequent revelation about illegal payments to a player.
War hero awarded Silver Star after his death
This month, the Marine Corps posthumously awarded Sean the Silver Star, the nation's third-highest award for bravery under fire, for his actions during the Fallujah firefight. The ceremony was Feb. 6. "It was the day he turned 25," Stokes said, then corrected himself. "Would have been 25." It was the first time a no-stripe private had been awarded the Silver Star since Vietnam, and only a couple of people got one even back then. Sean returned to the United States a changed man, his father said. He clearly suffered at least a mild form of post-traumatic stress. He would spend three hours a day working out, training in martial arts and kickboxing. He drove fast - way too fast for his father - and talked about buying a superfast motorcycle. Several months later, Sean's unit was deployed to Iraq.
Lakeland team gets help for high school Nordic State Championships
Marshfield Clinic Minocqua Center recently contributed $1,000 to the Lakeland Nordic ski team to assist them in hosting the high school Nordic State Championships. The event will be held in Minocqua at Winter Park on Feb. 8 - 10."This event comes to us once every 10 years and brings more than 400 skiers, coaches and their families from Milwaukee, Madison, central Wisconsin, Hayward and other parts of the state. This weekend will help showcase our area as a great destination for winter sports to the many visitors who will be attending," said Sandy Bolger, event co-chairperson. "We are so thankful for the support of the Marshfield Clinic and other area businesses that are helping us host this event." .
The Bride Show Abu Dhabi reports record visitor numbers
The show, which took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre at the beginning of February, attracted fiancés and fashionistas alike who came to see the largest number of fashion shows in one event in the UAE capital. Each day four designers launched their latest collections, which included bridal wear, Abayas and haute couture creations, modelled on the catwalk to rapturous applause and flashing cameras. The last day featured designs by the finalists of the inaugural Swarovski Abaya Design Awards, a competition to launch undiscovered design talent. Eiman Al Marzouqi, a UAE national from Abu Dhabi, was named the winner of the Award for her unique use of Swarovski crystals to embellish the traditional national dress. The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, organised by IIR Middle East, hosted more than 200 exhibitors, including European bridal gown manufacturers and popular regional designers, such as Ghanati Haute Couture and Rahmanian Haute Couture.
DMC hosts Talent Zone at the Media and Marketing Show 2007
Media related freelancers based in the DMC Business Centre will be able to meet with prospective clients at the Zone and share their experiences. The DMC Talent Zone, within the 180 sq metre stand at the Middle East's largest industry focused show for media and marketing segments, provides a platform for freelancers as well as small companies to strengthen their ties with the regional players. Provided at no extra cost to the freelancers, the Zone will be a regular feature at the event. Mohammed Al Mulla, Director of Dubai Media City said: 'Supporting the development of a creative media community is part of our larger strategy of nurturing talent in the region. Apart from being a hub for the industry, Dubai Media City is one of the largest pools of independent talent that the industry can tap for their needs.' 'Over the past six years, we have supported the growth of many enterprising individual media professionals.
Briefly... CITY/REGION
The lifeless body of an unidentifed woman was found last night inside a house on Crowson Street near Church Lane in East Germantown. Police investigators said it was unclear how the woman had died. So far this year, the city has recorded 51 homicides. At this point last year, there were 71 murders. Man shot during robbery A man was wounded in a shooting Wednesday night during a robbery at a take-out eatery on 29th Street near Harper in Fairmount, police said. The shooting occurred when a struggle developed between the suspect and his victim during which a bullet ricocheted off his cell phone and struck him in the leg. He was treated at a hospital and released. The suspect, carrying a silver handgun, fled south on 29th Street in a blue/green Oldsmobile or Pontiac minivan.
Colorado-based firm buys Citynet wholesale division
A Colorado-based company announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the wholesale division of communications provider Citynet. Zayo Group, headquartered in Louisville, Colo., said Citynet Fiber Network - the wholesale division of Citynet - will become a part of Zayo Bandwidth, Zayo Group's fiber-based bandwidth business unit. Zayo said the purchase is expected to close in early 2008. The value of the transaction was not disclosed. Entrepreneurs Paul Helmick and Mark Burdette established Citynet in Charleston in 1994 as an Internet service provider. In 1998 the company merged with MarCom, a Fairmont Web site designer. City Holding Co., the corporate parent of City National Bank, bought Citynet in 1998. City Holding sold the company in 2001 to James Martin, who had headed the company when it was a unit of the bank holding company.
ARI 1Q profit, revenue rises
ARI Network Services Inc. reported Monday that it recorded increases in both profit and revenue for the fiscal first quarter. ARI (OTCBB: ARIS) posted net income for the quarter ended Oct. 31 of $243,000, or 4 cents per share, compared with $225,000, or 3 cents per share, for the same period a year ago. Revenue for the Milwaukee provider of electronic parts catalogs and marketing services increased 21 percent to $4.2 million from $3.5 million. ARI chairman and CEO Brian Dearing said the marketing services business continued to drive revenue growth. About 45 percent of the revenue growth was because of the acquisition of OC-Net Inc., a Cypress, Calif. company that provides Web hosting and e-commerce services, in January 2007. .
|
