33.8 C
Vientiane
Sunday, June 8, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 1868

Laos Records Trade Surplus of USD 1.39 Billion in 2022

Laos Records Trade Surplus of USD 1,390 Million in 2022
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo: The Star)

Laos recorded a trade surplus of USD 1.39 billion in 2022, boosted by the country’s electricity exports, according to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Khammouane Approves 71 French Colonial Buildings as Historical Heritage Sites

Khammouane Approves 71 French Colonial Buildings as Historical Heritage Sites
One of the French colonial buildings (photo: Khammouane News)

Khammouane Province has designated 71 French colonial buildings and houses as historical heritage sites for educational purposes and tourism.

Gunman Robs Vientiane Jewelry Store, Escapes with Valuables

Glass fragments that were shattered at Khounkham Jewelry Store.

An armed man robbed a jewelry store at Viewmall Shopping Center in Vientiane Capital on Friday, making off with valuables.

The rise of conflicted consumerism: Cost-of-living prompts consumers to weight up price versus principles in buying decisions

  • 69% of global shoppers place price as top consideration in their buying journeys
  • Yet, despite cost-of-livings pressures, 73% remain ‘sustainably-minded’ shoppers
  • Next day delivery or fast format fulfilment tops ‘sustainable’ shoppers’ eco vices
  • 45% would pay more for fast fulfilment, but 26% would pay more for carbon-neutral deliveries


SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach – 15 May 2023 – A price versus principles paradox is creating a new cohort of ‘Conflicted Shoppers’, who are simultaneously demanding value for money as well as products and services from retailers that tap into their sustainable values, the latest research from Asendia, the leader in international e-commerce and mail delivery solutions, reveals.

Original research of over 8,000 global shoppers in Asendia’s ‘How To Sell Direct In The Age Of The Conflicted Shopper’ Report showed that price now tops consumers’ key considerations for 55% in their buying decisions, closely followed by value for money (54%). Price was most important for shoppers in Canada (68%), followed by the UK (56%), while German and Spanish consumers were most influenced by value for money (62% and 61% respectively). Yet, despite cost-of-living pressures, almost three quarters (73%) of global shoppers considered themselves to be sustainably-minded in their consumption habits.

Reduced consumption is both price and environmentally motivated

While 69% of global shoppers said they planned to cut back on spending in 2023 due to economic uncertainty, rising to 77% in France, consumers are also re-evaluating how and what they buy to minimise their environmental impact.

A further half (50%) plan to consume less but more sustainably by purchasing pre-loved or second-hand items in 2023, rising to 62% in Germany and 61% in France, while a further third (32%) intend to buy less by extending the life of the products they own by using retailers’ repair or upcycling and circular retail initiatives.

Renaud Marlière, Global Chief of Business Development of Asendia, commented: “There’s little doubt that cost-of-living pressures are forcing consumers to weigh up what values, such as sustainability and greener consumption, they can afford to maintain. But while household budgets remain squeezed, shoppers aren’t prepared to put price entirely before principals in their consumption habits.”

“This is creating what we’ve coined the conflicted shopper; consumers who seek value for money – acting with price-sensitivity and spending-caution – on one hand, but want to consume in line with their values on the other, opting for eco-conscious decisions across their buying journey, from product choice to fulfilment methods. Despite this seeming paradox, it means retailers now need to cater for both polar ends of the conflicted shoppers’ value spectrum if they are going to win custom, loyalty and lifetime value,” Renaud Marlière continued.

The value paradox

While 73% of global shoppers consider themselves to be sustainably-minded, rising to 76% in the U.S. and Spain, the same consumers who are mindfully shopping ‘green’ – with 47% buying organically, 41% buying eco-friendly products and 27% choosing low-carbon goods – are also displaying sustainability ‘vices’ within their consumption habits.

Almost a quarter (23%) were still choosing next day deliveries or fast fulfilment options, while a further 20% of Millennials and 23% of Gen Z who identified as sustainably-minded shoppers admitted to still buying fast fashion, despite being renowned for its damaging impact on the planet. Almost two fifths (17%) of ‘green’ Gen Z consumers were also choosing to buy denim, widely considered to be an environmentally-poor fashion choice.

Delivering on sustainability demands

And this value paradox is being exhibited not just in what consumers buy, but also in how they want their orders to be delivered. Global shoppers’ top consideration around international fulfilment was knowing where their order is being shipped from to better understand the cost and distance (carbon impact) of the product reaching them (33%).

When it came to improving deliveries, preparing orders with reusable-only packaging topped global shopper demands across international and domestic fulfilment (40% and 39% respectively), followed by offering 100% carbon-neutral deliveries (30% for international and 31% for domestic orders). While 45% of the global shoppers polled would pay more for faster fulfilment, 26% would pay more for 100% carbon neutral deliveries, while 19% would pay more for greener fulfilment options, even if the item took longer to arrive.

In 2022 Asendia announced it had reached 100% carbon neutrality through its carbon offsetting projects. It now offers carbon neutrality across all shipments carried out for international retail customers via its e-PAQ solution, a specialist range of international packet and parcel services designed for online retailers.

For further information on how brands can address demands around value and build international consumer relationships that better meet the needs of today’s conflicted shoppers, download the full report: ‘How To Sell Direct In The Age Of The Conflicted Shopper’ Report,.

Asendia is committed to putting the customer at the centre of everything it does, which is why it stands for trust, friendliness and ease of use as the key pillars representing its core values.

Research methodology

Original research of over 8,000 global shoppers in the UK, U.S., Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland and Hong Kong. Each individual market polled had a sample size of over 1,000 shoppers.

The research was conducted via online polling by Savanta on behalf of Asendia in February 2023.

Hashtag: #Asendia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Asendia

Asendia is one of the world’s leaders in international e-commerce and mail, delivering packages, parcels and documents to more than 200 destinations across the globe.

Combining the experience and expertise of our founding companies, La Poste and Swiss Post, Asendia brings together a wealth of international and local know-how. Asendia’s expertise is broad reaching encompassing different aspects of e-commerce, from webshop software and marketplace management to international logistics. Asendia is committed to sustainability, offsetting all carbon emissions including first-mile collection, last-mile delivery, returns, and building emissions, machinery, and business travel.

Asendia employs over 1,500 people in Europe, UK, Asia Pacific and the USA – a global network blended with a local presence.

Asendia latest report: The rise of conflicted consumerism – Cost-of-living prompts consumers to weight up price versus principles in buying decisions

  • 69% of global shoppers place price as top consideration in their buying journeys
  • Yet, despite cost-of-livings pressures, 73% remain ‘sustainably-minded’ shoppers
  • Next day delivery or fast format fulfilment tops ‘sustainable’ shoppers’ eco vices
  • 45% would pay more for fast fulfilment, but 26% would pay more for carbon-neutral deliveries


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 15 May 2023 – A price versus principles paradox is creating a new cohort of ‘Conflicted Shoppers’, who are simultaneously demanding value for money as well as products and services from retailers that tap into their sustainable values, the latest research from Asendia, the leader in international e-commerce and mail delivery solutions, reveals.

Original research of over 8,000 global shoppers in Asendia’s ‘How To Sell Direct In The Age Of The Conflicted Shopper’ Report showed that price now tops consumers’ key considerations for 55% in their buying decisions, closely followed by value for money (54%). Price was most important for shoppers in Canada (68%), followed by the UK (56%), while German and Spanish consumers were most influenced by value for money (62% and 61% respectively). Yet, despite cost-of-living pressures, almost three quarters (73%) of global shoppers considered themselves to be sustainably-minded in their consumption habits.

Reduced consumption is both price and environmentally motivated

While 69% of global shoppers said they planned to cut back on spending in 2023 due to economic uncertainty, rising to 77% in France, consumers are also re-evaluating how and what they buy to minimise their environmental impact.

A further half (50%) plan to consume less but more sustainably by purchasing pre-loved or second-hand items in 2023, rising to 62% in Germany and 61% in France, while a further third (32%) intend to buy less by extending the life of the products they own by using retailers’ repair or upcycling and circular retail initiatives.

Renaud Marlière, Global Chief of Business Development of Asendia, commented: “There’s little doubt that cost-of-living pressures are forcing consumers to weigh up what values, such as sustainability and greener consumption, they can afford to maintain. But while household budgets remain squeezed, shoppers aren’t prepared to put price entirely before principals in their consumption habits.”

“This is creating what we’ve coined the conflicted shopper; consumers who seek value for money – acting with price-sensitivity and spending-caution – on one hand, but want to consume in line with their values on the other, opting for eco-conscious decisions across their buying journey, from product choice to fulfilment methods. Despite this seeming paradox, it means retailers now need to cater for both polar ends of the conflicted shoppers’ value spectrum if they are going to win custom, loyalty and lifetime value,” Renaud Marlière continued.

The value paradox

While 73% of global shoppers consider themselves to be sustainably-minded, rising to 76% in the U.S. and Spain, the same consumers who are mindfully shopping ‘green’ – with 47% buying organically, 41% buying eco-friendly products and 27% choosing low-carbon goods – are also displaying sustainability ‘vices’ within their consumption habits.

Almost a quarter (23%) were still choosing next day deliveries or fast fulfilment options, while a further 20% of Millennials and 23% of Gen Z who identified as sustainably-minded shoppers admitted to still buying fast fashion, despite being renowned for its damaging impact on the planet. Almost two fifths (17%) of ‘green’ Gen Z consumers were also choosing to buy denim, widely considered to be an environmentally-poor fashion choice.

Delivering on sustainability demands

And this value paradox is being exhibited not just in what consumers buy, but also in how they want their orders to be delivered. Global shoppers’ top consideration around international fulfilment was knowing where their order is being shipped from to better understand the cost and distance (carbon impact) of the product reaching them (33%).

When it came to improving deliveries, preparing orders with reusable-only packaging topped global shopper demands across international and domestic fulfilment (40% and 39% respectively), followed by offering 100% carbon-neutral deliveries (30% for international and 31% for domestic orders). While 45% of the global shoppers polled would pay more for faster fulfilment, 26% would pay more for 100% carbon neutral deliveries, while 19% would pay more for greener fulfilment options, even if the item took longer to arrive.

In 2022 Asendia announced it had reached 100% carbon neutrality through its carbon offsetting projects. It now offers carbon neutrality across all shipments carried out for international retail customers via its e-PAQ solution, a specialist range of international packet and parcel services designed for online retailers.

For further information on how brands can address demands around value and build international consumer relationships that better meet the needs of today’s conflicted shoppers, download the full report: ‘How To Sell Direct In The Age Of The Conflicted Shopper’ Report,.

Asendia is committed to putting the customer at the centre of everything it does, which is why it stands for trust, friendliness and ease of use as the key pillars representing its core values.

Research methodology

Original research of over 8,000 global shoppers in the UK, U.S., Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland and Hong Kong. Each individual market polled had a sample size of over 1,000 shoppers.

The research was conducted via online polling by Savanta on behalf of Asendia in February 2023.

Hashtag: #Asendia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Asendia

Asendia is one of the world’s leaders in international e-commerce and mail, delivering packages, parcels and documents to more than 200 destinations across the globe.

Combining the experience and expertise of our founding companies, La Poste and Swiss Post, Asendia brings together a wealth of international and local know-how. Asendia’s expertise is broad reaching encompassing different aspects of e-commerce, from webshop software and marketplace management to international logistics. Asendia is committed to sustainability, offsetting all carbon emissions including first-mile collection, last-mile delivery, returns, and building emissions, machinery, and business travel.

Asendia employs over 1,500 people in Europe, UK, Asia Pacific and the USA – a global network blended with a local presence.

Medtronic Wins Top Recognition as Singapore’s Best Workplace and Best Employer

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 15 May 2023 – Medtronic has received the top accolades recognizing the best workplace culture and people practices:

  • Ranked first in the Singapore’s Best Workplaces™ in Healthcare & Biopharma List 2023 by Great Place To Work®, the global authority on workplace culture.
  • Ranked #8 in the LinkedIn Top Companies in Singapore 2023 list.
  • Ranked amongst the top 250 Singapore employers in the Singapore’s Best Employers 2023 list by leading database company, Statista, the research partner of The Straits Times.

“It is a great honor to receive three top recognitions. This is testament to how Medtronic continuously engineers the extraordinary to bring about best-in-class people practices, and inclusive and fair culture where all employees can reach their potential. This recognition means so much to us. I’m very proud of our team in Singapore who always go above and beyond to bring life-saving technologies to our partners and create better patient outcomes,” Darren Lim, Senior Country Director, Medtronic Singapore.

The inaugural 2023 Singapore’s Best Workplaces in Healthcare & Biopharma List was determined using Great Place To Work’s For All™ methodology to evaluate. Through the Great Place to Work Trust Index Survey, employees shared quantitative and qualitative feedback about their organization’s culture. The LinkedIn Top Companies ranks the top 15 best workplaces to grow a career and is backed by LinkedIn data measuring various career progression elements. The Singapore’s Best Employers 2023 list was based on comprehensive research of more than 17,000 employees working for companies with at least 200 employees based in Singapore.

Medtronic has been regularly ranked amongst top Singapore employers. It has been certified as a Great Place to Work® organization for three consecutive years; ranked amongst Asia’s Top 5 Best Workplaces; recognized as Singapore’s Best Employers for two consecutive years; received the AmCham CARES Distinction award 2023 recognizing the positive societal impact beyond business operations by the company.

“Medtronic believes in giving our employees a purpose, a voice and support to reach their full potential. A thriving workplace culture strengthens our employer branding, helping us increase employee satisfaction, teamwork, collaboration and belonging. Our Medtronic Mission, created more than 60 years ago, highlighted that we are committed to recognize the personal worth of all employees. Receiving these awards affirm Medtronic’s world-class talent practices and inculcates a sense of pride amongst employees,” Jennifer Cho, Vice President, Medtronic Island Southeast Asia.

Hashtag: #Medtronic



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Medtronic

Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic.

We lead global healthcare technology and boldly attack the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ passionate people. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world.

In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary.

Design Spectrum of Hong Kong Design Centre Presents ‘The Full Gamut’ Exhibition Where Fashion Synergises with Cross-disciplinary Design, Inspires a Multifaceted Fashion Scene in Hong Kong

New Installation Project Reimagines the Classic Lee Kung Man Signage in Neon

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 May 2023 – The fashion sector is all-encompassing – every aspect of it, from a single piece of cotton thread and weaving techniques to window displays, spatial arrangements and brand strategies. The artistry, expertise and knowledge involved quintessentially run in the veins of the entire production process. As a living proof, Hong Kong has evolved from being the Asian hub of garment manufacturing to one of the global creative platforms for emerging designers, incubating fashion talent who have worked their ways to redefine how we see and experience fashion.

Caption

Design Spectrum, one of the public-facing platforms of Hong Kong Design Centre, sponsored by Create Hong Kong of the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), is launching a brand-new exhibition showcasing some of the best works created by Hong Kong designers. Titled ‘The Full Gamut’, this admission-free spectacle is set to open for the public from 5 May to 19 July, 2023, featuring over 40 unique design projects that seamlessly bringing together creativity and innovation, aesthetics and cultural heritage in a sprawling setting.

Over 40 Cross-disciplinary Design Projects, Take Viewers on a Revelatory Journey of Appreciating Fashion

‘The Full Gamut’, curated by local designer Roger Wu and multi-disciplinary creator Vivienne Yu, sets out to break through the public’s perception of ‘fashion design’ and take cues from different genres to provide different ways to view fashion. ‘The exhibition explores the profound connections between various design disciplines, offering a holistic view on the creative collaborations between designers from across disciplines throughout the fashion design process, Wu explains.

The exhibition has five zones that feature over 40 exhibits by Hong Kong designers, and some designers from Japan and the United States. The exhibits place fashion in dialogue with a diverse range of topics where views and ideas converge in the common language of design and aesthetics. Each of the five zones represents a specific design discipline as below:

  • ‘Environmental and Spatial Design’: Creative projects in which architects, interior and spatial designers collaborate with local and international fashion brands are showcased, exploring relationships between space, lighting, fashion and costume design.
  • ‘Fashion and Accessories Design’: A series of creative designs reflect on the evolution of Hong Kong’s fashion culture, from textile and garment manufacturing to traditional craftsmanship, and how inspiration is brewed from the cultural melting pot of the East and the West.
  • ‘Communication Design’: Through a vast array of media, including photography, graphic design, publication, and brand design, the interaction across various design fields and fashion design are on display, highlighting the many facets of cultural identity under the influence of modernity and tradition.
  • ‘Product and Display Design’: The section is comprised of inter-disciplinary fashion-inspired works, showcasing the best of product, furniture, commodity exhibition, and exhibition designers. Some of the designers work hand in hand with specific brands, while others draw inspiration from the realm of fashion and lifestyle.
  • ‘Social and Inclusive Design’: Designers from different fields address challenges posed by social diversity, and create purposeful, aesthetically pleasing solutions that benefit society. These designs are informed by current trends and principles of inclusivity, ensuring they meet both functional and societal needs.


Highlight: Brand-new Installation Art Reinterpreting the Legendary Lee Kung Man Neon Signage

In addition to the 40+ design projects, ‘The Full Gamut’ sees two new art installations on display. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Lee Kung Man, Hong Kong’s textile and garment industry legend, Westley Wong from Wholly Wholly presents Gradient of Centennial drawn on the brand’s iconic ‘golden deer’ neon signage, which was previously dismantled and is now restored to its former glory. To compliment the standout piece, designer Frances Minji enlists 100 pieces of Lee Kung Man T-shirts, dyed in 100 different colours, putting together a vibrant Pantone-esque fabric wall. Also, designer Toby Crispy narrates Lee Kung Man’s century-long legacy through her magnificent embroidery work Slow Stitching the Legacy.

The second installation, ‘Anamorphic Synthesis’, sees a collaboration by designers Wai Tang, Noel Chu, Stephen Liang and Violet Foo, in a multi-layered art piece made of materials like wedding dress fabric and mirror pieces, resembling a bouquet of wedding dresses placed upside-down from afar, but also presenting a visually impactful experimentation on a closer look.

Alongside ‘The Full Gamut’ exhibition, free guided tours, workshops, and sharing sessions are offered for the public. Details are available at Design Spectrum official website.

Thoughtfully Curated, Discover Unique Designer Goods in DS Shop

Design Spectrum’s DS Pop-up Shop will open at The Barn, which is located on 2/F of D2 Place TWO, a short distance from ‘The Full Gamut’ exhibition venue. The shop stocks a range of merchandise of over 10 local design brands, including items designed by ‘DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award’ awardees. For example, Wholly Wholly’s redesigned gift packages for Tak Cheng Tea Trading Co., Milk Design’s hexagonal ceramic mug set, ARTO and MOODLABBYLORRAINE’s patterned socks, and products from LLEMS, a Hong Kong perfume brand in collaboration with New York-based perfumer Frank Voelkl.

What is more, DS Shop features design items from Japan, such as Evereon’s iridescent transparent umbrellas which provide a burst of colour amidst midsummer rains, at the same time making a fashionable and environmentally conscious statement with the replaceable fabric.

‘The Full Gamut’ Exhibition
Date 5 May – 19 July, 2023 (Free Admission)
Time 10:00am – 7:00pm (Mon to Sun)
Location East Wing of 2/F, 822 Lai Chi Kok Road, Lai Chi Kok (3-minute walk from D2 Exit, Lai Chi Kok MTR Station)
Remarks Free guided tours of the exhibition are available
Date: 20 May, 10, 18 June & 15 July 2023
Time: 2:00pm – 2:45pm and 4:00pm – 4:45pm

For further details and latest updates, please visit: www.designspectrum.hk

Hashtag: #DesignSpectrum #HKDC #CreateHK #gooddesign #設計光譜 #香港設計中心 #創意香港 #好設計 #譜度時尚 #TheFullGamut

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

RUSAL approves the 2035 Sustainability Strategy

KRASNOYARSK, RUSSIA – Media OutReach – 15 May 2023 – The Board of RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, approved the 2035 Sustainable Development Strategy.

The Strategy claims an ambitious goal to make sustainability affordable across the aluminium value chain. By driving the so-called decoupling effect, the company aims at creating a new class of assets in the non-ferrous metals sector, future fit by meeting the low-carbon and circular economy demands (ready to go carbon neutral by 2050 and reasonably well balanced between primary and secondary material resources), based on an adaptive, fair, secure and inclusive value chain, and on advanced technological solutions.

Evgenii Nikitin, the General Director of RUSAL, outlines the purpose of this long-term strategic plan as follows: “RUSAL will lead by example in proposing such a transformation of the aluminium sector as the backbone of the future economy that will ensure access to our sustainable products for most of today’s and tomorrow’s consumers”. The purpose is to be delivered via 12 priority ESG-transformation projects well-balanced to ensure sustainable sourcing base and create a long-term competitive advantage:

  • 6 projects in the area of environmental sustainability and transition to greener business and sustainable products (Low Carbon Aluminium, Air Quality Normalcy, Circularity of Post-Production and Post-Consumer Materials, Circular Water in Key Production Processes, Safe Operation of Red Mud Disposal Sites and Other Waste Disposal Sites, and Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Services);
  • 3 projects in the area of social sustainability and bringing up the workplace and living standards in the cities where the company operates (Safe Workplace, Future Workplace, and Sustainable Communities);
  • 3 projects in the area of economic sustainability and corporate governance supporting sustainable sourcing of raw materials, finished goods and services (Data-Driven Decisions behind Sustainability, ESG Maturity Assessment of Suppliers, and Recognition of ESG Leadership in Top Ratings).

A special place in the strategy is dedicated to the corporate governance system behind the ESG transformation, mandate and accountabilities of the Board and Executive Team, business divisions and departments as part of interaction with a special coordination center – project office established inside the Sustainability Directorate. All the initiatives, drafts of the corporate codes and policies, as well as functional strategies being adopted in order to ensure the priority projects delivery, are reviewed with the Public Expert Council on Sustainability established in the end of 2022 and composed of the NGO, academia community and opinion leaders of the national level, as well as the level of the cities and territories where RUSAL operates.

Hashtag: #RUSAL

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About RUSAL

RUSAL () is a leader in the global aluminium industry and a leading low-carbon aluminium producer. In 2022, the Company accounted for 5.6% of the global aluminium production and 4.5% of alumina. RUSAL operates in 20 countries on 5 continents. Ordinary shares of RUSAL are traded on the Hong Kong Exchange (stock code 486). Ordinary shares of RUSAL are traded on the Moscow Exchange (stock code RUAL).