I Bytes Retail & Consumer Goods industry

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I-Bytes
Retail & Consumer Goods
February Edition 2021
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Table of Contents
1. Financial, M & A Updates...................................................................................................................................1
2. Solution Updates................................................................................................................................................13
3. Rewards and Recognition Updates..................................................................................................................41
4. Customer Success Updates...............................................................................................................................58
5. Partnership Ecosystem Updates......................................................................................................................62
6. Environment & Social Updates.......................................................................................................................85
7. Miscellaneous Updates....................................................................................................................................103

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Financial, M & A Updates
Retail & Consumer Goods Industry

Financial, M&A Updates
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Amazon.com (USA) Announces Financial Results and CEO Transition
• Operating cash flow increased 72% to $66.1 billion for the trailing twelve
months, compared with $38.5 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December
31, 2019.
• Free cash flow increased to $31.0 billion for the trailing twelve months,
compared with $25.8 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December 31,
2019.
• Free cash flow less principal repayments of finance leases and financing
obligations increased to $20.3 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with
$16.2 billion for the trailing twelve months ended December 31, 2019.
• Free cash flow less equipment finance leases and principal repayments of all
other finance leases and financing obligations increased to $21.4 billion for the
trailing twelve months, compared with $12.5 billion for the trailing twelve months
ended December 31, 2019.
• Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying stock-based awards totaled
518 million on December 31, 2020, compared with 512 million one year ago.
Executive Commentary
“Amazon is what it is because of invention. We do crazy things together and then
make them normal. We pioneered customer reviews, 1-Click, personalized
recommendations, Prime’s insanely-fast shipping, Just Walk Out shopping, the
Climate Pledge, Kindle, Alexa, marketplace, infrastructure cloud computing,
Career Choice, and much more,” said Amazon founder and CEO. “If you do it
right, a few years after a surprising invention, the new thing has become normal.
People yawn. That yawn is the greatest compliment an inventor can receive.
When you look at our financial results, what you’re actually seeing are the
long-run cumulative results of invention. Right now I see Amazon at its most
inventive ever, making it an optimal time for this transition.”
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Key Financial Highlights

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Bed Bath (USA) & Beyond Inc. Successfully Completes $225 Million Accelerated
Share Repurchase Program Started In October 2020
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. announced the successful completion of its
initial $225 million accelerated share repurchase program which initiated
on October 29, 2020. Under the agreement, a total of approximately 11
million shares of Bed Bath & Beyond common stock were repurchased
at an average price of approximately $20.77. The Company also
announced that, in consideration of recent stock market volatility, it has
extended the maturity of its second accelerated share repurchase
agreement for $150 million which initiated on January 11, 2021, to end
no later than April 2021 instead of February 2021.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Bed Bath & Beyond said,
"We remain committed to maximizing value for our shareholders and
are pleased with the result of our initial $225 million accelerated
share repurchase program which is part of our authorized level for
share repurchases up to $825 million over the next three years. Our
decision to amend the terms of our ongoing $150 million accelerated
share repurchase agreement during this period of extreme market
volatility reflects responsible stewardship of capital. Our teams
remain focused on driving consistent improvement in the
fundamentals of our business, building on recent growth in our key
destination categories to deliver strong and sustainable, long-term
shareholder returns."
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Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (USA) Delivers Second Consecutive Quarter Of
Comparable Sales And Profit Growth
• 2nd consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth, fueled by digital sales growth
• +5% comparable sales growth on core Bed Bath & Beyond banner1; +2% comparable sales growth on total
enterprise
• +94% digital comparable sales growth on core Bed Bath & Beyond banner; +77% digital comparable sales
growth on total enterprise
• +11% comparable sales growth in Top 5 destination categories combined (as referred below), representing
2/3 of core Bed Bath & Beyond banner sales; Market share gains in destination Bed category, with improving
trends in Bath and Kitchen categories
• +2.2 million approximate new online customers gained by core Bed Bath & Beyond banner during the fiscal
2020 third quarter; +7 million approximate new online customers year-to-date
• +340bps expansion in Gross Margin; +310bps expansion in Adjusted Gross Margin2
• Net Loss per Diluted Share of $(0.61); Excluding special items, adjusted Net Earnings per Diluted Share of
$0.08
• +168% increase in Adjusted EBITDA2; 4.6% Adjusted EBITDA Margin2
• Demand was strong during the November/December holiday period; In December 2020, the first month of
the fiscal fourth quarter, monthly sales show positive total enterprise comparable sales growth, including
continued strength across key destination categories
Strengthening Balance Sheet through Positive Cash Flow & Significant Gross Debt Reduction
• $244 million of positive cash flow generation3
• $0.5 billion of Gross Debt Reduction4
• $1.5 billion of Cash & Investments and $2.2 billion of Total Liquidity5
Bed Bath & Beyond's President and CEO said, "The consistent execution of our growth strategy is
unlocking improved financial performance and we delivered a second consecutive quarter of comparable
sales and profit growth. Additionally, we drove strong cash flow generation and balance sheet improvements
in the third quarter and have re-initiated capital return to shareholders."
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Conagra Brands(USA) Reports Strong Second Quarter Results
• Second quarter net sales increased 6.2%, and organic net sales increased 8.1%, with
significant growth in each of the Company's three retail segments on both a reported and an
organic basis.
• Total Company operating margin increased 250 basis points to 17.7%, and adjusted
operating margin increased 250 basis points to 19.6%.
• Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations (EPS) for the second quarter grew
45.3% to $0.77, and adjusted EPS grew 28.6% to $0.81.
• From the close of the Pinnacle Foods acquisition through the end of the second quarter,
the Company has reduced its gross debt by $2.3 billion; this reduction in debt, together with
strong earnings, enabled the Company to achieve its targeted Net Leverage Ratio ahead of
schedule.
• The Company is providing guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2021:
• Organic net sales growth is expected in the range of +6% to +8%
• Adjusted operating margin is expected in the range of 16.0% to 16.5%
• Adjusted EPS is expected in the range of $0.56 to $0.60
• The Company is reaffirming its fiscal 2022 guidance, which does not yet include the
impact of the pending sale of the Peter Pan peanut butter business.
President and chief executive officer of Conagra Brands, commented, "Our second
quarter results reflect strong performance across the business and outstanding execution
delivered by employees across the company. We exceeded expectations on net sales,
profitability, and de-leveraging while continuing to invest in the business. We have
continued to selectively invest in production capacity and marketing support to increase
the availability and awareness of our products to maximize long-term brand health.We
remain confident that Conagra Brands is well-positioned to capture the benefits of the
shifting consumer behavior, many of which we believe will continue well into the future.
The continued business momentum, coupled with our disciplined approach to
investment, reinforce our confidence in the long-term potential of the business and our
ability to create sustained value for our shareholders."
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Constellation Brands (USA) Completes Series Of Transactions To Premiumize
Portfolio With Sale Of Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy To Sazerac
Constellation Brands, Inc. a leading beverage alcohol company, announced that it has closed its sale of the
Paul Masson Grande Amber Brandy brand, related inventory, and interests in certain contracts to Sazerac
for approximately $265 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Constellation announced it had
closed transactions with E. & J. Gallo Winery and Vie-Del Company. Constellation divested a portion of its
wine and spirits portfolio principally priced at $11 retail and below, including certain related facilities, and
its Nobilo wine brand to Gallo. Constellation also divested certain brands used in its grape juice concentrate
business, together with related inventory, interests in certain contracts, and liabilities to Vie-Del Company.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical
fact are forward-looking statements. The word “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.
These statements may relate to business strategy, future operations, future revenue growth, future operating
margin performance, prospects, plans, and objectives of management, as well as information concerning
expected actions of third parties. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking
statements. The forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and should
not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur or will occur on any
contemplated timetable. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and
Constellation Brands undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
“The closure of this sale concludes a series of transactions within our wine and spirits business
designed to help accelerate revenue growth and operating margin performance by advancing our vision
of building a winning portfolio of distinctive, higher-end brands,” said Constellation Brands’ president
and chief executive officer. “With these transactions now behind us, our team can more fully
concentrate our resources and focus behind a smaller set of more premium brands that better align with
consumer premiumization trends.”
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Kao (Japan) Merges its Kanebo and Sofina Beauty Consulting Companies
to Strengthen Brand Communications and Expand its Customer Base
Kao Corporation will be establishing Kao Beauty Brands Counseling Co., Ltd. by merging two beauty counseling companies within the Through
professional counseling conducted by beauty consultants, Kao Beauty Brands Counseling will be reinforcing the images and values of Kao's
cosmetics brands and maintaining and expanding a diverse and loyal user base. Kao Corporation created a "New Global Portfolio" centered on a
growth strategy for its cosmetics operations. Eleven strategic brands to be strengthened globally and eight brands (R8) to be expanded in Japan
were selected from the group's five big cosmetics business units: Sofina, Curél, Molton Brown, Kanebo Cosmetics and e'quipe. By fusing
scientifically proven skin benefits with sensory appeal, the New Global Portfolio will enhance the individuality of the brands and grow their
presence in Japan, Asia, and Europe. As it pushes forward with its growth strategy, Kao has been unifying the operations of its five cosmetics
units step by step. A horizontally organized structure linking the brands in operational planning was completed in in January 2019. The operations
travel retail and beauty research & creation were similarly linked a year later, in January 2020. In the next step, to take effect from January 2021,
Kao will complete its strategic shift away from brand management centered on individual business units (Sofina, Curél, Kanebo Cosmetics, etc.)
to brand management centered on three business groups: Prestige Business, Masstige Business and Regional Business.
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Stanley Black & Decker (USA) Reports 4Q 2020 And Full Year Results
• 4Q'20 Revenues Totaled $4.4 Billion, Up 19% Versus Prior Year Inclusive Of 16% Organic Growth
• 4Q'20 Gross Margin Rate Was 35.3%; Excluding Charges, 4Q'20 Gross Margin Rate Was 35.6% Up
390 Basis Points Versus Prior Year
• 4Q'20 Operating Margin Rate Was 15.6%; Excluding Charges 4Q'20 Operating Margin Rate Was A
4Q Record 16.5%, Up 290 Basis Points Versus Prior Year
• 4Q'20 Diluted GAAP EPS Was $2.88; Excluding Charges, 4Q'20 Diluted EPS Was $3.29, Up 51%
Versus Prior Year
• Full Year Revenues Totaled $14.5 Billion, Up 1% Versus Prior Year, As 10% Second Half Organic
Growth And Acquisitions More Than Offset First Half Pandemic-Related Market Impacts
• Full Year Gross Margin Rate Was 34.2%; Excluding Charges, Full Year Gross Margin Rate Was
34.7%, Up 120 Basis Points Versus Prior Year Aided By Productivity, Margin Resiliency Initiatives And
Price Realization
• Full Year Operating Margin Rate Was 12.9%; Excluding Charges, Full Year Operating Margin Rate
Was 14.6%, Up 110 Basis Points Versus Prior Year, Led By Gross Margin Expansion And Cost Control
• Full Year Diluted GAAP EPS Was $7.77; Excluding Charges, Full Year Diluted EPS Was $9.04, Up
8% Versus Prior Year
• Full Year Free Cash Flow Was A Record $1.7 Billion, Up 55% Versus Prior Year And 136% Of Net
Income
• Guiding 2021 Full Year Diluted GAAP EPS Of $9.15 To $9.85; Adjusted EPS Of $9.70 - $10.30; Free
Cash Flow Conversion To Approximate Net Income
Stanley Black & Decker's President & CEO, commented, "Today's report is a resounding affirmation
of our commitment to purpose-driven performance. We have built a great company, anchored by a
supportive, people-oriented culture and grounded in a dedication to performance, innovation and
social responsibility. Our fourth quarter and full year 2020 results attest to the fact that this formula is
a winning one for the 2020s. In 2020, we demonstrated that corporations like ours, which put people
first and strive to have a positive impact on all stakeholders and society at large, offer superior
resilience in volatile and uncertain times, thus benefiting our shareholders through outstanding
growth, cash flow, margin expansion and ESG”.
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Tesco (UK) launches first sustainability-linked bond of €750m
Tesco has launched a bond that, for the first time, is linked to the Company’s commitment to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. Tesco was the first business globally to set a zero-carbon goal in 2009 and
later the first FTSE 100 Company to set science-based carbon reduction targets on a 1.5-degree
trajectory. The launch of our first sustainability-linked bond further demonstrates the strength of our
commitment to reduce our impact on the environment and become a net zero carbon business in the
UK by 2035. The €750m bond with a 0.375% coupon offers an 8.5-year maturity and is the first bond
of its kind to be issued by a retailer. It is an important step in setting tangible incentives for our
environmental and social performance and follows the announcement in October 2020, that Tesco
established a £2.5bn revolving credit facility, with interest linked to the achievement of three
ambitious environmental targets. The bond is aligned to an agreed Sustainability Performance Target
(SPT) of reducing Scope 1 and 2 Group Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions by 60% by 2025 against
Tesco’s 2015 Baseline. As we work towards our targets, we have already achieved a 50% reduction in
Group GHG emissions against a 2015 baseline as well as sourcing 97%1 of electricity from renewable
sources. In November 2020, we announced a partnership with Low Carbon to create three new solar
farms and introduced a new fleet of electric delivery vehicles in London as part of our plan to go fully
electric by 2030. The bond will be aligned to Tesco’s newly introduced Sustainability-Bond
Framework, which follows the ICMA Sustainability-Linked Bond principles, and has been
independently assessed by Sustainalytics.
“I’m delighted that we have issued our first sustainability-linked bond. Linking our financial
strategy to our long-term commitment to tackle sustainability is an important step in ensuring that
this commitment is embedded across all our business operations and ensures we are driving
continuous improvement. We are proud to be making good progress on our journey to be a net
zero carbon business in the UK by 2035 and for the entire Group by 2050.” Said CFO, Tesco
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Sojitz (Japan) Invests in Japanese Branch of TES Group, one of the Largest
Global IT Asset Disposition Providers
Sojitz Corporation has acquired a stake in TES-AMM JAPAN K.K. TES JAPAN is the Japanese branch of TES Group, one of the largest global IT Asset Disposition
providers specialising in effective data sanitization, reuse and recycling of IT assets such as used IT hardware and discarded electronic circuit boards. As environmental
sustainability and data security take on greater importance, TES JAPAN is specially equipped to manage the environmental burden and risk of data leaks from the
increasing number of aged IT equipment in circulation. TES JAPAN is the Japanese subsidiary of TES Group, a specialized ITAD service provider with operations in
approximately 40 facilities across 20 countries. The TES Group provides a consistent level of high-end services to customers at each of their global branches. TES
JAPAN has Japan’s first and only DDRT (Data Destruction Recycling Truck)(*) which enables TES Services to be performed securely at the clients site. For trading
companies in the resource sector, the mainstream business formerly comprised upstream interests such as mine interests. However, with recent concerns surrounding
resource depletion and uneven resource distribution, the resource recycling business is expected to become increasingly important in the future. Sojitz made the decision
to enter the ITAD business in order to better establish its metals and comprehensive resource recycling businesses for urban mines that are anticipated to become a
source for resource procurement in the future. Sojitz will partner with TES JAPAN in this business to introduce ITAD services to companies in Japan. TES JAPAN
provides world-class IT equipment lifecycle management services, thereby contributing to improvements in client data security. At the same time, Sojitz and TES will
help to realize a circular economy by facilitating increased reuse and recycling IT equipment. In addition, Sojitz’s extensive network will be leveraged in TES Group’s
lithium-ion battery recycling and storage battery businesses, in order to build a sustainable business model that meets society’s needs.
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Toyota Tsusho (Japan) Makes Equity Investment into Vietnam Ngoi Phat
Hydropower Plant
Toyota Tsusho Corporation announced that it has acquired 35% of the issued shares for the Northern Electricity Development & Investment Joint Stock Company
No. 2 , a company that operates the Ngoi Phat Hydropower Plant (installed capacity: 84 MW), from Vietnam Construction and Import-Export Joint Stock
Corporation ("VINACONEX"), a major construction and property development company in Vietnam. This will be Toyota Tsusho's first equity investment into
an overseas hydropower generation business. Because of the abundant hydropower resources in Vietnam, hydropower covers approximately 40% of the country's
power demand. NEDI2, in which Toyota Tsusho now holds equity shares, has continued stable power operations supported by a 25-year power purchase
agreement concluded with Vietnam Electricity Corporation . Through the equity participation, Toyota Tsusho is expected to boost power generation efficiency
and to improve the operation, applying Japan's hydropower generation technologies and knowhow. Hydropower is, among other renewable energy sources, a
generation source which deliver stable electricity to the market for a long term at a low cost. Toyota Tsusho expects to build a partnership with VINACONEX
through the operation of NEDI2 and further, studies the feasibility of hydropower generation and other renewable energy development in Vietnam. Toyota Tsusho
positions renewable energy strategy as one of its growth strategies to resolve the environmental issues on a global basis. In addition to wind power which Toyota
Tsusho group have strengths in, efforts are being devoted to diversification of energy sources including hydropower, geothermal power and biomass, and to
geographical expansion of its business areas. Toyota Tsusho will continue to strengthen its renewable energy business and contribute to the transition to a carbon
free society.
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Tyson Foods (USA) Expanding Iconic Wright® Brand Bacon Plant
Tyson Foods, Inc. is investing $26 million to expand production at the iconic WRIGHT®
BRAND BACON facility in Vernon, Texas. Scheduled for completion by March of 2021, the
expansion is expected to create 32 new jobs, bringing the total employment at the plant to
more than 800. The bacon category has seen volume growth, up 18 percent since 2017, with
new people entering the category and existing buyers consuming more bacon, most recently
due to an increase in at-home meals. Surpassing category growth during this same time
period, Wright Brand has increased volume by 29 percent as more buyers are introduced to
the brand. The expansion is expected to satisfy current demand and allow room for additional
growth. The Wright Brand is known for its hand trimmed and thick-cut real wood smoked
bacon. Flavors have been perfected through a 90-year proprietary curing recipe, featuring
favorites including hickory smoked, applewood smoked, double smoke and maple flavored
bacon. Tyson Foods and its family of companies operate 10 food processing plants in Texas,
employing more than 12,000 team members and paying more than $480 million in annual
wages as of the most recently completed fiscal year. The company also contracts with more
than 230 poultry growers and more than 90 cattle suppliers in the state. It’s estimated Tyson
Foods’ operations have a total annual impact of nearly $3 billion in Texas.
“I am extremely excited about the addition and enhancements to the Wright Brand
facility in Vernon, Texas,” said. “Adding jobs is nothing but great news for our
community. Tyson Foods is and always has been a vital ingredient to the growth of
Vernon, and we are very thankful to them for all they do for our community. Vernon is
proud to be the home of Wright Brand Bacon since 1922.”
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Sojitz (Japan) Invests in Recotech, the Developer of a Circular Renewables
Platform which Enables a Circular Economy
Sojitz Corporation has acquired stake in startup Recotech Co., Ltd. (“Recotech”) through third party allotment of shares, with the aim of developing a circular renewable resource platform
that realizes a circular economy. As concerns of environmental issues such as climate change, plastic pollution, and the depletion of natural resources have increased, so has the necessity for
business models that support a circular economy and a decarbonized society in general. Under these circumstances, one pressing issue Japan’s manufacturing industry faces is incorporating
recycling and collecting processes from the raw material procurement and design stages of their supply chain. Japan still maintains a low recycling rate for waste products, * with plastic
waste seen as particularly problematic. It is difficult to incorporate plastic waste into manufacturers’material procurement portfolios due to insufficient information on quality, volume (stable
supply), cost (economic rationale), and other information necessary for manufacturers to use recycled materials, hindering the sustainable use of plastics waste. In order to address these
information insufficiencies, Recotech developed a unique circular renewables platform, Material Pool System (“MPS”), to visualize type, volume, and location of waste using AI technology.
Recotech aims to realize business models that support a circular economy through the following measures.
• Improving quality of recycled resources by designing incentives for waste producers with high sorting accuracy and establishing traceability
• Visualizing waste volumes with AI technology
• Enhancing economic efficiencies by organizing reuse of waste products on regional levels instead of on the company level
MPS was selected as a model business by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Environment in its 2015 to 2016 call for sustainable resource model projects. Through this
investment in Recotech, Sojitz will build a new circular economy-based supply chain distinct from the traditional one-way supply chain, thus ensuring an infrastructure from which Japanese
manufacturers can easily procure reliable renewable resources. At the same time, Sojitz and Recotech seek to expand future operations overseas, primarily to the ASEAN region. Sojitz will
participate in the recycling business through this project and others to build on and expand low-carbon businesses, reducing CO2 emissions generated from business activities, and
contributing to a decarbonized and sustainable society.
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Solutions Updates

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Adidas (Germany): Sky Super Rugby Primeblue Alternate Jerseys For 2021
Seasonsky Super Rugby Primeblue Alternate Jerseys For 2021 Season
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Solution Description
They are revealing a collection of elite rugby jerseys to be worn in competition by the Blues, Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes this
season. Bringing together some of the best in our sustainability and performance technologies, the alternate shirts are made with PRIMEBLUE,
and take their individual design inspirations from the natural world that surrounds each of the five professional clubs taking part in the Sky Super
Rugby Aotearoa and Sky Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competitions. United for one cause, each jersey in the collection has been designed with an
eye on our ambition to end plastic waste. All of the teams will wear kits created with adidas PRIMEBLUE – a high-performance recycled material
made in part with Parley Ocean Plastic; upcycled plastic waste intercepted on shorelines and coastal communities around the world to prevent it
from polluting the oceans. This is part of our commitment to continue to innovate in the area of sustainability, and the journey to reaching more
than 50% total volume of recycled polyester at the end of 2020 and to use only recycled polyester in all products across the business by 2024.
Looking to the rohe o te Kapa Orangi - the region surrounding the club - the Blues will take to the pitch in a kit inspired by Tamaki Makaraurau
(Auckland). With a unique wavy design featuring hard lines juxtaposed against a fluid look, the jersey draws inspiration from the reflection of the
Harbour Bridge on the waters of the Waitematā which runs below it. This is further brought to life with bright blue accents on the sleeves, the main
body graphic and shorts popping against an all-over white base.

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Adidas (Germany):Ultraboost 21: Latest Edition Of The Iconic Franchise
Delivering Incredible Energy Return With Every Stride
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A team of our leading designers and product developers worked closely with the adidas running community and testers to create the new
ULTRABOOST 21 silhouette, which reimagines the original ULTRABOOST to deliver a bold new design combined with the latest in performance
technology. The core development in ULTRABOOST 21 is the redesign of the shoe’s torsion system. The new adidas LEP (‘Linear Energy Push’)
provides a 15% increase in forefoot bending stiffness for a more responsive stride. This works alongside our proprietary midsole BOOST
technology, which packs in 6% more BOOST through an exaggerated heel curve, providing runners with incredible energy return and comfort in
every step. They have always believed that through sport, we have the power to transform lives and ULTRABOOST 21 embodies its commitment
to bring energy to people to drive positive change and self-betterment. Arriving at a time when cities around the world have been heavily disrupted
by the coronavirus pandemic, running has continued to be a constant that has kept cities and communities moving. A global study, commissioned
by us, highlighted the power of running to aid positive transformation and improved physical and mental wellbeing in communities. Runners were
shown to be 20% more likely than non-runners to experience increased energy levels, while over 40% of respondents that increased their running
frequency, also said that they developed a more positive outlook on life. Over 1 in 3, meanwhile, identified the mental health benefits of running
as one of their core motivating factors.

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Tmall Global Ramps up Support for New Sellers Entering China
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Alibaba Group’s cross-border business-to-consumer marketplace Tmall Global announced a new suite of solutions at the 2021 Tmall Global New Seller Virtual Summit to help
global brands capture growing consumption opportunities in China. The registration for Tmall Global can be completed using the platform’s new self-service portal and getting
started to open a storefront will take as little as 30 days. With its new Official Operating Service, merchants of all sizes, including those with zero Chinese ecommerce
operational experience, can launch their brands smoothly on Tmall Global. In addition to a streamlined on-boarding process, overseas brands and retailers will receive tailored
consultation, operations and content support as well as other value-added services through Tmall Global and its extensive partner network worldwide. Tmall Global will also
roll out region-specific programs to further support merchants who plan to establish a presence in China. The 2021 Tmall Global New Seller Summit is the first-ever virtual
summit hosted by the platform with regional and category-specific content sessions spanning seven time zones from until January 21. It covers China's cross-border
e-commerce landscape and market insights, as well as case studies from different regions and industries. Brand owners can directly speak to our business development experts
to learn more about how to launch their products in China. China’s consumption of imported goods has seen compounded annual growth of 76%1. This trend indicates the
market is set to attract an increasing number of foreign brands looking to establish their footprint via online channels. According to Tmall Global, more than 29,000 brands
across 5,800 categories had come onto the platform at the end of December 2020, over 80% of them are entering China for the first time. Tmall Global will provide sellers with
access to a variety of content marketing resources to help them deliver a more robust value proposition. The resources include, influencer pitches, short-video and livestreaming
vendor collaboration opportunities to effectively engage with the Chinese audience and to deliver greater brand value. Other value-added services that new sellers can enjoy
include first mile storage and shipping, all-round insurance and supply chain finance.

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Beiersdorf (Germany): NIVEA Launches New Brand Purpose – Kick-off
with Digital Film “Twins”
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NIVEA launched its new brand purpose campaign, Care for Human Touch, with the release of a powerful short film called “Twins”. The film, which will be distributed on digital
channels across all markets in Europe, tells the harrowing true story of Hamburg-based twins Lilly and Madelaine. With the health benefits of skin-touch at the center of the
#CareForHumanTouch purpose initiative, NIVEA is kicking off the campaign with a real-life story in order to spread awareness that human touch can be literally lifesaving. The story
at the heart of “Twins” is one of familial bonds and the healing power of skin-touch. Born 16 years ago at nine weeks early, Lilly and Madelaine were both extremely fragile. However,
Madelaine’s life was in grave danger; she had a hole in her heart and could not breathe on her own. Their anguished parents stood by helplessly as doctors seemed powerless to prevent
the inevitable. Then, acting on intuition, a nurse had the life-changing idea to place the twins together in the same incubator, skin on skin. Just days old, Lilly instinctively hugged her
sister. The effect on Madelaine’s health was immediate, and in time she grew stronger, thanks to the comfort of her sister’s skin contact. Lilly’s touch saved Madelaine’s life. In sharing
their story, the pre-mature born twins have become an integral part of NIVEA’s mission to highlight the health benefits of human touch and encourage more togetherness. The creative
decision to focus on real people and their experiences with skin-touch lends authenticity and emotion to the story, which NIVEA hopes will help inspire more human touch, within the
constraints of the social distancing rules. The film was conceived and executed by communications agency Jung von Matt SAGA, and directed by Sergej Moya of Tempomedia
Productions. As part of the new #CareForHumanTouch purpose initiative, NIVEA will support skin-touch projects to promote the quality of life for people at risk of loneliness, such
as babies born preterm, visually impaired individuals and elderly with dementia. By 2025, NIVEA will invest 20 Million Euros in skin-touch projects, which are meant to impact the
individual health and well-being of more than 150,000 people. Additionally, through consumer outreach, NIVEA aims to educate 100 million consumers about the health benefits of
human touch. All campaign materials and consumer engagement will be centered on a digital hub, created by the digital agency Wood, Hamburg.

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CarMax (USA) Launches New Signature Experience – Industry-Leading
“Love Your Car Guarantee”
17
CarMax, Inc. The nation’s largest retailer of used cars, announced the launch of the Love Your Car Guarantee, the only consumer offering of its kind in the
automotive retail industry. This new signature experience gives customers the ability to take 24-Hour Test Drives before committing to purchase – providing
increased peace of mind and buyer confidence as customers experience a day in their life with a new ride. In addition, CarMax has extended its 7-Day Money
Back Guarantee to a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee. Now, customers have 30 days to decide if a vehicle is the right fit, allowing them to return the car for
any reason for a full refund up to 1,500 miles. This offering is unmatched in the automotive industry. According to CarMax consumer research, 96% of used
car shoppers said they would likely take advantage of test driving a vehicle for 24 hours if they had the option. Sixty-three percent of used car shoppers said
they would need more than 7 days to feel confident they were making the right purchase. Known for disrupting the industry with the first used vehicle
“no-haggle” buying and selling experience, the Love Your Car Guarantee is CarMax’s latest unprecedented consumer offering that will continue to set the
trend of the future of automotive retail. CarMax also offers online car buying nationwide, where customers can receive delivery through contactless curbside
pickup, available nationwide, and home delivery, available to most customers. Customers can also opt to complete the car buying experience in-person at one
of CarMax’s 220 stores among 41 states nationwide. The company significantly invested in technology and digital initiatives to build out this omni-channel
experience that empowers customers to buy a car on their terms – online, in-store, and a seamless integration of both.

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Hon Hai releases FOXCONN (Canada) NxVAE, a new unsupervised learning AI algorithm technology,
AI empowers industry applications, product testing and sampling are not troublesome
18
Hon Hai Technology Group announced that it has officially launched the unsupervised learning artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm
"FOXCONN NxVAE", using the model training method listed in the front, and only using positive samples that are easy to obtain
Perform optical inspection calculations to solve the problem of obtaining defective samples in the production line. It is suitable for mature
product lines with high yields and can increase the overall fault tolerance of AI models. This technology has been actually introduced into
the group's product appearance inspection production line, successfully reducing by 50% The above production line testing manpower.
The AI team of the Hon Hai Semiconductor business group lasted more than 8 months of research and development, from setting up AOI
optical inspection equipment to collecting product appearance images on the production line. During the period due to the impact of the
COVID-19 epidemic, the team was unable to visit the production line in person and switched to a remote working mode. Image data
processing and AI algorithm development and adjustment, and finally developed an unsupervised learning AI algorithm FOXCONN
NxVAE, which has been actually applied to the appearance inspection production line of electronic products in the Hon Hai Technology
Group's mainland China park.

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Essity (Sweden) launches absorbent underwear for menstruation and
incontinence
19
Hygiene and health company Essity is launching new ranges of washable absorbent underwear within its feminine care
and incontinence products categories. The underwear offers invisible protection for up to eight hours, providing users
with a more sustainable option than disposable protection. In Essity’s incontinence products category, TENA
Silhouette Washable Absorbent Underwear is being launched for women with light bladder weakness and with a focus
on discretion. In Essity’s feminine care category, a line of period underwear is being launched called intimawear under
the brands Libresse™, Bodyform™ and Nana™. The two products have different gusset lengths and come in different
styles and with different types of lace. Essity’s products and solutions cover all phases of life and benefit both
individuals and society as a whole. Each Essity brand has its own purpose and function, but all work to create
well-being and sustainable value for customers and consumers.

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Generalmills (USA) Introducing Nature Valley Protein Crunch Bars,
delicious creamy, crunchy texture with 10 grams of protein
20
Nature Valley, the No. 1 granola bar brand in the world*, is launching Protein Crunch bars, a bar that uniquely features
a creamy, crunchy texture with 10 grams of great-tasting protein – making it unlike many other snack bar options. This
new addition to the Nature Valley Protein lineup is ideal for between meal cravings with ingredients like creamy peanut
butter, and crunchy nuts in a whole grain oat bar. As with all Nature Valley products, Protein Crunch contains no
artificial flavors or colors and no high fructose corn syrup, just delicious flavor. The new snack bars are available in
two varieties: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Peanut Butter. Protein Crunch snack bars are currently available at most
retail locations nationwide or online, for a suggested retail price of $4.49 per five-count box.

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Lee X H&M (Sweden): Collaborating For The Next Generation Of More
Sustainable Denim
21
H&M is proud to announce it has collaborated with American denim legends Lee to push for the next generation of more sustainable denim. It’s a holistic
collaboration with advances at every stage of design and production, from H&M’s first ever 100% recycled cotton jeans, to non-leather backpatches made from
cork and jacron paper. For the first time, H&M will also share Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data on hm.com indicating the water, C02 & energy impact of each
denim garment from raw materials to end of use. Lee x H&M is an ambitious collaboration that has sustainability central to its design. The brands took a holistic
approach, looking at every stage of denim production. Fabric is crucial, such as H&M’s first 100% recycled cotton jeans, made from 80% post-industrial waste
and 20% post-consumer waste. There’s also denim that’s cotton-free, made instead from renewable man-made fibres, as well water-saving dyes and lower impact
denim washes that are 3rd party verified for their lower water usage, chemical, and energy consumption. For the women’s collection, wide and loose jeans have a
90s throwback feel, while Lee’s classic Rider jacket is recut with an oversized cocoon shape. Denim corsets add a feminine edge, while dungarees and overshirts
bring the functional workwear vibe, alongside Texloop™ RCOT™ Recycled Cotton jersey pieces for the full Lee x H&M look. For the men’s collection, workwear
jackets are a wardrobe essential with Lee’s true authenticity of design. Relaxed fit five pocket jeans are cut from 100% recycled cotton, while relaxed carpenter
jeans are made with water-saving dyes and 100% Tencel™ Lyocell cellulosic sewing threads. There are workwear dungarees, denim bucket hats and tote bags, as
well as heavyweight jersey pieces to complete the more sustainable collection.

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Heineken (Netherlands): Desperados Launches Alcohol-Free Innovation,
Desperados Virgin 0.0%
22
Born from a wild experiment, Desperados Virgin 0.0% pushes the boundaries of non-alcoholic alternatives and unleashes
the adventurous side of beer drinkers. The brand’s first alcohol-free innovation delivers the ultimate refreshment, bringing
the Desperados vibe to any occasion – all without the alcohol. Offering 100% taste with 0% alcohol, Desperados Virgin
0.0% unlocks a new experience for the growing number of drinkers who want more choice when it comes to alcohol-free
alternatives while still looking for excitement and adventure. Perfect for all occasions, Desperados Virgin 0.0% is the ideal
drink for those who want to Live, Love Tomorrow, inviting people to step beyond the obvious and celebrate the
unexpected with great tasting, alcohol-free beer. Following the successful launch of Desperados Virgin 0.0% in France last
year, Desperados is further embracing the growing consumer demand for non-alcoholic alternatives by rolling out the new
product globally. It will initially be available in the Netherlands and Poland this month, followed by Belgium in February,
before launching in additional markets throughout 2021.

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Sainsbury’s (UK) brings a new flagship store to the market
23
Sainsbury’s has opened the doors to its relaunched Hempstead Valley supermarket in Kent, showcasing its latest product offer and format design. After eight months of
redevelopment works, the 62,000 sq. ft supermarket has been transformed into a next generation state-of-the-art Sainsbury’s store. The new-look supermarket provides a
customer-first experience, with the local community now enjoying a brighter, fresher superstore with enhanced product and service offering. The store is a spacious, welcoming
and safe shopping destination, that features exciting and vibrant signage designs, including colourful displays and neon lights to showcase fresh in-store offers. The supermarket
is home to the first Sainsbury’s Fresh Food Market, new-look café, dedicated on-the-go hub with snacking, coffee machine, fresh juicer and sushi bar, plus Argos store in store
offer. The multi-million pound investment works also involved transforming the beauty department and clothing and home section and installing a new self-service patisserie
counter, as well as a takeaway hot food bar including the retailer’s popular pizza counter. The works also extend beyond the shop floor, with improvements made to the colleague
wellbeing area to ensure a more interactive and inspiring team workplace, including new furniture and digital notice boards, complemented by new painting and decorative
works. Sainsbury’s petrol station next door to the store has also been redeveloped for customers to enjoy, including more on-the-go ranges and home essentials such as cleaning
products and toiletries. Sainsbury’s has operated from the Hempstead Valley site for over 40 years, with the renewal representing one of its largest single store investments in
around 20 years. Sainsbury’s announced in October it would pilot its new Fresh Food Market in the Kent store and, if successful, would look to rollout to more stores.
Sainsbury’s has been delighted by customer and colleague feedback on the new food hall format and design and will commence a trial across more stores in 2021. The Fresh
Food Market is brought to life with a market-style presentation of fresh fruit and vegetables, new signage and a focus on seasonality and proud British Heritage.
https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2021/03-02-21-hempstead-valley-relaunch

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Sainsbury’s (UK) announces mass rollout of plant-based own brand
teabags in stores
24
Sainsbury’s is announcing the mass roll out of its first plant-based own brand tea bag from June 2021. The innovative move comes
as part of Sainsbury’s ongoing commitment to halve plastic packaging by 2025 and the company’s pledge to become Net Zero in its
own operations by 2040. Sainsbury’s current own brand teabags are made up of 75% natural fibres and 25% oil-based plastic sealing
material (polypropylene). This sealing material is important to ensure the teabag remains intact and that tea leaves don’t seep into the
cup. However, Sainsbury’s has already begun moving away from oil-based plastic and is instead trialling a more sustainable
plant-based plastic called Polylactic acid (PLA), made from the sugars in cornstarch, cassava or sugarcane. PLA teabags are made
from renewable plant-based material and are industrially compostable, unlike the current oil-based plastic teabags. Sainsbury’s will
move over 815 million individual teabags a year from using oil-based plastic to plant-based plastic. The retailer has found the
popularity of tea has been increasing this year with sales of tea rising by 6% year on year. To make the teabags even more
environmentally friendly, Sainsbury’s will also be removing the outer plastic wrapping from 11 products. By eliminating this plastic
film wrap from the box, the company will remove over 5.3 million pieces of plastic a year, which equates to 16.2 tonnes of plastic.

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Keurig (UK) Commercial Unveils Touchless Brewing as Americans
Return to New Coffee Routines in the Workplace
25
Keurig Commercial, the away-from-home coffee division of Keurig Dr Pepper and the leader in single-serve office coffee1, announced it has introduced touchless
brewing capabilities on its bean-to-cup coffee makers designed for work environments. Using the new Keurig® Remote Brew app, consumers can brew their favorite
coffee or specialty beverages through a mobile device. Keurig's first touchless brewing innovation complements the Company's existing Safe Brewing Toolkit, designed
to support safe and hygienic coffee stations in the workplace, including floor decals for social distancing, brewer signage to support cleaning schedules and coffee maker
deep cleaning kits. The Company will be unveiling additional brewing innovations during the year to meet the evolving needs of workplaces and offices. To deliver on
the company's commitment to help consumers brew safely throughout COVID-19, the Remote Brew app was developed in conjunction with a Bluetooth kit that
customers can quickly and easily install on the Eccellenza Touch® and Eccellenza Momentum® bean-to-cup brewers. Once the Bluetooth kit is installed, a QR code
allows consumers to interact directly with the machines through their phones using the Remote Brew app. The touch-free technology allows consumers to select and
customize their beverage of choice, and press brew, all from the convenience of their phone – and without having any contact with the coffee maker itself. Keurig coffee
makers are designed to brew a quality cup of coffee while offering easy cleaning and sanitization. In fact, office decision makers are 2.75 times more likely to consider
Keurig as a sanitary option over drip coffee2. Keurig coffee makers have non-porous surfaces that do not absorb bacteria or germs and most common Environmental
Protection Agency-registered household or commercial disinfectants can be used effectively. Additionally, each K-Cup® pod features an air-tight seal for freshness, a
double-wall design to protect the grounds from external factors and advanced technology keeps water and coffee untouched and safe from start-to-finish during the
brewing process.

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Makita (Japan) Releases New 18v Lxt Brushless Hammer Driver-Drill
26
Makita U.S.A., Inc. manufacturer of high-quality professional tools and accessories, has launched the premium 18V LXT® Brushless
½” Hammer Driver-Drill. The new hammer driver-drill delivers a full 1,250 in.lbs. of Max Torque, the most in the category. Despite
its powerful punch, the XPH14 is 14% smaller than its predecessor, XPH07. The XPH14 is ergonomic and compact at only 7” in
length. It features a 2-speed transmission (0-550 and 0-2,100 RPM) for drilling, fastening, and hammer-drilling applications. The
XPH14 is engineered to handle the most demanding drilling and driving applications in wood, masonry and steel. A 2-9/16” self-feed
bit in high speed can easily bore through pine. Additional features include an all-metal ½” self-ratcheting chuck for improved
bit-gripping strength, a built-in L.E.D. light that helps illuminate the work surface, and a rubberized grip for increased comfort. For
improved tool performance and extended battery life, the XPH14 features Star Protection Computer Controls™. Star Protection is
communication technology that allows the Star Protection-equipped tool and battery to exchange data in real time and monitor
conditions during use to protect against overloading, over-discharging and overheating.

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Makita (Japan) Launches New 18v Lxt Brushless Detail Belt Sander
27
Makita U.S.A., Inc. manufacturer of high-quality professional tools and accessories, is excited to announce the
introduction of the 18V LXT® Brushless 3/8” x 21” Detail Belt Sander (XSB01). This belt sander is ideal for use on
wood and metal in refinishing and fabrication applications. The Makita-built brushless motor delivers corded
performance with cordless convenience and a belt speed of up to 5,600 ft./min. Three different arm assembly sizes are
available for increased versatility in completing a variety of jobs. The XSB01 is also compatible with ¼” and ½”
sanding arms. The sanding arm also pivots up to 160-degrees for compact storage. The large 21" belt produces 4-5/16"
maximum sanding length for faster work.The XSB01 can be connected to dust extractors/vacuums for a cleaner job
site. Other features include an electric brake, variable speed control, and adjustable L.E.D. light.

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Makita (Japan) Announces Two New And Improved 18v X2 (36v) Lxt
Brushless Dust Extractors
28
Makita U.S.A., Inc. manufacturer of high-quality professional tools and accessories, has released two improved 18V X2 (36V)
LXT® Brushless Cordless Wet/Dry Dust Extractor/Vacuums, models XCV20Z and XCV23Z. The new dust extractor/vacuums offer
longer run time and lower noise. Users now get 100 minutes of run time on the normal setting with two LXT 5.0Ah Batteries and a
quieter operating sound level of 64 dB(A) on the highest speed. The XCV20Z and XCV23Z are direct replacements for the XCV06Z
and XCV14Z respectively. Similar to the XCV06Z and XCV14Z, the new XCV20Z and XCV23Z offer a variable speed control dial
to match the speed to the application, large rubber bumpers to prevent damage to the work environment, an oversized on-off switch
for convenience and quick-release metal latches for easy removal and disposal of debris from the canister. Makita® LXT Cordless
System, the world’s largest cordless tool system powered by 18V lithium-ion slide-style batteries, takes a user from power tools to
outdoor power equipment to get the job done. These dust extractors are part of this system, using the same batteries that work in
Makita 18V LXT Power Tools. Makita 18V LXT Batteries have the fastest charge times in their categories, so they spend more time
working and less time sitting on the charger.

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Makita (Japan) Releases Three New 18v Lxt Brushless Shearing Tools
29
Makita U.S.A., Inc., manufacturer of high-quality professional tools and accessories, is excited to introduce the 18V LXT® Brushless 14 ga. Straight Metal Shear (XSJ03), 18V LXT
Brushless 18 ga. Off-set Metal Shear (XSJ04), and the 18V LXT Brushless 1/2” Fiber Cement Shear (XSJ05). These new shears are designed for HVAC, drywall, MEP, metal
fabrication, metal manufacturing, roofing, and other trade segments. The XSJ03 cuts up to 14 ga. mild steel, 16 ga. stainless steel and easily cuts through spiral duct seams. It is
equipped with a Makita-built brushless motor allowing for a high degree of power efficiency with an exceptionally high 3,000 SPM speed. The cutting head is constructed with
precision-machined milled steel for durability and a high-performance double cut blade minimizes material distortion. The shear head rotates 360-degrees with an easy push-button
for various cutting positions. The trigger can be locked in the on position for continuous use and lock-off position requires two actions to start. This metal shear features an ergonomic
D-handle grip with an in-line motor for increased maneuverability. Other features include a built-in L.E.D. light and belt clip. The XSJ04 cuts up to 18 ga. mild steel and 20 ga. stainless
steel and is capable of radius cuts up to 3”. It is equipped with a Makita-built brushless motor allowing for a high degree of power efficiency with an exceptionally high 3,000 SPM
speed. The shear head rotates 360-degrees with an easy push-button for various cutting positions. The trigger can be locked in the on position for continuous use and lock-off position
requires two actions to start. This metal shear features a pistol grip for easy maneuverability and cast aluminum gear housing for less weight. The XSJ04 also features a built-in L.E.D.
light and belt clip. This cordless shear is designed for cutting cement board for exterior siding, backer board, or floor underlay with minimal dust. The XSJ05 is equipped with a
Makita-built brushless motor allowing for a high degree of power efficiency with an exceptionally high 3,000 SPM speed. It has replaceable cutting blades that can be reversed for new
cutting edges and longer blade life. The shear head rotates 360-degrees with an easy push-button for various cutting positions. Cast aluminum gear housing for less weight. A variable
speed trigger provides increased control during use. The trigger has a lock-off power switch, requiring two actions to start the power. This metal shear features an ergonomic D-handle
grip with an in-line motor for increased maneuverability. Other features include a built-in L.E.D. light and belt clip.

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This is Nike (USA) GO FlyEase
30
The marvel seen above is the Nike GO FlyEase. It's intuitive — easy on, easy off — and evidence of how design, innovation and
engineering can meet to answer an ambitious North Star: the creation of a hands-free shoe. Behind the shoe's smooth motion is a
bi-stable hinge that enables the shoe to be secure in fully open and fully closed states. This duality allows another signature detail: the
Nike GO FlyEase tensioner. The tensioner’s unique flexibility super-charges an action many might take for granted (kicking-off a
shoe) and completely reimagines this movement as basis for accessible and empowering design. Sophisticated, accessible solutions,
like those in Nike GO FlyEase, are emblematic of the “better is temporary” mentality that drives Nike FlyEase technology. Since its
debut, the technologies have been employed in numerous footwear styles across basketball, running and sportswear. Each successive
design balances the rigor of FlyEase criteria with unwavering performance standards. In the Nike GO FlyEase, this translates to
serving the broadest range of active lifestyles possible — whether the wearer is champion fencer Bebe Vio, a student racing to class
or a parent with their hands full. The Nike GO FlyEase is available initially via invite for select Nike Members, with broader
consumer availability planned for later this year.

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PepsiCo (USA) SODASTREAM LAUNCHES NEW bubly drops™
31
Two beloved brands in the sparkling water category are joining forces to shake things up and give consumers more ways than ever to enjoy freshly-made flavored
sparking water. Introducing bubly drops™ for SodaStream, a new and exciting way to make bubly™ branded sparkling water at home on the SodaStream platform.
SodaStream, the convenient, fun and sustainable way to drink more water, grew twice as fast as the small kitchen appliance category in 20201. The collaboration aligns
the ongoing commitments of the two brands to sustainability and single-use plastic reduction. In 2019, bubly announced it would no longer be available in plastic
packaging. And now, bubly drops for SodaStream offers consumers another sustainable option for enjoyment, with the ability to create their favorite bubly sparkling
water at home. The collection is comprised of six classic bubly flavors including: grapefruitbubly™, blackberrybubly™, limebubly™, strawberrybubly™, mangobubly
™, and cherrybubly™, all of which contain no calories, no sweeteners and no artificial flavors. Making bubly drops for SodaStream at home is simple – turn flat water
into sparkling water at the touch of a button using a SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker and add in bubly drops for a refreshing essence of fruit flavor, creating great
tasting flavored sparkling water, free from single-use packaging. Together, SodaStream and bubly make it easier than ever for consumers to make a positive choice, one
that is good for them and for the planet. The compact and colorful bubly drops glass bottle makes up to twelve liters of flavored sparkling water when made according
to instructions. To mark the launch of bubly drops for SodaStream, bubly spokesperson Michael Bublé is reprising his signature role in a new ad campaign for
SodaStream. In the playful spot, Michael continues his antics with his innocent mispronunciation and unveils bubly drops with his own unique touch. bubly drops for
SodaStream are now available at Target in-store and online, as well as at SodaStream.com, Amazon, Walmart.com, BedBathAndBeyond.com, and other e-comm
retailers. bubly drops will continue to roll out to additional brick-and-mortar retailers in the coming months, at a suggested retail price of $5.99 per bottle.

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Procter & Gamble (USA):Scent Just Got Smarter with New Febreze Fade
Defy PLUG™
32
Febreze Launches First Mass Plug-In with Built-In Technology that Controls the Release of Scent to Deliver on First-Day Fresh for 50 Days,
Introducing the Febreze Fade Defy PLUG™, the microchip smart technology that is programmed to digitally manage temperatures to control
how much scent is released to smell first-day fresh for 50 days (on low). Many plug-ins are stuck in the past. This new technology solves the
most common consumer complaint in the category – that plug-in air fresheners release a lot of scent at first, but after a while, you barely know
they’re working. All plug-ins have a built-in warmer that heats up the oil to release scent. As the team of Febreze product designers and
scientists started their research, they believed that controlling the plug warmer’s temperature would be key to ensuring freshness that doesn’t
dissipate. Consumer testing began, focused on analyzing the reported level of scent versus the plug warmer’s temperature. These temperatures
were then preprogrammed into the Febreze Fade Defy PLUG microchip to make sure that the warmer would ramp up and down according to
the selected scent intensity level. On the low setting, this makes it possible to get that first-day fresh smell for 50 days. On top of this
innovation, the Febreze Fade Defy PLUG is designed with a dual-wick system that automatically switches between two slightly different,
complementary scents every 45 minutes. This serves a dual purpose: to ensure that consumers don’t become accustomed or “noseblind” to the
scent, and to prevent the plug-in’s wick from becoming clogged so that the scent is always released freely into the air.

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P&G (USA) Partners With Rhinostics to Take Innovative Nasal Swab to
Market to Improve Speed of COVID-19 Testing
33
Procter & Gamble (P&G) is licensing its novel nasal swab to Rhinostics to launch and bring to the clinical laboratory market. P&G
developed the swab as part of its commitment to help communities address supply shortages and to bring creative solutions to bear
on the challenges facing laboratories and supply chains during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was a collaboration between
resources from P&G’s Personal Health Care business and iMFLUX, a subsidiary focused on mold design and process technology
innovation for the plastics injection molding market. Swabs continue to be in short supply and are critical to fighting the COVID-19
pandemic. The companies believe the nasal swab’s unique features make it a better material choice for both PCR and antigen-based
assays. These swabs reduce handling and lab processing cycle time and increase lab capacity as new home collection kits expand
rapidly into the virus detection market. Rhinostics plans on registering the P&G polypropylene nasal swab as a Class I Exempt
medical device and will pursue Emergency Use Authorization for home collection with rPT-PCR testing, the gold standard for
detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This licensing agreement has the potential to provide relief to the constrained market, expedite
test results and be a solution for future testing needs, like influenza.

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PVH (USA) Van Heusen Stain Shield Launches as First-ever Solution to
Oil-Based Stains
34
Bet we all have our clumsy moments. You spill coffee on your sleeve, drip salad dressing on your shirt – maybe a ketchup or mustard
splatter. Our consumers told us they do, too – so the Heritage Brands group set out to solve it. Van Heusen is excited to bring you the latest
product innovation: Stain Shield. Stain Shield is a breakthrough stain-repellent technology that fights both water-based and oil-based
stains, the first of its kind. The stain repellent is currently in-store, offered on dress shirts, sport shirts, and ties, with dress pants launching
in spring 2021. This treatment is also planned for Calvin Klein dress shirts in 2021 – with more iterations to follow. This feedback
emphasized the void in the market for a high-functioning product and an opportunity for PVH to fulfill that consumer demand. As there
are existing stain-repellent shirts already on the market, including within the PVH portfolio, the need was to improve the technology on
those products and increase their efficacy. PVH found a solution to reformulate the stain repellent-chemistry to not only be high
performing, but to have less environmental impact as well. Stain Shield has a softer touch, higher level of breathability, and is longer
lasting than other competitors on the market. We had the opportunity to discuss the launch with David Sirkin, Group President of Heritage
Brands. He acknowledged that while it was concepted in the context of an office wardrobe, it’s a product that can fit every setting.

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Qurate Retail (USA):QVC Launches on YouTube TV
35
QVC®, a world leader in multiplatform video commerce, has debuted on YouTube TV, a leading live TV streaming service with more than 3 million
subscribers. QVC is part of Qurate Retail, Inc. QVC is the only livestream shopping channel on YouTube TV, which is available across smart TVs, streaming
media players, smartphone apps, tablets, computers, game consoles, and smart displays. QVC joins YouTube TV’s line-up of 85+ channels, which feature
local and national news, sports, and entertainment, along with movies and TV shows on-demand. QVC offers an ever-changing collection of premier brands
and fresh new products, presented live by interesting personalities, along with award-winning customer service. QVC’s programming includes such shows
as “In the Kitchen with David®,” which is watched in nearly 1 million homes per hour* across America during each of its two editions per week. With this
launch, QVC is now available on subscription live TV streaming services with a combined total of more than 8 million subscribers. This is about
three-quarters of this audience nationwide. These services are also known as vMVPDs, or virtual multichannel video programming distributors. This launch
is part of an extended collaboration on the broader YouTube platforms, as well as the multiplatform retailer’s continuing execution of it strategic plan to
expand the reach of its curated broadcast and video commerce experiences across new media and digital commerce platforms, which include over-the-top
devices and services, shoppable apps, social media, digital over-the-air networks, mobile apps, and websites. The company reaches 380 million homes
worldwide through its TV broadcasts and millions more through its streaming, digital, and social platforms.

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Rakuten (Japan) Mobile Announces New Service Plan: Rakuten
UN-LIMIT VI
36
Rakuten Mobile, Inc. announced “Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI,” a new, enhanced version of the Rakuten UN-LIMIT V mobile service plan with a simple fee structure that flexibly
adjusts in line with customer data use. The new service plan caters to the diverse needs of customers, from light users who consume very little data, to heavy users who don’t
want to have to worry about their monthly data use. Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI will be available from April 1, 2021. Customers who apply for Rakuten Mobile service starting and
all current Rakuten UN-LIMIT customers will be upgraded to Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI from April 1, 2021. With the new Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI service plan, when total
monthly data usage is 1GB or less, the fee will be zero yen for a customer’s first line. If the total monthly data usage is between 1GB and 3GB, the fee will be 980 yen, and for
total monthly data usage between 3GB and 20GB, the fee will be 1,980 yen for a customer’s first line, and the monthly rate will be determined by the amount of data used each
month. Customers whose data usage exceeds 20GB can use unlimited data*1 for 2,980 yen per month. For customers with a second line, total monthly data usage of 3GB or
less will be charged at 980 yen. As with previous Rakuten UN-LIMIT plans, customers can use unlimited high-speed data in the Rakuten network area, with a monthly
allocation of 5GB of high-speed data in the domestic roaming partner network areas and 2GB of high-speed data in the 66 countries and regions covered by the overseas
roaming partner network areas. Domestic calls made through the Rakuten Link communication app are free of charge*2. Applications for Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI will be
accepted both online on the Rakuten Mobile website and at Rakuten Mobile shops nationwide. After the launch of Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI, new applications for Rakuten
UN-LIMIT V will no longer be accepted. Customers who apply for Rakuten UN-LIMIT V and Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI will be eligible for the campaign offering 3 million
customers the first full year of service free of monthly fees. The campaign will continue until the number of applications reaches the 3 million mark. Existing Rakuten
UN-LIMIT V customers who are currently taking part in the campaign will continue to be eligible for the campaign after the automatic upgrade to Rakuten UN-LIMIT VI.

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VF Corporation (USA) Launches Enhanced Product Traceability Mapping
Data Providing Unprecedented Industry Supply Chain Transparency
37
VF Corporation , one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies, enhanced its traceability mapping program by
disclosing Tier 1 through Tier 4 supplier information in a consolidated, downloadable file, providing an unprecedented level of industry
transparency. Offering supply chain visibility through Tier 4 suppliers further demonstrates the company’s commitment to continuous
improvement and increasing transparency as outlined in its corporate sustainability and responsibility strategy, Made for Change. VF has
prioritized traceability and invested in an initiative to map 100 of its brands’ most iconic products by December 2021. The company
currently has 46 product maps published online. The improved data collection allows VF to trace the full end-to-end supply chain, from
raw materials conversion to product distribution. The company’s teams are able to use the data to identify opportunities for sustainability
or worker well-being improvements deep within its global supply chain. In addition, the data is translated into both geographical maps
and a traceabiliity disclosure list that are published on the company’s website. The new disclosures give stakeholders and consumers
visbility into tiers of VF’s supply chain that were previously unavailable and provide greater insights into the orgins of VF products. he
disclosed data will be updated on a regular basis with new product maps published throughout 2021.

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Toyota Tsusho Introduces UVeye Vehicle Inspection System at USS Tokyo,
Japan's Largest Used Vehicle Auction Site
38
Toyota Tsusho Corporation announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Toyotsu Automotive Creation Corporation and USS Co., Ltd. are
introducing the UVeye vehicle inspection system at USS Tokyo, the largest auction site for used vehicle auctions in Japan. USS is Japan's largest
used vehicle auction provider and UVeye is a system from UVeye Ltd. of Israel, a company which Toyota Tsusho has made an investment in. TAC
and USS first introduced UVeye in Japan at the Nagoya auction site in October 2020. Auction members are provided with high resolution images
of auction vehicles' undercarriage and wheels obtained by UVeye. This allows members to discern the conditions of vehicles without having to
actually go to the auction venue in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which highly appeals to Internet members who participate in the auctions
online. At USS Tokyo, the second site for the system's introduction, a newly developed function for taking photographs of tire tread grooves has
been added and will commence operation from February 4, 2021. UVeye is a unique system which detects vehicle's anomalies instantly by 1)
scanning and creating 3D images of the undercarriage, body and wheels and then 2) conducting AI-based image analysis. The introduction of this
system will increase efficiency and fairness of vehicle inspection, which is usually done by man. In the future, TAC and USS will work to introduce
UVeye at other sites, and at the same time, jointly evaluate and discuss operation of vehicle inspection systems that include AI-based image
analysis to increase efficiency in vehicle inspection.

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Walmart and Western (USA) Union Enter Agreement to Offer Western
Union Money Transfers at Walmart
39
Walmart , the world’s largest retailer, and Western Union , a global leader in cross-border, cross-currency money movement and payments,
announced a new agreement that will, for the first time, enable Western Union money transfer services at Walmart locations across the U.S.
bringing greater choice and value to millions of customers. The services will include domestic and international money transfers, bill payments
and money orders. Services will be offered at more than 4,700 Walmart stores with a rollout planned to begin in the spring of 2021. Through
Western Union’s global cross-border, cross-currency platform reaching 200 countries and territories worldwide, Walmart customers will have the
ability to move money to family and loved ones almost anywhere across the world. Customers will have the option of their money transfers being
paid out in minutes across more than 550,000 retail locations or into billions of bank accounts, wallets or cards. Millions of Americans rely on
Walmart’s transparent, Every Day Low Price strategy to help customers conduct essential financial activities through a marketplace offering. With
the addition of Western Union, Walmart customers will be presented with more choice, convenience and access than ever before. For more than
20 years, Walmart has worked to provide the financial services their customers need through the providers they want, all at transparent prices.
Since 2014, Walmart has also saved customers more than $1.5 billion across its marketplace financial services offerings.

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Yonghui Superstores (China): "Bravo YH" Grand Opening of Dazhu
Tiantai Xintiandi Store in Dazhou, Sichuan
40
The store is located on the first floor of Building 4, Tiantai Xintiandi, Yingbin Road, Dazhu County, Dazhou City, Sichuan Province, a prosperous
area. There are schools, hospitals, parks, office buildings, and dozens of high-end residential areas nearby, with extremely high traffic. It
complements the shopping mall's department stores, cinemas, amusement parks and other business formats, making it the best choice for urban
white-collar workers and working-class families to prepare for their families. When you walk into the store, you will be involuntarily attracted by
the warm, fashionable, fresh and bright decoration style. Spacious passages, comfortable lighting, carefully placed products. Stop to admire or take
a selfie in front of the novel and creative pile; try it out or consult in the clean and tidy trial area; choose carefully for your family in the dazzling
product area Every little thing in life every detail can make people feel the good intentions of Yonghui people and the caring for customers. Dazhu
Tiantai Xintiandi Store has a total area of 7351 square meters, bringing together a large number of global imported goods and popular specialty
products: fresh seafood from Australia, Alaska and other places, allowing customers to enjoy fresh and delicious; green, safe and beautiful
High-quality fruits and vegetables, people can buy with peace of mind; specialty products produced in the United States, Japan, South Korea,
Taiwan, Europe and the United States and other places, publicizing the temptation of gourmet. Let the diverse needs of consumers fully release.

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Altria (USA) Group Recognized for Its Commitment to LGBTQ Equality
41
Altria Group, Inc. announces that it received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality
Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ
workplace equality. Altria joins the ranks of 767 major U.S. businesses that also earned top marks this year. This is the fourth year in
a row Altria has received a score of 100. Altria is proud of its internal and external efforts to promote LGBTQ equality. In 2020 Altria
signed on to America Competes, a pledge to oppose discrimination and to support comprehensive nondiscrimination laws that protect
all Americans, including LGBTQ people, and supported the passage of the Virginia Values Act, the first comprehensive LGBTQ
anti-discrimination legislation to pass in the south. Altria was also recognized last year as one of the “Best-of-the-Best Corporations
for Inclusion” by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. Altria has also filed amicus briefs supporting important LGBTQ cases,
including the Supreme Court’s review of federal non-discrimination laws (Bostock v. Clayton County and R.G. & G.R. Harris
Funeral Home v. EEOC) and the Ninth Circuit’s review of Idaho’s law banning transgender women and girls from participating in
sports consistent with their gender identity (Hecox v. Little).
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ADM (USA) Wins 2021 BIG Innovation Award for Unique Probiotic
Strain
42
ADM announced it has been named a winner in the 2021 BIG Innovation Awards presented by the Business Intelligence Group, which recognizes organizations
and people bringing new ideas to life. ADM Biopolis’ groundbreaking probiotic strain, Bifidobacterium lactis (BPL1), was featured among the 2021 winning
products in the Food and Beverage category. BPL1 is a groundbreaking probiotic targeting metabolic health through body mass index (BMI) reduction with an
impact on waist circumference and abdominal fat. BPL1 is a unique strain, as it’s available as a live probiotic and also as a heat-treated postbiotic that retains
functional properties for waist circumference reduction and impacting abdominal fat. It is the only probiotic in the market targeting weight management that also
works as a postbiotic (i.e., when heat-treated), allowing for potential application across a wide variety of food and beverage products, from sports drinks and bars
to dairy products, including ice cream. This formulation flexibility capability is critical in making probiotics more easily accessible to the masses and giving
functional health benefits to foods and products that are already being enjoyed by millions of people regularly. A major innovation just making its way into the
industry, BPL1 is already a benchmark probiotic across leading nutrition brands and is being sold all around the globe. In addition to this recognition by the 2021
BIG Innovation Awards, BPL1 has also been recognized by other opinion leaders in the space, winning Ingredient of the Year for NutraIngredients’ Weight
Management category in 2020. Organizations from across the globe submitted their recent innovations for consideration in the BIG Innovation Awards.
Nominations were then judged by a select group of business leaders and executives who volunteer their time and expertise to score submissions.
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BAT (Tobacco) recognised as Global Top Employer for fourth consecutive
year
43
BAT is proud to announce that it has been named as a Global Top Employer for the fourth year running by the Top Employers Institute. BAT is just one of 16 companies
to receive Global Top Employer status for 2021, which is based on an extensive review of employer practices across nine broad topics: Talent Strategy; Performance
Management; Learning & Development; Leadership Development; Career & Succession Management; Workforce planning; On-boarding; Culture; and Compensation
and Benefit. The award follows BAT being certified as a Top Employer for 2021 in 34 countries across five regions: Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Africa and
Middle East, and recognises the company’s commitment to attracting the best talent, investing in its people and being a great place to work. BAT is committed to its
purpose to build A Better Tomorrow™ by reducing the health impact of its business through providing a range of enjoyable and less risky products. Fostering a culture
where employees are encouraged to develop and grow in a diverse and inclusive environment has always been important to BAT and is playing an important role in
accelerating this transformation. BAT has been certified as a Top Employer in various regions around the world since 2009 and the ongoing recognition reflects its
continued efforts to develop and foster the potential of its 53,000 employees around the world. The Top Employer certification process is conducted annually by the Top
Employers Institute, an independent organisation that studies the employee offerings of major employers around the world. Certification recognises employers that
provide best-in-class employment practices that allow employees to develop themselves personally and professionally, while driving business results. Participating
companies undergo a very rigorous assessment process which includes an extensive review of employer practices across nine broad topics. Several validation sessions
are held where evidence of these practices is provided, and an independent audit of the findings is also carried out.
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Guangdong Wens Foodstuffs Group (China):Ookla: KPN has the best
mobile network in the Netherlands
44
KPN's mobile network has been recognized by Ookla® as the 'Best Mobile Network' in the Netherlands. This is evident from an independent test of
half a million users of the various Dutch mobile networks over the third and fourth quarter of 2020. KPN emerged as the winner with the fastest
download and upload speeds and the best mobile coverage of all Dutch operators. Ookla analyzed more than half a million tests of users of the various
Dutch mobile networks from approximately 177,000 unique devices. Then Ookla reported who showed the highest mobile network speeds and how the
mobile coverage is doing. KPN came out on top and is the fastest network in the Netherlands in terms of download and upload speed. KPN's average
download and upload speed was 92.5 Mbps and 19.8 Mbps respectively, making it the highest in the market. Ookla also compared the quality of the
mobile coverage of the users on the various mobile networks and with a coverage score of 833 points, KPN scored the best in the Netherlands. At the
end of 2020, 5G from KPN was already named the fastest 5G network in the Netherlands by Ookla . Umlaut Connect also concluded that KPN had
gotten off the grid with 5G, and gave KPN the 5G Innovation Award for this. Umlaut also rated KPN's mobile data network as the best in the
Netherlands. In mid-January 2021, Ookla also concluded that the iPhone 12 in Amsterdam on KPN's 5G network delivers the best performance . KPN
is investing heavily in its infrastructure. In addition to the renewal of the mobile network , KPN rolls out fiber optics on a large scale so that in the long
term more than 80% of the Netherlands will have access to a connection at the speed of light via KPN and can benefit from the hyper-connected society.
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Hormel Foods (USA) Latest Campaign Awards Grand Prize Winner Funds for VIP
Hand Model Treatment and Two Additional Fans A Year’s Supply of Guacamole
45
While millions of football fans begin gearing up to watch the biggest game in football, the makers of WHOLLY® GUACAMOLE, America’s #1 selling
refrigerated guacamole brand made with hand-scooped Hass avocados, are preparing for an equally busy season: helping fans prevent pre-game injuries
related to their favorite Sunday football snack. With the annual sporting event representing one of the biggest days for avocado consumption
nationwide—when spectators consume roughly 162M pounds of avocados1—it also means the highest potential for “Avocado Hand” or avocado-related
knife injuries. In an effort to help prevent ER visits, the company wants to alert fans that its products are a foolproof way to avoid the perils and pitfalls
associated with slicing avocados and the perfect solution to the finicky fruit. Because 85 percent of respondents for the same survey believe the way their
hands look is important and 62 percent say a hand injury would affect their daily productivity, for the second consecutive year, the company is bringing back
its “Avocado Hand Insurance” in order to protect fans’ precious hands at a time when safety matters most. In the run up to a dangerous day for hand injuries,
the brand is turning to those who take care of their hands best – hand models – to promote the ease of use of WHOLLY® GUACAMOLE products. To
underscore its positioning, the makers of WHOLLY® GUACAMOLE will award one grand prize winner $4,000 to use for a luxurious, VIP pampering
session typically reserved for hand models, or whatever they choose, as well as a chance to become the next WHOLLY® GUACAMOLE hand model.
Additionally, fans will enjoy an opportunity to enter for one of two chances to win free “Avocado Hand Insurance3“—in the form of a year’s supply of its
convenient, ready-to-serve WHOLLY® GUACAMOLE products.
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KT&G (South Korea) Wins Best Institutional Award in Private Enterprise
Sector for Internal Audit
46
KT&G was awarded the 'Best Organization Award in the Private Enterprise Sector for Internal Audit' at the '2020 Audit Awards' hosted by the Institute of
Internal Auditors Korea. The awards ceremony was held to encourage organizations that have contributed to social development through excellent internal
audit and compliance monitoring during the year of 2020. KT&G was highly evaluated for its reinforcement of transparency in management through internal
audit consistent with global standards. Previously, CEO Bok-in Park, who took office in October 2015, emphasized ethical management as a top priority and
made the bold decision to reorganize in February 2016, upgrading the Ethics Management Office to the Ethical Management Audit Group. The in-house audit
organization's expertise and independence were reinforced, such as by switching to a system directly under the Audit Committee. Since then, KT&G's Ethical
Management Audit Group has established an audit portal system, enabling the selection of key audit items by business field and monitoring them at all times.
In particular, the company has been striving to create a watertight environment for audit work, such as updating internal audit regulations and audit work
manuals on a regular basis. In particular, since 2019, the company has been operating an audit expert training course to foster excellent audit talent. Through
this training course, audit experts are provided not only with the necessary practical abilities such as audit planning, implementation and follow-up
management, but are also instilled with qualities such as sense of mission, fairness, and analytical thinking. This training program was selected as an example
of excellent training at a forum hosted by the Korean Human Resource Development Association last year.
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Nike (USA): Converse Recognizes Basketball’s 130 Years of Barrier-Breaking
47
Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, basketball’s 130-year history is defined by a spirit of progress, generating iconic moments, legends and trailblazers — just like the
rubber shoe company that would be Converse. After all, if basketball teaches us anything, it's that the spirit of progression and a celebration of the past can exist together.
In 2021, Converse resurfaces some of basketball’s most important moments of progress, then and now, with a series of capsule collections that are about breaking barriers
on and off the court. It all started in Massachusetts. The All Star BB Evo and Chuck 70 collaboration with Boston-based Concepts comes in a green and rose-orange color
scheme inspired by the peach baskets that were used as basketball's first makeshift rims. Converse’s second Breaking Down Barriers collection honors the momentous
occasion of the 1954-55 Crispus Attucks High School basketball team winning the state of Indiana’s basketball championship, led by a young Oscar Robertson and
marking the first time an all-Black team won Indiana’s state title. Their story is all the more remarkable as the young men faced profound prejudice at home and across
the state. In fact, the reason for the team’s existence was due primarily to segregation; it wasn’t until 1942 that they were even granted opportunity to compete in the state
tournament. In honor of the trailblazing 1955 Crispus Attucks High School team, Converse features the champions’ team colors, as well as materials representative of
their varsity letterman’s jacket on the original basketball sneaker, the Chuck 70, and the classic Converse Pro Leather. These two years tell a story of growth and
transition: 1971, when Converse's original canvas basketball shoe left the court and became a cultural icon; and 2019, when Converse stepped back into the game. The
capsule applies the retro canvas upper to the All Star Pro BB and the modern quad axial material to the Chuck 70, bringing together the last performance version of the
Chuck Taylor All Star that was made with the shoe that ushered Converse back into performance basketball.
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