Less pricing change at Apple

According to an April 2013 presentation filed to a U.S. court, executives had debated plans for Apple's 2014 fiscal year and concluded that consumers wanted what it wasn't offering: cheaper phones - for less than $300 - and bigger screens.
It's unclear how representative that presentation is of Apple's mindset. Nor are there signs that Apple, which thrives on its premium positioning and plays down suggestions that it go mass-market, intends to deviate from its path.Apple did not respond to requests for ment.An 'economy' model may wedge Apple more firmly in emerging markets - a segment still seeing strong growth. Apple now relies on discounted older generation phones to reach cost-conscious buyers, but buyers in markets like Brazil and China increasingly want the latest gadget.

IPhone shipments grew just 8 percent in Apple's 2013 fiscal third quarter, a far cry from five years ago when shipments more than doubled."They are foregoing incremental revenue opportunities by not having a product that addresses that market," said BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk, adding that the main hope of investors now is that Apple produce a new product - a wearable device, say - to galvanize revenue growth.The shipboard chef says one major problem that he frequently encounters is rough seasThe iPhone 5C, a colorful plastic model priced just $100 cheaper than its premium cousin, was aimed at emerging markets and marked a departure from Apple's focus on premium phones last year. But it's not been a spectacular success. Some analysts theorize that an unwillingness to sacrifice profitability meant the device wasn't priced cheaply enough.

Apple's iPhone margins have crept south as the pany packs more features into its gadgets, trying to stand out in an increasingly crowded field. As its market share dwindles, the pany enjoys less leverage to squeeze suppliers. And margins may fall further if Apple introduces bigger screens as expected.
Bernstein Research analyst Toni Sacconaghi estimates that making the screen just 30 percent larger could wipe 4-5 percentage points off gross margins. IPhone margins are now in the mid-40 percent range, down from 50-60 percent a few years ago, analysts estimate."With the iPhone 6, Apple is likely to stick to premium pricing as it's widely expected to e with a bigger screen and some innovative design tweaks," said Doh Hyun-woo, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities.

The shipboard chef says one major problem that he frequently encounters is rough seas

Philip Garcia, a native of Newport, R.I., and now a resident of Westerly, has served as the cook for 11 years aboard the F/V Mariette, a clam boat that fishes in the shoals south of Nantucket for most of the year.Garcia also serves as the New Bedford-based fishing boat's first mate and engineer. His father, Azores native Joe Garcia, now 70, is a longtime cook and captain who has worked in New Bedford's fishing industry for decades.Another seagoing cook, longtime fisherman Tom Wicherski, works in the spacious and well-equipped kitchen aboard the scalloper F/V Alaska.Garcia got the job as cook on the Mariette when his predecessor decided to throw in the kitchen towel after admitting that cooking was not his forte.

Garcia, on the other hand, knows his way around the galley and likes to cook. He enjoys preparing a variety of curries and satisfying entrees such as pasta carbonara, spaghetti with homemade red clam sauce, paella, boiled dinners and beef Wellington, which he creates by wrapping a beef tenderloin with pastry made from rolled-out canned biscuits."I have some dishes that I really wow them with," Garcia says of his hungry crewmates. "I make a mean French onion soup."While lunches are usually quick pick-ups such as Hot Pockets or pizza slices, Garcia prepares hearty breakfasts that might include an omelet stuffed with smoked turkey, blue cheese and blackberries.Garcia admits that he's not a baker, but he keeps the freezer well-stocked with ice cream.The shipboard chef says one major problem that he frequently encounters is rough seas. Racks attached to the top of the stove keep pots and pans in place and prevent food from spilling to the deck if the boat encounters a wave or is steaming in stormy weather.

"I've had my share of accidents," he quips, noting that once a meatloaf that was cooling on the counter went sliding off onto the floor when a sea tipped the boat."I've also had some stinkers things that I just wouldn't serve," Garcia admits, adding that when a kitchen disaster occurs, he has to think quickly to see what he can whip up from what's in the fridge.
Garcia says planning meals and having adequate supplies on hand can sometimes be difficult, especially when the demand for clams requires the Mariette to make a quick turnaround and head back to sea.

China has been the leading production base and exporter of stainless steel tableware and kitchenware in the world

Currently, China has been the leading production base and exporter of stainless steel tableware and kitchenware in the world. During 2006-2009, China-made low-end stainless steel tableware and kitchenware products were gradually eliminated in the market, with its export volume showing a downward tendency. In 2010, the governments of all countries launched stimulus policies successively, an engine for demand growth, and which helped China's export volume of stainless steel tableware and kitchenware be up 25.4% year-on-year.Since 2011, the governments of all countries has rolled out stricter regulations on food safety and put forward higher safety norms for stainless steel tableware and kitchenware; and the driving force of economic stimulation has faded away, which caused China's export volume of stainless steel tableware and kitchenware products to fall again in 2011 and 2012.

The high-end stainless steel tableware and kitchenware market in China is almost dominated by well-known transnational brands such as SEB, ZWILLING and WMF at present, while local brands hold small market shares.Lifetime Brands has a strong culture of innovation The medium-end market is held by a few domestic brands like Supor and ASD, and they enjoy certain market scale; while the low-end market is full of less known and inferior brands whose sales channels e to supermarkets and low-end retail shops.Shupua look like regular glasses they have a nice shiny gloss and a heavy base but they are far from ordinary drinking vessels. The second you touch one, you'll realize that the fragility is an illusion. Shupua are made of a soft silicone material that is being touted as "unbreakable." Drop one and it definitely won't smash. In fact, if you squeeze it, you'll find it bends.This makes them ideal for taking out on spring picnics and perfect for kids.

Shupua cups are ￥1,890 each, while a "glass" is ￥2,310. The cups e in a wide range of bold colors, and the glasses are available with tints of blue and green or pletely clear. They can all be bought online from H Concept.If you want to open a restaurant, the Kappabashi district in Tokyo's Taito Ward is the place to go because it has everything you need, and more.Situated between the popular Ueno and Asakusa districts, Kappabashi boasts more than 180 shops selling tableware and kitchen equipment for business use and store fixtures.

Lifetime Brands has a strong culture of innovation

Lifetime Brands has a strong culture of innovation. It generated two-thirds of its revenues from new products launched in the past three years. It launched 3,500 new or redesigned products in 2013, and its 2014 target is more than 4,000 such new innovations. Examples include Savora, a premium line of food preparation tools and gadgets, and a Guy Fieri-branded line of kitchenware. Guy Fieri is a star chef on Food Network's shows and his celebrity status will drive the sales of the new product line.Helen of Troy NASDAQ: HELE , a distributor of housewares and personal care products, is similarly mitted to product innovation. Helen of Troy's housewares brand OXO has always designed products with customer ease of use in mind. For example, its OXO measuring cup es with a capacity-adjustment knob mechanism and a built-in plunger to ensure easy and correct measurements of ingredients.

Helen of Troy's product pipeline remains healthy, with 300 new innovations expected to be launched in 2014, pared with 293 in 2013. The focus of 2014 will be water bottles, baking and food storage, and toddler and infant products in the housewares segment.Most panies are either monopolies in low or zero growth markets or operate in high-growth markets with intense petition. Lifetime Brands seems to enjoy the best of both worlds, owning leading market positions in its domestic market with potential for market-share expansion and growth from new markets and new products.Boost your 2014 returns with The Motley Fool's top stock There's a huge difference between a good stock and a stock that can make you rich. The Motley Fool's chief investment officer has selected his No. 1 stock for 2014, and it's one of those stocks that could make you rich. You can find out which stock it is in the special free report "The Motley Fool's Top Stock for 2014." Just click here to access the report and find out the name of this under-the-radar pany.The Next Industry to Crumble...
Imagine owning Amazon  up over an insane 4,000% since 2001 when Internet sales rendered big-box retailers obsolete... Now an industry 99% of us use daily is set to implode... And 3 established panies are perfectly positioned to take advantage of this game-changing economic shift. Enter your email address below to find out how YOU can take advantage!