Here is a round up of the latest news in the business sector:
Fiji Airways and Airbus
In aviation news, FiJi Airways is to introduce an Airbus A350 to service Auckland by the end of the year. The addition of this wide-bodied aircraft is part of the airlines expansion plan which means greater access to New Zealand, the USA and Australia will be possible. Delivery is set for November and December. Currently, China Airlines, Sichuan Airlines and Cathay Pacific all fly their A350’s to Auckland. The A350 is one of the most technologically advanced aeroplanes in the sky as it offers a 25% lower cost on its long haul flights. This large aircraft will be able to house 301 economy seats and 33 lie flat business seats.
EcoTank Printers
Epson New Zealand has decided to focus some of its models on eco printing. Digital printing has always been expensive, even if you have bought a low cost printer, the cartridges that you have to purchase were often expensive it made printing an expensive proposition. Point of sale printing is something that has developed over the years and is increasing in popularity so being able to reduce the cost of printing at this point, will help companies to reduce their printing costs. The printing business can impact all of us even large companies that create industrial labels, poster hanging kits or retail shelf sign holders etc. will all benefit from the lower printing costs that eco printing will produce.
Out Of Date Food
Globally, anyone that can sustain any form of growth is seen as doing well. A Kiwi company that is making money from products that shops cannot use and sell is now making the headlines. The concept that they have created is to gather products that are out of date or past their best before date and then sell them at a discounted price, of up to 50% less. As we all know the best before date is a guide whereby it tells the consumer that the product is at its best up until this date. This is different to a use by date as this states the product needs disposing of. This is a great concept as many of us do not care about a product being in optimum condition, as many of us tend to go beyond the best before date as it is.
Air New Zealand Seating
Air New Zealand is hitting the headlines again as they are looking at improving the legroom for their economy passengers. This would be potentially increase the cost of the seat from $150 to $250 for the added comfort that will be provided. The company has said that it will brand the new seating as ‘Economy Plus’ or ‘Economy Comfort’. They have looked to other airlines that offer an advanced economy seat and can see the popularity of this. They are not getting rid of standard economy completely, just simply removing some of these old seats and replacing them with these new, advanced seats instead.
Vodafone Sale
Vodafone’s New Zealand arm has had an agreed sale with a consortium. Vodafone has been looking to streamline its Australian and New Zealand network. A blocked merger has already taken place, so this is now positive news for Vodafone to move forward with their business plan. The deal with Infratil has agreed that they can still use the Vodafone name for certain services once the regulatory approval has taken place.
Zero Carbon Legislation
Leaders in the New Zealand business world have welcomed a zero carbon legislation announcement. Many businesses are now already taking action as the world is looking to have zero carbon emissions by 2050. Members of the Climate Leaders Coalition has said the issue is far too important for it to be delayed any further so the announcement has been welcomed across the board.
Cadbury’s
Cadbury’s New Zealand has seen a 29% drop in sales which could be due to the closure of the Dunedin chocolate factory which happened last year. The drop in profits could also be down to a number of other factors too, but many believe the reduction in spending by Kiwi’s has played a contributory factor to this downturn.
Facebook New Zealand has had to relook at the rules on live streaming after the atrocities that faced the nation. Across the world social media has become under fire for various data breaches and the way that these platforms are being used for negative purposes. Hopefully now with the new legislation in place, this will restrict extremists from using social media channels as a way to convey a negative message. Some will argue that it’s not fair that these restrictions have been put in place for those that use these channels properly, but these restrictions far outweigh this argument.
Store Opening
Sephora, the French beauty retailer is opening its first new store in New Zealand. The opening of this new store will help with the brand’s expansion in New Zealand. The shop will be over three floors which will be housed in the heritage building. The fitout of the store will cost around $5 million and will include an outside canopy, new elevators and elaborate signage.
Businesses Of The Future
Chief executive of BusinessNZ Kirk Hope has said that he hopes that businesses are the classrooms of tomorrow. Hope wants the education system to now reflect this change on business, showing the importance of learning how a particular business operated from the classroom level. This skill shortage that New Zealand is facing could be addressed if the grass roots level changed its current ways. There needs to be more importance placed on job training such as apprenticeships which will help to bridge the skill gap and make the transition from school to employment a much smoother process.
There has been a lot going on in New Zealand in the world of business this month and we look forward to see the new changes that will take place next month.