The 3,000 square-foot innovation brewery consists of a 10-barrel, four-vessel brew system. A tasting room provides a front-row view to the entire brewing process, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look as they sample up to eight different styles brewed on site and served directly from the brite tanks. Four additional beers will be shipped in. You can visit the Labatt Brew House online at labattusa.com/brewhouse 

The American Italian Legacy  

It's more than capturing Italian flavors, inspiring retailers and chefs to carry a bit of Italy - its decades of understanding the American palette, trends, price, style and keeping to Italian traditions, authenticity and more. So we talked to one of the leading Italian Distributors to get teh scoop on how they do it. 

PHOTO ABOVE/Click For Recipe: Balsamic Vinegar “Compagnia del Montale” Italian Products USA, Inc.

BGTJ: Tell us about Italian Products USA, Inc.

Italian Products USA, Inc: Italian Products Srl was established in Bologna in 1994 by developer Stefano Frascari as a way to share extraordinary culinary delicacies with his friends in New York City. The company expanded from a casual idea to a full line of artisanal manufacturers around Italy, Today they distribute nationally in America

BGTJ: Tell us about the Leadership

Italian Products USA, Inc: The  company has been managed Cecilia Ercolino, its current CEO.  Cecilia, a Swedish-Italian, pioneered the potential of the young company since the beginning, literally sent by Mr. Frascari with a bottle of balsamic to show a few clients in New York. Embracing the challenge, she had an unexpected background for this capacity: a City Councilwoman at the age of 18 and part of the School Board for the City of Malmo, Cecilia graduated in International Business Law at the University of Lund (also in Sweden) and specialized  in International trade Law at the University of Bologna (Italy), where she developed a zest for good food and Italian lifestyle. A strong commitment to excellence and outstanding customer care made the rest.

BGTJ: This holiday season what can we expect

Italian Products USA, Inc: Nothing but a lavish feast this holiday season  Amerigo, the original meat sauce (ragu): a real opportunity to taste the authentic Bolognese meat ragu, the first one ever to be imported in America! Made according to a traditional recipe, is rich and fulfilling. Amerigo is a Michelin starred restaurant established in 1934 in the Samoggia Valley and a gourmet destination of food lovers from all over Italy.  

PHOTO ABOVE/Click For Recipe: Balsamic Vinegar “Filotea Pasta” Italian Products USA, Inc.

The entire collection of Filotea Pasta made using an old Grandmother’s recipe from the Marche Region. A meticulous process, along with careful monitoring of all the preparation phases, the choice of flour, durum wheat semolina and local fresh eggs, lead to a product that is incredibly light and easy to digest, with the genuine flavor of fresh, homemade pasta. Curiosity: the Master Pasta maker, “Maestro Pastaio”, changes the recipe daily for each cut, according to weather conditions. This is a coveted job that requires years of apprenticeship!  Fresh Truffles, the ultimate culinary luxury, as one of the main lines carried by Italian Products. Straight from the heart of Bologna’s hills, one of the most renowned truffle zones, our Italian partners are a landmark reference point in the most highly acclaimed national and international restaurants and the food industry. Known for their love and care for the forests and, they feature a tremendous passion and experience in the world of truffles.  In addition to fresh truffles, Italian Products also carries an entire line of truffle-based products: oils, salts, honey, and beyond! Of course, outstanding extra virgin olive oil from different regions of Italy.

BGTJ: Tempting and Delicious so where can we find this legendary series of Italian products

Italian Products USA, Inc: Today, over 17 years after its founding, Italian Products USA has developed an important presence in the specialty market around North America. Customers range from large foodservice distributors such as Chefs Warehouse, PFG and Sysco to retail chains such as Whole Foods, Kings’/Balducci Group, Dean & DeLuca and Central Market and to independent retailers like Zabar’s, and Zimmerman’s, covering the entire nation through a magnificent network of distributors as well as through our own distribution to customers close and far which allows us to give the special attention and service we have become known for. The greatest asset for Italian Products, registering an annual double-digit growth, is a strong dedicated team of people, passionate about the exciting products part of the portfolio, ready to handle any project our customers give us. The more challenging the request the more enjoyable the execution!

Thank you Italian Products USA Inc for giving us this interview we look forward to these products on the American Table this holiday Season.

Click Here  learn more or to make a purchase.

Together, Murder & Mayhem and The Mysterious Bookshop are giving away this unique collectible. One of only 100 copies, the book features a new introduction by the author, written especially for this edition and available in no other form. It is beautifully bound in marbled boards with a leather spine, stamped in gold. 

If you're a fan of crime thrillers, then you know Jack Reacher. Lee Child's ex-military cop has seen his fair share of horrific crime, and in the tenth book in the series, The Hard Way, Jack Reacher will uncover chilling secrets that lead him to a devastating truth. 

A must-have for book collectors and thriller die-hards alike, this signed, limited edition copy of The Hard Way deserves a place on your bookshelf. Visit Murder & Mayhem to win: https://murder-mayhem.com/giveaway-the-hard-way-by-lee-child.

The Labatt Brew House, Labatt's first innovation brewery in the U.S., will open Saturday with the task of creating new beers for the beloved import brand. Labatt Blue was first introduced to the U.S. market in 1951 and soon became the top-selling Canadian import beer.

"The Labatt Brew House brings a new way of brewing beer to Labatt USA. For the first time, we have a destination where we develop beer alongside our most passionate consumers. We've worked hard to give them a unique experience of seeing, smelling and learning more about the brewing process," said Rob Hertenstein, brand manager, Labatt USA. "With customers tasting each beer directly from our brite tanks and sharing their feedback, the next big Labatt beer will come from a U.S. brewery."

About the Labatt Brew House

IN THIS ISSUE

www.brightsideglobaltrade.com

Drinkable Gifts has a new gift selection tool: the Gift Wizard, that helps customers narrow down gifts. Customers can search by budget, type of gift, location, even what the gift is for! From beer baskets for sharing to deluxe champagne hampers for one, this tool sifts through them all with ease. drinkablegifts.com delivers to over 175 countries around the world

Actionable Quality Assurance provides supplier partners with increased insights into food quality data Click Here for more info

http://www.actionableqa.com

To mark the celebration, Diageo’s Chief Executive, Ivan Menezes, along with the company’s talented team of Scotch Whisky Blenders and fellow members of the senior leadership team opened the market at the London Stock Exchange.

Click Here for the Full Story

Increase online sales revenue using eComchain’s Artificial Intelligence features such as Customer-centric search, enabling the search engine to think the way humans do, in addition to retargeting potential customers by identifying prospects. ... 

Source:  eComchain 

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The rapid growth of Same Day ACH payments in 2017 sets the stage for an even stronger 2018, with the implementation of the third phase of Same Day ACH on March 16. As of this date, funds from Same Day ACH credits must be made available to account holders by 5 p.m. local time. With the widespread usage of Same Day ACH, NACHA is continuing to work with the industry to enhance this faster payment method.

SOURCE: NACHA

http://www.nacha.org

 Celebrity Entrepreneurs, Startup Founders and Retail CEOs Among Speakers at NRF’s Shop.org Conference

CEOs, startup founders, top business school professors and entertainment luminaries will discuss the changing retail landscape and how digital commerce is transforming business to better engage consumers as more than 2,500 leading members of the ecommerce community gather in Los Angeles  for the National Retail Federation’s annual Shop.org conference in 2017.

“This year’s conference attendees will have the opportunity to learn from an unprecedented array of the most remarkable players in retail, technology, entertainment and business overall on topics that are critical to today’s transformative and dynamic retail environment,” NRF Senior Vice President for Retail Strategy Cristina Ceresoli said. “Our goal is that they walk away inspired and informed, taking with them practical skills and knowledge that are quickly translatable in their current business practices so they can continue to grow and succeed.”

The September 25-27 conference will include keynotes from industry leaders and other experts, including:

September 26:

Tyra Banks, creator, “America’s Next Top Model,” and chairwoman and CEO, The Tyra Banks Company
Michael White, senior vice president and chief technology officer, Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media
Marc Lore, president and CEO, Walmart eCommerce U.S.
Andrew Nusca, digital editor, Fortune
Adam Goldenberg, co-founder and co-CEO, TechStyle Fashion Group
Gregg Renfrew, founder and CEO, Beautycounter
Mariam Naficy, founder and CEO, Minted
Danielle Weisberg, co-founder and co-CEO, theSkimm
Carly Zakin, co-founder and co-CEO, theSkimm

September 27:
Scott Galloway, clinical professor of marketing, New York University Stern School of Business, and founder and chairman, L2
Adam Grant, professor, University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business
Mindy Grossman, president and CEO, Weight Watchers International Inc.
Roger Rawlins, CEO, DSW Inc.
Rachel Blumenthal, founder and CEO, Rockets of Awesome
Tracy DiNunzio, founder and CEO, Tradesy
Graham Stanton, co-founder and senior vice president for performance marketing, Peloton
Max Levchin, founder and CEO, Affirm
James Rhee, executive chairman and CEO, Ashley Stewart, and founder and president, FirePine Group
Omar Miller, actor, producer and global director, Big Easy Productions
Kobe Bryant, five-time NBA champion, CEO, Kobe Inc., and general partner, Bryant Stibel

On September 26, feature stage speakers presented by Fast Company will include Contributing Editor Verena Von Pfetten, Thrive Market founder and Chief Strategy Officer Gunnar Lovelace, CVS Caremark Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Brian Tilzer, Panera Bread Vice President for Experience Design Mark Berinato, Wayfair Next Director Mike Festa and Pinterest Head of Retail Strategy Amy Vener.

On September 27, the feature stage will include Digital Prophets Network Founder and President Elaine Rubin, Barnes & Noble, Nook Chief Digital Officer Fred Argir, Orvis Chief Information Officer and Vice President for Information and Interaction Dave Finnegan and Future Laboratory CEO Trevor Hardy.

In addition to the speakers on the main stage and feature stage, breakout sessions will provide tactical insights into ecommerce, innovation, consumer trends and more. Highlights include:

·  7.5 Billion Bosses: Consumers are in Charge Now – Kate Ancketill, CEO and founder, GDR Creative Intelligence.

·  Going Gaga for Brands in La La Land – Nina Ojeda, columnist, Inc. Magazine; Mondy Herndon, vice president for ecommerce, TOMS; and Jane Fisher, co-founder, Harper Wilde.

·  Putting the ‘Instant’ in ‘Instant Gratification’ – Tammy Everts, chief experience officer, Speedcurve; Luke Chatelain, vice president for innovation, West Elm; and Grace Glenny, senior director for site merchandising, Target.

·  They Want It All: The Empowered Consumer – Nick Worth, chief marketing officer, Selligent; Rick Ton, director of membership and product marketing, Sam’s Club; and Benjamin Weiss, senior product manager, Walgreens.

·  Loyalty Building Strategies from Cult Brands – Rebecca Kaden, partner, Maveron; Dave Cho, co-founder and CEO, Soko Glam; Bobby Farahi, co-founder and CEO, Dolls Kill; and Joey Zwillinger, co-founder, Allbirds.

·  Not Just Mini-Millennials: What Makes Gen Z Unique – Dan Coates, president, Ypulse; Chad Kessler, global brand president, American Eagle Outfitters; and Caren Sinclair-Kay, president, Dormify.

·  Digital Sleuths: How Kohl's is Increasing Conversion and Elevating Customer Experience – Sarah Rasmusen, vice president for digital merchandising and analytics, Kohl’s; and Jess Simpson, principal, Deloitte Consulting.

·  Viral Marketing in the YouTube Era – Shane Murphy, vice president for marketing, AdRoll; and Bryant Garvin, director of digital marketing, Purple.

·  A New Era of Retail: Advice from Venture Capitalists – James Rhee, executive chairman and CEO, Ashley Stewart, and founder and president, FirePine Group; Rebecca Kaden, partner, Maveron; Jordan Nof, head of investments, Tusk Ventures; and Hans Tung, managing partner Silicon Valley, GGV Capital.

·  Conversational Commerce and the Rise of the Robot – Healey Cypher, CEO and founder, OAK; Jennifer Tvedt, global director of project management and performance, Nike Inc.

About NRF

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy.

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Brightstar Retailers Rating

Service-Decor-Global-Value-Innovation

 Top American Retailers

STYLE-FASHION-BEAUTY

Anthropologie

Banana Republic

Ann Taylor Loft

Tiffany and Co

H&M

Ann Taylor

Sephora

Brooks Brothers

J Crew

Loehman's

Coach

Zara

BCBG Max Azria

Gap

DSW

A/X Armani Exchange

Bath & Body Works

Ralph Lauren

Louis Vutton

DESIGN-HOME DECOR-GARDEN

Bed Bath & Garden

Zabar's

ABC Carpet & Home

Crate & Barrel

Williams-Sonoma

Gracious Home

Container Store

Dean & Deluca

IKEA

Home Depot

Fishs Eddy

Pe

Pearl River Mart

ABC Carpets/Rugs

Broadway Panhandler

Kohl's

Sur La Table

CB2

Mxplzyk

Pottery Barn

Restoration Hardware

FOOD & BEVERAGES

COSTCOS

WHOLE FOODS

HARRIS TEETER

ALDIS

ZABARS

DEAN & DELUCA

SAMS CLUB

ZIMMERMANS

THIS AND THAT

Apple Store

B&H Photos-Videos

J&R Music/Computer

Met Museum of Art

MoMA store

Best Buy

Am. Museum/Nat. History

FAO Schwartz

Paragon

American Girl Place

Dylan's Candy Bar

Kate's Paperie

Toys 'R' Us

Babies "R' Us

String

Babeland

42nd Studio

A.I. Friedman

Pearl Paint

DEPARTMENT STORE/MASS MERCHANT

Bloomingdale's

Century 21

Macy's

Saks Fifth Ave

Bergdorf Goodman

Barney's New York

Lord & Taylor

Costco

Target

Filene's Basement

 Same Day ACH debit and credit transactions totaled 15.2 million in December, an increase of 51 percent over November's volume, according to data released today by NACHA—The Electronic Payments Association®. The significant increase in Same Day ACH transactions from November to December is just the latest in a long line of indicators demonstrating the widespread interest in and adoption of this faster payment method.

"Financial institutions, businesses and consumers are reaping the benefits of Same Day ACH," said Jane Larimer, chief operating officer of NACHA. "Same Day ACH is now a reality for payroll, bill payment, business-to-business (B2B) payments, account transfers, and many other applications."

Overall in 2017, the total number of Same Day ACH transactions reached 75.1 million. These payments add up to $87.1 billion dollars transferred using Same Day ACH, an average of $1,161 per payment.

The use of Same Day ACH debit transactions, which became available in September 2017, is off to an impressive start. In just a few months, there were 18.3 million Same Day ACH debits totaling $14.5 billion in value. Consumer bill payments and account-to-account debits comprised 92 percent of the debit volume, and the remaining eight percent were B2B payments. And while Same Day ACH credits have been available since September 2016, their use increased by 47 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017.

SOURCE NACHA - The Electronic Payments Association

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