Company sees 42% subscription revenue growth in 2023 and the end of the year realizing the 66th quarter of consecutive ARR growth

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RELEX Closes 2023 with Record Customer Growth

RELEX Solutions announced closing 2023 with remarkable growth across annual recurring revenue (ARR), customer net promoter score (NPS) satisfaction, and new customer signings. Overall, RELEX saw 42% year-over-year growth of reported subscription revenue in 2023, and in Q4 2023 realized its 66th quarter of consecutive ARR growth. This growth is attributed to new and expanded customer signings across the globe, as a variety of retailers and consumer goods companies recognize the deep value inherent in the company’s supply chain and retail planning solutions. RELEX delivers quick time to value, and has a flawless track record of successful implementations in the company’s decade-plus history.

“The bedrock of our customer promise lies in delivering measurable, impactful results, very quickly. We stand by the premise of ‘doing what we say we’re going to do’ which not only instills trust, but confidence,” said Mikko Kärkkäinen, group CEO and co-founder, RELEX Solutions. “I’m very proud of our growth this year, which is directly attributed to the lasting relationships we form with customers from day one.”

In 2023, RELEX closed nearly 200 customer deals, of which 73 were net-new customers. Some of the new customers RELEX signed in 2023 included A.F. Blakemore & Son, bp, Casey’s, Fressnapf, Koala Furniture, Obramax, OXXO, PriceSmart, United Natural Foods, US Foods® CHEF’STORE™ and 7-Eleven Australia. RELEX also saw a 31% increase in customers that chose to expand their business with RELEX to capture additional business value in 2023, which speaks to the measurable results and value customers gain working with RELEX, as evidenced by a company-high NPS rating of 61 globally. The average NPS score for a SaaS company is 41; RELEX consistently scores well above the industry average each quarter.

With the recent acquisition of Optimity, RELEX also welcomes 80+ customers across highly complex manufacturing and food and beverage industries including Blendwell, Bubbies Ice Cream, Vita Coco, and Finsbury. These customers join the roster of consumer goods companies at RELEX including Altia, Angulas Aguinaga, Atria, Hennig-Olsen, Maag Group, and Saarioinen, among others. Across retail, wholesale distribution, and manufacturing, RELEX currently has a portfolio of over 500 happy customers.

The Seeds of Success: The Story of Summer’s Blossom Garden

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It’s easy to fall in love with the dream of owning a flower shop. Just the thought of running a charming little store with bright and perfectly arranged blooms to brighten your work days is a romantic and picturesque notion.

But realistically, running a flower shop isn’t a decision to be taken lightly. The fragility of the merchandise, the need for constant freshness, and fluctuations in seasonal demand are just a few of the challenges florists face. And that’s when you’re running a brick-and-mortar store. One can only imagine the kind of logistical nightmare an entrepreneur might face when they decide to take the physical flower shop and run it entirely online.

The Vision Behind Summer’s Blossom Garden

Today, Summer’s Blossom Garden is a thriving business, best known for its beautiful orchids and for making them conveniently accessible online. But reaching this point was no small feat; it was a journey marked by resilience, strategic decisions, and a partnership that fortified the foundation of this venture.

Sheila and Crisanto Abasola, founders of Summer’s Blossom Garden

Sheila Mae Abasola, the entrepreneur behind this brand, has always been drawn to the delicate beauty of orchids. Her goal was clear: to share her love for these blooms with others. What began as a modest setup during the pandemic quickly grew into a booming online store.

The Challenges and a Guiding Hand

Running an online flower shop comes with a unique set of challenges. Concerns over maintaining the quality of blooms during transit, ensuring timely deliveries, and managing customer expectations are all magnified when operating digitally.

Sheila navigated these challenges well enough, but it was through the support of her partner, Crisanto Abasola Jr., that she was able to reach new heights in her online business. Crisanto, often working behind the scenes, became the unsung hero of Summer’s Blossom Garden, resolving many of the logistical complexities that come with running an online flower shop. His keen sense of timing, understanding of careful packaging, and route optimization were as essential as the blooms themselves. Without fanfare, Crisanto's contributions enabled Sheila to focus on the quality and artistry of her orchids, knowing the logistics side of the business was in capable hands.

The Game-Changer

Sheila and Crisanto's commitment to their budding flower business was unwavering, but they knew they needed a catalyst to truly elevate their operational capabilities.

The partnership with LBC was that turning point.

LBC's professional handling and express delivery options mean that even the most delicate blooms arrived in pristine condition, enhancing the customer's unboxing experience.

With LBC's robust logistics and reliable pickup services, Summer’s Blossom Garden could now ensure the safe and timely delivery of their orchids, vastly improving their reach and customer satisfaction. This partnership included a suite of advanced tracking and shipping options, ensuring that each delivery could be monitored from the moment it left the greenhouse until it arrived at the customer's doorstep. LBC's professional handling and express delivery options meant that even the most delicate blooms arrived in pristine condition, enhancing the customer's unboxing experience.

Furthermore, LBC's scalable solutions meant that as Summer’s Blossom Garden's demand grew, their logistics could seamlessly expand with them, allowing for an increase in order volume without compromising on the quality of service. The flexibility and reliability of LBC's services allowed Sheila and Crisanto to innovate and expand their product offerings, secure in the knowledge that their logistics backbone was strong and capable of supporting their creative aspirations and business growth.

Let LBC Propel Your Business Further. Find out how your business can achieve success with the help of LBC. Sign up now!

For more information, visit https://www.lbcexpress.com/article/the-story-of-summers-blossom-garden

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LBC is the Philippines’ market leader in retail and corporate courier & cargo, money remittance, and logistics services. With a growing network of over 1,600 branches in the Philippines, over 200 hubs & warehouses, and thousands of partners, and agents in over 30 countries, LBC is committed to moving lives, businesses, and communities and delivering smiles around the world, even during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange through LBC Express Holdings, Inc., LBC aims to deliver value to all of its stakeholders, as it has for over 70 years. Founded in 1945 as a brokerage and air cargo agent, LBC pioneered time-sensitive cargo delivery and 24-hour door-to-door delivery in the Philippines. Today, it is the most trusted logistics brand of the Global Filipino. LBC can move it for you: download the LBC App, visit www.LBCexpress.com, or call telephone +632 8585 999 (Metro Manila), 1 800 10 8585 999 (Provincial), +632 9086 522 (Solutions) and follow LBCExpress (Facebook and X). For corporate information, visit www.LBCExpressHoldings.com

Join the CHERRY Kara-ok Singing Battle and Win the CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Dynamic plus more exciting prizes!

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CHERRY has recently unveiled its new Karaoke Lineup and announced an exciting Kara-ok Singing Battle at select CHERRY concept stores located at SM Fairview, SM Bacoor, SM Southmall, and Robinsons Manila.

The first round is running from January 29, 2024, to February 11, 2024. Fourteen (14) winners will be chosen to win the CHERRY Karaoke Duet Medley and they will move forward for the final round on February 14, 2024, to February 21, 2024.

Three (3) winners will be chosen on the final round. The Second Runner-up will receive CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Rhythm and two thousand pesos, while the First Runner-up will get CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Dynamic and three thousand pesos. Lastly, for the Grand Winner, the CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Dynamic and five thousand pesos is yours.

Aspiring singers from all walks of life are invited to participate. Using the CHERRY Wireless Karaoke Rhythm, the participants must sing one (1) Filipino or foreign song with no profanity. In addition, each performance will be judged based on their voice quality, mastery, confidence, and overall performance.

So, get ready to hit those high notes and make your mark as the CHERRY Kara-ok Singing Battle Grand Winner.

Follow @cherryphofficial on Instagram and Cherry Philippines on Facebook for more exciting announcements.

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Cosmic Technologies Incorporated is a Philippine-based company that carries the brand CHERRY which offers a comprehensive selection of products from Internet of Things (IoT), home, personal and wellness essentials, pet needs, travel necessities to mobile phones. Since 2009, CHERRY continues to build an equilibrium to create one ecosystem.

Samsung Philippines joins the ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR ‘FATE’ IN NEW CLARK CITY with the Galaxy S24 series

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Get the chance to win autographed ENHYPEN shirts through exciting giveaways!

Calling all ENGENEs! Make your ENHYPEN World Tour experience truly epic as Samsung Philippines is partnering with global K-pop powerhouse ENHYPEN for its latest Galaxy S24 series.

This collaboration marks the phenomenal synergy of Samsung and the Hallyu wave, bringing to life the company’s vision to be the ultimate partner of K-pop stans all over the country. From today's chart-toppers to tomorrow's rising stars, Samsung keeps the K-pop vibe alive and fuels the global fandom with the hottest artists, cutting-edge mobile experiences and exclusive events and promos that allow you to express your love for your K-pop idols and connect with fellow fans.

As the exclusive partner of the ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR ‘FATE’ IN NEW CLARK CITY on February 3, Samsung Philippines is letting ENGENEs in on the epicness with fresh concert content shot on location #withGalaxy, and an exciting booth activation on the concert grounds. Be sure to stay tuned to the Samsung PH social channels for more information.

ENGENEs in the Philippines are also in luck as Samsung is giving epic chances to win autographed ENHYPEN shirts with these exciting contests.

First, keep your eyes peeled for Samsung PH’s social media giveaway post on X and Facebook and comment using the hashtags #SamsungPHxENHYPEN, #GalaxyxENHYPEN, and #GalaxyS24 until February 3, 2024, for a chance to be one of five winners.

Alternatively, you can pre-order any of the Galaxy S24 series at the Galaxy AI Pop-up Store at C1 Park, Bonifacio High Street, Bonifacio Global City from January 31 to February 6. Be sure to post a photo at the event with the hashtags #SamsungPHxENHYPEN, #GalaxyxENHYPEN, and #GalaxyS24 to get a shot at the raffle draw. 15 lucky winners will be chosen.

Galaxy S24 Series: The Ultimate Concert Phone

With the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung is setting the stage for a whole new concert experience with the ultimate concert phone, which features AI capabilities that allow you to capture and relive your epic Kpop experiences.

Anywhere on the concert grounds is a perfect view with Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Quad Tele System, with a new 5x optical zoom lens, which works with the 50MP sensor to enable optical-quality performance at zoom levels from 2x, 3x, 5x to 10x magnification thanks to Adaptive Pixel Sensor. Images also show crystal clear results at 100x with enhanced digital zoom.

Low light in stadiums? Not a problem! With upgraded Nightography capabilities, photos and videos shot on Galaxy S24 Space Zoom are brilliant in any condition, even when zoomed in. Capture more light in dim conditions with Galaxy S24 Ultra’s larger pixel size. Blur is reduced on Galaxy S24 Ultra with wider optical image stabilizer (OIS) angles and enhanced hand-shake compensation.

Fancams are more epic just like that as both front and rear cameras are equipped with Dedicated ISP Block for noise reduction, and Galaxy S24 analyzes gyro information to distinguish between the filmer’s movement and the subject’s. This allows more effective noise removal and clear videos in the dark, even from far away.

After capturing great shots of your idols, innovative Galaxy AI editing tools even enable simple edits like erase, re-compose, and remaster to make these photos even more memorable. For easier and more efficient optimizations, Edit Suggestion uses Galaxy AI to suggest perfectly suitable tweaks for each photo. Meanwhile Generative Edit can fill in parts of an image background with generative AI. You can also remove objects or people or adjust crooked photos and AI will fill in the borders and missing pixels to perfectly blend the background in its original spot.

The fun doesn’t stop at the end of the night. Relive and replay every moment with visuals that are more vibrant and captivating on the brightest Galaxy display ever. Galaxy S24 reaches 2,600nit peak brightness and delivers improved outdoor visibility with Vision Booster making viewing experience on the Galaxy S24+’s 6.7-inch and Galaxy S24’s 6.2-inch displays even better.

All this in a super stylish package perfect for your concert outfits as the Galaxy S24 series comes in Earth mineral-inspired color tone. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, which comes in Titanium Gray, Titanium Black, Titanium Violet and Titanium Yellow, is also the first-ever Galaxy phone to feature a titanium frame and a significantly thinner body for a more comfortable grip. The Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 have four colors to choose from – Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet and Amber Yellow. All three models will come with additional colors available at the Samsung e-store.

Don't miss this epic chance to experience ENHYPEN in an all-new way with the latest Samsung Galaxy S24 series. Join in on the exciting contests and check out the amazing pre-order offers available for Galaxy S24 and S24+ at https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s24/buy and the Galaxy S24 Ultra at https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-s24-ultra/buy until Feb. 6, 2024.

Stay tuned for more updates by following Samsung’s social media page: www.facebook.com/SamsungPH/.

SEEK, Jobstreet and Jobsdb unify marketplace platforms, transforming job and talent search experience

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SEEK has successfully merged its Asia Pacific (APAC) employment marketplaces – SEEK, Jobstreet and Jobsdb – which will operate under a single platform powered by SEEK’s world-class AI technology, while retaining their individual brands. This integration brings together millions of talents and employers across the APAC region to connect more of the right people with the right work.

SEEK’s unification of its employment marketplaces comes 10 years after it acquired Jobstreet and Jobsdb, following three years of development and an estimated AUD$180 million investment.

“At SEEK, everything we do revolves around our customers. One unified platform means we can now offer our product to millions of people across Asia in an entirely new way, so that our customers can find jobs and talent more easily. This puts us in a stronger position, more than ever before, to realise our ambition of helping 500 million people develop their careers with five million companies in the region,” says Peter Bithos, Chief Executive Officer, Asia, SEEK.

Revolutionizing the job market in the Philippines

Recently, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) announced[1] that the country’s unemployment rate is at 3.6% in November 2023. The unification efforts reinforce Jobstreet by SEEK’s mission of providing jobs to every Filipino with a more seamless and cutting-edge experience for both employers and talent.

“We are excited to facilitate more tailored job matches between employers and talent, powered by SEEK’s AI technology to continue providing jobs to every Filipino. The new Jobstreet by SEEK platform can now seamlessly match them based on specific skills, job roles, and career aspirations is crucial in the Philippines’ highly dynamic and evolving employment landscape,” says Dan Majarocon​, Managing Director, Philippines, Jobstreet by SEEK.

Delivering relevant matches and personalized experiences

The unified marketplace platform brings forth new AI-powered advancements to the Jobstreet and Jobsdb platforms in Asia, aimed at enhancing the employment experience for both employers and job seekers. For employers, the new platform deploys AI models to assess talent suitability and provide highly personalized recommendations by processing data from various sources, including resumes, job ad descriptions and the employer’s past behaviors — making hiring processes faster and more efficient.

To enhance the job-hunting process for talent, the platform now easily matches them to AI-recommended jobs they are most qualified for based on their experience and skills. With the larger dataset acquired across APAC, SEEK’s AI algorithms can provide even more precise and relevant matches between employers and talent. Ultimately, this translates into an elevated user experience and expedites the hiring process on its Jobstreet and Jobsdb platforms.

Enabling customer-centric innovation at pace

In moving to a unified marketplace platform, SEEK can now scale its use of data-driven insight, product testing and innovation at pace.

SEEK has also introduced a new natural language search feature on its Jobstreet platform in the country. This innovation allows talent to submit job queries using simple phrases or complete sentences on the platform, so they do not need to rely solely on keyword phrases (e.g. "Business analyst"). Powered by a large language model (LLM), the feature enables a search experience that is more organic and appealing to jobseekers.

This feature is set to be rolled out across the rest of SEEK's APAC markets in 2024.

To experience the new Jobstreet by SEEK platform, visit jobstreet.com.ph or download the app on Google Play Store or the App Store.