Added 27 August, 2014
There is an interesting and unusual social trend going on, one that is compelling American retailers to raise the wages of their employees in response to social, and not economic, pressures. Income disparity is becoming one of the major political issues of the 21st century. While the pay of top CEOs continues to climb into the stratosphere, those...
Added 25 August, 2014
"Functional beverages" is a category of non-alcoholic bottled drink that includes ingredients such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids that are said to offer health benefits. Examples include sports drinks like Gatorade, energy drinks like Red Bull, and any number of ready-to-drink teas and waters infused with exotic herbs and "...
Added 25 August, 2014
Of all the Scandinavian countries, Swedes have always seemed to be the most "natural." It is an open secret that the country is a world leader in the use of blond hair dye, but they have been laggards when it comes to mascara, blush and lipstick. Until recently, that is. New reports indicate that Swedes are increasing spending on makeup, with...
Added 20 August, 2014
Harley-Davidson is one of the world's most established brands. But that doesn't mean it can rest on its laurels. Harley has seen the future, and it is electric. Long known for producing loud, gasoline guzzling Hogs, the company is transitioning to a new era of transport that is both cleaner and quieter. Known internally as Project LiveWire, the...
Added 20 August, 2014
Fans at Minnesota's Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins baseball team, are getting frothed up over a new bank of self-serve beer stations that let drinkers pour their own brews. The new DraftServ machines allow drinkers to buy by the ounce, and gives customers the sense of having greater control of what they're imbibing. From the...
Added 20 August, 2014
Having a personal shopper to help you select your wardrobe is an extravagance that was once only affordable to super wealthy shoppers in major metropolitan areas. Now, as with so many other things, the Internet is democratizing this bastion of luxury by making it available to the masses, anywhere, at relatively low prices. A prime example of the...
Added 20 August, 2014
Across the USA and Europe, fast food restaurants are finding that the fastest-growing segment of their market lies in healthier choices that are both lower in fat and higher in price. Top earners include Chipotle Mexican Grill, which recently reported a 26 percent growth in profits and a plethora of new chains offering healthy menus, including...
Added 24 June, 2014
Actual grubs just might be the next frontier of grub. Of course, this is nothing new in Asia, where locusts, crickets, bamboo worms and scorpions are already considered to be a staple part of diets. Now the bugs are coming to North American and Europe. A recent report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization enumerates some 2000...
Added 24 June, 2014
In response to calls from customers for greater transparency, along with a growing desire for products made with healthful ingredients, major beer brands in the United States are opening up about what they are made from. While other foodstuffs have long been required to list ingredients on their labels, alcoholic beverages are exempt from this...
Added 24 June, 2014
We are entering the Robotic Decade, the years when personal mobile robots will finally make an impact on our daily lives. More and more we will see robots taking jobs that we ourselves once did. At Germany's Düsseldorf airport, parking robots are now inviting departing passengers to leave their cars near the airport terminal so they can quickly...