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The Future of Supply Chain Transparency: How Security Matters' Blockchain Solution is Changing the Game

Security Matters PLC

In a recent interview with New to the Street’s Ana Berry, Haggai Alon, founder and CEO of Security Matters (NASDAQ: SMX), discussed how the company's technology is revolutionizing supply chain authentication, traceability, and transparency. Security Matters' innovative solution marks materials with a virtual memory of their origination, with the data recorded on the blockchain. This technology is helping to create transparency and efficiency across various industries, such as fashion and plastics. Supply Chain Authentication Market Estimated CAGR of 12.6% Between 2022 and 2031 The horizon for the supply chain authentication market is brimming with potential, as global growth prospects appear bright. A remarkable $2 billion market size in 2021 is expected to surge to an astonishing $6.3 billion by 2031, propelled by a stupendous compound annual growth rate of 12.6% from 2022 to 2031. This momentous growth is rooted in the escalating requirement for supply chain transparency, escalating occurrences of cyberattacks throughout supply chains, and the implementation of innovative technologies to amplify security measures. As the market continues to expand, the demand for secure and reliable supply chain solutions has become a driving force. Businesses are seeking out innovative tools that can help them identify and mitigate potential risks in real time. With greater visibility and transparency, decision-making is becoming more informed and precise than ever before. Furthermore, the cloud is proving to be a game-changer, with its ability to support various architectures and developer tools that can enhance both professional and web-based applications. So, it's no surprise that cloud deployment types are expected to experience the highest growth during the forecast period. SMX’s Technology and Unique Characteristics By reducing dependence on sourcing materials from subcontractors outside the United States and increasing the ability to use waste materials, Security Matters' technology enables companies to maintain growth and profitability. This is achieved by being present at every stage of a material's lifecycle, from virgin raw material to end-of-life recycling. Allen believes that growth and sustainability can coexist, with Security Matters' technology providing a unique toolbox for companies to maintain a healthy economy. By helping companies use more recycled content and providing a single technology that covers everything from sourcing to production to recycling, Security Matters gives businesses a competitive advantage. The company originated from the Israeli government, with a team of scientists developing the technology and filing nearly 100 patents on 50 different materials. One example of the technology's application is in the fashion industry, particularly in the leather market. Security Matters' technology marks leather at various stages of production, allowing brands to provide their customers with greater transparency and fostering a new level of relationship in the digital world. Blockchain plays a crucial role in Security Matters' solution, as unique molecular sequences are added at each stage of the material's lifecycle. This provides an additional layer of data per the request of stakeholders or brands, which can be read and extracted at any stage with a single reader. This comprehensive approach to supply chain transparency has the potential to significantly impact industries worldwide as the market continues to grow at a rapid pace. In conclusion, Security Matters is at the forefront of innovation in supply chain authentication, traceability, and transparency with its groundbreaking technology. As the market size for supply chain authentication continues to soar, driven by increasing demand for transparency and heightened security measures, companies like Security Matters play a pivotal role in shaping the future of this industry. By leveraging blockchain technology, reducing reliance on external subcontractors, and promoting sustainability, Security Matters' solutions have the potential to transform businesses across various sectors. As we move into a digital era that demands greater transparency and efficiency, the company's commitment to providing scalable and eco-friendly solutions could prove to be a game-changer for both businesses and the planet. Watch SMX’s Full Interview On New to the Street: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vURNgO1E4Nc Disclaimer: Spotlight Growth is compensated, either directly or via a third party, to provide investor relations services for its clients. Spotlight Growth creates exposure for companies through a customized marketing strategy, including design of promotional material, the drafting and editing of press releases and media placement. All information on featured companies is provided by the companies profiled, or is available from public sources. Spotlight Growth and its employees are not a Registered Investment Advisor, Broker Dealer or a member of any association for other research providers in any jurisdiction whatsoever and we are not qualified to give financial advice. The information contained herein is based on external sources that Spotlight Growth believes to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. Spotlight Growth may create reports and content that has been compensated by a company or third-parties, or for purposes of self-marketing. Spotlight Growth was compensated seven hundred and fifty dollars cash by a third party, Vince Caruso and FMW Media Works Corp. for the creation and dissemination of this content. This material does not represent a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Certain statements contained herein constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements may include, without limitation, statements with respect to the Company’s plans and objectives, projections, expectations and intentions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s industry, management’s beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. The above communication, the attachments and external Internet links provided are intended for informational purposes only and are not to be interpreted by the recipient as a solicitation to participate in securities offerings. Investments referenced may not be suitable for all investors and may not be permissible in certain jurisdictions. Spotlight Growth and its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may have bought or sold or may buy or sell shares in the companies discussed herein, which may be acquired prior, during or after the publication of these marketing materials. Spotlight Growth, its affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may sell the stock of said companies at any time and may profit in the event those shares rise in value. For more information on our disclosures, please visit: https://spotlightgrowth.com/disclosures/ The Post " The Future of Supply Chain Transparency: How Security Matters' Blockchain Solution is Changing the Game " First Appeared On Spotlight Growth. Contact Details Security Matters PLC Spotlight Growth info@spotlightgrowth.com

May 01, 2023 05:30 AM Pacific Daylight Time

ToolsGroup, Exhibiting at Retail Technology Show, Announces Significant Enhancements To JustEnough® For Retail Planning

ToolsGroup

LONDON, U.K. — April 26, 2023 — Today at Retail Technology Show in London, ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, has announced the launch of critical new functionality in the JustEnough ® Dynamic Retail Planning & Execution suite. In this release, ToolsGroup introduces dynamic, real-time allocation and replenishment capabilities, as well as stock-mix optimization functionality. It also fully integrates JustEnough with the Inventory Hub® Dynamic Data Unification Platform. These product enhan cements link perpetual inventory signals to critical merchandise planning modules. This gives retailers in-the-moment visibility into inventory and inventory-related events and enables them to take fast action based on these insights. JustEnough version 2023.1 offers the latest enhancements, including: Real-Time Retail: This native integration of the Inventory Hub Dynamic Data Unification Platform with Allocation, Replenishment, and Fulfillment connects real-time inventory insights with merchandising applications designed to act on these insights. Real-Time Retail empowers merchants to respond faster to changing shopping patterns and gain significant competitive advantage. Stock-to-Service Curves that add the ToolsGroup SO99+ industry-leading stock-mix optimization capabilities to JustEnough retail forecasting. This delivers service-driven planning that allows users to better manage risk and uncertainty while still lowering overall inventory costs and increasing service levels. Performance Upgrades that streamline functionalities across Assortment Planning, enabling easier top-down planning and providing upgrades that power better decisions faster. “In the age of unified commerce, a revitalized merchandising approach empowers retailers to develop competitive, customer-centric business practices,” said Inna Kuznetsova, CEO of ToolsGroup. “With this new release of JustEnough, merchants achieve the operational agility and resilience they need to deliver an enhanced shopping experience across all channels. Connecting real-time inventory insights with merchandise planning applications enables truly dynamic retail planning. This not only improves the experience for customers but also optimizes business performance and supports sustainability objectives.” The new functionality available in this latest release further solidifies JustEnough by ToolsGroup as a leader in retail planning. The integrated, end-to-end merchandise planning suite helps retailers create more accurate forecasts, more agile merchandise financial plans, and more precise inventory and stock plans. Powered by automation, AI and real-time inventory data, retailers can respond faster to changing shopping patterns. C u stomers using JustEnough report a 10 % reduction in lost sales, 20 % increases in inventory turns, and over 25 % increase in planning efficiency, all while achieving overall revenue growth. For more information about JustEnough and detailed use cases, read our blog on the v2023.1 release here. ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of fast, intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory – delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

April 26, 2023 11:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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ToolsGroup and North America’s Largest Tire Distributor to Present at Gartner Symposium, May 8-10, Orlando Florida

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup announced today that we are exhibiting at the Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2023 in Orlando Florida, May 8-10. We’re also pleased to announce that one of ToolsGroup’s top customers, American Tire Distributors, has been selected to present on May 8, 12:05 pm on Stage 2, Supply Chain Xpo Atlantic Hall. Sarah Voorhees, Vice President of Demand and Inventory Planning at American Tire Distributors, will discuss how ATD improved in-house planning processes by adopting ToolsGroup Service Optimizer 99+ (SO99+). Thanks to the solution’s AI-powered probabilistic forecasting engine, ATD has gained new insights into demand behavior, enabling them to increase customer satisfaction and profit margins while lowering inventory. It has moved from fixed forecast intervals to forward-looking dynamic planning, and increased forecast collaboration with both suppliers and end retailers for better, faster decisions. “As North America’s premier tire distributor, we at ATD understand the challenges facing our partners in the automotive industry,” said Voorhees. “Our goal is to help our suppliers and customers continually adapt to changing trends and disruptions. With ToolsGroup SO99+, we have the AI-driven supply chain planning solutions that allow us to adapt quickly and stay flexible, helping us meet our own business goals while delivering on our promises to customers and strengthening our relationships within the industry.” “ATD’s story is indicative of a new wave of supply chain strategies that leverage probabilistic techniques and artificial intelligence to thrive in today’s volatile economic climates,” said ToolsGroup CMO, Kevin Young. “By harnessing ToolsGroup’s AI-driven solutions, ATD’s supply chain absorbs disruption-related shockwaves and generates data-driven insights for better, faster decision making, network-wide. We’re thrilled to partner with ATD as they drive innovation with their upstream and downstream partners to reduce inventory and improve service across the entire supply network.” Interested in learning more about ToolsGroup’s solutions? Book a meeting here and stop by booth #344. CONTACT Mark Gallant, VP of Corporate Marketing & Communications, ToolsGroup +1 978-808-0123 mgallant@toolsgroup.com About Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo conference delivers must-have insights, strategies and frameworks for chief supply chain officers (CSCOs) and supply chain leaders to think big and drive real impact within their organizations. Join a global community of CSCOs and supply chain executives in 2023. For more information visit: https://www.gartner.com/en/conferences/na/supply-chain-us About ToolsGroup ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory - delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

April 25, 2023 11:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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43-Year Printing Business Graphic Communications Converts to Minuteman Press Franchise in Shelby Township, Michigan

Minuteman Press International Inc

43-year printing business Graphic Communications has been sold by Dennis Wrobleski to new owners Nathan and Jane Kogan. Following the sale, the business is being converted to a full-service Minuteman Press franchise. The new Minuteman Press in Shelby Township is located at 50671 Wing Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315. On buying the business, Nathan Kogan says, “My background was in finance and accounting. I held a position as an Assistant Controller for a privately owned wealth management company for almost 19 years. My wife and I decided to become business owners because we wanted to build something for ourselves and our kids. Our hope is that someday, our kids will join us and want to be a part of this wonderful company.” Seller Dennis Wrobleski shares, “My main objective in transferring the business was the security of my employees and the care of our clientele. I was happy to learn that Minuteman Press franchise owners are supported and trained to handle the print and marketing needs of local businesses. I believe this will be a huge benefit to our clients adding access to more products and services. The most likely prospect of growth with the expansion of products available to our existing clientele and new clients ensures a beneficial outcome for the employees.” History of the Business Graphic Communications began as a Michigan partnership in 1980. Dennis explains, “My former partner Bill Schulz and I worked together at Kux Manufacturing Company in Detroit, Michigan. In the early 1950s, Kux Manufacturing Company, founded by Richard Kux, became the largest manufacturer of decals and identification markings for cars and trucks in the country. Kux was set up for high volume production of fleet graphics, and worked mostly with national brands. Our goal was to provide this same level of high quality graphic products and service to local businesses. Kux was very helpful and supportive of our venture and continued to outsource work to us as our business grew.” Dennis continues, “Graphic Communications made the transition from manual tooling processes to digital graphics. We rely on the latest software, computerized cutting machines, large format printing, and mostly our talented staff of graphic designers and production artists, to serve our clients with professional graphic art solutions.” Selling the Business As he was exploring his options for selling the business, Dennis ended up meeting with Minuteman Press Regional VP Rich DeRosa, who explained the benefits of Minuteman Press International’s conversion program that connects sellers like Dennis with buyers like Nathan and Jane Kogan. Dennis shares, “When I met Rich DeRosa, my business was already listed for sale with a broker. As soon as the broker contract expired, I called Rich and we set up a meeting. Rich not only had a very good understanding of my business, he had a potential buyer in mind that he had been working with. Rich explained the straightforward process and I also learned a lot from the Minuteman Press website. “I think it’s great working with an organization that is interested in success for the buyer and the seller. Knowing that the new owner of Graphic Communications will be equipped with the knowledge and support from Minuteman Press to continue to serve our clients is a big relief for me. I am confident that the business and employees will be in good hands.” -Dennis Wrobleski, Selling Owner, Graphic Communications Buying the Business From his perspective as a new business owner, Nathan Kogan found the right fit in buying a well-established business while also being supported by Minuteman Press as a franchisee. Nathan shares, “We chose to buy an established business because it gave us comfort and a feeling of stability to come into something that is already a proven model, but would also have tons of upside for growth. We chose Minuteman Press due to its incredible reviews and a support system for the owners.” Nathan continues, “Working with Minuteman Press International was extremely easy and comforting. Rich DeRosa was extremely supportive and helpful throughout this whole process. And patient, especially with me. The training and support is extremely important; it's definitely one of the main reasons we were drawn to this particular franchise.” “I look forward to building on the legacy that Dennis created with Graphic Communications for 43 years while also beginning this new chapter with Minuteman Press, Shelby Township.” -Nathan Kogan, New Owner, Minuteman Press, Shelby Township, MI Transition & Advice for Others With the transition of the business from Graphic Communications to Minuteman Press, Shelby Township already in motion, Nathan shares the following advice for aspiring business owners: “I would highly recommend following your passion and dreams. But before jumping in, do your due diligence and be sure you are ready for all that is to come.” As this chapter closes for Dennis, he reflects, “It wasn’t easy starting a business with few resources besides time and determination. In many ways, it’s even harder to make an exit. I’m thankful for everyone I met through this business. I’m blessed that I was able to use my talent as a graphic artist to serve so many great people and businesses in the Metropolitan Detroit area. I know the business is being left in great hands with Nathan and Jane Kogan and Minuteman Press.” Dennis also offers the following parting advice for business owners looking to secure a sale of their printing businesses: “Call Minuteman Press. Also, having all bookkeeping and financial reports up to date helps for a smooth transition.” Minuteman Press, Shelby Township (formerly Graphic Communications) is located at 50671 Wing Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315. For more information, call 586-566-5200 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/mi/shelby-township/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. To learn about selling your printing business through Minuteman Press at no cost or broker fees to you, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 25, 2023 09:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Gaviota Slashes Inventory While Boosting Service Levels 36% with ToolsGroup’s AI-Powered Planning

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization, has partnered with Gaviota, the automated sun and shutter specialists, to fuel its supply chain planning transformation, resulting in significantly reduced inventory levels, increased customer satisfaction, and substantial business benefits. By implementing ToolsGroup Service Optimizer 99+ (SO99+), Gaviota has achieved the supply chain trifecta – lower inventory, higher service levels, and improved operational performance. Thanks to ToolsGroup Demand Forecasting and Planning and Inventory Optimization, the manufacturer has: ● Raised service levels for top items from 70% to 95% ● Reduced stock levels from 61 days in inventory to 35 days, a reduction of approximately 43% ● Improved production performance by 37%, increasing factory-to-sales service levels from 60% to 82% Present in 75 countries, Gaviota is a world leader in components, accessories, and systems for shutters, awnings, and similar sun protection products. Thanks to continued business growth, Gaviota now manages an extensive network of production plants, subsidiaries, and distributors worldwide, as well as 25 manufacturing divisions operating from 50 warehouses. The company manages a portfolio of over 40,000 products, many of which are seasonal and involve heavy industrial processes. “We wanted to broaden our business scope while minimizing inventory investments and ensuring sterling customer service,” said Francisco Javier Fernández, Supply Chain Director. “Amid increasing complexity, we recognized the need for a dynamic, reliable tool to help us plan quickly and accurately, along with a technology partner to accompany us on our digital transformation journey. We chose ToolsGroup as a partner for its intuitive, scalable solution and its sharp supply chain acumen. SO99+ helped us align inventory with demand and streamline day-to-day operations for maximum customer satisfaction, inventory reduction, and business performance. This level of efficiency and flexibility is yielding strong benefits and positions us to seize and pursue future growth opportunities.” “Customer-centric supply chain planning is the key to catalyzing and sustaining business expansion,” said ToolsGroup CEO, Inna Kuznetsova. “By employing AI-driven planning solutions that power rapid, demand-driven decisions, companies unlock their supply chains’ untapped potential for improved customer satisfaction and business performance. Gaviota has embraced both the technology and the growth-oriented mindset needed to seize these manifold opportunities for business evolution. We’re thrilled with their success and look forward to new opportunities to continue our outstanding partnership.” Want to learn more? Read Gaviota’s full story and discover the secrets behind ToolsGroup’s unique probabilistic forecasting and inventory management solutions here. About Gaviota Gaviota is a leader in the manufacture of components, accessories and systems for rolling shutters, awnings and enclosures. It has an international presence based in Spain (Alicante) and 50 years of experience in the sun protection sector, with a high industrial production capacity, able to respond to any demand and always at the service of its customers. About ToolsGroup ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory - delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com. Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

April 20, 2023 10:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference (LMCC) Spring 2023 Edition Returns To Hudson Yards, NYC: May 18 & 19

LMCC Ventures LLC

The Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference (LMCC) today announced its first wave of speakers, retail attendees, and showcasing brands for its Spring 2023 Edition, which returns to Hudson Yards in New York City on May 18 & 19, 2023. Launched in 2018 as a first-of-its-kind B2B event, LMCC has grown into the go-to biannual venue for product discovery and extensive education, connecting visionary CBD and Cannabis wellness, beauty, food/beverage, and lifestyle accessories brands – and their founders – to a powerful combination of hundreds of traditional retail buyers, luxe dispensaries, editorial press, and investors from around the world. 2023: The Year of the Brand “We’ve reimagined the boutique trade show experience by providing an immersive luxury retail environment for our business attendees to discover the finest wellness, beauty, and food & beverage brands in the space,” said LMCC’s Co-Founder & Executive Director Jed Wexler. “And as Cannabis retail comes alive in New York, 2023 truly is ‘The Year of the Brand’ with LMCC being the bridge to a massive new, elevated mainstream CPG wellness category.” In a testament to the mainstreaming of the category, LMCC will welcome a robust roster of industry leaders for two full days of panel discussions – each moderated by a veritable who’s who in media. Speakers: Jacques Tortoroli, CEO, Charlotte’s Web (“The Official CBD of Major League Baseball”) Jake Bullock, Co-Founder & CEO, Cann Tremaine Wright, Cannabis Control Board Chair, New York Office of Cannabis Management Arana Hankin-Biggers, President, Union Square Travel Agency Emily Schildt, Founder & CEO, Pop Up Grocer Amir Zwickel, Founder, SHOWFIELDS Melany Dobson, CEO, Hudson Cannabis & Ben Dobson, President, Hudson Cannabis Media: Tiffany Kary, Bloomberg News Chala June, Contributor, Bon Appétit Brian Underwood, Women’s Health Michael Kusek & Brit Smith, Different Leaf Kelly Kovack, Founder & CEO, BeautyMatter Oset Babür-Winter, Food & Wine Claire McCormack, Beauty Independent Erica La Sala, Beauty Independent Jeremy Berke (‘Cannabis Business Reporter of the Year”) Recently named one of BeautyMatter’s “Top Global Wellness & Beauty Trade Events” and Trade Show Executive Magazine’s “Leading Upcoming Trade Events in North America,” LMCC will present its signature Brand Showcase Studio — a pre-vetted, store-ready exhibition throughout the two-day program featuring keynotes and conversations with speakers, founders, and journalists. The LMCC 2023 Spring Edition will welcome hundreds of buyers from A-tier retail outlets, 50 accepted showcasing brands, 50 industry-leading speakers, and close to 900 global business attendees. Indicating the excitement and opportunity surrounding New York’s just-opened legal Cannabis market, LMCC is slated to host its largest and most impactful event to date. Exclusive New York and National Brand Launches at LMCC Spring 2023 From Charlotte’s Web and the re-rise of CBD wellness to Hudson Cannabis, 1906, Rose Los Angeles, Drew Martin, Dad Grass, PAMOS, and a slew of pioneering New York Cannabis brand launches exclusively during the show, LMCC presents the world’s finest store-ready product portfolios in and outside of the space. View the LMCC Spring 2023 peaker schedule and Brand Showcase Studio line-up at lmccshow.com. Follow LMCC Instagram or LinkedIn. LMCC SPRING 2023 BRAND SHOWCASE STUDIO DIRECTORY Brands can still apply to activate their brands at LMCC Spring 2023 HERE. View the latest Brand Showcase Studio directory HERE. LMCC SPRING 2023 RETAIL BUYER PREVIEW Admission is complimentary only for qualified retail buyers and their teams. Register representatives from traditional/online retailers, hotels/spas, independent wellness boutiques, luxe dispensaries, natural markets, and more HERE. ### Attendee Tickets: Two-day, all-access passes to LMCC Spring 2023 are $695. Purchase passes HERE. About LMCC: Founded in 2018, LMCC Ventures LLC is the parent company of the annual Luxury Meets Cannabis Conference (LMCC) in New York City. LMCC is the premier B2B event connecting A-tier retailers, media, investors, leading dispensaries, and CPG executives to premium CBD, hemp and Cannabis brands — with a keen focus on beauty, wellness, food & beverage. Past participants include retailers like Sephora, Nordstrom, Credo Beauty, and Bloomingdale’s; media including The New York Times, Glossy, Travel & Leisure, O, The Oprah Magazine, and Robb Report; and speakers from Mitch Baruchowitz (Merida Capital Holdings) and Cindy Capobianco (Lord Jones) to Bobbi Brown and Frederic Fekkai. Guidelines & Legal: Cannabis in name only; No smoking or vaping on any kind permitted inside the venue; Illegal products will NOT be allowed on-site Local laws strictly apply. Badge or Pass Required: LMCC is an invite-only B2B trade event not open to the public. A badge or pass is required. Contact Details LMCC Press Katie Shapiro +1 303-882-5596 katie@katieshapiromedia.com Company Website https://www.lmccshow.com/

April 20, 2023 06:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

DataWeave’s New U.S. Apparel Report Analyzes 40,000+ SKUs: Pricing, Discounting, and Availability Changing in Inflationary Times

DataWeave

Stock Availability for Premium products averaged 80%—higher than for regular products Discounting rose sharply from July 2022 to January 2023 Regular prices dropped across most retailers during this period DataWeave, a leading provider of Competitive Intelligence and Digital Shelf Analytics for consumer brands and retailers globally, recently released a new report, US Apparel eCommerce: Pricing and Stock Availability Trends on the Backdrop of Inflation. The report provides a data-rich overview of the fashion and apparel market, with pricing changes, stock availability, and discounting tracked across top retailers and brands. Across more than 40,000 leading fashion apparel SKUs between July 2022 and January 2023, DataWeave analyzes price changes, discounting, and product availability across top retailers in light of post-pandemic market dynamics and an inflationary environment. DataWeave’s US Apparel eCommerce industry report 2023 looks at the impact of inflation on pricing in apparel, tracking consistent price drops across five major retailers over the past few months (with slight prices increases across two more). Analysis on pricing and availability of fashion apparel provides insight into broader trends during economic downturns or inflationary periods. “Apparel is seen as a discretionary spend, and as consumers feel the pinch of inflation, many are likely to cut down on their apparel purchases.,” said Karthik Bettadapura, CEO of DataWeave. “Amid this, our analysis identifies a trend of reducing prices across retailers and brands. This is also a sign that inventory has caught up with and overtaken demand.” The US Apparel eCommerce report analyzes product availability in the last six months, and finds that across most retailers, it has risen and leveled out during this period. It goes on to compare stock availability of premium versus regular products. The report also includes a section on the complexities of product matching in apparel and how retailers can use this to improve their competitive price positioning. “Pricing competitively is an important area of focus not only for retailers but also for brand manufacturers who sell on marketplaces,” said Krish Thyagarajan, President and COO of DataWeave. “With the price-conscious consumer market we’re experiencing, this includes keeping an eye on their online presence and benchmarking their discounting and pricing against competitors across all their products. Our US Apparel eCommerce report provides retailers and brands with a view into the current state of online apparel retail, as inflation continues to inform pricing decisions, and stock availability has rebounded after months of pandemic-driven supply chain challenges.” # # # Report Methodology To reach its findings, DataWeave tracked the data of 40,000+ leading fashion apparel SKUs to analyze stock availability and discounts. The timeline of the analysis spans July 2022 to January 2023, capturing the state of the market as the economy moved from a supply-rich post-pandemic environment to a belt-tightening inflationary one. DataWeave is a SaaS-based digital commerce analytics platform that provides competitive intelligence to retailers and digital shelf analytics to consumer brands globally. With DataWeave, retailers can make smarter pricing and merchandising decisions while consumer brands can optimize their digital shelf for KPIs like share of search, content quality, price competitiveness, and stock availability. DataWeave’s AI-powered proprietary technology aggregates and delivers actionable eCommerce insights across 500+ billion data points globally, 400,000 brands, 1,500+ websites, 20+ verticals, and 25+ languages. Learn more at DataWeave.com. Contact Details Meir Kahtan Public Relations, LLC (MKPR) Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://dataweave.com

April 18, 2023 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Executive VP & Director of Training Michael Jutt Talks Minuteman As We Celebrate 50 Years of Minuteman Press

Minuteman Press International Inc

As Minuteman Press International celebrates 50 years in business, we are continuing the celebration of our history. Michael Jutt first started with Minuteman Press as a press operator in the original Farmingdale shop in October of 1974, which was the second location that opened after Plainview. At just 19 years-old, Mike was hired by Roy Titus, and the rest is history. When Minuteman Press decided to become a franchise, Mike was promoted to Director of Training; he created the first Minuteman Press training program and became an integral part of the company’s expansion into franchising. Mike remains a huge part of our success today as Minuteman Press International’s Executive VP & Director of Training. How did you first get started with Minuteman Press and the Titus family? Mike Jutt: “I was hired in October of 1974 by Roy Titus. George Holzmacher worked for Roy already and he said I should meet with Roy about a job in Farmingdale. At the time, I was working two jobs, one being in printing, and I wanted to be an attorney. I wasn’t sure I wanted to commute to Farmingdale since I lived and worked in Merrick and was attending Nassau Community College. I went to the Farmingdale shop to meet with Roy. When he arrived, we went outside of the shop, behind the building. Roy and I spoke about what he wanted for the Farmingdale shop, as he was looking to make some changes. He asked me how much I was making. At the time, I was making $110/week at the printing job. Roy offered to match, but I explained the extra gas money and time I’d be spending on the commute. He smiled and then offered me $120/week to get started, and I accepted the offer. That’s how my time with Minuteman Press started, working in the Farmingdale shop that Bob Titus was managing. We worked very hard to get the business up and running, it was fun.” What was it like working in the Farmingdale shop when you first started? Mike Jutt: “I had worked in one other neighborhood quick print shop before Minuteman Press, and I was very impressed my first day of employment when I saw Bob Titus come back to the shop with a marketing assistant. The fact that they were out knocking on doors and direct marketing our printing service was to me very different and unheard of at the time for printers. I asked the other press operator who that was that just walked in, and he said that was Roy’s son Bob. The differences between Minuteman Press and other print shops were a few things. First, I saw that they were actively marketing to build the business. We had a ton of work. Second, the type of equipment that we had – Multi-Graphics equipment – had better capabilities than what other quick printers were using. Third, we also had a huge focus on customer service, shop appearance, and quality work. Another game-changer is when Roy came in one day and handed me a brochure for a new piece of equipment made by 3M, which was a superior plate system to enable multicolor printing. This was the missing piece of what we needed to bring Minuteman Press to the next level. We had the press, we just needed a better plate system that could handle color inks as well as it did black ink. We thoroughly tested the plate system with the press and evaluated the cost. The result was that we now had the perfect package to achieve multicolor printing when other quick printers did mostly single-color or just black. The 3M plate was the ticket.” When Minuteman Press started franchising, what was it like for you creating the first training program? Mike Jutt: “The next major thing that happened was Roy discussing expanding the business and moving into franchising. He promoted the business opportunity and brought interested parties into the Farmingdale location to see what we were doing. The interest was really high from the people that Roy brought in, and years later, Roy told me it was during this time where he really noticed and recognized my abilities as a hardworking young man. At age 20, Roy made me Director of Training, and it was my responsibility to teach the new franchise owners everything about our business.” What do you think are the key reasons for the success of Minuteman Press as the franchise kept growing? Mike Jutt: “I credit the success of Minuteman Press as a franchise to leadership, hard work (long days and long weeks), treating the owners as true partners, caring and supporting our owners, and helping them achieve their success. Roy Titus said you need to treat people like you want to be treated. Roy not only preached it, but he also practiced it, and that was one of the biggest keys of our success as we grew and expanded the company.” What are some of the key aspects of the original training program that remain as core principles today? Mike Jutt: “From the launch of the training department, we have focused and communicated the importance of owners becoming experts in 5 major areas: Customer service Marketing their business Delivering quality products Keeping an incredible top appearance of their business and anything that represents their business Management with an emphasis on financial management Within each of these areas, there is extensive training today covering every detail of what these items actually encompass.” What are some of the key ways that the training program and Minuteman Press have evolved over the years? Mike Jutt: “The biggest areas that we’ve always been at the forefront of are research, development, and technology. Printing technology and enhancements with 3M products in the early days got better and better. With that said, one of the big first big efficiencies was added when our first pricing program was developed. In 1977, a new franchise owner from Dallas, Texas named Cal Baker came to the training program. Cal previously worked for EDS (Electronic Data Systems). He noticed that all of our formulas were mathematically logical and that they could be automated to save hours and hours when pricing jobs. I was intrigued by Mr. Baker’s knowledge and what he was going to do, and after he wrote the software, I told Roy I had to go to Dallas to look at what he created. Roy told me, “Whatever you have to spend to research anything that helps our owners and our company, spend it. If it’s going to help our owners, it’s going to help all of us. So, I went to Dallas and saw that the computer was made by Radio Shack. The original model was called a TRS 80 and it had 16K of memory. The program was stored on a regular cassette and at the time, this was a real game changer. After the trip to Dallas, myself and Dave Scadin enrolled in a programming course offered by Radio Shack and we learned basic programming to enhance and modify what we had. We would never ask our owners to buy equipment such as a computer until we tested it. I contacted the Tandy Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas and convinced them to give us 10 computers as a trial, which we distributed to owners to test at 10 locations. We let the owners test it for 60 days and then they had to either give it back or buy the computer. 100% of the owners purchased the computer and none of us have ever looked back. From that point forward, we continued to invest in software development uniquely written to our policies and production. This protected us from software companies going out of business and gave us long-term advantages that we still benefit from to this day.” Mike continues: “Another key milestone for us was the advent of digital printing. The first Apple Mac computer that came with a printer was released in 1984. Digital printing technology emerged with desktop publishing thanks to companies like Apple, IBM, and HP. For our industry, this was great because we could create various different styles and designs on very economical equipment. It also replaced photo typesetting, which took a lot longer and was a very big investment. We quickly recognized that digital printing would evolve. In the beginning, we also recognized that the two technologies could coexist. Today, approximately 40 years later, that is absolutely what happened. The ability, production, and ease of use of the digital equipment has only made Minuteman Press an even better company. And partnering with our key suppliers Xerox, Konica-Minolta, and Hewlett-Packard has brought us improved productivity and profits.” Is there anything else you’d like to share? Mike Jutt: “Minuteman Press today has evolved to be so much more than what it was when we first started. We have developed and refined systems, policies, procedures, and a company that has a long-standing culture of caring for our owners in 5 countries. And from a personal perspective, with the diversity of products and the need for those products, the opportunity for entrepreneurs is incredible. I personally feel honored to be able to experience the emergence of such a fantastic company, Minuteman Press International.” For more information on Minuteman Press products and services, visit https://minuteman.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 18, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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RISI Teams Up with ToolsGroup to Fuel Supply Chain Transformation and Drive Business Enhancements Amid Network Expansion

ToolsGroup

ToolsGroup, a global leader in retail and supply chain planning and optimization software, is proud to announce it has been selected by RISI, a leading Spanish snack brand, to help transform its supply chain operations, strengthen retail partner relationships, accelerate business growth, and maximize customer satisfaction. RISI produces a broad assortment of snacks, turning out 250 million units every year, most of which are fast-moving items. Embracing recent growth opportunities, the company has opened up new sales channels, widening its network to include larger markets and major retail chains. This resulted in increased promotional activity and heightened customer demand. “With 50 years of experience, RISI focuses on creating the perfect snack break for customers,” says Javier Paniagua Martínez, Director of Technology and Projects at Risi. “Now, with our proliferating sales channels, we’re able to reach even more people and spread RISI’s iconic smile. We recognized that this endeavor required a planning tool that could increase the speed and accuracy of our operations, improving supply chain visibility and driving fast, effective decision making to help us meet consumer demand. In ToolsGroup, we found not just the right technology, but also the right long-term partner who could help us establish sustainable inventory management practices, while achieving critical KPIs like demand fulfillment and margin protection.” With RISI’s dynamic business growth and the need to make better decisions faster, the company selected ToolsGroup Service Optimizer 99+ (SO99+), a full suite of planning solutions that includes Demand Planning and Forecasting, Inventory Optimization, and Replenishment. Thanks to AI-powered capabilities, RISI can now forecast at multiple levels of aggregation, achieving a more in-depth understanding of consumer behavior. Equipped with automated, highly-adaptable inventory management solutions, the company can anticipate and respond quickly to market developments, aligning stock to location-specific demand. This way, regardless of how quickly its delicious snacks are flying off the shelves, RISI can meet demand with fast, accurate planning decisions that support its growing market share. “As supply chains evolve, sustainable and rapid business growth hinges on the speed and precision of a company’s response to market changes,” said ToolsGroup CEO, Inna Kuznetsova. “Supply chain visionaries recognize that AI-driven dynamic planning solutions power fast, effective decisions. They outmaneuver uncertainty, achieve sustainability, expand market share, and deliver a superior customer experience. That’s why we’re excited to help RISI drive this digital transformation, leveraging smart, data-driven planning to maximize customer satisfaction and propel company growth, now and in the future.” Learn more about how manufacturers successfully navigate supply chain uncertainty while reducing inventory up to 40% here. About Risi Founded in 1971, Risi is a leading Spanish company that specializes in the production of snacks and appetizers. Headquartered in Madrid and a workforce of over 350 across four sites, Risi produces around 250 million packs of snacks in over 60 formats, all bearing its iconic branding. The company recently diversified its activities through the acquisition of biscuit and confectionery brands. About ToolsGroup ToolsGroup’s innovative AI-powered solutions enable retailers, distributors, and manufacturers to navigate through supply chain uncertainty. Our retail and supply chain planning suites empower a new level of intelligent decision making and unlock powerful business improvements in forecast accuracy, service levels, and inventory - delighting customers and achieving financial and ESG KPIs. Stay in touch with ToolsGroup on LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or visit www.toolsgroup.com Contact Details Meir Kahtan +1 917-864-0800 mkahtan@rcn.com Company Website https://www.toolsgroup.com

April 18, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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