The very best in tableware from Rome and beyond arrives at the Emporium
Stylish kitchen and glassware by a weath of well-known Italian brands go on show this week at the Emporium in "Eataly Private Sale 2009", with importer Italasia offering plenty of crative ideas for brightening up your dining table.
Shoppers can check the latest designs from Alessi, Alfi, Janaer Glas, Smart Candle, Scott Zwiesel and Zwiesel 1872 along with the latest coffee makers from llly. For the gourmets, there's a chance to stock up on pastas, sauces and olive oil plus Barbera, Amarone and Prosecco wines and mineral water.
Those who love funky tableware or who are searching for a neat gift won't be albe to resist the Lilliput salt-pepper set designed by Stefano Giovannoni for Alessi. For a special dinner, opt for Peter Zumthor's candlesticks and Scott Zwiesel's elegant wineglasses.
Lovers will adore the heart-shaped Champagne Cooler by Martin Hauenstein while tea-dirnkers will find it hard to pass up Jenaer Glas' teapot complete with stainless steel strainer.
Can't get going without a cup of extra-strong java juice? Then check out IIIly's collection of Espresso cups with saucers from Taiwanese designer Michael Lin for the ulitmate caffeine kick.
AT A GLANCE
The fair runs from tomorrow through October 4 at Fashion Hall of the Emporium Shopping Complex and is open from 10 to 10. Shoppers can enjoy discouts of between 40 to 50 per cent. Call (02)261 7990-9.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
PLAYSTATION OUTSELLS WII
Sony's Playstation 3 video game console outsold Nintendo's Wii nearly five-fold in the three weeks to September 20, helped by the launch of a new cheaper, slim version, a survey said at the weekend.
Sony sold 257,254 PS3s in the three-week period, while Nintenso sold 52,229 Wii consoles, the research by video game publisher Ascii Media Works showed.
The new PS3 went on sale on September 1 in North America, Europe and Asia, except for Japan, where it debuted two days later.
It is priced at 29,980 yen (Bt11,000) in Japan and at US$299 dollars in North America.
Like its predecessors, it allows users to play games and movies on Blu-ray discs, but is slimmer and uses less power.
Soon after Sony slashed the prices of its PS3, Microsoft cut the price of its Xbox 360 console, followed by Nintendo, which on Thursday reduced the price of its Wii for the first time since its 2006 launch.
Nintendo has trounced Sony and Microsoft in recent years with the Wii, which aims to appeal to people who do not normally play video games. But the console's worldwide appeal has faded recently: Wii sales more than halved to 2.23 million units in April-June from 5.17 million a year earlier.
Sony sold 257,254 PS3s in the three-week period, while Nintenso sold 52,229 Wii consoles, the research by video game publisher Ascii Media Works showed.
The new PS3 went on sale on September 1 in North America, Europe and Asia, except for Japan, where it debuted two days later.
It is priced at 29,980 yen (Bt11,000) in Japan and at US$299 dollars in North America.
Like its predecessors, it allows users to play games and movies on Blu-ray discs, but is slimmer and uses less power.
Soon after Sony slashed the prices of its PS3, Microsoft cut the price of its Xbox 360 console, followed by Nintendo, which on Thursday reduced the price of its Wii for the first time since its 2006 launch.
Nintendo has trounced Sony and Microsoft in recent years with the Wii, which aims to appeal to people who do not normally play video games. But the console's worldwide appeal has faded recently: Wii sales more than halved to 2.23 million units in April-June from 5.17 million a year earlier.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES LOOK SET FOR BETTER TIMES
The Thai electrical-appliance market is believed to have passed through the worst of the economic crisis and, with the government's second-phase economic stimulus measures, is now forecast to pick up in the final quarter.
This is a finding following research conducted by Gfk Retail and Technology (Thailand), a market research firm specialising in retail audits for consumer durables.
Country manager Chaiyarit Piyabootr yesterday said the positive signs of recovery in the industry in the fourth quarter included the world economic situation - many business figures believe the economic crisis has bottomed out - advance export orders and the bright outlook of the Thai stock market.
Besides, unemployment has shown signs of easing as many companies resume recruiting.
Moreover, the government's stimulus package will inject money into the system, create jobs and eventually increase consumer spending, said Chaiyarit.
The only potential negative factor he is keeping an eye on is whether export markets have genuinely recovered. Seventy per cent of the Kingdom's gross domestic product comes from exports.
Gfk has tracked five segments of electrical appliances - consumer electronics, home appliances, photographic, telecoms and information technology.
The total sales value of these segments during January to July dropped by 7.7 per cent from the same period last year, while unit sales fell by 2.4 per cent.
The photographic segment, comprising digital cameras and accessories, showed the highest drop in sales value and unit terms at 32.9 per cent and 23.2 per cent, respectively.
Sales value and unit sales of consumer electronics declined by 3.8 per cent and 5 per cent from the same period last year, respectively.
Despite dramatic unit-sales growth of 81.7 per cent in flat LCD TVs from the same period of 2008, other categories fell sharply. Flat-TV sales recorded the deepest plunge at 98.4 per cent.
For the home-appliance segment, small products such as microwave ovens, food-preparation items, vacuum cleaners and hair dryers showed growth, in line with more people tending to live in condominiums.
Air-conditioner unit sales and value during the first and second quarters increased from last year, but the numbers have dropped in the last few months due to an unclear picture after the government approved a tax cut.
Despite many positive signs, Chaiyarit did not provide a forecast of whether the sales value and volume figures would swing into positive territory in the next quarter.
However, he said one indicator of recovery was the increase in export value from appliance-manufacturing countries such as South Korea and Taiwan, as well as trading territories and countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore. The electrical-appliance sector in these markets is improving, he added.
But Manuele Kautzsch, regional account manager, Asia home appliance, Gfk Asia, forecast that the Thai electrical-appliance industry would pick up in the final quarter thanks to the global economic recovery.
She also believes the sales value of all categories of the home-appliance segment in Thailand will swing into positive territory next year.
Gfk Retail and Technology (Thailand) is the Asian subsidiary of Germany's Gfk Group, which has operations in more than 40 countries worldwide.
This is a finding following research conducted by Gfk Retail and Technology (Thailand), a market research firm specialising in retail audits for consumer durables.
Country manager Chaiyarit Piyabootr yesterday said the positive signs of recovery in the industry in the fourth quarter included the world economic situation - many business figures believe the economic crisis has bottomed out - advance export orders and the bright outlook of the Thai stock market.
Besides, unemployment has shown signs of easing as many companies resume recruiting.
Moreover, the government's stimulus package will inject money into the system, create jobs and eventually increase consumer spending, said Chaiyarit.
The only potential negative factor he is keeping an eye on is whether export markets have genuinely recovered. Seventy per cent of the Kingdom's gross domestic product comes from exports.
Gfk has tracked five segments of electrical appliances - consumer electronics, home appliances, photographic, telecoms and information technology.
The total sales value of these segments during January to July dropped by 7.7 per cent from the same period last year, while unit sales fell by 2.4 per cent.
The photographic segment, comprising digital cameras and accessories, showed the highest drop in sales value and unit terms at 32.9 per cent and 23.2 per cent, respectively.
Sales value and unit sales of consumer electronics declined by 3.8 per cent and 5 per cent from the same period last year, respectively.
Despite dramatic unit-sales growth of 81.7 per cent in flat LCD TVs from the same period of 2008, other categories fell sharply. Flat-TV sales recorded the deepest plunge at 98.4 per cent.
For the home-appliance segment, small products such as microwave ovens, food-preparation items, vacuum cleaners and hair dryers showed growth, in line with more people tending to live in condominiums.
Air-conditioner unit sales and value during the first and second quarters increased from last year, but the numbers have dropped in the last few months due to an unclear picture after the government approved a tax cut.
Despite many positive signs, Chaiyarit did not provide a forecast of whether the sales value and volume figures would swing into positive territory in the next quarter.
However, he said one indicator of recovery was the increase in export value from appliance-manufacturing countries such as South Korea and Taiwan, as well as trading territories and countries such as Hong Kong and Singapore. The electrical-appliance sector in these markets is improving, he added.
But Manuele Kautzsch, regional account manager, Asia home appliance, Gfk Asia, forecast that the Thai electrical-appliance industry would pick up in the final quarter thanks to the global economic recovery.
She also believes the sales value of all categories of the home-appliance segment in Thailand will swing into positive territory next year.
Gfk Retail and Technology (Thailand) is the Asian subsidiary of Germany's Gfk Group, which has operations in more than 40 countries worldwide.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Sony sale
Sony Thailand will hold a three-day "Warehouse Sale" during September 25-27 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
TVs, home theatre systems, CyberShot cameras, handy cams, digital frames,Vio notebooks, MP3 players and Sony Ericsson mobile phones are offered at up to 80% discounts.
TVs, home theatre systems, CyberShot cameras, handy cams, digital frames,Vio notebooks, MP3 players and Sony Ericsson mobile phones are offered at up to 80% discounts.
ORGANISATIONS WANT NEW PI TECHNOLOGY
Sharp Thai's latest innovation - Plasmacluster Ion - seems to have opened a brand new door of opportunity as big building operators are putting in orders to help quell fears of another type-A (H1N1) influenza outbreak.
Managing director Tatsuya Miyagi said yesterday that several large organisations wanted Sharp to install air conditioners or air purifiers with this technology in their premises. Airports of Thailand (AOT), the operator of six airports in Thailand including Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi, consulted the company a few months ago about installing an air-conditioning system equipped with Plasmacluster Ion in the terminals. Other organisations showing interest in the technology include hospitals, schools, hotels, the Government Pharmaceutical Office as well as a leading cement manufacturer.
However, Sharp Thai is concerned about the effectiveness of the technology in large buildings, such as the Suvarnabhumi airport terminals. It is also considering the pricing of the product.
"We're studying how to install Plasmacluster Ion products in those buildings and how to make the system most effective in buildings that have a large number of people passing through. We hope to serve all these corporations in the near future," Miyagi said.
He noted that the local unit would need to consult with its parent firm, which has already installed air-purification systems in railcars in Japan. The technology has also been installed in the new fleet of E3-200 series trains for the Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa service of the East Japan Railway.
Miyagi added that Sharp Thai was also interested in installing the system in public transportation networks in the Kingdom.
The technology has proved to be a success in the Thai market because it helped boost Sharp Thai's revenue in the health and environment segment in this year's first eight months by 35 per cent compared to the same period last year. The company's total revenue in that period increased only by 5 per cent, while the total electrical appliances market in Thailand from January to August dropped from the same period last year, Miyagi said.
The technology has been deployed across product lines, particularly in the health and environment segment, which includes air purifiers, air conditioners and front-loading washing machines.
The segment has contributed the most - 40 per cent - of Sharp's total sales. The sales proportion of this segment is expected to increase to 50 per cent next year. Within the health and environmental products segment, in the first eight months of this year air-conditioners showed the highest sales growth at 60 per cent from the same period last year. Sharp Thai faced a stock shortage for its air purifiers over the past few months.
Managing director Tatsuya Miyagi said yesterday that several large organisations wanted Sharp to install air conditioners or air purifiers with this technology in their premises. Airports of Thailand (AOT), the operator of six airports in Thailand including Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi, consulted the company a few months ago about installing an air-conditioning system equipped with Plasmacluster Ion in the terminals. Other organisations showing interest in the technology include hospitals, schools, hotels, the Government Pharmaceutical Office as well as a leading cement manufacturer.
However, Sharp Thai is concerned about the effectiveness of the technology in large buildings, such as the Suvarnabhumi airport terminals. It is also considering the pricing of the product.
"We're studying how to install Plasmacluster Ion products in those buildings and how to make the system most effective in buildings that have a large number of people passing through. We hope to serve all these corporations in the near future," Miyagi said.
He noted that the local unit would need to consult with its parent firm, which has already installed air-purification systems in railcars in Japan. The technology has also been installed in the new fleet of E3-200 series trains for the Yamagata Shinkansen Tsubasa service of the East Japan Railway.
Miyagi added that Sharp Thai was also interested in installing the system in public transportation networks in the Kingdom.
The technology has proved to be a success in the Thai market because it helped boost Sharp Thai's revenue in the health and environment segment in this year's first eight months by 35 per cent compared to the same period last year. The company's total revenue in that period increased only by 5 per cent, while the total electrical appliances market in Thailand from January to August dropped from the same period last year, Miyagi said.
The technology has been deployed across product lines, particularly in the health and environment segment, which includes air purifiers, air conditioners and front-loading washing machines.
The segment has contributed the most - 40 per cent - of Sharp's total sales. The sales proportion of this segment is expected to increase to 50 per cent next year. Within the health and environmental products segment, in the first eight months of this year air-conditioners showed the highest sales growth at 60 per cent from the same period last year. Sharp Thai faced a stock shortage for its air purifiers over the past few months.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
ROBOT CAN SWITCH BED TO WHEELCHAIR
Japan's Panasonic Corp has developed a "Robotic Bed" that can transform into a wheelchair to make life easier for elderly and disabled people, it announced yesterday.
The invention in designed to help people with limited mobility maintain an independent lifestyle, the firm said in a statement.
"Now, the user can join the family meal by converting the bed into a wheelchair and moving to the dining table without the need of assistance from other people," it said.
Panasoinc will exhibit the Robotic Bed at a home care and rehabilitation exhibition in Tokyo from September 29 to October 1, it said.
"It is still a concept model and we will not be selling it soon," said Panasonic spokeswoman Yuka Arii. "We plan to bring it to markets in or after 2015. But we don't know the price yet."
Japan has one of the owrld's oldest populations and faces a constant shortage of care workers.
The invention in designed to help people with limited mobility maintain an independent lifestyle, the firm said in a statement.
"Now, the user can join the family meal by converting the bed into a wheelchair and moving to the dining table without the need of assistance from other people," it said.
Panasoinc will exhibit the Robotic Bed at a home care and rehabilitation exhibition in Tokyo from September 29 to October 1, it said.
"It is still a concept model and we will not be selling it soon," said Panasonic spokeswoman Yuka Arii. "We plan to bring it to markets in or after 2015. But we don't know the price yet."
Japan has one of the owrld's oldest populations and faces a constant shortage of care workers.
TNT EXPANDS ITS FLEET, OFFERS MORE TRANSPORTATION CHOICE TO EXPORTERS
The inauguration of TNT's new dedicated aircraft yesterday will give Thai exporters more choice in cargo transportation.
"We can offer our clients, especially those relying on exports of automotive, electronics and electronics parts, to have more choice through the combination of our road network in Asia and air network", said Alan Miu, managing director of TNT Express Worldwide (Thailand).
As TNT yesterday kicked off a new dedicated B747-400ER freighter service between Hong Kong and Europe, it reflected its commitment to investing and growing in Asia.
James McCormac, regional managing director of TNT Asia Pacific, said that it was well-placed to capitalise on strong trading links between the two regions with its integrated air and road delivery network in Asia and Europe.
The new aircraft will not only serve customers in South China, but also in neighbouring countries like Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan. TNT will now be operating two dedicated freighter aircraft, providing freight and express delivery services between Europe and Asia.
The B747-400ER, which provides non-stop flights, operates between Hong Kong and TNT's European air hub in Liege, Belgium. The existing one - B747-400ERF - will travel between Europe and Shanghai via Hong Kong. The two aircraft are capable of carrying up to 110 tonnes with the lowest tonne/mile cost offering. Currently, TNT has a fleet of about 40 aircraft.
"The freighter from Hong Kong would ensure our customers, especially those in hi-tech communications, electronics and fashion industries, can become more competitive due to faster factory-to-market lead times and increasing inventory management efficiency," said McCormac.
He added: "Our continuous investment in Asia clearly demonstrates TNT's long-term confidence in the region."
TNT Asia Road Network recently expanded into Cambodia. The network now links 127 cities across six countries - from Singapore to China - and stretches across more than 7,500 kilometres.
"We can offer our clients, especially those relying on exports of automotive, electronics and electronics parts, to have more choice through the combination of our road network in Asia and air network", said Alan Miu, managing director of TNT Express Worldwide (Thailand).
As TNT yesterday kicked off a new dedicated B747-400ER freighter service between Hong Kong and Europe, it reflected its commitment to investing and growing in Asia.
James McCormac, regional managing director of TNT Asia Pacific, said that it was well-placed to capitalise on strong trading links between the two regions with its integrated air and road delivery network in Asia and Europe.
The new aircraft will not only serve customers in South China, but also in neighbouring countries like Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan. TNT will now be operating two dedicated freighter aircraft, providing freight and express delivery services between Europe and Asia.
The B747-400ER, which provides non-stop flights, operates between Hong Kong and TNT's European air hub in Liege, Belgium. The existing one - B747-400ERF - will travel between Europe and Shanghai via Hong Kong. The two aircraft are capable of carrying up to 110 tonnes with the lowest tonne/mile cost offering. Currently, TNT has a fleet of about 40 aircraft.
"The freighter from Hong Kong would ensure our customers, especially those in hi-tech communications, electronics and fashion industries, can become more competitive due to faster factory-to-market lead times and increasing inventory management efficiency," said McCormac.
He added: "Our continuous investment in Asia clearly demonstrates TNT's long-term confidence in the region."
TNT Asia Road Network recently expanded into Cambodia. The network now links 127 cities across six countries - from Singapore to China - and stretches across more than 7,500 kilometres.
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