Connect with us

Technology

This Week in Consumer News: 13 Stories You Need to See

Published

on

A roundup of the most newsworthy consumer and retail announcements from PR Newswire this week, including a new Frosty, Black Friday deals and a new app from Big Lots.

NEW YORK, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help consumer/retail journalists and consumers stay on top of the week’s most newsworthy and popular releases, here’s a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn’t be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

Celebrating 55 Years of Frosty: Wendy’s Drops New Salted Caramel Frosty Nationwide
Fans can pair the Salted Caramel Frosty with two new fall menu items at Wendy’s: the Mushroom Bacon Cheeseburger and a fresh take on the beloved Taco Salad.Wonder Announces Acquisition of Grubhub
Integrating Grubhub with Wonder is the next step in Wonder’s mission to make great food more accessible, bringing together the convenience, speed and selection of first-party and third-party restaurants, groceries and meal kits in a single app order. Additionally, all Wonder locations will be available on Grubhub for third-party delivery.Big Lots Unveils New Rewards App to Elevate the Shopping Experience
With features like one-touch shopping, profile and credit card management, and weekly exclusive deals, the app ensures a convenient and rewarding shopping experience. PEPSI® and Regal Are Transforming a New York City Theatre Into the Roman COLAsseum For Exclusive Fan Event Celebrating Paramount Pictures’ Highly Anticipated Gladiator II Film
Fans can sign up to RSVP for the free, immersive activation to get hyped for the upcoming Paramount Pictures film Gladiator II, only in theatres everywhere on November 22. They’ll be transported to “The Pepsi COLAsseum” at Regal Times Square and be the first to experience the movie in 4DX.Priceline Unveils Biggest Deals of the Year with Savings as Much as 99% Off this Holiday Season
Priceline created its biggest sale of the year with holiday deals across flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and activities to trending destinations. Priceline will unveil its holiday savings in three waves now through Travel Tuesday, offering opportunities to save big on travel with deals running through the end of the year.YEEDI Slashes Robot Vacuum Prices by up to 45% in Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sale
Yeedi announced major Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts, including all the top savings on YEEDI’s popular robot vacuums. The sale runs from November 11 through December 2, offering the year’s best prices on YEEDI’s most advanced cleaning solutions.Hallmark Brings Joy to Your Entire Holiday Season
Hallmark is celebrating the holiday season with a wide selection of products and experiences designed to bring comfort and joy to every celebration. From holiday greeting cards to its new streaming service and membership program Hallmark+, Hallmark is bringing the magic of the season to life in stores, on screens and in person.Hershey’s Chocolate World is Decking the Halls with All New Experiences
Hershey’s Chocolate World announces its wonderful slate of holiday experiences, treats and eats, and first-ever additions just in time for the peak of winter travel. Just as 46% of consumers say they plan to travel this holiday season, the attraction looks forward to once again welcoming multigenerational guests to experience sweet, holiday fun.Fetch Launches New Web Browser Extension to Make This Holiday Season the Most Rewarding Yet
Fetch, America’s Rewards App, today announced the launch of the Fetch Shop Web Extension, a new, easy way for users to earn rewards by making purchases directly from a web browser. The new web extension helps consumers rack up Fetch Points for their purchases from participating online retailers when shopping through their browser.NUK® Unveils the Perfect Match™ 2-in-1 Natural + Anti-Colic Bottle: The Ultimate Breastfeeding Companion for Stress-Free Feeding
Featuring a super-soft, skin-like silicone nipple, the Perfect Match bottle adapts to each baby’s unique palate, mimicking the natural shape and feel of a mother’s breast for a stress-free feeding experience that supports your breastfeeding journey from start to finish.Rockin’ Around the FeastiviTREE: Fancy Feast Introduces Its First Cat-Friendly Holiday Tree
To keep playful paws out of trouble, Fancy Feast has created the FeastiviTREE – a feline-friendly holiday tree built to withstand even the most spirited felines, so cats and cat lovers can celebrate the season together in style.Lady Gaga Releases New Haus Labs Get Ready with Me Makeup Tutorial on Sephora YouTube – Achieving a Full Face with Only One Brush Lady Gaga breaks down her daily makeup look showcasing five best-selling Haus Labs products, while she opens up about her work as a clean makeup innovator.Chipotle Sleighs Holiday Gifting with “All I Want Is Chipotle” Collection Featuring Viral Fan-Inspired Creations
Chipotle is bringing back three of its best-selling, viral products: Cilantro Soap, the “Water” Cup Candle and Car Napkin Holder, the perfect gifts for Chipotle fans this holiday season. Starting November 14, items from the “All I Want Is Chipotle” holiday collection will be available for purchase individually and bundled as a set on Chipotlegoods.com while supplies last.

For more news like this, check out all of the latest retail-related releases from PR Newswire.

Do you have a retail press release to distribute? Sign up with PR Newswire to share your story with the audiences who matter most.

Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News

These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists.

Once they’re signed up, reporters, bloggers, and freelancers have access to the following free features:

Customization: Users can create customized newsfeeds that will deliver relevant news right to their inbox. Newsfeed results can be targeted by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more.Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include in a journalist or blogger’s next story.Subject Matter Experts: Journalists will have access to ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in their articles.Related Resources: Our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, features regular media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more.

About PR Newswire

PR Newswire is the industry’s leading press release distribution partner with an unparalleled global reach of more than 440,000 newsrooms, websites, direct feeds, journalists and influencers and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. From our award-winning Content Services offerings, integrated media newsroom and microsite products, Investor Relations suite of services, paid placement and social sharing tools, PR Newswire has a comprehensive catalog of solutions to solve the modern-day challenges PR and communications teams face. For 70 years, PR Newswire has been the preferred destination for brands to share their most important news stories across the world.

For questions, contact the team at media.relations@cision.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-week-in-consumer-news-13-stories-you-need-to-see-302306567.html

SOURCE PR Newswire

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Xthings Empowers Subsidiary U-tec with Strategic Upgrade and Brand Revamp, Ushering in a New Era of Smart IoT

Published

on

By

UNION CITY, Calif., Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Xthings, a global leader in IoT solutions, has announced a comprehensive brand revamp and strategic upgrades for its subsidiary U-tec. This initiative aims to solidify its leadership in the smart IoT market by enhancing brand positioning, product competitiveness, and promoting innovations in smart electronic technologies.

Strategic Upgrade 

As U-tec’s parent company, Xthings will provide extensive support to elevate U-tec’s product and service offerings. This strategy encompasses:

Data-Driven Product Optimization: Utilizing Xthings’ advanced data analytics capabilities, U-tec will gain deeper insights into consumer needs, driving superior product performance and functionality.New Product Launches: U-tec will introduce an expanded range of smart devices, including locks, doorbells, cameras, control systems, and personal electronic products, all powered by the Xthings IoT platform.Enhanced Compatibility through Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA) Collaboration: By adopting the Matter standard, Xthings ensures its products are seamlessly compatible with leading platforms such as U home, Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and SmartThings, thereby enhancing user experiences.

Brand Revamp 

Since its inception, U-tec has earned market recognition for its innovative smart home solutions, including smart locks, cameras, and lighting control systems. With Xthings’ support, the brand revamp will include:

Brand Image Refresh: A modernized logo and visual identity that reflect innovation and leadership in smart home and consumer electronics industry.Revised Brand Positioning: A renewed focus on providing smarter, safer, and more convenient home solutions while expanding its personal electronic consumer products.Enhanced Market Promotion: Through Xthings’ support, U-tec will bolster brand visibility and market penetration via multi-channel marketing initiatives.

Market Outlook 

This revamp and strategic upgrade underscore a deep synergy between technology and branding for Xthings and U-tec, reflecting the immense growth potential in the smart home market. Market projections indicate rapid expansion, with the global market size expected to reach $250 billion by 2028.

Matthew Brown, Xthings’ Chief Strategy Officer, remarked, “We are excited to support U-tec’s brand transformation and strategic evolution. This initiative showcases our technological expertise and shared vision, as we remain committed to delivering smarter, better user experiences.”

About U-tec Group Inc.

U-tec Group Inc. is a leader in smart home innovation, known for its superior product design and user experiences. Its portfolio includes smart lighting, security, and personal accessories, beloved by consumers worldwide.

About Xthings Inc. 

Xthings Inc. has driven advancements in IoT technology since its founding. With a track record of innovation in smart security, Xthings aims to improve quality of life, accelerate AIoT industry growth, and promote the intelligent transformation of society.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xthings-empowers-subsidiary-u-tec-with-strategic-upgrade-and-brand-revamp-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-smart-iot-302306534.html

SOURCE Xthings

Continue Reading

Technology

Gaudio Lab Secures CES Innovation Award for Third Consecutive Year: “AI Audio Technology Capturing the World’s Attention”

Published

on

By

SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Gaudio Lab, a leader in AI audio technology, has won the CES 2025 Innovation Award with its comprehensive audio solution, “Gaudio Music Placement,” designed to address challenges in video content production and distribution. With this accolade, Gaudio Lab has marked its third consecutive year of CES Innovation Award wins, bringing its total to four awarded products over this period, further proving its position at the forefront of AI audio technology on the global stage.

Gaudio Music Placement: Revolutionizing Video Content Production

The award-winning “Gaudio Music Placement” offers a comprehensive solution that addresses various challenges in video content production and distribution. By simply uploading a video, the AI engine efficiently handles tasks such as background music selection and placement, music replacement, dubbing, subtitles, sound effects, noise reduction, and dialogue isolation – significantly reducing the time needed for these labor-intensive processes. Currently, an early version with select features, “Gaudio Music Replacement,” is commercially available, with the complete version set for release in the first half of next year.

A Solution to Copyright Challenges in Global Contents Distribution

Gaudio Music Replacement tackles the prevalent background music copyright issues that arise in video content distribution. Traditionally, resolving this required manual replacement of background music, but Gaudio’s AI quickly replaces original music with high-quality, copyright-free options that closely match the original, thus greatly accelerating the workflow. The solution leverages world-class audio separation technology to isolate and enhance dialogue, provides automated foreign language dubbing, and simplifies the application of various sound effects. Leading broadcasters in Korea have already adopted this solution, and discussions are underway with broadcasters in Japan.

Gaudio Lab’s CEO, Henney Oh, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to receive the CES Innovation Award for three consecutive years, affirming our AI audio technology as world-class. As global demand for cross-border content continues to grow, we will keep refining our products to enable fast and easy access to content distribution worldwide.”

Gaudio Lab at CES 2025

Gaudio Lab will showcase its award-winning and other AI audio products at CES 2025 in Las Vegas this January. During CES 2024, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella visited Gaudio Lab’s booth, garnering significant attention. At CES 2025, Gaudio Lab will host a booth in the Global Pavilion, exhibiting a range of innovative AI audio solutions.

[About Gaudio Lab]

Gaudio Lab is a leading AI audio technology start-up that was founded in 2015 following the company’s spatial audio technology for headphones was adopted as the binaural renderer for the ISO/IEC MPEG-H Audio standard in 2014. Ever since its establishment, the company has worked to develop technologies to deliver superior audio experiences wherever there is sound, gaining the attention and support from top global strategic investors such as SBVA, Samsung Venture Investment and Naver Corp. Across and between reality and virtual reality, Gaudio Lab’s solutions will continue to provide optimized audio on a diverse range of platforms such as earbuds, smartphones, VOD, VR/AR, theaters, automotives and more. Gaudio Lab secured three consecutive CES Innovation Awards (2025/2024/2023, 4 products), finalist nominated for the SXSW Innovation Award 2024, adopted the ANSI/CTA international standard (2022), and obtained recognition through the adoption of the ISO/IEC MPEG-H international standard (2018, 2013). The company was also honored with the VR Awards for the Best VR Innovation Company in London (2017).

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gaudio-lab-secures-ces-innovation-award-for-third-consecutive-year-ai-audio-technology-capturing-the-worlds-attention-302302125.html

SOURCE Gaudio Lab

Continue Reading

Technology

Intelligent.com Survey Finds 1 in 5 Managers Have Considered Quitting Due to Stress of Overseeing Gen Z Employees

Published

on

By

Managers report stress, increased workload, and challenges adapting to the expectations of younger workers

SEATTLE, Nov. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Intelligent.com, a platform dedicated to helping young professionals navigate the future of work, has released new findings on the challenges managers face overseeing Generation Z employees. In a survey conducted in October 2024, 1,000 U.S. managers shared their experiences, revealing high levels of stress and frustration with the newest workforce cohort.

“Managers may need to adjust their approach, acting more as coaches than traditional supervisors to better support and guide younger workers.”

Among key findings, 18% of managers report they have considered quitting due to the strain of managing Gen Z workers.

The survey highlights specific challenges in managing Gen Z employees, including excessive phone use, poor work ethic, and communication issues that impact team cohesion and productivity. Over half of the managers surveyed report increased workload and the need for additional resources to manage Gen Z employees, with many saying these workers require more guidance and attention than previous generations.

The survey found that 51% of managers experience frustration and 44% feel stress in managing Gen Z employees, with issues like workload increase (27%) and productivity declines (20%) among their top concerns. Additionally, 20% feel overwhelmed and 16% report burnout due to the demands of managing this group.

“Part of the frustration comes from a misalignment in expectations,” says Huy Nguyen, Intelligent.com’s chief education and career development advisor. “Gen Z employees often bring strong technical skills but may lack the soft skills that develop through hands-on experience, which many missed out on during the pandemic. Managers may need to adjust their approach, acting more as coaches than traditional supervisors to better support and guide younger workers.”

The majority of managers (65%) have adjusted their management style to better accommodate Gen Z employees. This includes providing more frequent feedback (44%), micromanaging (38%), and allowing more time for tasks (32%). Three-quarters of managers feel that Gen Z requires more time and resources to manage effectively compared to older generations, with 54% having experienced inappropriate communication from Gen Z employees.

Over half of managers (52%) report that Gen Z employees create tension with older generations, primarily due to differences in workplace attitudes, communication styles, and priorities. Additionally, 54% of managers say Gen Z work habits lower team productivity.

Given these challenges, 50% of managers have fired a Gen Z employee, and 27% would avoid hiring Gen Z if possible. Despite this, managers cite filling junior roles, cost-effectiveness, and concerns over ageism as reasons to continue hiring Gen Z.

This online poll was commissioned by Intelligent.com and conducted on Pollfish in October 2024. A total of 1,000 U.S. managers completed the survey. Demographic criteria and screening questions were used to ensure qualified respondents. To view the complete report, please visit: https://www.intelligent.com/1-in-5-managers-have-considered-quitting-due-to-stress-of-overseeing-gen-z-employees/

ABOUT INTELLIGENT.COM
Intelligent.com stands at the forefront of innovation, empowering young professionals to navigate the rapid technological advancements shaping our world and the future of work. The platform is dedicated to unlocking each individual’s unique potential, guiding them toward achieving their career ambitions, and maximizing their financial prospects. To learn more, please visit https://www.intelligent.com/.

Media Contact
Hannah Hayes, Intelligent.com, 0000000, hannah@intelligent.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/intelligentcom-survey-finds-1-in-5-managers-have-considered-quitting-due-to-stress-of-overseeing-gen-z-employees-302306725.html

SOURCE Intelligent.com

Continue Reading

Trending