Author: Randy Smith

Categories
Tech

Nintendo is smiling again with its new Switch console

Just over a year ago Japanese video game pioneer Nintendo face doubt but with the launch of its Switch console in the tech company is seeing a turnaround.

The parent company of Mario, Zelda and Pokemon has sold over the period from April to December a little more than 12 million of this semi-portable, semi-fixed machine, and now aims for an annual target of 15 million, instead of 14 million expected at the end of October.

Since its beginnings in March 2017, it has attracted a total of 14.8 million users (at the end of December).

After the disappointing sales of its previous console, the Wii U, and the difficulties encountered in the face of competition of games on smartphone, the Kyoto firm finds there a new breath.

“In our first year, we have had some success with video game enthusiasts,” said CEO Tatsumi Kimishima at a news conference, according to reports by Bloomberg. “Starting in the second year, we need to significantly expand our hold and conquer a less enlightened audience,” he warned.

The group hopes to market more than 20 million switches during the 2018/19 financial year alone.

Featured Mario

If Nintendo is to transform the test, it can for the moment be proud of results more than honorable.

In the first nine months of 2017/18, net income increased 31 percent to 135.2 billion yen (approximately $ 1.5 billion), while operating income increased six-fold to 156.5 billion yen.

At the same time, the turnover has almost tripled to 857 billion yen, driven by sales of Switch and associated games: 47.10 million securities for the Switch found takers, for a goal of 53 million by March 2018.

The adventures of the mustachioed plumber still seduce, with Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the spotlight. The game Splatoon 2 also sold well.

Meanwhile, Nintendo saw a 9% decline in sales of its 3DS handhelds, to 5.86 million units between April and December, but he welcomes a sharp increase in online games downloads for its various consoles , and the success of applications developed for smartphones (Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes or Animal Crossing).

Long reluctant to take the plunge, the group finally decided in 2016 to make a strategic shift towards mobile phones.

Cardboard accessories

Sign of his optimism found, he now hopes to achieve a net profit of 120 billion yen throughout the year (+ 17% over one year), compared to a previous forecast of 85 billion.

Turnover is expected to amount to 1020 billion yen (+ 108.5%), instead of 960 billion yen, and operating profit to 160 billion (+ 445%), instead of 120 billion.

Nintendo, whose roots go back to 1889, comes out of long years of crisis that have seen its revenues divided by four since its best years in 2008/2009, while his big rival Sony was a hit with his console PlayStation 4.

The firm, traditionally targeting a more family-oriented audience, continues to stand out with the Switch that does not compete on technical performance, but on versatility and freedom of play, at home connected to TV, or anywhere in the world. taking with you the small removable screen and the two joysticks.

In the same state of mind, Nintendo will launch in April self-assembling cardboard accessories, Nintendo Labo, an innovation that surprised and delighted investors on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where the stock jumped 16% since the beginning of the year.

Categories
Real Estate

Residential Real Estate Booming In Montreal

Residential sales in Montreal rose sharply last month compared to the same period in 2017, announces the Greater Montreal Real Estate Board.

In its monthly report released on Tuesday, the GMREB, which has more than 9,000 members, real estate brokers, said 2,598 transactions were completed in the past month, an increase of 13% over January 2017. is also the best month of January for eight years.

The six main sectors of Greater Montréal recorded increases in the number of transactions. The strongest gains were in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and the South Shore, with growth of 31% and 22% respectively. Home sales on the Island of Montreal and Laval increased by 11%. The North Shore and Vaudreuil-Soulanges sectors saw their activity grow by 9% and 7% respectively.

A MORE FAVORABLE MARKET FOR SELLERS

Also in January, condominiums continued to be very popular, reports the GMREB. As a result, this housing category posted the strongest sales growth for the fourth month in a row, with a 19% increase. On the other hand, plex sales of two to five units grew by 15% and those of single-family homes gained 10%.

In terms of prices, the median price of single-family homes across the region was $ 307,250, up 6% from a year earlier. That of condominiums, it has increased by 3%, while half of the units were sold at more than 244 750 dollars. Note that plexes stood out, with a median price of $ 495,000, an increase of 8% in one year.

Finally, the number of listings for sale fell by 14% compared to January 2017, to 25,268.

“There are fewer and fewer properties for sale in the Montreal area and demand remains strong, so that the resale market is, overall, more and more favorable to sellers”, summarized in a statement Mathieu Cousineau , Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GMREB.

Expectations of future Canadian owners

Improving accessibility (fewer barriers and physical barriers) and the opportunity to make an investment are among the most important motivations for future homebuyers, from first-time buyers to homeowners. , former owners or existing homebuyers, according to a recent survey by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

This survey, the first of its kind in the country, also shows that changes to the mortgage rules and possible interest rate increases are not among the factors that are considered decisive by potential homebuyers.

FEAR OF A RISE IN INTEREST RATES

It also reveals that in the absence of finding the “ideal home”, over 40% of first-time buyers and former homeowners would be willing to delay their purchase, while a similar proportion says they are willing to compromise on its size and location. The three groups of potential buyers say they favor the acquisition of an existing home “ready to be occupied”. Similarly, about 20% of first-time homeowners and former homeowners indicate that, second, they would opt for a new home. In addition, the study shows that the two steps most often completed a year or two before the purchase are the accumulation of the down payment and the choice of the type of dwelling.

Finally, the majority of potential buyers plan to obtain a mortgage to finance the purchase of their home, and about 25% of them say they would probably consider postponing the purchase if interest rates rise. This option is more prevalent among first time buyers than former homeowners and homebuyers.

Categories
Personal Finance

Why People Are Choosing To Rent Their Clothes

Do we necessarily have to buy the clothes, handbags and shoes we wear? Not at all. Whether in Europe, the United States or here, new forms of consumption emerge as the desire to own is diminished in favor of the interest for the simple use.

FROM THE DRESS TO JEANS

We rent cars, tools, bicycles, books. Men rent tuxedos … But are women willing to pay to borrow dresses, pumps and purses? Some entrepreneurs are convinced that if.

Parisians wishing to appear in the street with a 1000 € Vuitton bag ($1500) can now afford this luxury for 10 euros ($15) per day. In early November, the site InstantLuxe, specializing in the sale of high-end second-hand leather goods, launched a new handbag rental service.

In France, the rental market is almost non-existent, while it is “exploding in the United States, which is still ahead of Europe in terms of consumption patterns,” said. founder of InstantLuxe, Yan Le Floc’h,.

Like many, the businessman sees that we move from a consumption of possession to a consumption of use.

This change has been observed for a few years with various goods, including cars (think Communauto and car2go), streaming music (Stingray and Spotify), movies (Netflix), cycling (BIXI). But which is only beginning to interest the world of fashion.

With our neighbors to the south, Rent the Runway is a pioneer in the rental of clothing. The New York company was founded in 2009. It is now worth 1 billion US (1.28 billion) and its revenues reached 100 million US (128 million) last year.

Initially, women found only luxurious dresses to attend a wedding or social event.

PROVOKING THE BANK OF H & M AND ZARA

But since March 2016, American women can rent clothes for work and even on weekends thanks to a subscription service. Rent the Runway wants to put an end to “static” wardrobes by replacing them with “rotational” wardrobes. This will decrease the appeal of cheap clothing, says co-founder Jennifer Hyman.

”  I want to bring about the bankruptcy of H & M and Zara. In fact no, I do not want it, I plan it. – Jennifer Hyman at Bloomberg News Agency

For US $ 89 ($ 114) a month, subscribers rent 4 garments (out of 450 brands) they keep for 30 days. For $ 70 more, they return the 4 garments as often as they want to be replaced. It is also possible to rent clothes for a few days.

In France, a similar offer has been in place since January 2017. Panoplycity.com rents branded clothing on subscription: Marc Jacobs, Kenzo, Courrèges or Sonia Rykiel. For 350 euros ($ 530) per month, the client has access to 10 pieces.

“Rental changes the relationship to clothing. We continue to buy, but we can also have fun. Instead of buying an umpteenth black coat for the winter, you can, with the same budget, take a subscription and change the coat color every week! “, Co-founder Emmanuelle Brizay told AFP in November.

REACTION OF RETAILERS

Each company exploits its niche. In the United States, Gwynnie Bee exclusively targets the strong-stature woman with her 10- to 32-year-old packs of clothing delivered by subscription.

Faced with the phenomenon, industry experts are already expecting clothing retailers to embark on the adventure. Like the supermarkets that started selling kit meals to compete with the Goodfood and Cook it of this world.

Ann Taylor stores are among the first in the United States to test the model. Subscription on infinitestylebyanntaylor.com costs $ 95 per month. The single-brand offer is obviously less extensive than that of Rent the Runway, which may diminish its attractiveness, some observers believe.

The shoe giant DSW (annual sales of 2.7 billion US) will test in 2018 rental of high-end models. An idea that is not unanimous. This new service brings the collaborative economy too far, because “shoes are personal,” said Luxury Institute president Milton Pedraza at Retail. That said, Rent the Runway has been renting shoes since 2015.

“Generation Y is completely ready for the rental market. For them, it’s not a problem not to own, because they already have their entire life [stored online] in the cloud, “said Julie Economic Daily Gazette recently, Julie El Ghouzzi, director of the Center for Luxury and the creation, a French think tank in the field of luxury.

CHIC MARIE

WHAT DOES IT RENT WHY, WHY?

Quebec brands (Eve Gravel, Dinh Bà, Annie 50), Canadian (Joe Fresh), American (Gap, Old Navy) and European (H & M, Zara, Top Shop). To enhance his work and weekend wardrobe. Sizes 0 to 16 years.

HOW IT WORKS ?

We choose three clothes that are sent to us by mail. The clothes can be returned at any time: the packages include three deliveries per month. It is possible to buy the clothes we liked.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST ?

Subscriptions at $55 or $95 per month for nine pieces (depending on whether it’s a “casual” or a classic wardrobe). Monthly regressive price for subscriptions of six months or more.

GAS STATION

WHAT DOES IT RENT WHY, WHY?

Clothing and accessories from local designers like Marigold, Martel, Oneself, Noémia and Odeyalo for “a special evening” or just for fun and to reduce its environmental impact, argues the company.

HOW IT WORKS ?

We choose online parts that interest us. The expedition is by bike, but picking in the shop is possible. The rental is valid for seven days. We return the dress in the same way we received it.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST ?

$45 and $ 70 for a dress. From $40 to $65 for pants.

A necklace worth $50 is rented $15 (30%)

A dress worth $179 is rented $50 (28%)

Pants worth $159 are rented $40 (25%)

THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS (LPRN)

WHAT DOES IT RENT WHY, WHY?

“To own is old fashioned! Rent! “Says the website of the Montreal company. There are evening dresses for “women of all ages and styles”. Sizes 0 to 16 years.

HOW IT WORKS ?

LPRN is the link between women who want to “make money” dresses they own and others who want to rent them. “Applicants” receive 30% of the rental price. The dress remains their property. Dresses are not shown online. You have to make an appointment and show up in a room on rue Saint-Ambroise.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST ?

The “landlords” have the choice between 1500 dresses that they will be able to keep 72 hours for 30 to150 $.

OTHER WAYS TO APPROPRIATE CLOTHES

Purchased by subscription

After Frank & Oak, of Montreal, babyGap has just launched in the United States in subscriptions. In both cases, the principle is the same: the customer receives a box of clothes and returns only those that do not suit him. Promising, Stitch Fix (IPO on November 17) also uses this business model. The pioneer Black Socks sends socks monthly to her subscribers (since 1999). Which is reminiscent of the late Club Columbia …

Thrift stores

We know the Village des Valeurs and the network of Renaissance stores. But there are also shops that choose even more wisely the clothes they bring. In these thrift stores, where only reputable brands and cutting-edge designs are accepted, those who can not afford a new Burberry raincoat can be spoiled without shame. Fashionistas in the Montreal area are familiar with Ruse boutiques, Raymond IV-The Chic Dressing Room, Sharyn Scott, Friperie Morgan and Socket 2.

Exchange events

Between girls, why not organize a bartering party? Just be quite numerous, bring several clothes. We invent rules to avoid frustrations and we all leave with some free pieces.

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