HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 February 2025 – DFI Retail Group (“DFI”) today announced important leadership changes to strengthen its strategic capabilities and drive growth. Ella Chan has been appointed as Group Chief Strategy Officer, effective 1 April 2025. Ella brings over two decades of leadership experience in global strategy, transformation, and innovation within the retail and consumer sectors. In her new role, Ella will oversee Corporate Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions, Investor Relations, and Customer Insights.
DFI Retail Group appoints Ella Chan as Group Chief Strategy Officer, effective 1 April 2025
Ella’s extensive career includes impactful roles at Walmart across the US, China and Hong Kong, where she drove significant business growth and operational excellence. Her achievements include leading initiatives resulting in double-digit sales growth, pioneering digital innovations, and developing new retail formats tailored to evolving consumer needs.
Wee Lee Loh, DFI’s Group Chief Digital Officer, will expand his responsibilities to serve as Group Chief Digital and yuu Rewards Officer, overseeing yuu Rewards, Retail Analytics, and Retail Media. Wee Lee, who joined DFI in September 2023, has a strong background in digital transformation and e-commerce. His expanded role reflects the DFI’s commitment to leveraging data-driven insights and digital innovation to enhance customer engagement.
Scott Price, Group Chief Executive, DFI Retail Group said, “We are pleased to welcome Ella to our leadership team and to expand Wee Lee’s responsibilities. I’m confident their leadership will further strengthen our ability to respond to evolving customer needs, empower our people, and deliver sustained value for our shareholders as we continue driving growth and innovation across the business.”
These appointments underscore DFI Retail Group’s dedication to fostering talent, driving strategic growth, and delivering operational excellence in the rapidly evolving retail landscape.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 February 2025 – France has over 100 different apple varieties thanks to its unique climate and fertile soil. Recently, climate change has significantly impacted global agriculture, particularly affecting fruit cultivation. Following a challenging harvest in 2023, Europe’s apple production faces its second-lowest level of the century, primarily due to severe frost conditions in Eastern Europe, which results in a total yield of just 10.2 million tons—a decline of 1.3 million tons compared to the previous year. In contrast, France’s total apple production in 2024 remains relatively stable, at 1.4 million tons (figures finalized in November 2024). This reflects a slight decrease from 2023 but represents a stable crop compared to the three-year average, showcasing the resilience of French apple cultivation.
Interfel Malaysia Kombucha Workshop
The outlook for specific apple varieties varies widely. While the yield of some of the major French varieties such as Golden and Gala has increased —by 8% for Golden and 1% for Gala— other varieties, such as Granny Smith and Fuji, have declined by 26-30%. The production of club varieties and local selections has also decreased this year. For instance, Pink Lady, France’s third-largest variety, yielded 154,000 tons, indicating a 10% decline. Meanwhile, the crop of Jazz has decreased by 19%.
For more than 25 years, French apple growers have proactively embraced innovative and adaptive measures. They are implementing sustainable agricultural practices such as precision irrigation, soil management, and environmentally friendly pest control to ensure the healthy growth of the trees and enhance their resilience. These methods not only protect the environment but also secure a sustainable supply of high-quality apples. Each apple not only tastes delicious but also embodies this commitment.
To introduce the authenticity of its produce and its process of responsible farming, INTERFEL hosted a series of annual activities in Malaysia. The series of activities include French Apple Kombucha Workshop for influencers, consumer roadshow, and in-store samplings at major retail stores such as AEON, Lotus, Econsave, and Jaya Gorcer. The activities happened from December 2024 until March 2025 with great success.
With emphasis on sustainability, Interfel aims to expand their initiative by promoting diverse methods of consuming French Apples and supporting sustainability through various activities that offer versatile uses for French Apples, promoting health, and minimizing the environmental footprint—all while celebrating the varied culinary possibilities of this nutritious fruit.
These activities were a resounding success, drawing the participation of 20 local influencers in the French Apple Kombucha Workshop and reaching over thousands of consumers through in-store samplings. Consumers also enjoyed lively roadshow events featuring fun games and exciting prizes, making the experience both memorable and interactive. French apples are still in season and available at major Malaysian supermarkets until March 2025.
Today, almost 1,300 French apple growers are committed to producing high-quality apples that are both environmentally friendly and rich in taste. Want to discover more delicious recipes and updates about French apples? Follow us on social media @FruitVegFromFR for the latest news and event information, letting you get up close and personal with this delightful and healthy offering from France!
Aimed at businesses of any size and at any sustainability stage, the partnership service has already engaged nearly 50 global partners since its soft launch
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 February 2025 – The Mills Fabrica, a global collaborative hub propelling sustainability-focused innovations in the techstyle and agrifood sectors, today announces the launch of its partnership service, designed to help brands and organisations — of any size and at any sustainability stage — discover new opportunities for advancing environmental and social impact in their operations.
This initiative builds on The Mills Fabrica’s mission to catalyse industry-wide shifts towards sustainability by bridging the gap between sustainable innovations and leading brands and organisations, effectively creating opportunities for mutual growth. Brands and organisations can choose from a range of bespoke programmes such as Sustainability Discovery Day, Sustainability Workshops, Impact Campaign Experiences, Sustainability Innovation Scouting, and Impact Retail & Pop-Up Experiences to accelerate their sustainability journey and overcome industry-specific challenges. Since its soft launch eight months ago, The Mills Fabrica has already engaged nearly 50 global businesses, demonstrating a strong demand for the new service.
“Over the years, working with dozens of changemakers, one fact stands clear — the future of sustainability depends on a cross-sector collective effort, with entrepreneurs, industry veterans, manufacturers, investors, and consumers uniting behind one shared vision. With our proven track record in driving innovation and a deep understanding of our partners’ needs, it is only natural for The Mills Fabrica to launch this service. Through offering tailored programmes, we hope to unlock the full potential of collaboration by connecting brands and organisations with cutting-edge sustainability-focused innovation, specialist industry knowledge and our unique network of ecosystem partners. Together, we can drive planet-positive outcomes at scale, laying the groundwork for a regenerative future,” said Cintia Nunes, General Manager and Head of Asia, The Mills Fabrica.
The unique global innovation connector providing unparalleled access to extensive resources and bespoke programmes
The scale and urgency of the climate crisis underscores a crucial need to empower businesses to confidently navigate the innovation landscape and achieve purposeful, sustainable growth. Today, businesses face mounting pressure to adopt sustainability practices — not only to meet the demands of conscious consumers, but also to comply with new regulatory requirements and unlock operational efficiencies. Yet, significant barriers remain, including challenges in integrating sustainable-thinking, identifying new opportunities for advancing sustainability, sourcing sustainability-focused tech innovations and effectively quantifying impact.
This is where the new partnership service comes in. With a strong belief that the climate crisis demands global collaboration, The Mills Fabrica serves as a unique global innovation connector. In a world where brands and organisations play a critical role in the sustainability ecosystem, it acts as a crucial bridge that pulls together knowledge, resources and strategies to drive large-scale environmental and social impact.
Having partnered with 100+ global brands and 35 startups worldwide, The Mills Fabrica is in an ideal position to offer brands and organisations 360-degree access to an innovation ecosystem, encompassing access to market intelligence, technology integration, and retail data. It takes a highly tailored approach, collaborating closely with each brand and organisation to understand their unique challenges and co-creating bespoke programmes that drive measurable impact. Prominent players in the retail sector such as L’Oréal also engaged with The Mills Fabrica’s partnership service to advance their sustainability journey.
The bridge builders driving tangible, planet-positive outcomes for industry-wide sustainability progress
Sustainability is not a one-size-fits-all journey. Brands and organisations often struggle not just with implementing sustainability initiatives, but also with measuring and communicating the true environmental and social impact of their efforts in a meaningful way.
Whether integrating impact-thinking into their organisations or sourcing sustainability-focused innovations, businesses can leverage The Mills Fabrica’s measurement approach to quantify and communicate their progress. Utilising the nine planetary boundaries framework outlined by the Stockholm Resilience Center and IRIS+, its measurement approach instils confidence, ensuring sustainability efforts are not just in place but actively demonstrating real change.
One example of its programmes is The Mills Fabrica’s Impact Retail & Pop-Up Experiences, which allow partners to engage directly with consumers through its impact retail store Fabrica X. Here, they can test campaigns, gather vital consumer data and create retail showcases to reach and educate consumers. All campaigns are measured using its industry-recognised framework.
Fidelity International, a leading investment fund committed to sustainable development, partnered with Fabrica X on a biomaterial campaign to highlight the importance of sustainable consumer consumption. Through the impact retail store, it showcased innovative alternative materials to inspire consumers to adopt an eco-conscious lifestyle and showcased the groundbreaking work of material pioneers. The campaign received positive feedback from the public, with over half (66%) of surveyed participants agreeing that they should be more considerate about clothing materials.
Cintia continues, “At The Mills Fabrica, we are bringing together partners and innovators to create powerful collaborations that drive impactful sustainability progress. Recognising the diverse needs of brands and organisations in addressing sustainability challenges, we work with our partners to co-create programmes that are flexible, regardless of their sustainability stage or budget. We invite businesses from all sectors to join us in our mission and leverage this service to accelerate environmental and social impact through innovation.”
For more information on The Mills Fabrica’s new partnership service, please visit here.
Hashtag: #TheMillsFabrica
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
“Under the leadership of mana whenua, Protect Rotokākahi Incorporated has filed for interim enforcement orders in the Environment Court to immediately stop Rotorua Lakes Council’s construction of a sewage pipe through wāhi tapu by Lake Rotokākahi,” said spokesperson for court action Te Whatanui Leka Taumalolo Skipwith.
“Last night, over 100 police marched on our whenua and took control over this sacred area.”
“They forcefully and violently removed our protectors on site, and today they have allowed the council to start drilling where our ancestors are buried.”
“Many of our people were killed here by the 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera. This is where our ancestors lie.”
“Our people have been shut out of this whole pipeline approval process, and now we are shut off our whenua while it is desecrated before our eyes. So, we are escalating to urgent legal action to immediately stop the drilling.”
“This builds on the Environment Court applications already filed last week. Rotorua Lakes Council never obtained the required resource consent for conducting earthworks around Lake Rotokākahi. We are asking the Environment Court for an urgent halt to the council’s works while the court considers this.”
“Our people are here to protect what is ours, and what is sacred. We deserve the chance to protect our wāhi tapu in court before it is too late.”
Mana whenua and their supporters are calling on people to join them on the whenua and bear witness as we show resistance throughout this desecration. The Protect Rotokākahi Instagram is urging a call-to-action for its supporters to “Show Up for a Shift” and hold the frontline as an expression of enduring peaceful protection.
“The fight is actually going to be done here on the whenua, at whawhai, at protections like Rotokākahi. Peaceful resistance is the way we are going to be able to have liberation. And the way we are going to be doing that is being able to stand together side by side,”
“And so that’s the reason why we’re here, we’ve always been here, we will never leave.”
Police are following strong lines of enquiry in the investigation into arsons at churches in Masterton on the morning of Saturday 22 February.
As part of our enquiries, we are seeking information about a green Ford Festiva which was seen leaving one of those fires.
Police are working to establish the movements of the vehicle in the early hours of Saturday morning when the arsons were reported, and the day or days beforehand.
The vehicle was located abandoned on Sunday 23 February on Mikimiki Road, Masterton.
A significant search was deployed into the area, however no occupants of the vehicle were located.
Anyone with information that could assist with the investigation, including sightings of this vehicle, is urged to contact Police via 105 online or the 105 phone reporting line, referencing file number 250222/1673.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Rainbow organisations stand together to address the recent attempts to shut down our communities’ joy and celebrations. It will not succeed. We have been excited to see the unity of our community, and how our shared spaces have encouraged belonging and safety amidst recent events. We want our rainbow rangatahi and whānau to stay proud, stand firm, and know there are always support services available.
To our incredible rangatahi and community, our existence will outlive any hate. Always. No agenda, no opposition, and no force is stronger than the love we share, the friendships we build, and the courage we embody every day. To those who are out, to those still finding their way, to those reclaiming the words that reflect who you are, to those simply existing-we see you, we celebrate you, we stand with you.
Na RainbowYOUTH.
There is no place for hate and violence in Aotearoa. Our rainbow communities are vibrant, loving and welcoming. We will continue to strive to stand in the gap for our people and to whakamana takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow peoples across the motu. We see you and value you.
OutLine welcomes constructive kōrero from religious leaders across the spectrum to encourage communities to come together and show solidarity against hate and violence in this country. We implore religious leaders to use their platforms to bring their people in and teach love and acceptance because takatāpui, MVPFAFF+ and rainbow peoples have always existed and will continue to exist.
It is ALL OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY to keep Aotearoa hate and violence-free.
Na OutLine Aotearoa.
It is time the Government takes serious action to prevent and respond to violence towards rainbow communities. The recent incidents at Auckland Pride are part of an organised ongoing attack on rainbow people’s rights to be themselves and come together. As pride and visibility in our communities grows, loud bigoted voices have tried to drown that pride out, including attempts to embed anti-trans rhetoric from overseas that has no place in Aotearoa. We need to show that we will not overlook hate and a key part of that must be our Government taking leadership.
Na InsideOUT Kōaro.
Our organisations call on the Government to:
1. Remove the charitable status of Destiny Church and associated charities.
2. Ensure no government agencies are making referrals to Destiny Church-led programmes, such as Man Up.
3. Ask NZ Police to urgently instigate a work programme to improve the collection of hate crime data related to rainbow communities and grow public awareness on how to report hate crimes.
4. Government prioritise a response to investing in rainbow mental health support and preventing and countering violent extremism and disinformation, with a focus which targets rainbow communities.
We encourage our rainbow communities and allies to sign the parliament petition to remove Destiny Church’s charitable status and write to Charity Services to make a complaint. We encourage you to seek out support when you need it and stand steadfast in your right to be who you are and celebrate with pride.
Financial pressures, Government inaction and the changing nature of work have proved insurmountable for Evolution Traffic Management and have ultimately led to the company’s liquidation and the loss of over 100 jobs, FIRST Union said today.
Workers across three Evolution Traffic Management sites in Auckland, Hamilton and Taupo were informed on Friday last week that the business’s liquidation will result in job losses for over 100 employees, marking a difficult and uncertain future ahead.
“The company’s collapse is a direct casualty of the shutdown of rebuilds, the slowdown in roading and infrastructure development, and the sluggish pace of the National Government’s commitment to infrastructure,” said Justin Wallace, FIRST Union organiser.
“Delays in critical projects have forced hundreds of skilled and unskilled infrastructure workers to leave the country, creating a significant risk to New Zealand’s development and growth.”
Mr Wallace said the union is supporting members through the process and pursuing entitlements and redundancy compensation for workers as a first priority for the company ahead of any other creditors and commitments: “There’s a lot of stress and anxiety, and a real fear that workers will walk away with nothing if we don’t prioritise their wellbeing.”
Mr Wallace warned that Evolution Traffic Management will not be the last to fall.
“The slowdown in infrastructure investment is putting entire sectors at risk. The Government has already dropped the ball on manufacturing, and now it seems we’re letting infrastructure slip through our fingers as well,” said Mr Wallace.
“Across the industry, there is a clear and urgent warning: if the Government does not act to give infrastructure companies like Evolution some certainty about future projects and their financial viability, we will continue to lose more workers overseas where their experience and talent are more highly valued and compensated.”
“New Zealand is experiencing an exodus of workers who are seeking better opportunities abroad – a trend exacerbated by the Government’s failure to deliver on its “Back on Track” commitments to working New Zealanders.”
“Instead of putting the country back on track, the current trajectory looks more like an impending derailment.”
“The inability to secure and sustain critical infrastructure jobs is having long-term economic consequences that will take years to recover from if left unaddressed.”
“The loss of skilled workers, the stagnation of infrastructure development, and the ongoing economic instability pose a significant threat to the country’s future. It is time for this Government to get its priorities right to prevent further damage and restore confidence in the sector.”
