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This Week in Consumer News: 13 Stories You Need to See

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A roundup of the most newsworthy consumer and retail announcements from PR Newswire this week, including Kroger’s new nutrition scoring system, the 2024 holiday menu at Dutch Bros and the first haircare launch from CeraVe.

NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — With thousands of press releases published each week, it can be difficult to keep up with everything on PR Newswire. To help consumer/retail journalists and consumers stay on top of the week’s most newsworthy and popular releases, here’s a recap of some major stories from the week that shouldn’t be missed.

The list below includes the headline (with a link to the full text) and an excerpt from each story. Click on the press release headlines to access accompanying multimedia assets that are available for download.

Sleigh the Season: Dutch Bros Unwraps 2024 Holiday Menu
Here to make the holidays groovy and bright, the Hazelnut Truffle Mocha, Candy Cane Mocha and Winter Shimmer Rebel are now available at all 950+ Dutch Bros locations.TGI Fridays Inc. Files Voluntary Chapter 11 Petitions to Address Legacy Liabilities and Position Restaurants for Long-Term Success
“The primary driver of our financial challenges resulted from COVID-19 and our capital structure. This restructuring will allow our go-forward restaurants to proceed with an optimized corporate infrastructure that enables them to reach their full potential,” said Rohit Manocha, Executive Chairman of TGI Fridays Inc.CeraVe Reinvents Haircare with the Launch of its First Haircare Products, Developed with Dermatologists
Introducing CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner breakthrough system that eliminates up to 100% of visible flakes without disrupting the scalp barrier and helps to alleviate symptoms of mild to moderate dandruff, while still leaving hair feeling healthy and soft.Kroger and bitewell Launch Groundbreaking Nutrition Scoring System to Help Customers Make Healthier Food Choices
“People need help navigating nutrition while they shop for food,” says Samantha Citro-Alexander, CEO of bitewell. “We’ve all been there – standing in front of an aisle wondering ‘which of these is actually healthy for me?’ The FoodHealth Score makes it fast and easy to answer that question.”Pillsbury™ Funfetti® Unveils New Limited-Edition The Elf on the Shelf® Baking Mixes and Frostings
The limited-edition line of products are on-shelf nationwide now with availability through December 2024, while supplies last.2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award® Winners Revealed
Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., announced the winners for the 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award®, honoring the best individual fielding performances at each position in the American League® and National League®.Lowe’s Introduces New Lowe’s Digital Home Platform, Giving its Loyalty Members Personalized Home Maintenance Support
MyLowe’s Rewards members can access free, personalized information about products in their homes, including warranties and manuals, maintenance suggestions and how-to content, recommended subscriptions and replacement parts from the palm of their hand.Instacart Storefront Pro Empowers Grocers to Optimize Online Sales
Sprouts, Harmons, The Save Mart Companies and Rosauers are enhancing their digital presence with Instacart Storefront Pro. Storefront Pro, an advanced e-commerce solution custom-designed for grocers of all sizes, offers premium features and extensive customization options to grow retailers’ online businesses.Cupshe Unveils First Co-Designed Apparel Line with Television Personality JoJo Fletcher
The collection features 23 holiday-ready looks, available in sizes XS to XL, with prices ranging from $23.99 to $99.99.Little Caesars® Launches in Cambodia with a Slice of Excitement at Phnom Penh Grand Opening on November 10
Little Caesars entry into Cambodia, led by local franchise partner Neak Oknha Rithy Sear of Worldbridge Group, marks the brand’s 29th country of operation. The restaurant’s debut on Koh Pich is just the beginning, with a second location already planned for early 2025.Cheez-It® Debuts Cheez Wheelz Food Truck at College Football Tailgates, Serving Fan-Favorite Game Day Eats With an Absurdly Cheezy Twist
Fans can tackle their appetites, enjoy classic tailgate games and gear up with Cheez-It football merch, so they’re “Feelin’ the Cheeziest” from kickoff to the final whistle.Zenni Optical Introduces Zunnies: Active Eyewear Offering Zero-Bounce, Custom RX and non-RX Sunglasses
Available online starting November 4, the running collection of active sunglasses combines premium features with competitive pricing, making them the perfect fit for any face, pace, or place.Nescafé Fusion enables food service providers to deliver personalized coffee experiences
“As the demand for cold beverages increases, particularly among younger generations, our food service providers need to adapt and cater to this trend by offering a versatile menu of both hot and iced beverages,” said Reinhold Jakobi, Global Head of Nestlé Professional.

For more news like this, check out all of the latest retail-related releases from PR Newswire.

Do you have a retail press release to distribute? Sign up with PR Newswire to share your story with the audiences who matter most.

Helping Journalists Stay Up to Date on Industry News

These are just a few of the recent press releases that consumers and the media should know about. To be notified of releases relevant to their coverage area, journalists can set up a custom newsfeed with PR Newswire for Journalists.

Once they’re signed up, reporters, bloggers, and freelancers have access to the following free features:

Customization: Users can create customized newsfeeds that will deliver relevant news right to their inbox. Newsfeed results can be targeted by keywords, industry, subject, geography, and more.Photos and Videos: Thousands of multimedia assets are available to download and include in a journalist or blogger’s next story.Subject Matter Experts: Journalists will have access to ProfNet, a database of industry experts to connect with as sources or for quotes in their articles.Related Resources: Our journalist- and blogger-focused blog, Beyond Bylines, features regular media news roundups, writing tips, upcoming events, and more.

About PR Newswire

PR Newswire is the industry’s leading press release distribution partner with an unparalleled global reach of more than 440,000 newsrooms, websites, direct feeds, journalists and influencers and is available in more than 170 countries and 40 languages. From our award-winning Content Services offerings, integrated media newsroom and microsite products, Investor Relations suite of services, paid placement and social sharing tools, PR Newswire has a comprehensive catalog of solutions to solve the modern-day challenges PR and communications teams face. For 70 years, PR Newswire has been the preferred destination for brands to share their most important news stories across the world.

For questions, contact the team at media.relations@cision.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-week-in-consumer-news-13-stories-you-need-to-see-302299486.html

SOURCE PR Newswire

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How a Unified Monetization Solution Is Driving eCPM and Revenue Growth for Casual Games Worldwide

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SINGAPORE, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Casual, hyper-casual, and hybrid-casual games have become dominant categories in the global mobile market, making in-app advertising (IAA) a key driver of monetization success. However, many developers continue to face major challenges, including unstable fill rates, fluctuating eCPMs, difficulties balancing multiple regional markets, and the ongoing tradeoff between user experience and revenue growth.

To address these issues, zMaticoo has compiled a series of monetization case studies from leading game publishers and studios across China, Vietnam, Europe, and North America. These teams span hyper-casual, puzzle, board, card, and light-casual game categories, with DAUs ranging from millions to tens of millions. By adopting the same monetization framework, they achieved simultaneous growth in fill rate, eCPM, and ad revenue while maintaining stable user experience.

A common challenge among these teams was the shrinking monetization margin across global markets, creating an urgent need for sustainable revenue growth. At the same time, developers were cautious about over-monetization negatively impacting retention and player engagement.

To solve these challenges, zMaticoo introduced an AI-driven monetization system with full-funnel optimization capabilities. The platform connects developers directly to premium global advertiser budgets across both performance and brand advertising. AI models identify high-value traffic in real time based on region, audience, and usage scenarios, prioritizing high-eCPM demand sources. Separate bidding strategies are applied for mature and emerging markets to avoid revenue loss caused by one-size-fits-all pricing models.

The platform also provides refined ad format optimization:

Banner Ads: optimized display share and loading timing to improve SOV and stabilize eCPM;Interstitial Ads: precisely triggered during high-value moments such as level completion or pause screens, with especially strong premiums in emerging markets;Rewarded Video: deeply integrated into gameplay loops, delivering high user acceptance and conversion performance.

On the technical side, zMaticoo optimized SDK infrastructure to improve fill stability under weak network conditions. Ad loading time was reduced from five seconds to under two seconds through a rebuilt loading architecture. Progressive asset loading further minimized timeout-related drop-offs. AI-powered ad templates dynamically generated personalized creatives, improving both CTR and conversion performance.

The zMaticoo team also provides one-stop operational and analytics support. Developers can monitor fill rate, impressions, eCPM, and revenue through a unified dashboard, while dedicated optimization specialists provide 7×12 support for A/B testing, strategy iteration, and scaling guidance. The platform is deeply integrated with major mediation solutions, enabling one-time integration and multi-scenario deployment while reducing development and maintenance costs.

According to zMaticoo platform data:

In mature markets including the United States, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, banner eCPMs increased by 5%–10%, while interstitial premiums improved by over 5%;In emerging markets such as Brazil, Mexico, and Southeast Asia, interstitial eCPMs increased by more than 10%.

The monetization framework has demonstrated effectiveness across hyper-casual, puzzle, board/card, and utility app categories, supporting both rapid scale-up and long-term monetization stability.

Partner feedback includes:

“We are highly satisfied with the revenue uplift after integration. Our core products’ banner performance now ranks among the top tier.””Revenue recovered significantly after A/B testing, and we are expanding testing across more products.””One solution now supports multiple global markets without requiring separate monetization strategies for each region.””Interstitial monetization performance has been especially strong, with SOV reaching 10%–20% for several partners.”

zMaticoo believes successful monetization today is not about stacking more ad platforms, but about leveraging AI, technology, and refined operations to unlock long-term traffic value. Whether for hyper-casual publishers, puzzle game studios, or global mobile app companies, this AI-powered monetization framework is designed to deliver sustainable revenue growth while preserving user experience.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/how-a-unified-monetization-solution-is-driving-ecpm-and-revenue-growth-for-casual-games-worldwide-302767432.html

SOURCE zMaticoo

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Fox ESS Celebrates Strong Momentum with Integrated Solar Storage & Charging Solutions at Smart Energy 2026

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SYDNEY, May 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fox ESS, a global leader in renewable energy solutions, attended Smart Energy 2026 during 6-7 May as a platinum sponsor. At the event, Fox ESS showcased its next-generation approach to solar storage and EV charging solution, delivering a seamless, future-ready energy experience for homeowners and installers across Australia.

Integrated Solutions Tailored for Aussie Homes

At Smart Energy 2026, Fox ESS highlighted its storage-to-charging solution, designed to make everyday energy use more convenient for local residents. With performance-led products and proven market traction, Fox ESS is set to play its part in building a more resilient energy future for Australia.

Battery Systems

Fox ESS continues to build momentum in the battery market. Sunwiz, an Australian solar consultancy, recently reported that Fox ESS ranked No.1 in March for installation capacity. And the company also revealed it has installed more than 25,000 systems in April. During the exhibition, Sunwiz presented Fox ESS with an award, recognising the company as Top Solar Company for Fastest Growing Battery.

CQ7 V6+ High Voltage Battery (42kWh and above)
Building on Fox ESS’ proven strengths, compact design and high capacity, CQ7 V6+ is well suited to medium-sized households and ensure the free use of electricity and maximize the self-consumption.EQ4800 High Voltage Battery (28kWh)
A reliable choice for smaller households, designed for efficient day-to-day energy storage.

Alongside its battery range, Fox ESS showcased all-in-one systems, including Stackable AIO and EVO, designed to simplify installation while maintaining a high standard of design and presentation.

Inverters

Fox ESS offers a range of inverters to suit local requirements, supported by up to 200% PV oversizing and a 10-year product warranty.

Single-phase: H1‑G2 (3–6kW); KH series (7–10.5kW)Three-phase: H3 Smart (5–15kW); H3 Pro (15–29.9kW); H3 Plus (50–125kW)

EV Chargers

With EV adoption accelerating, Fox ESS also offers EV charging solutions with solar linkage, designed to work across its inverter portfolio. The chargers provide robust, smart energy management, including dynamic load balancing to help protect home circuits.

A Series (7.3kW / 11kW / 22kW): IP65 and IK08 protection, OCPP-compliant.L Series (7.3kW / 11kW): straightforward installation with multiple colour options.

Big Battery Still Takes Centre Stage

As the Cheaper Home Battery Program moves into a new phase under an updated rebate policy, interest in larger battery systems continues to grow, particularly as more households consider EV upgrades amid rising fuel costs. More EVs typically mean households need greater energy availability, making higher-capacity storage an increasingly attractive option.

Looking ahead, from 1 July 2026, the Australian Government’s Solar Sharer Offer (SSO) will provide eligible households with three hours of free daily electricity to align with peak solar generation. Households with larger batteries will be well placed to make the most of this opportunity.

Fox ESS is also working with local VPP partners, including Amber Electric and Origin Loop VPP, helping homeowners unlock maximum value while supporting greater grid stability.

Maimai Comes Alive at the Exhibition

Visitors to the Fox ESS stand experienced a full programme of brand activations across the event. Following the online announcement, Sydney served as Maimai’s first physical stop, bringing the community together for face-to-face engagement. Attendees queued to take photos with the brand’s friendly and recognisable mascot.

Long-Term Commitment to Australia

Fox ESS has opened two local offices in Melbourne and Sydney, with more than 30 dedicated specialists supporting local customer needs. The company is also looking to play a wider role in Australia’s energy transition.

Notably, Ian Thorpe made his first in-person appearance at Fox Night, where he presented partners with awards. At the event party, Fox ESS also hosted a battery installation challenge, featuring eight rounds of competition, with the final winners receiving a range of prizes.

“We’re delighted to see such a strong result following the rollout of local policy. With nearly 400,000 Australian households now installing batteries, Fox ESS has played a key role, but this is only the beginning. We’re committed to keeping momentum and helping make a smarter, more reliable energy future a reality for more homes.” said Brooks Richard Geng, APAC & Middle East Managing Director, Fox ESS.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/fox-ess-celebrates-strong-momentum-with-integrated-solar-storage–charging-solutions-at-smart-energy-2026-302767429.html

SOURCE Fox ESS

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TELUS announces election of directors

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VANCOUVER, BC, May 8, 2026 /CNW/ – TELUS Corporation (TELUS) (TSX: T) (NYSE: TU) announced today that the nominees listed in TELUS’ 2026 information circular were elected as directors of TELUS. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors held at TELUS’ annual meeting on May 8, 2026 (the Meeting) are set out below.

Each of the following 14 nominees proposed by management was elected as a director of TELUS:

Nominee

Votes For  

% Votes For  

Votes Withheld  

% Votes Withheld 

Raymond T. Chan

592,322,965

97.91

12,667,245

2.09

Hazel Claxton

599,400,953

99.08

5,589,256

0.92

Lisa De Wilde

583,361,107

96.42

21,629,103

3.58

Victor Dodig

593,352,117

98.08

11,638,092

1.92

Darren Entwistle

586,791,970

96.99

18,198,239

3.01

Thomas Flynn

596,684,564

98.63

8,305,646

1.37

Mary Jo Haddad

577,841,419

95.51

27,148,791

4.49

Martha Hall Findlay     

595,075,545

98.36

9,914,665

1.64

Christine Magee

597,282,615

98.73

7,707,595

1.27

John Manley

579,845,538

95.84

25,144,672

4.16

David Mowat

592,867,380

98.00

12,122,830

2.00

Marc Parent

577,961,748

95.53

27,028,461

4.47

Denise Pickett

596,211,746

98.55

8,778,464

1.45

W. Sean Willy

595,898,668

98.50

9,091,541

1.50

Final voting results on all matters voted on at the Meeting will be published shortly on telus.com/agm, and filed with the Canadian and U.S. securities regulators.

About TELUS

TELUS (TSX: T, NYSE: TU) is a world-leading communications technology company operating in more than 45 countries and generating over $20 billion in annual revenue with more than 21 million customer connections through our advanced suite of broadband services for consumers, businesses and the public sector. We are committed to leveraging our technology to enable remarkable human outcomes. TELUS is passionate about putting our customers and communities first, leading the way globally in client service excellence and social capitalism. TELUS Health is enhancing approximately 170 million lives across 200 countries and territories through innovative preventive medicine and well-being technologies. TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods utilizes digital technologies and data insights to optimize the connection between producers and consumers. TELUS Digital specializes in digital customer experiences and future-focused digital transformations that deliver value for their global clients. Guided by our enduring ‘give where we live’ philosophy, TELUS continues to invest in initiatives that support education, health and community well-being. In 2023, we launched the TELUS Student Bursary, which strives to ensure that every young person in Canada who wants a postsecondary education has the opportunity to pursue one. To date, the program has distributed over $6 million in bursaries to 2,000 students and counting. Since 2000, TELUS, our team members and retirees have contributed $1.85 billion in cash, in-kind contributions, time and programs, including 2.5 million days of service–earning TELUS the distinction of the world’s most giving company.

For more information, visit telus.com or follow @Darren_Entwistle on Instagram.

For more information, please contact:

Jacinthe Beaulieu
TELUS Media Relations
Jacinthe.Beaulieu@telus.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/telus-announces-election-of-directors-302767404.html

SOURCE TELUS Communications Inc.

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