Author: Neel Achary

St. Louis Area Diaper Bank Experiences Increased Diaper Need

National Diaper Bank Network’s recent findings show nearly half of U.S. families with young children struggle to afford diapers.

(St. Louis, Mo., June 23, 2023) — Research recently released by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) reports that 47% of U.S. families with young children struggle to afford diapers. At a local level, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank reveals it has seen a 25% increase in diaper distribution – approximately 300,000 diapers each year – since 2020.

St. Louis Area Diaper Bank is a member of the NDBN and its sister organization Alliance for Period Supplies, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to eliminating diaper need and “period poverty” in America. This year the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank – through a network of 70 community organizations, educational and health partners serving low-income families – will distribute 4.1 million diapers to more than 70,000 families in the St. Louis region. Last year the nonprofit distributed 3.3 million diapers in St. Louis.

The NDBN Diaper Check 2023: Diaper Insecurity among U.S. Children and Families is a nationally representative study commissioned by the NDBN. Major findings include:

• A significant increase of 14 percentage points in diaper need since the first study was conducted in 2010.
• Diaper need intersects with food insecurity, and 28% of respondents who reported diaper need said they skipped meals so they could afford more diapers.
• 70% of the respondents reported they were stressed or anxious about their responsibilities as a parent or caregiver. 53% said they felt judged because they could not afford diapers.
• One in four (25%) of parents and caregivers with diaper need reported having to miss work or school because they did not have enough diapers to drop their child off at childcare. They also reported missing an average of 5.1 workdays in the past 30 days, which represents a loss of $296 per month for a parent earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

“This national study solidifies what we are feeling firsthand in our community,” said St. Louis Area Diaper Bank Executive Director Muriel Smith. “It’s time to realize that we are in a public health crisis, one that causes harm to our children and their families. We as a nation must do better to support those who need our help.”

Founded in 2014, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank provides diaper and period supply access to the region’s low-income families, as well as raises community awareness about the causes and consequences of diaper need and period poverty. For more information, call (314) 624-0888 or visit their website.

Cost-of-living pressures drive consumer adoption of embedded banking, fuelling brand loyalty

A new independent survey from Vodeno/Aion Bank of 3,007 European consumers based in the UK, Belgium and Germany has found:

• Two in five European consumers will only stay loyal to brands that offer embedded banking products like Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
• 37% are more likely to use BNPL and flexible payment options due to the cost-of-living crisis
• Embedded finance increased customer engagement with brands for over a third (36%), who said they return to that brand’s app or website between three and five times vs once a month

New research from Vodeno/Aion Bank has revealed how embedded banking adoption is significantly boosting brand loyalty for companies, with consumers more likely to use embedded banking products from brands as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

The European Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider’s study revealed that over a third (37%) are more likely to seek out brands that offer BNPL and flexible payment options due to the high cost of living, with this figure rising to 50% in the 25-34 age range. Competitive prices are cited as the most important factor to 44% of consumers when it comes to their brand loyalty, closely followed by a good selection of products (43%).

The results highlight that the availability of embedded banking products directly in the websites and apps of consumer brands are starting to make an impact on customer loyalty, with two in five (40%) consumers say they will only stay loyal to brands that offer financial benefits like BNPL and cashback, with this figure rising to 50% among 25-34-year-olds. When it comes to engagement with loyalty programmes, just under half (46%) said they are more likely to use a brand’s loyalty card to make purchases if it included BNPL. This figure was highest amongst the youngest consumers surveyed, rising to 53% for those aged 16-24 and higher still (65%) in the 25-34 demographic.

When consumers were asked how often they shop with their favourite brands, 19% of respondents said ‘monthly’ and a further 16% said ‘once every two or three weeks’. However, among those who have used a brand’s embedded banking product, 36% said they return to that brand’s app or website between three and five times a month, with this figure rising to 43% among the 25-34 age group.

Vodeno/Aion’s research highlights the commercial and loyalty benefits of embedded banking, with just under one quarter 23% saying they are more likely to recommend the brand to friends and family, while the same number (23%) said they are more likely to spend money with the brand over competitors.

Kim Van Esbroeck, Country Head for Aion Bank Belgium and Chief Revenue Officer for Vodeno/Aion said: “The benefits of embedded banking cannot be ignored, and our research offers strong evidence that consumers are not only using these products, but it is also positivity influencing their loyalty to BaaS-enabled brands.

Competition for the consumer has never been more fierce, particularly in these difficult financial times, and brands that offer flexible payment and lending options provide more choice, which can boost consumers’ spending power when they need it most. Embedded banking is also making an impact on brand loyalty, with 43% of 25-34 year olds saying they shop more at brands that offer an embedded banking product. We have already seen how BaaS-enabled embedding banking is helping to innovate customer journeys, and it is clear the next area of disruption will be to supercharge brands’ loyalty programmes.”

New Empire Corp. Chairman and CEO, Bentley Zhao Receives the American Dream Lifetime Achievement Award at an Event Recognizing Outstanding Contributions of Key Asian American Leaders

Event Commemorated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

NEW YORK, June 22, 2023 – Bentley Zhao, Chairman and CEO of the New Empire Corp, received the “American Dream Lifetime Achievement Award” at an event commemorating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Fushimi Japanese Restaurant on May 20, 2023. During the event, Mr. Edward F. Cox, Chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, recognized Asian American leaders for their contributions to the citizens of New York City.

New Empire Corp. (NEC), Chairman and CEO, Bentley Zhao has delivered 120+ projects including condominiums, hotels, and mixed-use properties and added more than 2000 units to the firm’s residential portfolio and development pipeline. As Founding Chair of the Asian Commercial Real Estate Association, Zhao works to increase housing attainability in Asian-American communities.

“I was honored to receive the American Dream Lifetime Achievement Award during this important celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month,” said New Empire Corp. Chairman and CEO, Bentley Zhao. “Seeking opportunities to give back in meaningful ways is one of the most important things we can do,” he added. “Through our efforts, we’re seeing a social impact as well with direct and indirect job creation. Indirectly, we’re able to develop communities, and bring together local businesses such as coffee shops and restaurants, while directly creating more jobs in the construction/service space, as well as architects, engineers and more,” Zhao concluded.

In addition to the “American Dream Lifetime Achievement Award,” Zhao also received the “2018 Lifetime Achievement Award” from the President. Bentley Zhao has won a great number of other awards in his illustrious career. Among the numerous awards he has earned are that he was recognized as a “2022 Chinese Construction Outstanding Professional,” by Chinese American Construction Professional Chairman, Andy Jiang. Additionally, he was presented with a “Certificate of Recognition” by Cynthia Sternquist, the mayor of Temple City. Other of Zhao’s awards include that he was presented with a “Community Service Award” by NYC Assemblyman William Colton and NYC Assemblyman Peter J. Abbate, Jr. presented Zhao with the “Entrepreneur of The Year- Real Estate Award.” Congress member Max Rose also presented Zhao with a “Certificate of Congressional Recognition.”

DS Group Takes an Innovative Lead in Making Waste Segregation Easier

Launches a unique awareness campaign #CatchTheRightBin

New Delhi, June 22nd, 2023: Dharampal Satyapal Group (DS Group), a multi-business corporation and a leading FMCG Conglomerate today announced a public awareness campaign, ‘#CatchTheRightBin’ to educate people on the importance of waste segregation at source to aid the waste management process. Initiating this drive under the brand Catch, the Group has introduced a solution that guides consumers in the disposal of the packaging in the correct bin after use.

Implementing a simple yet impactful change, the DS Group has substituted the current black waste basket symbol on the packaging with coloured bin, to guide the consumer to the right bin.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, DS Group said, “As a responsible corporate citizen, DS Group recognizes the importance of waste segregation and understands its role in this context to bring about a behavioural change amongst us. We wish to create awareness and drive what is a simple, positive call to action that every individual can undertake thereby creating a deeper impact. With the #CatchTheRightBin campaign, we endeavor to promote, inculcate and instil the habit of responsible waste segregation at source and work with our consumers to set a benchmark in waste management culture.”

Conceptualized by Dentsu Creative, this campaign acts as a platform that urges its audiences and invites other brands to implement this method and make waste segregation easy for customers. The DS Group will launch a comprehensive 360-degree public awareness campaign for waste segregation. It includes digital films, OOH, social media and on ground activation to educate and guide people on proper waste segregation practices. The media partner on the campaign is Mindshare and the social media partner is Grapes.

The DS Group’s sustainability initiatives are in areas of energy management, water management, material conservation, recycling, and waste management. Guided by a clear set of values and built on a strong foundation of philanthropy, corporate responsibility is an integral part of the Group’s business objectives to enhance livelihoods and build sustainable communities.

Premium Fast-Fashion Brand, French Crown raises INR 8.6 Cr from Velocity

Bangalore, 22 June 2023: Dedicated premium fast-fashion brand French Crown has raised INR 8.6 Crores over multiple tranches from Velocity.in, India’s largest revenue-based financier. With a vision to revolutionize the fast-fashion industry, French Crown has made significant strides in expanding its global reach, boasting a remarkable presence in over 90 countries.

French Crown, a renowned player in the fashion industry, is creating a stir with its unwavering dedication to innovation and style. With a remarkable track record of launching over 200 new designs every week, the brand is captivating fashion enthusiasts worldwide. Unlike conventional apparel companies, French Crown stays ahead of the curve by leveraging its creative prowess and in-depth understanding of market trends.

Ilesh Ghevariya and Bhavidip Ghevariya, Co-Founders of French Crown said, “The support and funding provided by Velocity has been instrumental in helping French Crown. With Velocity’s strategic partnership, we have achieved a significant milestone by becoming a INR 100 crore bootstrapped brand, demonstrating our ability to grow in a highly competitive market. This partnership has enabled us to invest in strategic marketing initiatives, resulting in increased brand visibility across the globe. Our ability to launch over 200 designs every week allows us to stay ahead of the competition and maintain a loyal customer base. Our commitment to offering something new and captivating with every collection has solidified our position as a leader in the industry, while debunking the notion that fast-fashion compromises quality or value.”

French Crown has successfully cracked the code to overcome one of the biggest challenges faced by major brands in the fashion industry – dead stock. Utilizing advanced forecasting algorithms and tailor-made in house inventory tracking management systems, they minimize waste and optimize inventory management. Their seamless coordination from design to distribution ensures every garment finds a satisfied customer, fostering sustainability and efficiency in the fast-fashion landscape.

While social media has become the go-to platform for fashion advertising, French Crown sets itself apart by consistently offering fresh designs that entice customers. With each visit, customers are greeted with a delightful array of unique, trendy garments, ensuring a shopping experience that is always fresh and exciting. With an impressive 50% customer retention rate vs. the industry average standard of 28.2%, French Crown has proven its ability to captivate and engage its audience.

Beyond their relentless creativity, French Crown is dedicated to sustainability and ethical practices. While the fast-fashion industry has faced criticism for contributing to pollution and exploitation, French Crown takes a different approach. This commitment to responsible fashion is a testament to their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact.

Speaking about the funding, Atul Khichariya, Co-Founder & COO of Velocity said, “I am thrilled that Velocity, as a growth partner, has been instrumental in fueling the remarkable success of French Crown. With a steadfast commitment to sustainability, French Crown has proven that it’s possible to launch over 200 new designs every week while practicing fair trade and minimizing their environmental impact. By incorporating eco-friendly materials, adopting ethical manufacturing practices, and prioritizing transparency in their supply chain, French Crown has emerged as an influential force in conscious fashion. Their success demonstrates that fashion can be both stylish and sustainable, inspiring the entire industry to embrace a more responsible approach to production and consumption.”

As French Crown continues to grow and captivate the fashion world, their ability to offer a wide range of designs each week remains a key element of their success. With an ever-expanding customer base and a strong presence on social media, the brand is poised to become the go-to destination for fashion-forward individuals seeking fresh, unique, and sustainable apparel options.

AIMIL Ayouthveda launches in Nepal with Ms. Jassita Gurung as its brand ambassador

New Delhi, July – AIMIL AYOUTHVEDA – a global skincare brand known for its natural yet innovative products, unveils and strengthens its presence with its much-awaited launch in Nepal. The celebration also marks the onboarding of the brand’s first-ever brand ambassador Ms. Jassita Gurung, an acclaimed actress from Nepal. The collaboration aims to strengthen Ayouthveda’s presence in the Nepalese market and promote the brand’s commitment to delivering Effective Skin Care.

Gurung with her captivating on-screen presence and passion for promoting self-care and wellness, perfectly embodies Ayouthveda’s core values. Over the years, Ayouthveda has earned a reputation for harnessing the power of Ayurveda, combining it with modern science to develop effective and high-quality skincare solutions. The brand offers a wide range of products that cater to diverse skin concerns, ensuring customers experience visible results and long-lasting benefits. As a brand ambassador, she will play a pivotal role in endorsing Ayouthveda’s idea to promote safe and effective skincare and will act as an anchor to build a relationship of trust between the audience and the brand.

Commenting on the collaboration, Dr. Sanchit Sharma, Founder and Director of Ayouthveda, stated, “We are delighted to extend our branch internationally in Nepal and welcome Ms. Jassita as our brand ambassador in Nepal. Her grace, authenticity, and dedication to her craft align perfectly with Ayouthveda’s philosophy of embracing natural beauty and holistic wellness. We are confident that her association with the brand will resonate with our customers and further enhance Ayouthveda’s position as a trusted skincare brand in Nepal.”

Jassita Gurung, known for her versatility and acting prowess, expressed her excitement about the partnership, saying, “I am honoured to be associated with AIMIL Ayouthveda, a brand that celebrates the essence of Ayurveda and offers products that nourish and enhance natural beauty. Skincare is an integral part of my self-care, and I am thrilled to be a part of Ayouthveda’s journey to empower individuals to embrace their skin and feel confident in their own beauty.”

As part of this partnership, Ayouthveda and Gurung will engage in various promotional activities spanning print & digital campaigns, social media initiatives, and public appearances. The launch in Nepal is a start of a beautiful chapter in expansion and a stepping stone towards reaching a fresh generation of enthusiasts who appreciate the science of Ayurveda.

Muscle & Strength India enters Telangana market with store launch in Secunderabad

Hyderabad, June 22, 2023: Muscle & Strength India, one of the country’s leading retailers of fitness supplements & nutritional products has launched its store recently in Secunderabad, Telangana. Renowned bodybuilder and former Mr. India, IFBB PRO Manoj Patil inaugurated the store located at Secunderabad. Muscle & Strength India is looking to expand aggressively in South India through franchisee route as it seeks to deepen its presence in India’s growing nutritional supplement space. The brand already has 3 stores in South India – Vellore, Gulbarga & Secunderabad now and plans to further strengthen its on-ground presence in the region by adding 10 more stores in the next 1 year.

Muscle & Strength India currently has 25 stores spread across multiple cities and has the widest range with over 1000 fitness supplements and nutrition products from 42+ brands. These products are used for athletic performance, fitness and overall wellness. As part of the expansion plan, Muscle & Strength India will also partner with various gyms across the country, while introducing more products in the near future.

“It has been our top priority to widen our network and deepen our penetration pan India. We are delighted to enter the Telangana market and we will also continue to expand our footprint in newer cities in South India in coming months. Our new stores are also a testament to our unwavering commitment of providing genuine and economically priced supplements which has increased consumers’ trust in our brand. Apart from metros, we are also witnessing demand in the tier 2 & tier 3 cities where availability of latest, genuine and economically priced supplements is still a challenge,” said Mr. Praveen Chirania, Founder, Muscle and Strength India.

“The driving factor of the Indian dietary supplements market is the increasing health consciousness and proactive health mindset amongst the consumers. We should be careful about our dietary habits, lifestyle and our body and we should join the fitness industry and motivate others as well. Fitness is the real wealth in today’s age because if you are fit, you can live longer and do better things in life. I am happy to be here in Telangana and advocate healthy ways to be fit and use genuine health supplements. However, it is important to make the distinction between genuine and fake supplements and hence one should buy them from genuine dealers of reputed brands.” said Manoj Patil, Renowned model and bodybuilder.

“We are happy to join hands with Muscle & Strength India who has become one of the fastest growing retail chains in the health supplement market in India. In a short span of time, Muscle & Strength India has already made its mark with its authentic and genuine products. Our ideal target audience are those who are interested in fitness and sports nutrition, gym-goers, sports enthusiasts, health gurus, health-conscious individuals, etc.” said Srikanth Biradar & Vinay Balne, Store Owners, Muscle and Strength India.

Founded in 2018 by Praveen Chirania, Muscle & Strength India is a leading brand in the supplements space today endorsed by celebrities and athletes like Mika Singh, Shreyas Talpade, and Tarun Gill amongst others. The company offers a comprehensive range of genuine high-quality fitness supplements and nutritional products across categories such as proteins, vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements etc manufactured by international fitness brands under a single roof.

Committed to providing world class fitness supplements & nutritional products, Muscle and Strength India is creating a niche for itself by creating a mark as one of India’s leading health supplement brands, providing high-quality, authentic products to fulfill the demands of new age customers. Muscle & Strength India aims to expand in the near future and further launch products in various variants, focusing on different health and wellness categories and segments.

Tumble Dry goes on an aggressive expansion plan -“To open one store daily to Meet Ever-Growing Demand” Tumble Dry goes on an aggressive expansion plan

–          To open one store daily to Meet Ever-Growing Demand

New Delhi, 22nd June 2023: Tumbledry, a leading provider of laundry and dry clean services, is making significant strides towards its ambitious goal of opening 2000 stores by the year 2025. The company’s rapid growth presents a significant opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs in tier 1 and tier 2 cities.

As a franchise-based business model, Tumbledry has successfully captured 56% of the organized laundry market, offering entrepreneurs an opportunity to tap into the growing demand for laundry services. Tumbledry provides comprehensive support to its franchisees, including training, guidance on operations, marketing assistance, and promotional activities. This support system has enabled franchisees to set up thriving stores and achieve business growth in collaboration with Tumbledry.

Since December 2022, Tumbledry has launched an impressive 189 stores, setting a new standard in the industry by opening one store per day over the past six months. This extraordinary pace of expansion demonstrates Tumbledry’s commitment to pushing boundaries and consistently expanding its footprint. Notably, in the months of March, April, and May 2023 alone, Tumbledry introduced an impressive total of 25, 35, and 30 stores, respectively.

Tumbledry currently has over 70 stores in the works, scheduled to go live in June and July 2023. These new store openings will span a wide range of cities across India, including Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Patna, Jammu, Ranchi, Kolkata, Kashipur, Barpeta, Sonari, Silvassa, Shimla, Giridih, Bokaro, Gulbarga, Hubli, Kozhikode, Kollam, Barmati, Erode, Jaunpur, and Sodepur. By expanding its presence to these diverse locations, Tumbledry aims to make its exceptional laundry services more accessible and efficient for people across different regions.

Tumbledry’s growth has been fueled by its quarter-on-quarter expansion. The company has achieved remarkable success, operating 604 stores in 198 cities in just 48 months. Data shows that out of the total franchise partners on-boarded by Tumbledry, a significant 40% are from Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions, highlighting the company’s commitment to reaching customers beyond major metropolitan areas.

“We are incredibly proud of our rapid growth and expansion efforts,” said Mr. Gaurav Nigam, Founder at Tumbledry. “By opening one store per day, we are determined to make our high-quality laundry services accessible to more customers throughout the country. Our expansion reflects our commitment to revolutionizing the laundry industry and providing exceptional growth in the industry.”

Tumbledry differentiates itself from other service providers by prioritizing transparency, high-quality service, and customer convenience. The company utilizes state-of-the-art machinery and chemicals sourced from Sweden, America, and Germany. It also boasts an in-house academy to train its washermen and pressmen, ensuring clothes are handled with the utmost care. With a focus on hygiene, Tumbledry processes each customer’s clothes separately and guarantees 99% stain removal with specially developed chemicals. Customers can witness the cleaning process in live stores and track orders through the mobile app, which includes free home pickup and delivery. These unique features set Tumbledry apart from other laundry service providers.

The laundry service market in India is vast, with a value of USD 35.83 billion in 2020 and an estimated worth of INR 2.2 Lakh Cr. Despite this, 96% of the Indian laundry industry remains unorganized. Tumbledry aims to tap into this growing market by offering franchise opportunities, providing a chance to be part of a rapidly growing industry with a high return on investment. The company’s franchise model has enabled it to penetrate smaller cities and towns, where the demand for quality laundry and dry cleaning services is growing.

Tumbledry is working diligently towards addressing the laundry and dry cleaning needs of half a billion urban Indians by launching 2000 live stores by 2026. The company’s goal is to cover all Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities and establish a hyper-local presence by having one Tumbledry store within every 3 km radius. This strategic expansion plan aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of their location, has access to high-quality laundry and dry cleaning services.

TrafficGuard raises $6.5 million via strongly supported placement

In addition to the latest funding Trafficguard has onboarded India Gifting Portal(IGP) and RupeeRedee

22 June, India: TrafficGuard, an omnichannel ad verification platform, today announces that it has launched a $9 million capital raise with $6.5m cornered via a strongly supported and upsized two-tranche share placement (Placement) to existing long-term sophisticated investor shareholders and new high-quality institutional shareholders. The placement will witness the firm issuing a total of 135,416,666 new fully paid ordinary shares in two tranches.

Highlighting the importance of the fresh capital, Mathew Ratty, CEO and Co-Founder, of TrafficGuard said, “In the modern era where brands are busy embracing digital transformation, the rise of new-age bots, SDK spoofing and click spamming has fueled the growth of advertising fraud. Today, ad fraud is costing advertisers a staggering $127 billion per year. To combat these issues, modern-day advertisers desperately need innovative, tech-enabled solutions to measure and verify traffic. This is where TrafficGuard has carved its niche as one of the most-preferred partners to several well-known, multi-billion dollar global enterprises in their bid to curb faux engagement, reduce ad spend and unlock the best advertising results.”

“We, at TrafficGuard, have grown exponentially on the back of our customer-centric approach and meticulous efforts to raise awareness among marketers pertaining to ad fraud and best practices to negate it. And, the latest funding is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team of engineers and data scientists in creating award-winning products. Aligned with our long-term vision of aiding global brands, the funding will not only contribute to our enterprise level strategy but also play a pivotal role in monetising our self-serve product consisting of youtube, search, display, discovery, etc. With over 4,500 sign ups on our freemium version, we look forward to rolling out our new reporting suite to the mass markets,” he added.

In what appears to be a lucrative opportunity for its shareholders, TrafficGuard will also be seen rolling out an optional Share Purchase Plan (SPP) which will exclusively allow eligible shareholders to purchase up to $30,000 worth of shares at the same issue price as the Placement regardless of the size of their shareholding, sans any brokerage or transaction costs. The SPP will be integral in the company’s vision to raise up to $2.5 million.

TrafficGuard, with the proceeds from the Placement and the SPP, aims to fund processes to streamline the company’s pipeline of enterprise customers, vital enhancements to its products, development of new product features and capabilities; and sales and marketing initiatives to further grow its customer base.