Miscellaneous

1066 posts

Quiet luxury: When wealth goes silent

💸 Aug 19, 2025: Wealth is shifting from flashy logos to "quiet luxury" or "stealth wealth." This change favors subtlety and craftsmanship, driven by cultural shifts and generational values. Established wealth ("patricians") prefers subtlety, while new wealth ("parvenus") seeks recognition. Millennials and Gen Z value sustainability and purpose, while older generations focus on longevity and wellness. Inconspicuous luxury leads in mature markets, whereas emerging economies still favor conspicuous consumption. Brands must navigate craftsmanship, heritage, and exclusivity.
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  • 2 min

Chef Richard Sandoval adds loyalty program to Chicago lounge Casa Chi

🍴 Chef Richard Sandoval introduced a loyalty program at Casa Chi in Chicago, focusing on Nikkei cuisine, a Japanese-Peruvian fusion. Launched with OpenTable, it offers perks like free appetizers and drinks based on visit frequency. Initial rewards include free guacamole or swordfish dip. After 3, 5, 7, and 10 visits, guests earn additional rewards such as sparkling wine and a “Pour Decisions” Boozy Tea Experience. The program aims to foster deeper guest engagement with personalized experiences.
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Simply Ice Cream Launches 120ml Mini Pots Online for the First Time

🍦 Simply Ice Cream, an award-winning brand from Kent, announced on August 2025 the online launch of 120ml mini pots. Previously available only in 500ml tubs, these mini pots come in four collections: Mini Classics, Mini Fruity, Mini Seasonal, and Little Scoop. Each box contains 12 pots priced at £36, available exclusively on their website. Founder Sally Newall highlights their convenience for sampling new flavors, smaller freezers, and personal indulgence. Crafted with natural ingredients, it’s a true handmade delight.
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  • 2 min

Arora acquires QAM office block from Landsec in £245m deal

🏢 Landsec sells Queen Anne’s Mansions in central London to Arora Group for £245m, expected to complete in December 2025. Developed in the 1970s, the fully let lease expires in December 2028. The sale helps Landsec's target of releasing £2bn by 2030. Proceeds, received as a lump sum in 2025, affect EPRA earnings, reducing by £7m in 2026 and £15m in 2027. Landsec's loan-to-value ratio drops by 1.3% to 37.1%. Disposals since March total around £500m.
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  • 2 min

Awaze announces its surpassed covid Easter…

🏡 Awaze, the parent company of Hoseasons, Novasol, and cottages.com, achieved record bookings over Easter 2025, with a 6% increase compared to 2022. From April to June 2025, revenues rose by 2% to €93 million, with a 3% increase in occupancy. Repeat bookings accounted for 51% of revenue, driven by customer demand for unique experiences. Awaze offers 105,000 accommodations in over 20 countries, focusing on direct bookings and enhanced customer experiences.
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  • 1 min

easyJet extends Travelport content…

✈️ UK-based Travelport renews its content distribution agreement with easyJet, a leading European low-cost airline. Travelport+ users will continue accessing easyJet's retail-ready content, enhancing speed, choice, and flexibility for global travelers. Sheelagh Mahoney, head of distribution at easyJet, emphasizes the partnership's role in their growth strategy. Travelport's Damian Hickey highlights their platform's unique capabilities in offering agents low-cost flights and personalization. This collaboration supports easyJet's expansion on popular European routes.
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  • 2 min

New on the Menu: Two seafood dishes and two desserts

🍴 Bret Thorn, senior food & beverage editor at Nation’s Restaurant News since 1999, hosts "In the Kitchen with Bret Thorn" podcast. He wrote for The New York Sun (2005-2008) and was a sub-editor at Asia Times (1995-1997). Thorn received the 2006 Jesse H. Neal Award and joined Restaurant Hospitality in 2016. A Tufts University graduate, he studied at Le Cordon Bleu and was inducted into the Disciples d’Escoffier in 2014. Thorn resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.
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  • 3 min

Semangat Stef Wijono dari The Union Group

🍴 FutureFWD, held on September 25 in Kuala Lumpur, united F&B leaders focusing on Asia's evolving culinary landscape. Stef Wijono, of The Union Group, highlighted Jakarta's growing global recognition, with The Cocktail Club ranking in Asia’s 50 Best Bars and Modern Haus as Indonesia's top bar. Fine dining thrives in Jakarta, unlike mature markets like Singapore. Challenges include talent shortages, yet opportunities abound with new concepts like Young. The Union Group remains selective but creative in expansion.
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  • 2 min

Qatar Airways and Accenture embark on…

✈️ Qatar Airways and Accenture have launched AI Skyways to boost AI development in aviation. This partnership aims to enhance customer experience, optimize operations, and improve overall performance. AI solutions will target flight schedule optimization, predictive maintenance, and personalized interactions. Ethical guidelines and data privacy measures are emphasized. Qatar Airways’ CEO, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, highlights the milestone in becoming AI-driven, while Accenture CEO Julie Sweet underscores the creation of new value for the airline and passengers.
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