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KIRKLAND’S ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF VOTING DEADLINE FOR UPCOMING SPECIAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

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Preliminary Voting Report Shows 94.3% of Votes in Favor of Proposal for Share Issuance to Beyond, Inc.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Kirkland’s, Inc. (Nasdaq: KIRK) (“Kirkland’s” or the “Company”), a specialty retailer of home décor and furnishings, announced its decision to extend the voting deadline for its upcoming special meeting of shareholders originally scheduled for December 23, 2024. The special meeting will be convened as scheduled and adjourned to a later date in order to allow for additional time to satisfy applicable quorum requirements.

Based on the preliminary reports from the votes submitted as of December 19, 2024, approximately 94.3% of votes represented in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting were voted “For” the proposal to approve the issuance of shares of Kirkland’s common stock to Beyond, Inc. in connection with the strategic partnership between the companies and in accordance with applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules, indicating an overwhelming level of support from participating shareholders.  However, at this time, the Company has received proxies representing approximately 37.2% of total shares outstanding as of the record date, less than the majority needed under applicable law and the Company’s bylaws.  

“The strong positive preliminary vote results have confirmed broad shareholder support. We are thankful for our shareholders for their participation in this important process. The approval of the proposal is a key milestone in strengthening our financial position heading into 2025,” commented Amy Sullivan, CEO of Kirkland’s. “Our teams remain committed to furthering the strategic initiatives at Kirkland’s Home and are continuing to work together with the Beyond team to revitalize the iconic Bed Bath and Beyond brand and build the foundation for its brick-and-mortar strategy. We believe through this partnership we will accelerate our growth trajectory and deliver long-term value to our shareholders. We believe that providing more time for the Company to solicit votes and for additional shareholders to participate, especially as we move past the holidays, will secure a quorum.”  

“We support the decision to extend the voting period to ensure all Kirkland’s shareholders have ample opportunity to participate, particularly given the busy holiday season. With the preliminary voting results thus far, we are extremely confident that shareholders understand the merits of our strategic partnership,” said Marcus Lemonis, Executive Chairman of Beyond, Inc. “We have strong conviction in the management team and look forward to working together towards our common goals including enhancing the Bed Bath and Beyond brand with an omni-channel offering for customers.”

Additional information related to revised deadlines for submission of proxies and timing for the reconvened special meeting will be included in an amended notice of meeting and supplemental proxy materials that will be mailed to Kirkland’s stockholders as soon as they are available. The record date for the meeting will continue to be November 5, 2024, and there is no need for shareholders to revote shares if votes have already been cast.

About Kirkland’s, Inc.

Kirkland’s, Inc. is a specialty retailer of home décor and furnishings in the United States, currently operating 326 stores in 35 states as well as an e-commerce website, www.kirklands.com, under the Kirkland’s Home brand. The Company provides its customers an engaging shopping experience characterized by a curated, affordable selection of home décor and furnishings along with inspirational design ideas. This combination of quality and stylish merchandise, value pricing and a stimulating in-store and online environment provides the Company’s customers with a unique brand experience. More information can be found at www.kirklands.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or the Company’s future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “aim,” “believe,” “can,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “potential,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “could,” “would,” “project,” “forecast,” “plan,” “possible,” “intend,” “target,” or the negative of these words or other similar expressions that concern the Company’s expectations, strategy, priorities, plans, or intentions. Forward-looking statements in this communication include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to consummate the Transactions and satisfy applicable closing conditions, including the receipt of its shareholders’ approval of the Nasdaq Proposal. The Company’s expectations and beliefs regarding these matters may not materialize, and actual results in future periods are subject to risks and uncertainties, including changes in the Company’s plans or assumptions, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include the risk of the Company’s shareholders not approving the Transactions, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could result in the Subscription Agreement being terminated or the Transactions not being completed on the terms reflected in the Subscription Agreement, or at all, and uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the Transactions; the ability of each party to consummate the Transactions; risks related to optional conversion of the convertible note under the Beyond Term Loan; risks related to the Collaboration Agreement and the Trademark License Agreement; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Transactions on the Company’s business relationships, operating results and business generally; risks related to the Special Meeting diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the Transactions; potential litigation relating to the Transactions that could be instituted against Beyond, the Company or their affiliates’ respective directors, managers or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; continued availability of capital and financing; the ability to obtain the various synergies envisioned in the Collaboration Agreement; the ability of the Company to successfully open Bed Bath & Beyond stores; the ability of each company to successfully market their products to the other company’s customers and to implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to its business after the completion of the transaction and realize additional opportunities for growth and innovation; and other risks detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2024 and subsequent filings. All information provided in this communication is as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no duty to update this information unless required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessment as of any date subsequent to the date of this communication.

Additional Information and Where to Find it

In connection with the Special Meeting to approve the Nasdaq Proposal, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A with the SEC on November 8, 2024. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION, COMPANY SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS, THAT ARE FILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. The definitive proxy statement was mailed or made available to shareholders of the Company on or about November 8, 2024. Shareholders will be able to obtain the documents (when they become available) free of charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. In addition, shareholders may obtain free copies of the documents (when they become available) on the Company’s website, https://ir.kirklands.com/or by contacting Investor Relations by mail at Attn: Investor Relations, 5310 Maryland Way, Brentwood, TN 37027.

Participants in the Solicitation

The Company and certain of its directors, executive officers and other employees, under the SEC’s rules, may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of the Company’s shareholders in connection with the Special Meeting to approve the Nasdaq Proposal. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the Transactions and their respective direct and indirect interests in the Transactions, by security holdings or otherwise, will be if any, is included in the definitive proxy statement and other materials to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Transactions (if and when they become available). Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

Contact:                   

Kirkland’s Home                               

ICR

Mike Madden                                 

Caitlin Churchill

1-615-872-4800                             

KIRK@icrinc.com 

1-203-682-8200

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SOURCE Kirkland’s, Inc.

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Agoda Partners with Marina Bay Sands on Bespoke Flagship Store for Experience-Led Travel

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The custom digital storefront brings together Marina Bay Sands’ rooms, suites and resort experiences, expanding visibility across Agoda’s booking journey

SINGAPORE, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has partnered with Singapore’s landmark integrated resort, Marina Bay Sands to unveil a bespoke Marina Bay Sands Flagship Store on the Agoda platform. The customized luxury digital storefront brings together Marina Bay Sands’ rooms, suites, and select resort experiences, allowing travelers to explore and book them seamlessly in one place.

As the first custom flagship store dedicated to a single property, the storefront features rooms and suites from Marina Bay Sands’ Paiza Collection and Sands Collection, alongside select in-resort experiences. Through rich visual storytelling and editorial content, travelers can explore how the resort’s accommodation and wider dining, entertainment and cultural offerings can complement their stay.

Available in multiple languages including Japanese and Korean, the Flagship Store is designed to engage travelers across Asia Pacific and support them throughout their journey from discovery to booking.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda remarked, “Marina Bay Sands and Agoda’s collaboration offers travelers a richer travel perspective through seamless planning. Travelers often start with the experience they might have first seen on social media, whether that is a restaurant, a theatre show, or a cultural activity and then look for the stay that brings the trip together. Reducing friction in travel planning encourages more travel and helps position our partners’ at pivotal moments that influence booking decisions.”

A new generation of high-intent travelers are increasingly influencing luxury travel, with customized and personalized vacations accounting for over a third of global luxury travel spend, as reported by Strategic Market Research. Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report points to a similar pattern emerging across Asia, where surveyed travelers are increasingly planning trips around the experiences they want to have, including culinary experiences at 31%, followed by cultural exploration at 25%.

The Agoda Flagship Store is a multichannel marketing solution that enables hospitality brands to tell their stories, foster customer loyalty and support revenue growth. Through its dedicated storefront, Marina Bay Sands will gain a targeted presence from the early stages of travel discovery and consideration. Agoda supports the initiative with homepage visibility and branded search placements through its Connected Ecosystem feature, which allows seamless store entry throughout the traveler journey – from discovery to booking.

Travelers can explore the Marina Bay Sands Flagship Store on Agoda here.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/agoda-partners-with-marina-bay-sands-on-bespoke-flagship-store-for-experience-led-travel-302887578.html

SOURCE Agoda

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Unprecedented Fish Sound Recordings Presented to the Library of Congress at Voices of the Ocean’s Convening to Inspire Ocean Regeneration

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On October 6, 2026, Wave and Conservation Nation convened over 300 ocean leaders, scientists, innovators, conservationists and ocean-lovers at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., for Voices of the Ocean—an immersive evening celebrating the discoveries, ideas and people shaping the future of our ocean.

The evening included an unprecedented moment when FishEye Collaborative presented a collection of fish sounds from Hawai’i’s coral reefs to the Library of Congress. The recordings represent the largest publicly accessible natural sound collection of fish species from the United States and from across the Pacific Ocean, to join the Library’s historic inclusion of the original “Songs of the Humpback Whale” recordings.

Opening the evening via video-link, Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Founder of Wave, said: “It is especially meaningful that we have gathered here to celebrate those who are dedicating their lives to understanding and protecting our ocean, and to amplify the ideas, discoveries and solutions that can help secure a healthy, thriving ocean for generations to come.”

Doro Bush Koch, Co-founder of Conservation Nation, said: “What brought us together tonight is a shared love of the ocean and a belief that we can do something meaningful to protect it.”

In the historic Coolidge Auditorium, the program featured guests from the depths of the ocean to the frontiers of marine science and innovation. Dr. Sylvia A. Earle, esteemed marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer and founder of Mission Blue, spoke about the power of exploration, conservation and collective action.

Wave Chief Scientist Professor Carlos Duarte explored the ocean’s next frontier, examining how marine life is unlocking new possibilities for medicine and human health. Peabody Awardwinning science journalist Lulu Miller shared the remarkable story of a whale calf birth, accompanied by footage revealing the extraordinary communal behaviors of marine life.

Internationally bestselling author Sy Montgomery invited guests to see the ocean through a different lens, bringing the character, intelligence and spirit of marine animals to life.

The evening opened with a cinematic celebration of the ocean, featuring extraordinary footage by ocean filmmaker Matthew David Kaplan set to an original score by Alex Lustig. The program culminated in an immersive cinematic journey created by the next generation of ocean storytellers—filmmakers, photographers and marine biologists—accompanied by a live orchestra performance.

From Ocean Ideas to Ocean Innovation
The evening continued in the Library of Congress’ Great Hall, where guests met the founders behind a new generation of ocean solutions.

Among them were Coastal Assembly, a public benefit corporation working to grow the world’s coastlines; Coral Vita, pioneering new approaches to coral restoration; FishEye Collaborative, a conservation technology nonprofit using acoustic monitoring to help protect coral reefs and nearshore habitats; GRoW Reefs, developing reef-building products designed to accelerate native oyster reef restoration; and Room 71, an innovation studio at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution focused on advancing solutions emerging from ocean science and exploration.

Giving the Ocean a Voice
In the Great Hall, the presentation of fish sounds to the Library included new discoveries for these species. These recordings stand at the frontier of listening to animals and represent a mere glimpse of the myriad voices still to be discovered in the world’s oceans. In 2010, the Library of Congress honored the 1970 “Songs of the Humpback Whale,” recording that changed how Americans see the ocean. Today, by adding the first fish sounds to the Library’s archives, the hope is that ocean voices will be valued, kept safe, and available to the world for study and wonder.

Voices of the Ocean brought together many perspectives, disciplines and generations around one shared message: the ocean’s future depends on our ability to listen, learn, collaborate and act.

About Wave
Founded by HRH Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, Wave is a Collective Action Platform dedicated to restoring a thriving ocean by 2050. Powered by the Future Investment Initiative Institute and in partnership with the Ministry of Energy, Wave strives towards the ambitious yet attainable goal of Ocean Regeneration within a Human Generation.

For more information, visit thewave.global

About Conservation Nation
Conservation Nation is a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the conservation movement by funding and supporting a diverse group of conservationists from all communities while educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders. Through free, in-school STEM education programs, Conservation Nation connects students with diverse role models, builds confidence and belonging in nature, and sparks interest in conservation careers. Their grants, fellowships, and capacity-building initiatives equip conservationists around the world with the resources they need to protect endangered species and ecosystems, and to create a more inclusive and effective movement for the future. For more information, visit conservationnation.org

About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

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SOURCE Conservation Nation

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AI’s Next Infrastructure Challenge Is Power: DIGITIMES Examines the Shift Toward 800VDC Data Centers

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TAIPEI, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As AI computing continues to scale, the infrastructure challenge is moving beyond processors. Rising rack-level power requirements are forcing data center operators, server makers, and semiconductor suppliers to rethink how electricity is delivered from the grid all the way to AI compute systems.

A new report from DIGITIMES Intelligence, “AI Data Center 800VDC Power Architecture Takes Shape; Future Hurdles Require Balancing Multiple Key Factors,” examines how the emerging 800VDC architecture could reshape power delivery across next-generation AI data centers—and how the transition is creating new strategic questions for the semiconductor and infrastructure ecosystem.

Power Is Becoming Part of the AI Performance Equation. As AI systems become increasingly compute-intensive, power delivery is becoming a system-level design issue rather than simply a facility consideration. Higher-density AI racks require the industry to reconsider conversion efficiency, power density, system footprint, thermal management, and the overall path electricity takes before reaching GPUs and other accelerators.

DIGITIMES observes that the industry’s transition toward higher-voltage DC architectures is accelerating changes across the power-delivery chain. The implications extend beyond data center design to power semiconductors, server systems, power conversion equipment, and the broader AI infrastructure supply chain.

800VDC Is Creating a New Power Semiconductor Battleground. The transition is also changing the role of power semiconductor technologies. Rather than pointing to a single winning technology, DIGITIMES’ analysis shows that different device architectures are finding distinct roles across the AI power-delivery chain, depending on voltage, switching frequency, power density, efficiency, and system requirements.

This makes the evolution of GaN and SiC particularly important to watch. As AI server power architectures evolve, their respective technical characteristics are influencing how semiconductor suppliers position products across different stages of the power system.

Competition Will Extend Beyond Device Performance. As the architecture matures, DIGITIMES expects competition to extend beyond individual device specifications. The ability to work with server OEMs and ODMs, participate in system-level design, maintain supply stability, and respond quickly to rapidly changing AI platform requirements will become increasingly important.

A Supply Chain Shift Worth Watching, for data center operators, server manufacturers, power semiconductor suppliers, and investors tracking AI infrastructure, the shift toward 800VDC is more than a change in voltage. It represents a broader redesign of how power moves through AI infrastructure—and potentially a redistribution of value across the supply chain.

The DIGITIMES Intelligence report provides an in-depth examination of the evolving 800VDC architecture, the roles of key power semiconductor technologies, emerging vendor strategies, and the competitive factors that could shape the next stage of AI data center infrastructure.

Read the full report:

DIGITIMES Intelligence 800VDC Report
https://dgt.ms/report800VDC_prnewswire

About DIGITIMES

DIGITIMES is a Decision Intelligence platform rooted in the global technology industry, providing first-hand industry intelligence, forward-looking research, and AI-driven analysis to help decision-makers navigate change and formulate strategies. Through its Intelligence, Research, and enterprise services, DIGITIMES connects technology trends with the supply chains and companies shaping the industry’s next moves.

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SOURCE DIGITIMES

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