Sunday, November 1, 2026

Centralized Supply Chain Services, LLC (CSCS®), Applebee’s®, and IHOP® Recognize 2026 Supplier Partners of the Year

 Pacific Prime Meats and Custom Foods of America recognized for exceptional collaboration, responsiveness and value


 


(BUSINESS WIRE)--Centralized Supply Chain Services, LLC (CSCS®), together with Applebee’s® and IHOP®, have named Pacific Prime Meats and Custom Foods of America their 2026 Supplier Partners of the Year, honoring the companies for their collaboration, innovation, and commitment to supporting restaurant success across the Applebee’s and IHOP systems. The awards were presented at the Applebee’s Franchise Conference and IHOP Supplier Summit in Austin, Texas.


Pacific Prime Meats was named 2026 Applebee’s Supplier Partner of the Year, recognizing the company’s exceptional responsiveness, agility, and support on behalf of the Applebee’s system.


“Pacific Prime Meats distinguished itself through its commitment, agility and partnership,” said Mike Leikam, President and CEO of CSCS®. “When faced with the demands of a major Applebee’s promotion, their team responded quickly and decisively to secure supply and help ensure restaurants were positioned to deliver for their guests.”


Custom Foods of America was named the 2026 IHOP Supplier Partner of the Year for its strong collaboration and the value it delivered across the IHOP system.


“Custom Foods of America has been an outstanding partner to IHOP,” Leikam said. “Their collaboration with IHOP Culinary and Dine Brands Quality Assurance, combined with their work with CSCS to ensure supply continuity and effectively manage costs, exemplifies the kind of partnership that creates meaningful value to the entire IHOP system.”


“These companies represent the very best of our supplier community,” Leikam added. “Their teams understand our business, anticipate challenges and work alongside us to develop solutions that support franchisees, restaurants and guests. We are proud to recognize their outstanding contributions.”


ABOUT CENTRALIZED SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES, LLC


Centralized Supply Chain Services, LLC is the exclusive buying agent for the Applebee’s and IHOP systems. Formed as a supply chain cooperative to leverage the combined buying power of both systems, CSCS manages approximately $2 billion in spend on behalf of its Member operators. CSCS’s primary mission is two-fold. First, to assure that Member restaurants receive the benefit of continuously available goods and services in adequate supplies at the lowest sustainable delivered prices; and second, to coordinate with Applebee’s and IHOP in their ongoing efforts to develop new and innovative products and programs to promote their respective concepts. Learn more about CSCS at www.cscscoop.com.


ABOUT DINE BRANDS GLOBAL, INC.


Based in Pasadena, California, Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN), through its subsidiaries and franchisees, supports and operates restaurants under the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill + Bar®, IHOP®, and Fuzzy’s Taco Shop® brands. As of June 28, 2026, these three brands comprised nearly 3,500 restaurants. Dine Brands is one of the largest full-service restaurant companies in the world and in 2022 expanded into the Fast Casual segment. For more information on Dine Brands, visit the Company’s website located at www.dinebrands.com.


ABOUT PACIFIC PRIME MEATS, LLC


Based in Vernon, California, Pacific Prime Meats produces fully cooked proteins and custom prepared foods for retail, club, restaurant, and foodservice customers. Its USDA-inspected, GFSI-certified facility holds a Grade AA rating and offers charbroiled, kettle-cooked, and sous vide capabilities, producing everything from beef burgers and sausage patties to taco meats, chili, carnitas, riblets, and shredded meats.


At Pacific Prime Meats, strong partnerships drive everything we do. Our operations team is led by COO Jay Schumacher and supported by the expertise of Brian Levy in sales and business development and Jay Wiviott in culinary and commercialization. Together, they work closely with customers at every stage, from custom recipes and product development to private label manufacturing and commercial production. We take pride in providing quality food, responsive service, and the dependable consistency our customers rely on every day.


That commitment is strengthened by the companies behind us. Pacific Prime Meats is one of the Giuliano family of food businesses, which also includes Integrated Food Service, Grilled Sandwiches, LLC, and Little Brothers Bakery, and carries on a three-generation family tradition spanning 75 years. Together they form a vertically integrated platform where fully cooked proteins, commercial baking, and sandwich assembly come together under one family of ownership, led by CEO Paul G. Giuliano. With each stage of production under our own management, our customers benefit from tighter coordination and greater control from ingredient to finished product.


ABOUT CUSTOM FOODS OF AMERICA, INC. (CFA)


Custom Foods of America, Inc. (CFA) is a leading private food manufacturer that specializes in creating customized, ready-to-use food solutions for national restaurant chains, hospitality brands, and convenience stores. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, the company develops and produces a wide range of proprietary soups, sauces, side dishes, and appetizers. Backed by a robust Research & Development team of chefs and food scientists, CFA operates a high-capacity, SQF-certified manufacturing facility that distributes custom culinary products nationwide.


 


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Contacts

For more information, contact Brian Levy at Brian.levy@pacificprimemeats.com.


 

The Estée Lauder Companies and Microsoft Announce a New Strategic Partnership to Power Enterprise Efficiency and Consumer-Centric Growth

 The new collaboration will strengthen the company’s cloud, data, and AI capabilities to accelerate innovation and enhance productivity


(BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) today announced a new strategic partnership with Microsoft Corp. to advance its cloud and data foundation and support the responsible adoption of AI-enabled capabilities across the enterprise. The collaboration will help connect data and intelligent tools to support faster innovation, more efficient operations, and more relevant consumer experiences.


This new partnership is a critical part of The Estée Lauder Companies’ One Operating Ecosystem, which brings together shared platforms, connected data, and best-in-class partners to enable consistent, scalable, and effective execution across the enterprise.


A key initiative of this expanded partnership is harnessing the Microsoft platform to advance the company’s Unified Data Platform. This foundation is the core enabler for AI and agility—connecting the company's data across brands, regions, channels, and functions to reduce duplication, enable reusable data products, and create more consistent access to data-driven insights.


“As we continue to execute on Beauty Reimagined, we are building the future of consumer-centricity—in our products, experiences, commerce, and more,” said Brian Franz, Chief Technology and Transformation Officer, The Estée Lauder Companies. "Our partnership with Microsoft, in addition to the other strategic partners in our One Operating Ecosystem, is powering our teams with the capabilities to ultimately deliver more relevant, personalized experiences that meet consumers’ evolving needs. These enhanced capabilities will help us drive sustainable growth, improve productivity, and support margin expansion, creating capacity to reinvest into our enterprise to serve our consumers.”


“The future of the beauty industry will be shaped by organizations like the Estée Lauder Companies that connect data, people, and AI responsibly,” said Deb Cupp, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer, Microsoft. “Our expanded collaboration will help turn insights into action at scale—from empowering employees to modernizing product development and delivering more meaningful consumer experiences.”


This shared foundation will support The Estée Lauder Companies’ continued development of AI-enabled capabilities in support of its three strategic priorities: New Capabilities & Growth, Decision Intelligence, and Productivity & Automation.


New Capabilities & Growth


Through its work with Microsoft, the company is strengthening the data foundation for an AI-enabled consumer ecosystem. The company is investing in its Unified Consumer Data Platform to deepen understanding of consumer needs and preferences, supporting more personalized experiences. Together with connected product data, this foundation is designed to enable consistent, relevant experiences in real time—from discovery to purchase—helping its brands meet consumers wherever they choose to engage or transact. This flexible foundation, which connects consumer and product data, gives brands the agility to launch and adapt experiences, future proofing the company as new technologies and shopping behaviors emerge. Drawing on 80 years of proprietary consumer understanding and beauty expertise, this foundation also fuels new product innovation, helping the company create differentiated products tailored to consumer needs.


Decision Intelligence


To advance Decision Intelligence, the company is embedding AI in workflows and building a shared enterprise foundation that strengthens connectivity across functions. This connected foundation makes trusted data and insights more accessible and gives teams a common understanding of the business. By connecting these insights to end-to-end workflows, teams across marketing, commercial, value chain, and R&I can make faster, more coordinated decisions in response to changing consumer and market needs. Specifically, the company is reimagining how products move from idea to launch in the value chain by developing a connected, AI-powered workflow across design, validation, and manufacturing—enabling faster, smarter decisions that help deliver innovation to consumers more efficiently.


Productivity & Automation


The company is equipping employees with secure AI tools including Microsoft Copilot and automating repetitive, manual work so teams can move faster and focus on strategy, innovation, and higher-value decision-making. The Estée Lauder Companies has expanded Copilot across its global office-based workforce, reaching more than 14,000 employees. As employees advance into more sophisticated use cases, they are experimenting with productivity agents and embedding AI into role-specific workflows. This human-first approach to AI enablement is helping employees reimagine how they work and increase capacity for growth and innovation.


The Estée Lauder Companies’ long-term strategic partnership with Microsoft supports the company’s Beauty Reimagined strategy, bringing together technology, data, and AI to strengthen consumer centricity, accelerate innovation, improve productivity, and create sustainable value. As the company enters its next chapter, this collaboration will help scale high-impact capabilities and support growth with greater speed, agility, and efficiency.


About The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.


The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. is one of the world’s leading manufacturers, marketers and sellers of quality skin care, makeup, fragrance and hair care products, and is a steward of luxury and prestige brands globally. The company’s products are sold in approximately 150 countries and territories under brand names including: Estée Lauder, Aramis, Clinique, Lab Series, Origins, M·A·C, La Mer, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Jo Malone London, Bumble and bumble, Darphin Paris, TOM FORD, Smashbox, AERIN Beauty, Le Labo, Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, GLAMGLOW, KILIAN PARIS, Too Faced, Dr.Jart+, the DECIEM family of brands, including The Ordinary and NIOD, and BALMAIN Beauty.


 


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Contacts

Media Relations:

Brendan Riley

briley@estee.com


Investor Relations:

Rainey Mancini

rmancini@estee.com


 

TestMu AI Launches Kane CLI Exploration, an AI Agent That Maps an Entire Web App From a Single URL and Turns It Into Tests

 The exploration agent walks every page and flow of a web app on its own, flags UX, security and accessibility issues, and builds the map Kane CLI uses to write, run and ship tests to CI, even when no requirements exist


 


(BUSINESS WIRE)--TestMu AI, the Full Stack Agentic AI Quality Engineering platform, announced Kane CLI Exploration, an autonomous agent that learns a web application before anyone writes a test. Given a single URL, it walks the entire app on its own, flags problems along the way and gives Kane CLI the context it needs to generate and run tests, even when no requirements, user stories or acceptance criteria exist.


Every test plan starts from something written down, and many apps never had it. Legacy products lose their specs when the people who wrote them move on, and apps a coding agent built in a week often have no record of intended behavior beyond the prompt history. With nothing to test against, a testing agent ends up grading the app against itself.


Starting from the URL a developer provides, the exploration agent moves through every page, junction and flow it can reach, the way a new QA engineer clicks through a product in their first week. For each page it records the controls, the flows in and out, and the states the screen can be in, such as a form before and after a validation error. Each exploration runs across dozens of parallel browsers in the TestMu AI cloud, so a large app can be mapped in hours, and anyone on the team can open a live browser session to watch the agent work. Without being told what to look for, it also flags UX bugs, security issues and accessibility concerns on pages that existing Playwright, Selenium or Cypress suites never reached.


The map then becomes the testing context. Kane CLI reads it the way it would read a requirements document, writes use cases and acceptance criteria from it, runs the resulting tests in real browsers and saves an Evidence Pack for every run. A person who knows the product reviews the generated tests, and the approved ones run in CI on every future pull request.


"Teams now write careful instruction files for the agent that writes their code, while the agent testing that code gets a URL and nothing else, and in a lot of apps there is no spec left to hand it," said Mudit Singh, Co-Founder and Head of Growth, TestMu AI. "Kane CLI Exploration builds that context from the app itself. For a team inheriting a legacy product, or shipping AI-written code faster than anyone can document it, that is the difference between a blank test file and a real starting point."


Kane CLI Exploration is available today for web applications as part of the KaneAI Max plan, which includes three exploration sessions per license. Kane CLI, launched in April 2026, tests both web and mobile applications. Learn more at the Kane CLI page.


About TestMu AI


TestMu AI (Formerly LambdaTest) is an Agentic AI Quality Engineering platform that assures AI deployments across the enterprise and the real world. It runs agentic testing for web and mobile apps on 3,000+ browsers and 50,000+ real devices, and for chat, voice, IVR, video, and image agents.


 


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261030080245/en/



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Contacts

Media contact

Nikhil Saxena

Corporate Communication Manager, TestMu AI

nikhils@testmuai.com | +91 98709 81968


 

ADNEC Group Kickstarts November with Two of the World’s Largest Events in the Energy and Tourism Sectors

 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Friday, 30. October 2026 AETOSWire Print 



ADNEC Group, a Modon company, begins November by hosting two of the world’s most significant international events in the same week. ADIPEC 2026, the world’s largest energy event, takes place at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from 2 to 5 November. Meanwhile, World Travel Market (WTM) London, one of the global travel industry’s leading gatherings, takes place at the Group’s Excel London venue from 3 to 5 November.


The two events, held simultaneously at the Group’s largest venues in the UAE and the UK, reflect ADNEC Group’s capability to deliver large-scale international events across multiple markets.


ADIPEC has grown alongside the venue since it first held at the ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi in 2006. This year’s edition is set to be the largest in the event’s history, occupying the venue’s entire 153, 000 square metres of exhibition space, along with additional halls built, featuring more than 2,000 exhibitors, multiple country pavilions, and dedicated zones for digitalisation, decarbonisation, and artificial intelligence.


In London, Excel London will welcome travel and tourism professionals from around the world for World Travel Market London, where destinations, travel brands and industry leaders meet to do business and shape the future of the sector.


Together, ADIPEC Abu Dhabi and WTM London demonstrate the strength of ADNEC Group’s international venue portfolio and its ability to host world-leading events that drive economic growth, industry collaboration and global connectivity.


By welcoming hundreds of thousands of participants across Abu Dhabi and London, the Group continues to reinforce its role as a trusted partner for major international exhibitions and conferences, while supporting the long-term development of the sectors and destinations it serves.



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https://www.aetoswire.com/en/news/3010202658660


Contacts

Fatin Elkhalil


felkhalil@apcoworldwide.com

SES and Air Astana Introduce Multi-orbit Inflight Connectivity on A321LR Fleet

 First aircraft is now delivering a new generation of onboard Wi-Fi experiences for business and leisure travelers


 


(BUSINESS WIRE)--SES was selected by Air Astana, the award-winning flag carrier of Kazakhstan, to introduce next-generation inflight connectivity services across its Airbus A321LR fleet. The first connected aircraft entered commercial service on 29 October 2026. Fleet-wide deployment will continue across the remaining A321LR fleet.


Equipped with SES’s new electronically steered array (ESA) antenna, the aircraft delivers reliable connectivity over the SES multi-orbit network. SES will provide a fully managed inflight connectivity service across the fleet, enabling Air Astana passengers to enjoy a seamless online experience throughout their journey.


“Airlines are increasingly looking for connectivity solutions that deliver a seamless passenger experience while providing the flexibility to evolve with changing customer expectations,” said Blane Boynton, Senior Vice President, Aviation at SES. “SES's multi-orbit solution will enable Air Astana to offer a consistent, high-quality online experience across its network and bring a new era of inflight connectivity to passengers throughout Central Asia and beyond."


The service supports Air Astana's vision of transforming the onboard experience for both business and leisure travelers. Through an airline-branded connectivity portal, passengers will be able to access a range of connectivity options, including complimentary streaming services for premium customers and flexible paid packages for Economy Class travelers. The service is supported by QMobile, (formerly Jusan Mobile), a leading telecommunications and technology provider in Kazakhstan.


"Today's passengers expect to stay connected wherever they travel, whether they are working, keeping in touch with family and friends, or enjoying entertainment during their journey," said Yelena Obukhova, Vice President, "Our partnership with SES will enable Air Astana to offer a modern, high-quality connectivity experience that reflects the premium service our customers expect. By combining multi-orbit satellite technology with our onboard experience, we are investing in greater comfort, convenience and value for our passengers."


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About SES


At SES, we believe that space has the power to make a difference. That’s why we design space solutions that help governments protect, businesses grow, and people stay connected—no matter where they are. With integrated multi-orbit satellites and our global terrestrial network, we deliver resilient, seamless connectivity and the highest quality video content to those shaping what’s next. Following our Intelsat acquisition, we now offer more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership—backed by a track record of bringing innovation “firsts” to market. As a trusted partner to customers and the global space ecosystem, SES is driving impact that goes far beyond coverage. The company is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com


About Air Astana


Air Astana is Kazakhstan’s leading full-service airline and the country’s flag carrier. Established in 2002, the airline is part of Air Astana Group. It operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, providing scheduled domestic, regional and international passenger and cargo services across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Far East, the Gulf, India and Europe. Air Astana has been recognised by Skytrax as the Best Airline in Central Asia & CIS for fourteen consecutive years and has received the Best Airline Staff Service in Central Asia & CIS award nine times in a row. The airline has also been awarded a five-star rating in the Major Airlines category by the Airline Passenger Experience Association.“


Forward-looking Statements


This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “will,” “enable,” “advancing,” and “delivering.”


Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance and are subject to inherent uncertainties and risks that are difficult to predict. Factors that might cause such a difference include those discussed in our filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Form 20-F, such as risks that changes in technology or the satellite communications industry could make our systems or services obsolete or subject to lower or reduced demand; risks that new technologies and equipment, including electronically steered antennas, may not perform as anticipated or achieve their expected benefits; and regulation by telecommunications and civil aviation authorities may increase the costs of providing services or require us to modify our services. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


 


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261030888033/en/



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Contacts

For further information please contact:

Nancy Welsh

SES Communications

SES.Press@ses.com


 

United States Signs Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, Strengthening Momentum For Global Participation

 (BUSINESS WIRE)--The United States of America has signed its Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, marking a significant milestone in the World Expo’s preparations and further strengthening the momentum for international participation in the global event.


The signing marks an important step in the United States’ journey towards Expo 2030 Riyadh, paving the way for the development of its pavilion, programming and visitor experience. It also reinforces the growing international commitment to Expo 2030 Riyadh, as countries move from confirming their participation to actively shaping the experiences, ideas and innovations they will bring to the Kingdom in 2030.


The Participation Contract was signed by His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 2026 G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. The signing ceremony was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States, and Talal Al-Marri, CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh.


Building on its longstanding tradition of participation in World Expos, the United States will develop its presence on a dedicated plot within Expo 2030 Riyadh’s Technology precinct. Its participation will offer an opportunity to showcase American innovation, creativity and technological leadership, while contributing to the Expo’s theme, “Foresight for Tomorrow.”


The United States joins a growing number of countries that have formalised their participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh, reflecting continued progress in international engagement. More than 185 Official Participants have confirmed participation, with preparations advancing across pavilion planning, content development and programming. Each new contract marks a further step in translating international commitments into a robust and compelling World Expo experience.


Meanwhile, work continues to progress across the Expo site in northern Riyadh, with infrastructure development and construction of key assets advancing. Together, these milestones demonstrate the progress being made on both fronts: building the physical foundations of Expo 2030 Riyadh and bringing together the international participants who will shape its content and visitor experience.


Held under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow,” Expo 2030 Riyadh will take place from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031, bringing together countries and international organisations from around the world and welcoming more than 42 million visits over six months. Through its five thematic areas - Technology, Planet, Humanity, Culture and Collaboration - the Expo will provide a global platform for nations to share their achievements and ambitions, explore solutions to shared challenges and inspire new possibilities for the future.


About Expo 2030 Riyadh


Running from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031, Expo 2030 Riyadh will be among the most ambitious World Expos ever conceived with a 6 million square meter site that will bring together 197 Official Participants and is expected to welcome 42 million visits across 5 distinct districts.


Held under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow,” and hosted in Riyadh - a city of action and ambition - Expo 2030 Riyadh will provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas, shape solutions, and build partnerships that drive real impact, address global challenges, and unlock new opportunities. The World Expo will feature immersive cultural zones, daily activations, and AI-powered interactions, blending traditional Saudi hospitality with cutting-edge technology. Following the six-month event, the Expo site will evolve into a vibrant destination, continuing to attract visitors and contribute to Riyadh’s dynamic urban landscape.


For more information, please visit: https://www.expo2030riyadh.sa/en/


 


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261031669001/en/



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Contacts

For media inquiries, please contact media@expo2030riyadh.sa

Quectel Sues Telit, Alleging False Statements, Cybersquatting and Unfair Competition

 WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Friday, 30. October 2026 AETOSWire  


(BUSINESS WIRE)--Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global end-to-end IoT solutions provider, today announced that it has filed legal action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Telit IoT Solutions Inc. The lawsuit seeks to bring an end to Telit’s campaign of false and misleading claims about Quectel and its products.


Quectel alleges that, rather than competing on the strength of its products and technology, Telit engaged in a coordinated campaign to undermine Quectel’s reputation by exploiting geopolitical concerns surrounding Chinese technology companies. According to the complaint, Telit funded, promoted, and amplified false and misleading claims about Quectel’s products while positioning itself to customers as a safer “Western” alternative. The lawsuit further alleges that Telit engaged in cybersquatting involving Quectel’s U.S. domain name to advance its campaign.


Quectel maintains that these alleged actions have caused substantial harm to its sales, customer relationships, reputation, and goodwill, while unfairly diverting business opportunities to Telit and other competitors. Through this legal action, Quectel seeks to put an end to the alleged misconduct, protect its business interests, and uphold the principles of fair and transparent competition.


“We believe in fair competition, innovation, and earning the trust of customers through the quality of our products and services. Despite Quectel’s efforts to correct the record, Telit’s false and misleading statements have continued. This lawsuit seeks to hold Telit accountable for those statements,” said Peter Fowler, SVP of Quectel Wireless Solutions in Americas.


“Our decision to pursue legal action reflects our commitment to protecting our company's reputation, our customers, and the integrity of fair competition. We remain focused on delivering innovative, high-quality solutions to our customers and will pursue appropriate legal remedies to address the conduct outlined in our complaint,” Mr. Fowler continued.


The complaint asserts claims under federal and state law arising from Telit’s alleged false and misleading statements regarding Quectel, alleged misuse of Quectel’s trademarks and domain name, and related unfair competition.


Quectel will pursue the matter through the appropriate legal process. As proceedings are ongoing, the company will not comment further on the detailed merits of the case at this stage.


The full filing can be found here: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/75045812/quectel-wireless-solutions-co-ltd-v-telit-iot-solutions-inc/


About Quectel


Quectel’s passion for a smarter world drives us to accelerate IoT innovation. A highly customer-centric organization, we are a global end-to-end IoT solutions provider backed by outstanding support and services.


With a worldwide team of over 10,000 professionals, we lead the way in delivering end-to-end IoT solutions, spanning cellular, GNSS, satellite, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, high-performance antennas, value-added services and full turnkey offerings including ODM services and system integration.


With regional offices and support across the globe, our international leadership is devoted to advancing IoT and helping build a smarter world.


For more information, please visit: www.quectel.com or LinkedIn


 


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261030585243/en/



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Contacts

Media contact: media@quectel.com or media@bgrpr.com


 

Men’s Interest in Appearance Is Growing: 36% Say Looking Their Best Matters More Than Five Years Ago, NIQ Finds


 CHICAGO -

New NIQ insights reveal changing attitudes toward appearance and aging, while purchasing data points to opportunities beyond products marketed specifically to men


(BUSINESS WIRE) -- NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ), a global leader in consumer intelligence, today shared findings showing that 36% of men say looking their best, including beauty and skincare, matters more to them than it did five years ago. More than half (54%) say aging well has become more important over the same period.


Yet the opportunity for beauty brands may extend beyond products specifically marketed to men. Across 10 Western European markets, sales value of skincare positioned for all genders grew 7% year over year, while male-targeted skincare was flat. The findings suggest that brands should look beyond traditional product positioning to understand men’s needs, shopping behavior, and the products they choose.


In its report, The Permission Gap: The Global State of Male Beauty, NIQ examines how social expectations, generational differences and purchasing behavior are shaping men´s engagement with beauty across markets and categories.


Key findings


Appearance and aging matter more: 36% of men say looking their best, including beauty and skincare, matters more than it did five years ago. 54% say the same about aging well.


Interest varies substantially by market: Men's attitudes toward appearance vary significantly across markets. Interest is particularly strong in markets such as India (69%), Mexico (63%), the UAE (57%) and Brazil (51%), where men are more likely to say looking their best matters more today than it did five years ago. Comparatively lower levels are reported in the U.S. (37%), the UK (22%), and Germany (17%), highlighting regional differences in beauty engagement and consumer priorities.


Younger generations connect appearance with individuality: 42% of Millennial men and 40% of Gen Z men agree that their individuality is reflected in how they look and what they buy, compared with 28% of Baby Boomers.


While consumer attitudes point to a growing interest in appearance globally, purchasing behaviors can vary by market. NIQ's retail and shopper data provides additional insight into how these trends are translating into category growth across measured markets:


Men already spend more in some categories: Men accounted for approximately 51% of online fragrance spending, averaged across the UK, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, over the year through June 2026. Across the US, Canada, and Australia, NIQ also finds that shaving and fragrance are the only personal care categories in the analysis where male buyers outspend female buyers on average.


Skincare growth extends beyond men’s products: Across ten Western European markets, skincare positioned for all genders grew 7% in value year over year, while male-targeted skincare was flat. Across 57 countries, brands explicitly marketed to men grew 3%, compared with 7% for beauty and personal care overall.


Fragrance is an established area of spending, while NIQ’s online skincare analysis identifies men buying products from brands focused on ingredients and benefits, including dermocosmetics and K-Beauty. A shopper concerned about aging skin, for example, may search for a product that addresses that concern without looking for a “for men” label. Brands need to understand these different paths into the category and the products men actually choose.


“Men’s interest in looking their best is growing, and their purchases already extend across beauty categories. The opportunity for brands is not simply to create more products for men, but to understand the needs behind their purchases and recognize where those needs extend beyond traditional product categories. Brands that focus only on products labeled 'for men' may overlook shoppers and opportunities across the wider beauty market,” said Tara James Taylor, SVP, Global Beauty Personal Care Vertical, NIQ.


For beauty brands, the findings underscore the importance of looking beyond traditional gender-based positioning. By understanding men’s evolving priorities, identifying where they shop and making relevant product information accessible, brands can better respond to shoppers' needs across the beauty and personal care market.


More information on the report: The Permission Gap: The Global State of Male Beauty.


Frequently Asked Questions


What is NIQ reporting on male beauty?

NIQ’s report, The Permission Gap: The Global State of Male Beauty, examines how men’s attitudes toward appearance and aging connect with their purchasing behavior. It finds that 36% of men say looking their best, including beauty and skincare, matters more than it did five years ago, while 54% say the same about aging well.


How do men’s attitudes toward appearance differ across markets?

The share of men who say looking their best matters more than five years ago reaches 69% in India, 63% in Mexico, 57% in the UAE, and 51% in Brazil. This compares with 37% in the US, 22% in the UK and 17% in Germany, highlighting the importance of understanding local priorities.


How do attitudes differ across generations?

Younger men are more likely to connect appearance and purchasing with self-expression. NIQ finds that 42% of Millennial men and 40% of Gen Z men agree that their individuality is reflected in how they look and what they buy, compared with 28% of Baby Boomers. This finding reflects attitudes toward appearance and purchasing generally.


Are products marketed specifically to men growing faster than the overall beauty market?

No, NIQ’s global analysis shows that sales of brands marketed specifically to men rose 3% over the year ending in May 2026, compared with 7% for beauty and personal care overall. In 10 Western European markets, sales of skincare marketed to all genders rose 7%, while men’s skincare sales were flat. This suggests brands should look beyond “for men” labels to understand the opportunity, though the data does not show how much of the growth came from male shoppers.


What does the report reveal about men’s beauty purchases?

Fragrance is an established area of spending. Men accounted for approximately 51% of online fragrance spending, averaged across the UK, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, during the 52 weeks ending June 2026. NIQ’s online skincare analysis also identifies men purchasing dermocosmetics and K-Beauty products, including brands focused on ingredients and benefits. Purchases may be for personal use or gifts.


What does this mean for beauty brands and retailers?

The findings highlight the importance of understanding men’s needs beyond traditional gender-based positioning. By examining their priorities alongside actual purchases, brands and retailers can identify opportunities across categories and tailor their approach to different markets and groups of shoppers.


Why do some findings reference specific countries or regions?

The report combines multiple NIQ datasets, each with its own geographic coverage. Survey findings capture consumer attitudes across markets around the world, while retail and shopper data show sales and purchasing patterns in specific NIQ-measured markets. Together, they provide insight into men’s evolving attitudes and shopping behavior.


What is the source of these figures?

All figures appear in NIQ’s The Permission Gap: The Global State of Male Beauty report (2026). Sources include the NIQ Health & Wellness Survey, NIQ Consumer Life 2025, NIQ Digital Purchases, NIQ Omnisales, NIQ Omnishopper Panel, and SPG Monthly. Geographic coverage and reporting periods vary by finding, with source details provided in the report.


About NIQ


NielsenIQ (NYSE: NIQ) is a leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete and trusted understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. By combining an unmatched global data footprint and granular consumer and retail measurement with decades of AI modeling expertise, NIQ builds decision systems that help companies turn complex data into confident action.


With operations in more than 90 countries, NIQ covers approximately 82% of the world’s population and more than $7.4 trillion in global consumer spend. Through cloud-based platforms, advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, NIQ delivers The Full View™—helping brands and retailers understand what consumers buy, why they buy it, and what to do next.


For more information, please visit www.niq.com.


© 2026 Nielsen Consumer LLC. All Rights Reserved.


NIQ-General


 


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Accertify Formalizes Partner Ecosystem as Fraud, Payments, and Chargebacks Converge Into a Single Risk Surface

 New partner program brings payment providers, orchestrators, commerce platforms, and consultancies together around the industry's largest fraud data community


 


(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Accertify, a leading fraud decisioning provider whose Predictive Yes Platform helps merchants say yes to more good customers, more revenue, and more growth, today announced the launch of the Accertify Partner Program, a formalized partnership ecosystem connecting payment providers, orchestrators, commerce platforms, and consultancies to Accertify’s network-powered fraud intelligence.


Partners can join through two tracks. The Referral track lets partners make a single introduction while Accertify handles the sale, implementation, and support. The Reseller track lets partners sell Accertify on their own contract and own the client relationship and margin. Partners that integrate with Accertify follow a defined certification path, so clients get a tested, supported connection from day one.


Every client a partner brings joins a consortium where good customers verified anywhere in the network get through faster everywhere, and bad actors seen anywhere are stopped everywhere. In 2025, Accertify processed more than 10 billion transactions representing over $1 trillion in commerce, prevented $5.8 billion in fraud and abuse, and recovered $481 million through chargeback management.


“Fraud no longer stops at checkout, and neither does risk,” said Emma Lindley, Chief Development Officer at Accertify. “The same bad actors exploit account creation, payment authorization and chargebacks, yet merchants are often left managing each through different providers. Merchants shouldn't have to connect those dots on their own. Through our Partner Program we’re bringing payments, commerce and advisory partners together, making it easier to recognize risk across the customer journey and approve more good customers with confidence.”


“DEUNA and Accertify share one objective: helping businesses grow revenue,” said Jose Maria Serrano, co-founder of DEUNA. “DEUNA brings a smarter payments stack, and Accertify brings intelligent fraud prevention. Joining the Accertify Partner Program builds on those complementary strengths to help our clients turn more payment opportunities into business growth.”


Learn more about the Accertify Partner Program at accertify.com/partnerships.


About Accertify


Accertify enables commerce by doing one thing extraordinarily well: pinpointing fraud. The company's Predictive Yes Platform helps businesses say yes to more – more good customers, more revenue, and more growth – without getting burned. It's a precise, confident, data-backed yes, made possible by joining signals across the entire customer lifecycle through unmatched data volume, layered AI-powered models, and a consortium approach that protects clients from bad actors spotted anywhere in the network while unlocking business with good actors verified anywhere in the network. With more than 10 billion transactions and over $1 trillion in commerce processed in 2025 alone, Accertify delivers the intelligence and precision that fraud and payments teams need to say yes confidently and enable growth. That's the More Yes difference. Learn more at accertify.com.


 


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