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Spiceology Welcomes Charlie’s Produce as a Distribution Partner to Provide Pacific Northwest Chefs and Restaurants Access to Next-Day Fresh Spices

Spiceology

Spiceology, the fastest-growing spice company in America, today announced its partnership with Charlie’s Produce, an independent, full-service produce company. By adding Spiceology products to their category lineup, Charlie’s Produce is now providing local chefs and grocery stores in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alaska and Oregon with next-day access to the highest quality, freshly-ground, grade-A spices and blends. “As a partner of Spiceology and a Spokane native, it’s great to have my blends with Spiceology, as well as their entire spice and ingredient line, available through a local produce distributor like Charlie’s Produce,” said Chef Chad White, a Pacific Northwest-based chef and James Beard Awards Semifinalist. “I know how crucial it is to have a distributor in the area to get fresh ingredients that you can trust, and, similar to Spiceology, Charlie’s has a history of being a dedicated partner to the foodservice industry.” Charlie’s Spokane location, which services North Idaho and Montana, as well, was the first to offer Spiceology, and the company’s footprint has now expanded to Seattle, Anchorage and Portland. “As a produce distributor, our priority is to provide our clients with the freshest ingredients possible,” said Tygann Billow, Division President, Charlie’s Seattle. “We are excited to work with Spiceology and bring premium spices to chefs and grocery stores in the Northwest, and eventually expand into the west coast. Working with their team will ensure that we not only have the freshest produce, but also the freshest spices and seasonings.” Professional chefs and grocery stores look to Spiceology for its selection of 400+ spices, blends, chiles, salts, confections, and more. As a chef-owned and operated company, Spiceology’s Periodic Table of Flavor™ was designed to keep chefs organized with identifiable packaging that will ensure easy access to each ingredient. “It’s been a tough couple of years for the foodservice industry, and we are grateful to have partners like Charlie’s Produce, a leader in the industry, believe in us to help them move forward,” said Darby McLean, Spiceology’s Vice President of Channels and Distribution. “Spiceology is chef-owned and chef-operated, and we strive to be a good partner within the foodservice industry by offering chefs streamlined access to the most fresh and high-quality ingredients. We’re excited to partner with Charlie’s Produce, and continue to partner with more locations.” Charlie’s customers can add Spiceology ingredients to their next Charlie’s Produce order through their normal ordering process. To sign up as a Charlie’s customer or for more information, please visit https://www.charliesproduce.com/order/. ABOUT SPICEOLOGY Founded in 2013, Spiceology is the fastest-growing spice company in America and is on a mission to bring the magic back to spices, the world’s first currency. The chef-owned and operated, one-stop spice shop develops innovative blends and offers over 400 ingredients that are ground fresh in small-batches and shipped fresh to consumers and chefs. Spiceology’s “experiment with flavor” ethos is not only embraced through excellent ingredients and unique combinations, but also through responsible business practices designed to create a better world with diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of the workforce. Spiceology products can be found on spiceology.com, in specialty retailers and grocers, in restaurants around the US, and as far away as Australia and Dubai. Visit spiceology.com for more information or to place an order, or follow Spiceology on Facebook and Instagram. For recipe inspiration, visit here. ABOUT CHARLIE’S PRODUCE The Charlie’s story begins in 1978 with a truck and three guys who thought they could do better. They were smart, hard-working and had a passion for produce. They had some ideas on how they could raise the bar on quality, inventory and the logistics of how produce moves from where it’s grown to where it’s enjoyed. Today, with innovation and technology woven into everything we do, Charlie’s has evolved into an independent, full-service produce company with 7 distributions centers throughout the west coast. We supply restaurants, grocery stores, institutions, wholesalers, the marine industry, and more with a full range of services. We offer conventional, organic, specialty produce, floral items, and a full line of fresh processed solutions for the retail and food service industries. We believe that forging rich, meaningful partnerships fosters success, from our employees, to our growers, to our customers and consumers, and ultimately, to the communities in which we live and work. Our aim is to nurture our partners so that together, we can nourish consumers and sustain communities. Learn more about Charlie’s Produce here. Contact Details Spiceology Cassidy Levine +1 908-770-7880 cassidy@spiceology.com Company Website https://spiceology.com/

April 14, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NAMEPA receives grant from Cargill to implement program for educating students to become Marine Environment Protectors

North American Marine Environment Protection Association

The North American Marine Environmental Protection Association (NAMEPA) has received funding from Cargill to implement an afterschool enrichment program for youth in grades 6-8 in underserved communities in the greater Miami area with a goal to educate and activate students to be “Marine Environment Protectors”. The project will help “Save Our Seas” by encouraging this generation to become responsible stewards of the marine environment through hands-on educational programs and projects. NAMEPA’s Marine Environment Protectors program increases ocean literacy among underrepresented youth, highlights workforce development in marine fields, allows for long-term scientific research, and creates a framework for similar projects to expand across North America. “Cargill believes in being strong community partners and actively supports valuable programs that protect and promote our planet,” explained Jan-Willem van den Dijssel, Cargill’s Americas Lead for Ocean Transportation. “We are partnering with NAMEPA to help foster ocean literacy amongst students of today and steer them to become ocean ambassadors of tomorrow. This program supports this goal and will drive lasting positive change.” NAMEPA Co-Founder and Executive Director Carleen Lyden Walker commented, “ NAMEPA is grateful to Cargill Cares Community Fund for providing opportunities for organizations such as NAMEPA to engage with students in local communities to be better overall stewards. Marine Environment Protectors will provide hands-on educational programming by utilizing the natural environment, scientific instrumentation, and immersive classroom instruction. This funding allows NAMEPA to continue our educational outreach toward the goal of activating communities to ‘Save Our Seas’.” CARGILL - Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 157 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. NAMEPA - The North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) is a marine industry-led organization of environmental stewards preserving the marine environment by promoting sustainable marine industry best practices and educating seafarers, students and the public about the need and strategies for protecting global ocean, lake and river resources. Visit us at www.namepa.net. Contact Details NAMEPA Carleen Lyden Walker +1 203-260-0480 executivedirector@namepa.net Company Website https://namepa.net/

April 12, 2022 03:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Toy Trends & Top Picks For The Children In Your Life

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/1cFzvKKiSB8 Active play helps with a child’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Additionally, toys often provide an opportunity for youngsters to learn by engaging their senses, sparking their imaginations, and encouraging them to interact with others. A recent Toy Association-commissioned survey revealed that most parents (82%) believe that toys are important for supporting imaginative play and discovery.Toy Trends Specialist with The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch, says whether it is a stuffed animal, action figure, puzzle, or doll, toys help encourage play, which is important for healthy brain development. With that in mind, she highlights a few of this year’s top toys. TOP TOYS: LITTLE LIVE PETS CHAMELEON, MOOSE TOYS Lynch says one of the newest youth electronic offerings from Little Live Pets, Sunny the Bright Light Chameleon is a one-of-a-kind interactive light up pet that is packed with personality and full of features and surprises. She points out that it’s “Soft, squishy and fun to hold, Sunny responds to love and attention with more than 30 sounds and reactions along with a full body of coloring changing rainbow lights that reflect Sunny’s mood — from happy to super happy, full to sleepy and warm to cold and more. Kids will be delighted when they hear Sunny repeat back what they say.” Like a true chameleon, Lynch adds, “Sunny blends in everywhere. Switch to party mode and Sunny flashes to the beat of the music, and when the party really gets going Sunny sings. Get Sunny dancing on the ceiling, walls, windows – wherever – with the suction feet feature of this one-in-a-chameleon pet.” Direct link: https://www.moosetoys.com/our-toys/little-live-pets/bright-light-chameleon-sunny/ VTECH® KICK & SCORE PLAYGYM™, VTECH Babies are able to achieve motor-skill milestones with this multi-stage, developmental play mat that includes a detachable plush soccer ball, learning panels and gym pieces. Lynch says babies start with floor play by kicking the ball or swatting the giraffe, flip to tummy time to strengthen core muscles, and parents can engage kids during seated play with the interactive, detachable learning panel that reinforces language skills and provides on-the-go play and exploration. Direct link: https://www.vtechkids.com/product/detail/20258/Kick_and_Score_Playgym GABBY’S DOLLHOUSE FAIRY KITTY GARDEN, SPIN MASTER Inspired by the enchanted Cotton Candy Tree from the show, Lynch says, “This treehouse playset features lights, a transforming canopy, secret room, vine zipline, swing, figures, accessories and furniture pieces to play out exciting adventures!” Fans are able to explore the treehouse’s two floors with Kitty Fairy and an exclusive 3.5-inch-tall Gabby Girl figure. They can also discover a tree canopy that opens up to reveal a play area. After exploring all the features, youngsters can unbox their special Dollhouse Delivery, just like Gabby does in the show, and find a surprise watering-can accessory to use in their storytelling. Lynch highlights that there’s also a thumbwheel built into the floor. Kids can spin it to find a secret room in the trunk of the tree and watch as the trunk and table light up (batteries included)! For one last surprise, she says fans can scan the QR code inside the Dollhouse Delivery to unlock a special reward in the free Gabby’s Dollhouse App (available on iOS and Android). Direct link: https://www.spinmaster.com/brands/gabbys-dollhouse/gabby-s-dollhouse-transforming-garden-treehouse-playset-with-lights-2-figures-5-accessories-1-delivery-3-furniture-kids-toys-for-ages-3-and-up SONIC SPEED RC, JAKKS PACIFIC Lynch concludes with the world’s favorite blue hedgehog that’s back for a next-level adventure. The latest offering allows fans to recreate the action from the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 movie with this RC. She points out it includes an iconic ring-shaped controller allowing for forward motion, turns and spinning action. The toy trends specialist adds that the RC lights up when fans select Turbo mode for that extra boost. For convenience and additional fun, the six-inch scale articulated Sonic figure is removeable. Direct link: https://www.jakks.com/sonic-the-movie/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-sonic-speed-rc/ For more information, go to thegeniusofplay.org. Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Instagram Twitter: Twitter Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 12, 2022 02:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Fine Fragrance House LilaNur Parfums Finalists at 2022 US Fragrance Foundation Awards

LilaNur Parfums

India's luxury fragrance brand, LilaNur Parfums has been shortlisted for two of the most prestigious categories in the Fragrance Foundation Awards during their first year in the market. Davana Cèdre Eau de Parfum, created by Firmenich Master Perfumer, Honorine Blanc, was recognized for the Perfume Extraordinaire category for its olfactory innovation. Additionally, Rose Attar Absolu was recognized in the Fragrance Innovative Product of the Year for its unique product formulation and for utilizing pure Indian-grown Rose Centifolia in an international fragrance for the first time ever. LilaNur Parfums was created by Anita Lal, Founder and Creative Director of Good Earth India, and Paul Austin, former Senior Vice President for the Global Fine Fragrances division at Givaudan. LilaNur Parfums ’ mission is to inspire the world with India’s rich fragrance culture, build awareness around its array of natural perfumery ingredients, and to drive opportunities to the thousands of rural workers whose livelihoods depend upon India’s floriculture economy. From its inception, LilaNur Parfums forged partnerships with Jasmine C.E. in Madurai - the country’s leading supplier of floral absolutes to the fragrance industry - and the Firmenich Naturals Innovation Group in Grasse to create fully traceable and innovative scents from field to flacon. For Davana Cèdre, the idea was to harmonize the balsamic fruitiness of Davana - an herbaceous Indian plant used in worship - with something elemental and androgynous. “Davana Cèdre really took me out of my comfort zone” said Honorine Blanc. Master Perfumer at Firmenich. “I wanted to capture a sense of unexpected contrasts - between the spirituality of the Davana and the strength of the Cedarwood”. The Rose Attar Absolu is an alcohol-free, perfume oil infusion which delivers a singular, vivid true-to-flower bloom and luxurious skin feel. Absolutes of pure Indian-grown Rose Centifolia - cultivated exclusively for LilaNur Parfums in India and used for the first time in international perfumery - are macerated for over 100 days with pure, ethically sourced Sandalwood. “I’ve always had a desire to create a modern fragrance line that reflected the true essence of India’s majestic flora and to reintroduce the traditions of attars to the world,” said Anita Lal, co-creator of LilaNur Parfums, “I’m happy to see this innovation be recognized within the prestigious US fragrance community.” “These nominations attest to India’s incredible fragrance story and its ability to inspire so much creativity and imagination - from the jasmine fields of Madurai to the perfumery ateliers of Grasse.” said Paul Austin, co-creator of LilaNur Parfums. The Fragrance Foundation will officially announce the award winners on June 9, 2022, at their annual awards ceremony in New York City. About LilaNur Parfums LilaNur Parfums, which launched October 2021, is India’s first luxury fragrance house, celebrating the country’s abundant flora and olfactory riches, expressed through the lens of French master perfumery. Born in the fragrant fields of Madurai in Southern India and crafted in Grasse, each of the 7 Eau de Parfums and 3 Attar Absolus have been composed around India’s iconic flowers, spices, herbs and woods. LilaNur Parfums was created by Anita Lal, Founder and Creative Director of Good Earth India, and Paul Austin, former Senior Vice President for the Global Fine Fragrances division at Givaudan. For the launch collection, four of France's most revered perfumers - Honorine Blanc, Olivier Cresp, Fabrice Pellegrin, and Clément Gavarry - each with a shared passion for the rich fragrance culture of India - were invited to compose a scent using iconic Indian ingredients as their muse as a starting point. Many of these ingredients were borne from the joint venture between Jasmine C.E and Firmenich. aimed at developing unique and innovative extractions of Indian flora. LilaNur Parfums launched in October 2021 and is available exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman and lilanur.com. www.LilaNur.com @lilanurparfums Contact Details BPCM Laura Schroeder +1 631-885-2464 lschroeder@bpcm.com Company Website https://www.lilanur.com/

April 12, 2022 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Minuteman Press Franchise in Welshpool, Perth, Western Australia Celebrates 17 Years, Shares Growth Strategies

Minuteman Press International Inc

Rod Hambley has owned his Minuteman Press printing franchise in Welshpool since March of 2005. In May of 2021, Rod purchased 15-year independent print shop Images on Paper. Following the acquisition, Rod merged staff from both businesses and has been producing more in-house orders with the equipment that was added. The result has been doubling and even tripling monthly sales in the months following the acquisition. This includes a record sales month for his 17-year business, Rod says, “We’ve clearly had sustained business growth since the acquisition. Sales for both new and existing clients are in line with past turnover for both.” Welcome to Minuteman Press in Welshpool Prior to buying Minuteman Press in Welshpool, Rod worked in the banking industry. He shares, “I was in banking for 25 years and worked as Branch Manager for several banks. I found Minuteman Press at a franchise show and in gaining a rapport with the Regional Vice President, I saw this as a viable option I could venture to when finished at the bank.” Under Rod’s leadership and following the acquisition of Images on Paper, Minuteman Press in Welshpool has continued to grow its core business. Rod says, “Our core business is always in high demand. We offer our clients high quality printing from our wide format machine which produces posters, signage, and stickers of all shapes and sizes. Our digital machine prints booklets, flyers, business cards, and much more. We also still run an offset machine for NCR Books, envelopes, and spot colour work that are all still in demand.” “It is important for local businesses to market and promote themselves. We are able to design and produce the items they need for those purposes and they also need printing of workbooks, forms, and plenty of other items for their operations as well.” -Rod Hambley, owner, Minuteman Press, Welshpool Acquiring Images on Paper As for how the acquisition of Images on Paper came about, it was a combination of Rod being proactive in looking at local acquisition targets in his area as well as the local Minuteman Press outreach campaign initiated by Regional Vice President Glenn Coyle. Rod says, “We have had our eye on this business in the area for a number of years among others. I have done smaller acquisitions over the years that were successful as I still have some clients from those. I saw Images on Paper as a good prospect where the owner might be looking to retire, and Glenn Coyle also identified them through an acquisition campaign.” Glenn Coyle says, “I reached out to Images on Paper and set up a confidential meeting with the owner Harry and his wife Robyn. We chatted for a while and after we got to know each other and I learned about their business, we all moved forward with a plan for Rod to acquire the business if all went well so Harry and Robyn could sell the business and retire.” Glenn adds, “Once I looked over the paperwork they provided, I met with Harry and Robyn again and told them my plan to introduce their business to Rod. They were happy for me to do this. After Rod met with Harry and Robyn, things went well, and they ultimately came to an agreement on price, terms, equipment, staff, and changeover date.” Rod shares, “The benefit to the seller was to save on brokerage costs, and the benefit to me was the increased sales as well as merging staff and added equipment for in-house jobs.” Advice for Others When asked what advice he would give to others looking to own a business, Rod answers, “Be prepared to work hard and find good staff. Also, you should ensure that you have steady cash flow and enough for a rainy day or two.” Minuteman Press in Welshpool is located at U2 119 Welshpool Rd., Welshpool, WA 6106. For more information, visit their website: https://www.welshpool.minutemanpress.com.au. Learn more about Minuteman Press franchise opportunities in Australia at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com.au. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 11, 2022 10:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Easter gifts Kids Actually Want: From Learning to Fun

YourUpdateTV

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://youtu.be/2V7NL-Jogw4 Play has a profound impact on childhood development. In fact, toys often provide an opportunity for youngsters to learn by engaging their senses, sparking their imaginations, and encouraging interaction with others. With Easter fast approaching, Toy Trends Specialist with The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch, says now is a great time to find the perfect gifts for the kids on your shopping list. First, Lynch says it’s a good idea to know that one of this year’s biggest toy trends is content creation. Although, digital channels like YouTube may come to mind, she adds, hands-on creation helps with childhood development. Next, she adds that it’s important to understand the benefits of childhood play. Experts agree that active play is essential during the formative years. In fact, it helps grow fine and gross motor skills, including grasping, object manipulation, drawing, independent sitting, crawling, and walking. With that in mind, Lynch highlights a few of this year’s top toys. TOP TOYS: SCRIBBLE SCRUBBIE ARCTIC PETS, CRAYOLA Lynch says kids will be amazed to watch pets change colors with the brand-new Scribble Scrubbie Arctic Igloo (blue in cold water and white in warm water). This toy helps little one’s adventure into the arctic with two new color-change pets, a seal and a wolf. She says imaginations will run wild in pretend scenarios as pets warm up in the cozy, life-like igloo or head outside to go sledding in the cold. Kids can decorate the pets with the included markers, wash them clean and start over again. Other options in the latest line include the Scribble Scrubbie Safari Pets Treehouse featuring tattoo stickers for pets. Direct link: https://shop.crayola.com/toys-and-activities/scribble-scrubbie-pets-arctic-igloo-playset-7474710000.html LEGO JOHN DEERE TRACTOR, LEGO: Designed in collaboration with John Deere, Lynch says the tractor and trailer toy is packed with realistic features. It comes equipped with huge wheels, articulated steering and a driver’s cab with a seat that turns. The toy specialist adds tractor-loving youngsters will enjoy a building challenge plus role-play fun as they construct their very own John Deere tractor. Then, they can have fun exploring all the details packed into the model. Lynch points out that the trailer tips, making it perfect for transporting heavy loads. The wheels let it traverse all terrains, and it has a drawbar with an extra hinge that allows it to navigate hills and valleys with ease. This set serves as a great introduction to LEGO Technic buildable model sets with realistic movement and mechanisms that allow young LEGO builders to explore engineering in an approachable and realistic way. Direct link: https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/john-deere-9620r-4wd-tractor-42136 SQUISHMALLOWS 2022 WILDLIFE SQUAD, JAZWARES: Lynch says while no easter basket is complete without a stuffed toy, table the Easter bunny and opt for an exotic animal from the Squishmallows Wildlife Squad. The line features animals like a fuzzy orangutan, metallic-backed armadillo, and more. Since 2017, the versatile Squishmallows have grown into an international phenomenon and offer comfort, support and warmth as friends, couch companions, bedtime buddies and travel teammates. With more than 1,000 characters to collect, young fans can aspire to be like their favorite characters. Each Squishmallows has its own unique name and storyline to add to the fun. Direct link: https://www.jazwares.com/brands/squishmallows MINI CLAY WORLD CANDY CART, KLUTZ: A perfect miniature scene for crafters with a sweet tooth, Lynch says the candy-colored clay and puffs of pastel cotton let you recreate all sorts of confectionery, from sour gummies to rainbow candy, tie-dye jawbreakers, swizzle sticks, clouds of cotton candy, and more. Another fun aspect of this toy are the creative prompts that encourage crafters to invent their own candy brands and display them in clear glass-looking jars with stoppers, in miniature boxes, on wooden lollipop sticks, or in iridescent cellophane baggies with twist ties. Lynch points out fans can slot together the cotton candy stand with a clear dome to serve customers, and a tented kiosk to display an assortment of sweet treats. Direct link: https://www.amazon.com/Mini-Clay-World-Candy-Cart/dp/1338775421 For more information, go to thegeniusofplay.org. Facebook: Facebook Instagram: Instagram Twitter: Twitter Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

April 11, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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CORRECTING and REPLACING Fine Hygienic Holding Continues to Lead on Progressive Female-Friendly Workplace Reforms with Pregnancy Loss Policy

Fine Hygienic Holding

In the last sentence boilerplate of release dated April 11, 2022, "multiple accolated and awards" corrected to read "multiple awards". The updated release reads: Fine Hygienic Holding Continues to Lead on Progressive Female-Friendly Workplace Reforms with Pregnancy Loss Policy Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), the world-leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and long-term germ protection solutions, has yet again taken the initiative to introduce new female-friendly policies as part of its continuous workplace reforms which aim to provide the most inclusive and welcoming environment possible for all its employees. Demonstrating that the company is serious about bringing about positive change, it has updated its Parental Leave Policy to include provisions for miscarriage or stillbirth, across all its locations. FHH already has generous maternity leave provisions for working mothers who benefit from 16 weeks of paid leave, above what the International Labour Organization recommends, and it even offers 3 weeks of paid paternity leave, which puts it at the forefront not only in the MENA region but also globally. Employees are eligible for compassionate leave upon the unfortunate event of a female employee or a male employee’s spouse suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. In both instances the employee is entitled to five days of paid leave, and females may take an additional five days of unpaid leave. This comes in line with FHH’s core values to lead with empathy and extend leave to women needing time to recover physically and emotionally, and to consider the needs of male partners as well. No other company in the region offers such a generous leave policy, with provisions for maternity, paternity, miscarriage or stillbirth, in addition to a monthly day off for females. James Michael Lafferty, FHH CEO, said, “Our company believes that – if we take care of the people, the business will take care of itself – which is why we are constantly on the lookout for practices that support our employees’ wellbeing, especially during pivotal moments in their lives. With our updated policy our aim is to live our values and support our employees through difficult times.” FHH adheres to the highest standards of HR practices with a strong emphasis on supporting and empowering parents within its workforce. It is worth mentioning that the company was recently recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. About Fine Hygienic Holding: Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Committed to becoming “the shining star of the Arab FMCG business world,” the Group focuses on wellness, sustainability, pioneering CSR programs, and state-of-the-art production processes. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, as well as away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions, in addition to its advanced range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and long-lasting germ protection solutions, it also brings Nai natural iced teas and innovative nutritional supplements, Motiva, to the market. Along with multiple awards over the years, particularly for its products and CSR initiatives, the company was recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Contact Details Rana Kawalit | │ Corporate Communication & PR Director Rkawalit@finehh.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

April 11, 2022 12:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Alvarez & Marsal Consumer Sentiment Survey Identifies Lasting Impact of Pandemic on Shopping Behaviors

Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group

Alvarez and Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group (CRG) releases today the findings from its latest bi-annual Consumer Sentiment Report, based on a survey of 1,500+ U.S. consumers conducted in February and March 2022, to understand how their sense of optimism, their desire to shop, what they were looking to buy, how they planned to use different shopping channels, has changed since the Fall, particularly as they start their journey toward some new form of post-pandemic normalcy. The survey was in the field as the Omicron variant faded across the USA, and just before the Ukrainian crisis began. “Our survey shows that consumers are not much more confident than they were in the Fall of last year,” said Jonathan Sharp, Managing Director in Alvarez & Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group, and lead author of the report. He added, “They continue to be focused on basic needs with less frequent shopping trips, and their biggest concern is inflation.” The survey findings underscore the lasting impact of the pandemic on shopping behaviors. It finds that a vast majority of respondents, 80%, are still sticking with the behavioral changes made during the pandemic. Only 5% of respondents indicated reverting back to pre-pandemic habits when compared to the Fall 2021 survey. The survey found that 49% of respondents expected things to either get worse or stay the same for their family in the next 6 months. More than half expect to have less or the same amount of money for themselves in the next 6 months. Notes Jonathan Sharp, “Though these represent an improvement from results of the Fall 2021 survey, overall consumer sentiment clearly remains weak.” Spending reticence has been driven by concerns over inflationary pressures and price increases, which was cited as the #1 barrier to spending, by 49% of respondents. As a result, consumers have increasingly been focusing their spending on basic needs and experiences. As this focus grows, consumers’ spending on indulgence and gifts continue to lose priority. Majority of consumers also continue to regard shopping as a largely functional rather than leisure pursuit, with 59% of respondents mostly or only shopping when there is something they really need. As a result, they are increasingly bundling shopping missions – shopping less often and buying more items per trip. In the restaurant and vacation space however, the report points to some evidence that consumers have emerged from pandemic hibernation – most markedly in their out-of-home dining. More than half of respondents have reverted to their pre-pandemic dining frequency. Notably, 18% are dining out even more than they were prior to the pandemic. Almost half of those surveyed also plan to travel this Spring. “While they may not feel optimistic, consumers are beginning to open their wallets, go on vacation, and eat in restaurants, presenting opportunities for retailers and businesses alike,” says Sharp. To access the results and read the full Alvarez and Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group Consumer Sentiment Report, please visit: https://alvarezandmarsal-crg.com/insight/am-crg-consumer-sentiment-survey-spring-2022/ Survey Methodology Alvarez and Marsal’s Consumer and Retail Group interviewed 1,578 US adults between Feb 23, 2022 and March 9, 2022. The survey sample was balanced to be representative of the US adult population according to gender, age, ethnicity, income and region. The Alvarez and Marsal Consumer and Retail Group (CRG) is a management consulting firm that tackles the most complex challenges and advances its clients, people, and communities towards their maximum potential. CRG combines the best of A&M’s broader firm's bias toward action and practicality with deep consumer and retail industry experience. CRG partners with businesses across a wide range of categories including Food & Beverage, Beauty & Personal Care, Grocery, Mass Merchandise, and Apparel & Footwear to drive significant performance improvement. Contact Details Alvarez & Marsal Consumer and Retail Group David Schneidman dschneidman@alvarezandmarsal.com Company Website https://www.alvarezandmarsal.com/industries/retail/retail

April 11, 2022 11:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Fine Hygienic Holding Continues to Lead on Progressive Female-Friendly Workplace Reforms with Pregnancy Loss Policy

Fine Hygienic Holding

Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), the world-leading wellness group and manufacturer of hygienic paper products and long-term germ protection solutions, has yet again taken the initiative to introduce new female-friendly policies as part of its continuous workplace reforms which aim to provide the most inclusive and welcoming environment possible for all its employees. Demonstrating that the company is serious about bringing about positive change, it has updated its Parental Leave Policy to include provisions for miscarriage or stillbirth, across all its locations. FHH already has generous maternity leave provisions for working mothers who benefit from 16 weeks of paid leave, above what the International Labour Organization recommends, and it even offers 3 weeks of paid paternity leave, which puts it at the forefront not only in the MENA region but also globally. Employees are eligible for compassionate leave upon the unfortunate event of a female employee or a male employee’s spouse suffering a miscarriage or stillbirth. In both instances the employee is entitled to five days of paid leave, and females may take an additional five days of unpaid leave. This comes in line with FHH’s core values to lead with empathy and extend leave to women needing time to recover physically and emotionally, and to consider the needs of male partners as well. No other company in the region offers such a generous leave policy, with provisions for maternity, paternity, miscarriage or stillbirth, in addition to a monthly day off for females. James Michael Lafferty, FHH CEO, said, “Our company believes that – if we take care of the people, the business will take care of itself – which is why we are constantly on the lookout for practices that support our employees’ wellbeing, especially during pivotal moments in their lives. With our updated policy our aim is to live our values and support our employees through difficult times.” FHH adheres to the highest standards of HR practices with a strong emphasis on supporting and empowering parents within its workforce. It is worth mentioning that the company was recently recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Fine Hygienic Holding (FHH), one of the world’s leading wellness groups and MENA’s leading manufacturer of hygienic products, serves consumers in more than 80 countries around the world. Originally established as a paper manufacturer, FHH has transformed into a wellness company dedicated to enhancing global health and wellbeing. Committed to becoming “the shining star of the Arab FMCG business world,” the Group focuses on wellness, sustainability, pioneering CSR programs, and state-of-the-art production processes. Fine Hygienic Holding offers a diverse array of award-winning products including sterilized facial tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, toilet paper, baby diapers, adult briefs, jumbo rolls, as well as away-from-home products to accommodate all types of private and public institutions, in addition to its advanced range of personal protective equipment (PPE) and long-lasting germ protection solutions, it also brings Nai natural iced teas and innovative nutritional supplements, Motiva, to the market. Along with multiple accolated and awards over the years, particularly for its products and CSR initiatives, the company was recognized as a Top Employer Middle East 2022 by the prestigious Top Employers Institute in every country it operates. Contact Details Rana Kawalit | │ Corporate Communication & PR Director Rkawalit@finehh.com Company Website https://www.finehh.com/

April 11, 2022 02:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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