As global tourist numbers revert to pre-pandemic levels, the United Kingdom is missing out due to a government policy that prohibits duty-free shopping.
Analysis by the tax-free shopping data company Global Blue reveals that American tourists now spend more than three times as much on duty-free products in France and Spain as they did prior to the 2019 pandemic.
Last year, GCC travelers visiting Britain spent 35% less than they did before the Covid pandemic, but they spent twice as much in France and 66% more in Italy.
Global Blue data revealed that American tourists are now spending more than three times as much on duty-free products in France and Spain as they did prior to the pandemic in 2019.
Since the British government requires tourists to pay VAT, they choose EU countries.
As Europe and the United Kingdom head into the busy spring and summer tourist seasons, prominent British business figures have once again urged the government to reintroduce duty-free shopping so that retailers can compete with their European Union counterparts.
The Electric Bike shop, a specialized independent e-bike retailer, is supporting Local Bike Shop Day across all of its locations on April 29.
The Electric Bike Shop is eager to acknowledge the significance of the communities its stores serve, and on this day, the team will celebrate this community and the culture of independent bike shops.
Speaking about the event, the head of marketing, Andrew Wood, said, “Every day we strive to provide the best value and most trusted service to our local communities, and this coming Saturday we will celebrate that by providing free safety checks on electric and non-electric bikes, as well as free test rides.”
For National Bike Shop Day, the Electric Bike Shop has you covered.
Local Bike Shop Day allows us to engage with our valued local customers to let them know that we are here to assist them with all of their bicycle requirements, whether electric or not, while also allowing us to reach new customers through the activity.
The Local Bike Shop Activity will mark the beginning of a series of store events that The Electric Bike Shop will implement to add value to main corridors and give something back to the cycling community.
The ACT, which organizes the annual event, selected this Saturday as the date based on a survey of industry peers conducted earlier in the year.
Cytech, the international certification and training organization for bicycle mechanics, will support this year’s campaign.
Since its inception forty years ago, Cytech has provided more than 22,000 technical training courses to cycling industry personnel and cyclists.
Brompton is considering selling a £20 million stake.
More than 500 bike shops participated in Local Bike Shop Day 2022, and the ACT estimates that thousands of individuals participated by shopping at, using the services of, or promoting local Independent Bicycle Dealers (IBDs).
The Department of Transport, Bike is Best, Cycling UK, and British Cycling were major supporters of Local Bike Shop Day in 2017.
To participate in Local Bike Shop Day, retailers are not required to be ACT members, but can join the association for free online.
They are also some of the fastest to buy through Flashfood, an app-based store that just started selling discounted food close to its best-by date at about 60 more Stop & Shop supermarkets in New York state, including 31 of the 50 on Long Island.
Retail experts and food bank officials say that more people on Long Island are looking for discount programs and other ways to get help with food because inflation is high and food insecurity is getting worse.
Retail experts say that even though grocery price inflation has slowed down since last year, when it jumped 11.4%, it was the fastest growth in almost 50 years. This isn’t enough to stop people from wanting discount programs for their food shopping, though.
Andy Jump, vice president and general manager of the Incentives and Loyalty unit at Inmar Intelligence in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, said that coupon redemption rates are up 20% year over year, even though food inflation dropped to 8.4% in March.
“Shoppers haven’t felt any relief yet because the demand is still there,” he said.
Stop & Shop spokesman Daniel Wolk said that buyers can use an app on their phones to get discounts, usually 50% off, on perishable food that is between one and five days away from its best-by date. He said that you can buy things on the app up to a year after their “best by” dates.
“Flashfood Zones” are places inside shops where customers can pick up the things they’ve bought.
Jordan Schenck, Flashfood’s chief brand officer, said that the food sold through the app is safe and of good quality.
Stop & Shop started working with Flashfood in 2021 and now has about 300 stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island that offer the app service.
Flashfood Inc. was started in 2016 and is based in Toronto. It has teamed up with 23 shops to offer app deals at more than 1,700 stores in the U.S. and Canada, but Stop & Shop is the only one on Long Island.
The company’s website says, “Flashfood is a way for grocers to get money back into their bottom line and waste less food.”
The company said that 3 million people in North America use the app.
Laurence and Paula Jaffe of Worcester, Massachusetts, use the Flashfood app to get 75% off their goods at Stop & Shop. The rest of their groceries come from a military commissary, according to Laurence, 80, a retired Air Force master sergeant.
“It’s worth my time because it cuts down on food waste,” said Jaffe, who said he and his wife have saved about $4,000 on the app in the last 1.5 years.
Both sides
The grocery store said that food that has passed its “best-by” date but is still safe to eat according to Feeding America, a network of food banks, is given to local groups that help people who are hungry.
Randi Dresner, president and CEO of the Melville-based charity Island Harvest Food Bank, said that Stop & Shop is one of the stores that gives the most food to the organization. Island Harvest Food Bank is the biggest food bank on Long Island. She said that about 12 years ago, Island Harvest and Stop & Shop worked together to test a meat rescue program. Stop & Shop froze meat that was close to its best-by date and gave it to the charity.
Now, under the expanded program, Stop & Shop and other stores give Island Harvest an average of 800,000 pounds of frozen meat and other protein sources every year.
She said that Island Harvest thinks the grocer’s relationship with Flashfood could have both good and bad effects on the nonprofit’s work to feed people in need.
“On the one hand, if it works, it might cut down on the amount of food that Stop & Shop gives to Island Harvest so that we can give it to people in need in the community,” she said.
On the other hand, she said, Flashfood will make it easier for people who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, to buy more groceries. This will give them the freedom to buy healthy food.
Even so, the number of people who don’t have enough food to eat is growing on Long Island, a city known for its high median wages and high cost of living.
Idalia “Dali” Boczek, director of satellite services for the Hauppauge-based nonprofit, said that in the first three months of 2023, the five food pantries run by Long Island Cares helped 36,043 people who needed food. This is a 59.5% rise over the same time last year.
She said, “I have a feeling that it’s going to go up.”
She said that some of the increase in need is because the brief increase in SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemics ended in March.
Scott Hoyt, senior director of consumer economics at Moody’s Analytics in West Chester, Pennsylvania, said that there are a number of reasons why food prices are still high. One is that commodity production in Ukraine and parts of Russia has been cut off, and another is that the pandemic may be limiting production in some parts of the world.
Nearly one month after the North Carolina General Assembly repealed the permit requirement to purchase handguns, gun stores in Cumberland County are reporting an increase in handgun sales.
The legislature voted 71-46 on March 28 to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto and enact Senate Bill 41, removing the requirement to obtain a permit from the local constable in order to purchase a pistol. In March, Cumberland County Sheriff Ennis Wright clarified that concealed carry permits are still required.
Cumberland County retailers report increased sales.
Friday, the managers of three gun stores in Cumberland County reported an increase in pistol and handgun sales over the past month.
Lauren Yerk, the general manager of Yadkin Road’s Rock Guns & Accessories, stated, “We did have a great deal more customers.”
Yerk noted an increase in the number of consumers in their twenties and thirties purchasing pistols and an increase in firearm transfers.
“We’ve seen an increase in transfers, i.e., people purchasing items online or from other retailers and having them shipped to our store for pick-up,” she said. Then we perform a background check and complete the paperwork for them.
According to Yerk, the increase appears to have been exacerbated by the new legislation. Zef Medina, the proprietor of Shooters Supply on Bragg Boulevard, reported that pistol sales have increased by at least 10 percent over the past month.
The operations manager at Guns Plus in Spring Lake, Amber Sauceda, reported that handgun sales have increased by approximately 30% since the bill’s implementation.
Related: North Carolina law no longer requires a permit to purchase a pistol, but one is still required to carry a concealed firearm.
“Customers are pleased that they do not have to visit the sheriff’s office,”
Yerk stated that she believed the shift resulted from individuals finding it simpler and less expensive to purchase a pistol, particularly for self-defense.
She stated, “There are fewer hoops to jump through.” “Those without the extra $10 or the extra month to wait can obtain a firearm much more easily.”
Although a pistol purchase permit is no longer required, background checks are still required, administrators informed prospective customers.
“We still need to conduct a background check on you,” Medina explained. “You must still be 21 years old, meet all requirements, complete the form, and have a valid ID.”
On March 27, general manager John Lynch gave Brock Purdy his strongest public endorsement as the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback. Since then, several teams have shown interest in Trey Lance.
Lynch indicated at the March league meetings that he and the Niners listen to any trade offers but that Lance was the team’s immediate future.
Lynch repeated during Monday’s pre-draft news conference that the 49ers aren’t shopping Lance.
“I think there’s a lot of smoke, really, and that it hasn’t been extremely active,” Lynch said. “It’s not like we’ve put it out there that, oh, we’re taking bids for Trey, call 1-800. Not the procedure. People should ask inquiries. Is that repeated? Sure. It’s been superficial.”
Lynch said he expects Lance to play in 2023 despite the calls from other clubs.
“Absolutely. “I expect Trey to be here, and we’re excited about Trey’s ability to compete and what he can do for our franchise just as we were when we drafted Trey,” Lynch said. “Trey got healthy this offseason,” he said. Injured last year. He did well. He’s trained differently this offseason. We’ll see when we can play with him. We’re encouraged too.”
The Niners only have Lance and Sam Darnold in their offseason program because Purdy is currently healing from elbow surgery.
Lynch said that the Niners would need a large offer to modify their position on Lance and that Purdy’s uncertainty affects Lance’s outside offers.
“I think you definitely have to take that into account, and we’ve approached it that way,” Lynch said. “As good as we feel about Brock’s rehab, I think we have to prepare for every scenario, but more so we’re just excited about having three really quality quarterbacks in our room and letting those guys compete and vie for a job.”
Lynch stated he had to discuss Lance’s future with the team with the rumor mill.
Lynch said he wouldn’t generally do that unless the Niners were shopping the player, but Lance’s investment and position required those conversations.
“Trey and I have talked and we’re on the same page, and Trey knows exactly where the situation is,” Lynch added. He’s focused on competing, which is good. We’re enthusiastic about his offseason work and his position, but first, get healthy. Second, improve some areas he wanted to improve.”
Purdy had elbow surgery six weeks prior. After the 12-week mark, in early June, the Niners and Purdy will know more about his recovery schedule.
Purdy is attending the team’s offseason program without his right elbow brace.
“He’s doing really well, and as I understand it, he’s definitely on schedule hitting all the checkpoints,” Lynch added. “We’re very encouraged.”
Lynch reiterated that the 49ers discuss everything but believe in their current signal-callers, and their roster, which includes about a half-dozen players paid at the top of the market for their position groups, makes a big swing at quarterback unlikely.
“You look into everything and we seem to be linked to each and everything.” Lynch stated. “I believe it’s how convicted we are on Brock on this current bunch of guys… Not investigating isn’t your job. Our roster limits many of those items. What motivates you? Besides Lamar, those players are MVP-caliber. We like our people and our situation. We’re enthusiastic about our roster’s fit for many reasons.”
As a kid, I thought grocery shopping was enjoyable and grown-up.
As an adult, I dread it.
A brief trip to the shop can grow into an hourlong, expensive one. I’m single, don’t have allergies, and don’t eat finicky. I can’t picture grocery shopping for a family with diverse constraints and preferences.
I was curious when a reader emailed me last month claiming they were “blown away” by a free AI tool at a local business. I knew of ChatGPT, but not consumer AI. From the reader’s description, this gadget, which I later learned was called Quin, seemed like it may ease shopping.
“I’m here to help find anything,” Quin says on purple-and-white signage inside Sprouts Farmers Market on South Broad Street.
Quin, a phone-based AI breakthrough, can answer spoken or typed questions about shop products, including nutrition and price, and assist consumers compare products. Items on a store map can be added to a digital shopping list in-store or at home.
Nasrin Mostafazadeh, co-founder of New York-based digital startup Verneek, said the moment was perfect to deploy their technology in grocery stores. In a COVID-19-aware world, grocery customers must balance inflation and healthy nutrition.
She said food shoppers may be the most ignored U.S. customers. Average Americans deal with food allergies, preferences, and dietary choices every day. They’re alone at grocery stores.”
Mostafazadeh said Quin is meant to help grocery personnel stock shelves, take inventory, and check out customers.
I tried Quin. Can AI simplify grocery shopping? Perhaps enjoyable?
Starting out
After entering the store, I opened my phone’s camera app and scanned the QR code on a Quin sign amid boxes of vegan muffins. A webpage with a green microphone button in the lower corner prompted me to ask a question. “What is the healthiest snack for kids under $5?” said the sign.
First question. Instead of answers, I got endless page refreshes. I thought, what a letdown.
My store service was poor.
Quin and I started once I connected to Sprouts guest WiFi and restarted the page.
Quin shopping
I wandered around the store staring at my phone, feeling like I was grocery shopping in the future, with a list of questions designed to test Quin rather than imitate a shopping list. I addressed Quin. It understood me above the store music, which impressed me.
I felt self-conscious because no other shoppers did the same during my hourlong tour. Security officers and store employees repeatedly asked me if I needed help, and I felt they believed I was shoplifting. I also hoped not to annoy shoppers.
Quin confidently answered most of my questions: What bread has the fewest carbs? What fruit is seasonal? What fresh vegetables cost under $5? The lowest-sodium frozen dinners are? Cheapest per-pound meat? Which ice cream is cheapest?
After each inquiry, it would provide a list of possibilities rated by price, unit price, or nutrient amount in a second or two.
Quin’s right.
Quin knew the store’s different dietary options. It listed many keto-friendly snacks, kosher foods, including gluten-free pastas.
It suggested cooking oils and wines for chicken and beef. It found honey and organic tampons, but I couldn’t find its preferred brand.
Quin advised me which eggs—including the kosher dark chocolate salted-caramel-filled variety—were the cheapest, which alerted me to low chicken egg supplies. After following Quin’s map to the egg section in the store’s back corner, I found that some of the store’s cheapest 12-pack kinds were sold out. Store-brand pasture-raised brown eggs, which cost $4.99, were still available.
Mostafazadeh said Quin updates automatically using merchant inventory data, but he plans to add crowdsourcing. That would allow shoppers like myself to notify Quin that an item is out of stock before the inventory list is updated.
Quin erred
Quin mistook peanut butter for a sauce when I inquired “What could I serve as a side with beef?” Chicken worked better, suggested Brussels sprouts. Each time, it also showed multiple side dishes, but they were generic and not protein-specific.
Quin rarely said, “I’m sorry, I can’t find what you’re looking for.” Rephrase or ask me anything else? Quin understood my remarks every time, but the question was too complicated.
Quin couldn’t find “eggs, milk, and bread” as a single item, but it could find each item individually.
“What can I make two people for dinner tonight for less than $10?” stumped Quin.
First, it requested rephrasing. I demanded a $10 supper recipe.
This time, it included a list of recipes with ingredients, retailer locations, and prices. “I couldn’t find items with your minimum price preference,” it said, but it gave me cook times.
Mostafazadeh said Quin may have been unable to hit the price target because it assesses the cost of all recipe items, including butter, milk, and spices that many buyers already have at home.
The ruling
Quin is nice after some adjustment. If you shop at Sprouts or another store that offers it and have a long shopping list or detest it like I do, try it.
If I had to do it again, I would create an account on yourquin.com and log before going to the store. I may even make a weekly grocery list at home to save time and reduce my expenses.
Instead of conversing on my phone in the pasta aisle, I could ask nutrition and price inquiries at home. Maybe one day everyone in the store will do that, making it less odd.
This year, the Dari Fair will reopen under new ownership and possibly a new name.
Keith Williams posted on Facebook earlier this month, “God has genuinely blessed us… The Willyums Dari Fair will shortly open!!!”
The post garnered nearly 200 likes and more than 100 comments from locals who are pleased to see the midsummer institution at 2813 Kilburn Avenue remain open.
Summertime eatery that specializes in refreshing delights
Here’s what you need to know about the popular soft-serve ice cream shop:
Why was the corporation transferred?
The restaurant was placed up for sale in February by its previous proprietors, Kevin and Diane Hilby, who, along with their 13 children, ran the business for the previous 20 years.
What will remain the same and what will be modified?
Dari Fair’s sprinkled and hand-dipped ice cream cones, chili and Chicago-style hotdogs, burgers, and other sandwiches have been a summertime staple for decades. It has not yet been disclosed whether the menu will be altered.
When will this year’s Dari Fair begin?
Williams has not yet announced when the stand will open for the season. Stay updated.
The winter of 2022-23 in Western New York was undoubtedly memorable. From December to April, the weather in the Empire States was wacky, ranging from balmy and sunny days to snowstorms.
Now that the snow is beginning to melt, we are able to see what was left behind, and there are some interesting items.
The law regarding shopping carts in the state of New York?
The snow mounds in your yard may be a distant memory at this point. Nevertheless, portions of Western New York are still experiencing large, filthy snowdrifts that may persist until June!
Shopping carts are one of the principal objects that are being uncovered by the melting snow! This may be the reason why your favored store has a shortage of carts. But did you know that New York State has a very specific law regarding purchasing carts?
State of New York law, which is posted at nearly every store in the area, stipulates a $100 fine for taking a shopping trolley off the premises.
According to the signs posted around various establishments, the law falls under section 399-8 of the general business law of New York State.
Rapidly expanding Chinese purchasing app Temu has launched in the United Kingdom and five other European nations as part of its accelerated international expansion.
On Monday, the platform also launched in France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, where it is currently conducting inaugural sales.
Temu is the international sibling site of Pinduoduo, which operates in China and is owned by PDD.
According to Sensor Tower, the app has topped the US app download rankings since January, with a 45 percent increase in downloads and a 20 percent increase in its daily active user base on the day it launched Super Bowl advertisements in February.
International expansion
Temu now operates in a total of ten countries, having only launched in the United States in September of last year.
It debuted in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand earlier this year.
According to Bloomberg Second Measure, Shein, another China-based budget purchasing app, accounted for fifty percent of all fast-fashion sales in the United States as of November, well ahead of brands such as H&M with sixteen percent and Zara with thirteen percent.
While Shein was founded in China, its current headquarters are in Singapore. However, both Shein and Temu source the majority of their products from China and distribute them directly to US customers.
Official concern
Alongside TikTok, the US government is increasing its scrutiny of shopping applications due to alleged data security concerns.
In a report released earlier this month, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC), a congressional advisory body, singled out Shein and Temu for criticism regarding their collection of user data and other issues.
