Julián Álvarez picking up the scoring pace with Atletico Madrid
In conclusion, the recent rumors of job cuts at Hisense have been firmly debunked by the company itself. Hisense's proactive response to the speculation sends a clear message of reassurance to its employees and stakeholders, underlining its commitment to maintaining a stable workforce and fostering a positive work environment. As Hisense continues to innovate and expand its presence in the global market, clarity and transparency will remain key principles in addressing and dispelling any unfounded rumors or speculation.Shoppers rush to buy £6 Home Bargains stocking filler that’s just like classic 90s Cadbury toy
ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase Review 2024: Is this silk pillowcase Any Good? 11-21-2024 10:24 PM CET | Fashion, Lifestyle, Trends Press release from: ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase Review 2024: Is this silk pillowcase Any Good? ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase Review 2024: Is this silk pillowcase Any Good? We've heard of pillowcases made of cotton or nylon. And it's pretty easy as well to come by satin-based pillowcases or those whose primary material is linen. Sincerely speaking, however, silver-containing pillowcases could easily be one of the strangest things anyone can think of. While everyone trusts science and its advancements and innovations - as almost everything is obtainable nowadays through science and technology - it still requires an extra step on the path of conviction to fully come to terms with the fact that silver - the metallic silver we all know - could be a pillowcase material or content of any bedding material for that matter. A metal to rest one's head every night? One may wonder. It is easy, in all honesty, to doubt - or at least wonder - the connection silver has with pillowcases given the well-known applications of silver in mirrors and photographic plates for examples. But while we probe into pillowcases to confirm the presence or absence of silver, a more important thing to do is ponder on is why silver could be used in the construction of any bedding accessory in the very first place. The ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase, a silver pillowcase recently introduced into the market, has promised answers to all our questions. Do we need this innovation in our homes? This article, which is a research-based review on ZenFluff silk pillowcase, contains all you need to know. Let's get right into it. ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase Official Website Here: https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE What is a ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase? (ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase review) In contrast to traditional pillowcases made of simple cotton or linen, for instance, the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is a silver-containing high-quality pillowcase made of ultra-soft, long-staple premium Supima cotton. Since its production, it has gained exponential popularity especially in the western world, being extensively sold in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is not your regular type of pillowcase. It stands out and apart from the other pillowcase brands particularly because of the silver content that affords it interesting features. The premium Supima cotton is not left out in the equation as well. The ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase has been said to possess anti-aging properties. This is no way a market hoax. Aging in this situation primarily points to the "sleep wrinkles" and creases commonly noticed among side-sleepers and stomach-sleepers whose faces get smashed against their pillow during deep sleep. The traditional pillowcases do little or nothing to cushion the weight from the head and therefore are passive to aging. Because of the plush soft feel the pillowcase offers, it provides enough responsiveness to limit the development of sleep wrinkles and creases on the face of the sleeper. The ultra-soft cotton of the pillowcase has been been shown to get even softer with each wash, thereby providing a more comfortable sleep. Silver is long known for its antimicrobial properties. It has been shown to put an end to bacteria, fungi and certain viruses. To do this, silver gets transformed into a charged form called silver ion that possess the antimicrobial effect. Silver ions target microorganisms through several different modes of action and destroy them with high efficiency. As a matter of fact, 99.9% reduction in bacterial growth and germs is attributable to the antimicrobial property of silver. Pillows are one of the most widely used bedding accessories. Sometimes you don't necessarily feel sleepy but desire the comfy company of the pillow. As pillows almost always have pillowcases on them, each time we make contact with the pillow, we leave particles - germs, dirt, hair products, makeup, food pieces, etc - on the pillowcase only to have them redecorate our faces when we finally rest our heads on them to sleep. This provides an avenue for allergies and hypersensitivities as well as inflammatory reactions. As a result of the hypoallergenic nature of silver - by way of trapping and holding onto allergens - these particles have a hard time getting to the sleeper and causing problems. Because it is highly breathable - thanks to the masterclass construction of the pillowcase that features silver fibers interwoven with premium Supima cotton - the ZenFluff silk pillowcase offers a significant cooling effect to the sleeper. Air circulation is optimum and a cooling sensation to the skin is the result all through the night. The final texture of the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is one that is not just soft to touch but also smooth. As a result, ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is non-adherent but rather allows for a more gentle brushing which can help reduce dryness and knotting of our hair which is an aesthetic advantage. ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is OEKO-TEX-CERTIFIED. It is therefore safe to use by all persons irrespective of age or gender. Looking for where to purchase ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase? Click here to purchase from the official website https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE Construction of ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is constructed from highly-soft, long-staple supima cotton and silver fibers. Supima cotton is a high-quality type of cotton that is made from Gossypium barbadense . It is considered to be one of the softest and strongest forms of cotton in the world. The cotton material of ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is one that gets even softer with each wash, thereby providing a more comfortable sleep. By being long-staple, as against short-staple, the cotton fibers impart great durability to the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase. Silver is a very malleable and ductile element because of its soft nature and metallic properties. This means that the metal is able to be drawn out into a thin wire, which is essentially what the silver threads are. They are extremely fine silver wires or threads that can be weaved just like any fiber like cotton or polyester. After the silver fibers are drawn out, they are spun and incorporated into the rest of the premium cotton fibers to create the pillowcase. That ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase features an interlacing of silver fibers and premium Supima cotton material throughout is an important pointer to the improved performance of the pillowcase. What are the unique features of ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase - (ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase review) By incorporating silver fibers, a striking difference between the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase and traditional pillowcases is vividly observed. This difference and the presence of the long-staple cotton fibers account for the peculiar features of ZenFluff silk pillowcase and explain why it's taken giant strides since its production. 1. Silver incorporation Silver is a metal that finds applications not primarily in the bedding industry but elsewhere. Silver is used to make jewellery and silver tableware, where appearance is important. Silver is also used to make mirrors, as it is the best reflector of visible light known, although it does tarnish with time. It is then used in dental alloys, solder and brazing alloys, electrical contacts and batteries. Incorporation of silver into pillowcases - and in fact any bedding accessory - has got to be one of the 21st century's rewardable advancements. The silver blends perfectly the cotton in the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase and brings about special attributes to it. First the antimicrobial properties of the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is a result of Silver's natural microbial resistance. Since silver provides a breach between us and these microbes, the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase subtly improves the health of the sleeper by preventing the invasion by the microbes in the first place. Again, because the incorporation of silver into the pillowcase, potential allergens - which could well have resulted from our activities and tossing around the pillow in play - have been reduced from getting to us and causing their notorious reactions. Since dirt and odoriferous particles are trapped as well as a result of the silver incorporation, ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase provides freshness that's three times longer than what obtains in the traditional pillowcases. The incidence of inflammatory reactions is also further reduced. The anti-aging properties of silver are we a result of the cushion it gives the sleeper. This silver does in combo with the cotton. 2. Premium cotton content The success of ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase and its increasing demand is not only because of the silver incorporation. There's an extra man behind the mask: the ultra-soft long-staple premium Supima cotton fibers. Pretty long a name yeah? Some traditional pillowcases are also made of cotton. So cotton is not a new material in the bedding industry unlike silver. The special cotton for ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is derived from the Gossypium barbadense plant. Since the cotton fibers are ultrasoft, they impart to the pillowcase a plush soft feel that's very comfortable to the sleeper. With each wash, as has been reported, the pillowcase gets even softer. What could be better! The long-staple fibers offer more advantage to the pillowcase than short-staple fibers. Because the former are twisted for longer distance without breaks, they transmit tension farther than short fibers. The effect this has on the pillowcase is increased durability. You can wash the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase many times without it getting torn, especially thanks to the long-staple fibers. 3. Smooth surface One special property of the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is the surface architecture. It has a remarkably smooth surface that appeals strongly to sleepers. The importance of the smooth surface of ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is that it allows for a more gentle brushing. This is cool in that it can help reduce dryness and knotted hair strands throughout the night. So you don't have to worry about your hair getting rough after sleep. 4. OEKO-TEX-certification The ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is one of the products certified by the third-party organization that declares products non-hazardous and safe for use. ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase can safely be used by all persons of all ages including kids and infants without any side effects. So whether you're an expectant mother or a nursing mother, the ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase is entirely safe for you and your (unborn) child. 5. Weave construction The ZenFluff silk pillowcase is constructed by weaving silver fibers with ultra-soft long-staple premium Supima cotton. Although the macroscopic view of the pillowcase suggests no breathability, the case is different on a more microscopic base. There exists a mesh-like network formed by the fibers of the pillowcase, leaving tiny spaces between them for air flow. Thus, air circulated freely. This is critical to the breathability of the pillowcase. The ZenFluff silk pillowcase is one of the breathable pillowcases getting more widely known. Looking for where to purchase ZenFluff silk Pillowcase? Click here from the official website https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE What colors of ZenFluff silk pillowcase are available? (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) ZenFluff silk pillowcase comes in 3 different colours from which you can select the one that suits you. The pillowcase comes in the colours of : Stone White Sky blue Whether you want to give your bed attractive appearance or you're worried about the decorations of your room and how well the pillowcase blends with that, the ZenFluff silk pillowcase presents colors that, at least, fairly satisfy those conditions. What are the benefits and performance of the ZenFluff silk pillowcase? (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) ZenFluff silk pillowcase's uniqueness is not for nothing. It is different for a reason - for better actually. There are several benefits of using ZenFluff silk pillowcase which have not been seen in other pillowcase brands (even in the silk brand). It is interesting to know that these benefits which earn the ZenFluff silk pillowcase a high performance rating are a result of the materials used in the construction of the pillowcase - specifically the silver fibers and premium Supima cotton. 1. Cooling sensation Every bedding accessory that has poor performance in temperature control is most likely going to remain in stock. And you know what that means. This is a problem with most mattresses made from memory foam. Memory foam retains heat to substantial levels. However, even with memory form, highly breathable sheets can provide enough offset and afford the sleeper a comfortable sleep. This is the case with the ZenFluff silk pillowcase. Having a mesh-like network of fibers, the ZenFluff silk pillowcase has tiny openings that permit the free circulation of air, thereby making the pillowcase breathable. Hot sleepers need not worry any longer. With a ZenFluff silk pillowcase, they can't be sure of a cool sleep. 2. Antimicrobial effect Silver is a well-known antimicrobial substance which brings about bactericidal effects when ionized (as silver ions). For this reason, silver finds application in Medicine and Health care and in Microbiology. And now, in the luxury industry and silver fibers become incorporated into pillowcases and other bedding accessories. An antimicrobial efficiency of 99.9% has been proven for silver. 3. Hypoallergenic effect Several allergens and particles capable of inducing hypersensitivity reactions come in contact with our pillowcase on a daily basis. Even though these cause unfavourable reactions in us, it is quite ironical that many a time we are the cause of their accumulation on our pillowcase. This is easy to see from our day-to-day activities as we come in our pillowcases. At night, we have a host of allergens that we constantly hug while we sleep. With ZenFluff silk pillowcase, these substances do not find it very easy to get to us thanks to the hypoallergenic effect of the pillowcase. 4. Anti-aging properties ZenFluff silk pillowcase has anti-aging properties. Aging typically presents as "sleep wrinkles" and creases commonly noticed among side-sleepers and stomach-sleepers whose faces get smashed against their pillow during deep sleep. The traditional pillowcases do little or nothing to cushion the weight from the head and therefore are passive to anti-aging. Because of the plush soft feel the pillowcase offers, it provides enough responsiveness to limit the development of sleep wrinkles and creases on the face of the sleeper 5. Durability The ZenFluff silk pillowcase is made of long-staple cotton fibers instead of short ones. It is easy to see why this pillowcase is durable from the understanding of the tension transmitted by long-staple fibers versus that or the short ones. The former are twisted for longer distances without breaks, they transmit tension farther than short fibers. This results in a highly durable ZenFluff silk pillowcase. 6. Freshness A number of reasons account for why the ZenFluff silk pillowcase stays fresh for a longer time than the traditional pillowcases. The antimicrobial properties of pillowcase (courtesy of silver) prevents the growth of microbes whose products of metabolize give a foul smell to the pillowcase. Also, because the ZenFluff silk pillowcase is easy to wash, it is less likely to hold onto odoriferous substances for too long. 7. Safe to use One of the surest things to note about the ZenFluff silk pillowcase is its safety. This is already corroborated by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology which certified Sleepgram to be OEKO-TEX trademark worthy, assigning the fabric standard 100%. Therefore, the product is not injurious to health and can be used by all ages including infants and children and expectant and nursing mothers are not restricted from use either. Looking for where to purchase ZenFluff silk Pillowcase? Click here from the official website https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE How to take good care of pillowcases in general (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) To prevent dirt particles from becoming trapped in the linens of this pillowcase, you must clean it on a regular basis. The following steps will help you keep your ZenFluff Pillowcase in order: Using a mild liquid cleaning agent for cleaning the pillowcase. To avoid color depolarization, wash similar colors together. Use an iron if necessary. Please do not tug on any loose threads; instead, snip them using scissors. If you're using a zippered or hook-based cleaning method, be careful not to harm the material. Conditioners and other powerful cleaning products should be avoided at all costs. Tumble dry on a low setting and immediately remove. NOTE: Cosmetics and skincare products containing benzoyl peroxide, alpha-hydroxy acids, and chlorine bleach can damage this pillow. So, better to avoid it. OEKO-TEX-certification (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) ZenFluff silk pillowcase bears the OEKO-TEX certification trade mark, meaning that the fabric has been tested by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology and found free of harmful chemicals and safe from an ecological perspective. https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE How do sleep wrinkles develop? (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) What causes sleep wrinkles? Facial distortion in sleep has been shown to contribute to the appearance of aging with the development of sleep wrinkles which alone affect aesthetic appearance. An even greater contribution to aging may be due to the effects of sleep distortion on the bioelastic properties of skin. When we rest on our sides or stomach to sleep, a pressure is built up by gravity and causes a reaction against our temple or face respectively. For pillowcase that lack adequate responsiveness or plush soft feel, these lead to lines called sleep wrinkles and creases. In addition, flattening of the forehead and the nasolabial folds can occur and collectively take the sleeper probably 2 years or more ahead of his life from an aesthetic point of view. Looking for where to purchase ZenFluff silk Pillowcase? Click here to purchase from the official website https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE What are the Pros & Cons of using the ZenFluff silk pillowcase? (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) The ZenFluff silk pillowcase affords the users plenty advantages. Disadvantages exist but these are much less considerable. PROS - ZenFluff silk pillowcase Review Cooling sensation Antimicrobial properties Antiallergenic effects Anti-aging properties Soft feel Durability Easy to clean Smooth surface Reduces odour OEKO-TEX-certified CONS - ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase reviews Can only be purchased online (from the official site) Limited stocks available How To Remove Stains From Your ZenFluff Pillowcase (ZenFluff Pillowcases Review) Body fluid stains or sweat stains are caused by acne products or other creams you may be using that contain benzoyl peroxide. Here are the steps you can follow to remove the stains using a gel detergent product and NOT powders. 1. STAIN removal pretreatment Soak the stained laundry in a gel detergent solution for 1 - 2 hours at room temperature or rub it directly on the stained area to cover it and spread it over the stain with your fingers. Leave the detergent on the stained area - later add the fabrics into the washing machine. 2. WASHING in a washing machine Run washing cycle with high dosage of the washing detergent at the highest temperature recommended by the care label - 140oF preferred. Rinse well and unload. Where do I buy the ZenFluff silk pillowcase from ? (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) You can only buy ZenFluff Pillowcases online through the manufacturer's main site, where you'll get a decent discount and avoid getting cheated by fake offers. Simply click the link through the sales page to order. Orders will be delivered within 24 to 48 hours after receipt, depending on your location. All orders come with a tracking number, allowing you to keep tabs on the tracking progress at any time. The average delivery time in the United States of America is between 9 and 12 days. https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE What is the price of ZenFluff silk pillowcase? (ZenFluff silk pillowcase review) The following packages are being offered on the main site: ZenFluff SILK PillowCase Set of 1: $69 ZenFluff SILK PillowCase Set of 2: $59.99 each ZenFluff SILK PillowCase Set of 4: $43.99 each Customers order the Pillowcase from the company website, and orders will ship in a few days, though shipping times may vary. You're to select the colour of the pillowcase and add to the cart the number of units you would want to purchase. The official website provides a variety of safe payment choices. You can make payment via PayPal, MasterCard, Amazon pay, etc. Looking for where to purchase ZenFluff silk Pillowcase? Click here to purchase from the official website https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE How do I return the pillowcase for any reason? (ZenFluffsilk pillowcase review) The company has a 30-day return policy, which gives you one month from the date of delivery to obtain a refund or exchange. To be eligible for a refund, your goods must be in its original packaging, unworn or unused. You'll also need a receipt or invoice to prove that you bought the item. The ZenFluff SILK Pillowcase support team can be contacted as follows: Email: contact@ZenFluffpillowcase.com Click here to purchase ZenFluff silk pillowcase from the official website https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE Frequently Asked Questions (ZenFluff Pillowcase Reviews) How does the return policy work? You have 30 days after the product has been delivered to return it, even if used! To start a return process, you can email the company and they will send you the instructions where you can obtain your shipping label. Where is the ZenFluff silk pillowcase made? All their pillow cases are made in Bahrain and are shipped from the US, domestic and internationally. The pillow cases are manufactured from the world's most famous USA-grown Supima cotton grown from the central part of California and are blended with anti-bacterial silver that prevents 99.9% of bacterial growth. What are the production methods? Do they really use less energy and water? Regular pillow cases must be washed weekly, however, doing so on a regular basis can be time-consuming for most people. That's why ZenFluff silk Pillowcase offers antibacterial pillow cases that can be washed 3x less frequently than traditional ones all while helping you save time and keeping you clean. How does silver protect us? Some metals like silver are scientifically proven to repel microbes and bacteria. The silver in the pillow cases is specially designed to keep you clean and safe. What Is Silver-Infused Technology or Silver Fibers? Incorporating silver fibers into your linens like pillow cases and sheets can actually eliminate 99.9% of bacteria that can easily grow within the fibers. But how does this work? Ions in silver have a positive charge that is able to work almost like magic! The ion's charge is able to draw in bacteria almost like a magnet in order to eliminate existing bacteria as well as prevent it from multiplying and spreading throughout the material. It makes sense that a lot of people automatically associate silver fibers with something hard and uncomfortable that they wouldn't necessarily want to rest their head on at night. https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE How Can Your Pillow Case Affect Your Skin? Believe it or not, but dirty pillow cases can wreak havoc on your skin. Just think about how much time your face spends on your pillow. Even though you're sleeping, your skin is still functioning as it does during the day and is releasing oils, dirt, and sweat that can soak into the fabric of your pillow case. Let's say that you get eight hours of sleep every night since that's the recommended amount. With that much contact with your skin and your hair, it's not hard to imagine how much nastiness can quickly build up on your pillow and be transferred back to your skin along with bacteria and allergens Does ZenFluff silk Pillowcase have strong chemicals? All of their products are OEKO-TEX certified which means that they are free from any harmful chemicals. Final verdict and recommendation (ZenFluff Pillowcase Review) ZenFluff pillowcase is one of the newest Pillowcase brands out there. Already in the western world, it has started thriving, recording an enormous number of sales in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. The ZenFluff pillowcase is unique in that it contains silver fibers woven with ultra-soft long-staple premium Supima cotton. These materials afford it lots of advantages such as cooling sensation, anti-aging properties, antimicrobial properties, antiallergic effects, smooth surface, durability, and easy to wash. ZenFluff Pillowcase is one of the OEKO-TEX-certified bedding accessories, meaning that its fabric is free of harmful substances and safe for general use. There are three colours available for ZenFluff silk pillowcase which every user should consider whether to give their bed a striking appearance or to complement the internal decors. ZenFluff silk Pillowcase is a bedding accessory that is worth our recommendation. And we will do so highly. Looking for where to purchase ZenFluff silk Pillowcase? Check availability here https://bit.ly/CLICK-HERE-TO-PURCHASE-ZENFLUFF-SILK-PILLOWCASE-FROM-THE-OFFICIAL-WEBSITE-AT-DISCOUNTED-PRICE Contact@ZenFluffpillowcase.com ZenFluff Silk Pillowcase Review 2024: Is this silk pillowcase Any Good? This release was published on openPR.
Through the "Factory Direct Sales" model, merchants in industrial belts can bypass intermediaries and sell their products at competitive prices, attracting more customers and driving sales growth. By optimizing their supply chain management and logistics operations, merchants can ensure the timely delivery of orders and provide a seamless shopping experience for consumers.The seminar kicked off with a keynote address from a renowned intellectual property lawyer who highlighted the importance of safeguarding intellectual property rights in the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of e-commerce. With the rapid growth of online shopping platforms and the increasing prevalence of counterfeit goods, protecting intellectual property has become a critical issue for businesses of all sizes.What to know about a Wisconsin man who faked his own death and fled to Eastern Europe
Harris campaign staff discuss what went wrong with 2024 election
Looking ahead to the AI era, Jack Ma shared his optimism about the potential for AI to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges. He highlighted the role of AI in addressing issues such as climate change, healthcare disparities, and access to education. Ma stressed the need for collaboration between governments, businesses, and academia to drive innovation and maximize the positive impact of AI on society.It all began with a seemingly routine visit from a door-to-door salesman. Witnesses reported that a man had knocked on the door of a nearby house, engaging in what appeared to be a friendly conversation with the homeowner. However, as the encounter took a dark turn, the boy, who happened to be passing by, witnessed a sudden and violent altercation. In a split second, the man drew a weapon and carried out a vicious attack, leaving the homeowner gravely injured and in need of immediate medical attention. The boy's world was forever changed as he witnessed this act of senseless violence unfold before his eyes.AP News Summary at 6:33 p.m. EST
In response to the incident, the authorities in Zhengzhou have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the discomfort experienced by the bathhouse visitors. Initial reports suggest that a possible chemical or gas leak within the premises could be responsible for the adverse reactions observed.The transformation from water fees to water taxes in the 10 pilot provinces has ushered in a new era of water management and conservation. While the impact on residential water prices has been minimal, the shift towards water taxes has sparked greater awareness and engagement among residents in water conservation efforts. With clear objectives set for water conservation and sustainable usage, the pilot program symbolizes a significant step towards building a more resilient and environmentally conscious society. As the program continues to evolve, it is essential to address challenges and harness opportunities to create a more sustainable water future for all.Hello reader who is also a reader, and welcome back to Booked For The Week - our regular Sunday chat with a selection of cool industry folks about books! This week, it’s Looking Glass Studios’ legend, Deus Ex director, and Otherside ’s Warren Spector - who I suspect might have realised the very secret goal of this column. Cheers Warren! Mind if we have a nose at your bookshelf? What are you currently reading? Let me start by saying I have 17,000 "dead tree" books and 7,000 e-books, so I have a lot to choose from! That may be why I read several books at once - a lightweight read, a heavy read, a medium read, some fiction and some poetry. Or maybe it's just that I'd go crazy if all I read was pap or pretentious heavyweight stuff. That out of the way... right now, I'm reading these: Gamer Girls by Mary Kenney There's a huge chunk of videogame history I know nothing about. Reading this, I'm learning some more. A lightweight book, but informative and an easy read. Introducing Walter Benjamin by Howard Caygill, Alex Coles and Andrzej Klimowski I've been meaning to dive into Benjamin's work but haven't made it any further than The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction. I figure a quick overview of his life and work will ease me into the rest of his work. Chilly Scenes Of Winter by Ann Beattie A novel I've been meaning to read since I saw Joan Micklin Silver's wonderful 1979 (I think) film of the same name. I rewatched it recently and it hasn't entirely held up but I figured I should finally give the novel a try. Poetry 180 edited by Billy Collins For some reason I do not understand, I've become a poetry nut recently. It started with a course on Masterclass by ex-poet laureate, Billy Collins that was terrific. (If you don't subscribe to Masterclass you might consider it. If nothing else, Will Wright does a terrific game design course...) Collins has become my favorite poet - funny, accessible and somehow pretty profound. If nothing else find his poem "The Lanyard." It starts out being about trivialities but ends up being about so much more. 1001 Muscle Car Facts by Steve Magnante I’m a car nut. Have been since I was a teenager. Steve Magnante makes me look like an amateur. Which I guess I am, actually. Anyway, I love the guy’s stuff. (Check out his “Junkyard Crawl” videos on YouTube. They’re awesome.) I didn’t include this book in my first pass “what I’m reading” list because it isn’t the kind of thing you sit down and read – you crack it open, read a factoid or three and put it back down. But it’s a book; I’ve been “reading” it for months; I learn lots of useless facts from it; so here it is. I've kept a list of every book I've read since 1989, so this is an easy one to answer. Given that I read more than one book at a time, I have several books in my finished list: New York In The '50's by Dan Wakefield. I grew up in New York, in the East Village, and was too young to experience what Wakefield writes about, but I've long been fascinated by the political/cultural/literary life of Columbia University, the jazz clubs of Manhattan and bohemian life in Greenwich Village. (Hey, I admit I'm nostalgic for a period I didn't live through...) Wakefield is a terrific writer and he's a Zelig-like figure who knew everybody from philosophers to poets to the Beats to jazz musicians to blacklisted writers to, well, everyone. Wonderful book describing an incredible life. Signs And Meaning In The Cinema by Peter Wollen Another book I've been meaning to read for decades. It's a collection of three essays and a massive interview with the author. The first essay is an evaluation of the work and theories of Russian film director, Sergei Eisenstein; the second essay is an evaluation of the auteur theory and some evaluations of various film directors; the third essay is the one I really wanted to read - it's all about semiotics as it applies to film. I've never understood semiotics, a fact that really bugs me. I've been reading a bunch about it over the last few months, but nothing that, to my limited knowledge, applied its precepts to anything other than literature and anthropology (and rarely even those). I figured Wollen might show me how the study of signs and signifiers might apply to film and, in that way, show me how it might be applied to an understanding of games in a new and interesting way. That didn't quite work out, but I'm not done with semiotics. Some of it is sinking in and I've been enjoying the journey. The Beauty Of Games by Frank Lantz Not much to say about this other than STOP READING THIS AND GET A COPY! Frank's a super smart guy who's taught game design and game criticism as well as making games of his own. Here he offers ways to think about games that get far beyond good/bad and fun/not-fun. I've been saying for years that those ways of talking about games are useless - that "fun" in particular is a useless word that diminishes what we do. Frank goes way deeper in a book that's an easy, accessible read. Required. Go. Now. Play Nice by Jason Schrier Jason may be the best games journalist around. His books Press Reset and Blood, Sweat and Pixels give the most accurate look at what game development is really like I've ever read. His latest, Play Nice, is a history of Blizzard. No, make that THE history of Blizzard. There's basically no need to write another one. I thought I knew the story. I didn't. Now I do. (Jason has a way of getting people - okay, ME - saying things on the record they shouldn't say at all. I don't know how he does it. But he does. That's very much on display here.) I've got a ways to go in the books I'm currently reading so it'll be a while before "next" rolls around, but I do have my eye on some books. I won’t read all of these of course, but these are the ones from which I’m going to choose. I reserve the right to change my mind on any or all of these before or after I give them a try. Oh, and before you read this list, know that I'm unashamedly pretentious. That said, these are legitimately the books by my bed. No fooling. So sue me. Or join me. And let's talk about stuff. Basic Writings Of Existentialism edited by Gordon Marino I've been on a philosophy kick on and off for a year or so. Read a lot. For better or worse, Existentialism makes some sense to me but that’s on the basis of not very much. I want to broaden my range of reading. I'll probably dip my toe into this over the course of time rather than read it all at once, but this seems like a good way to dive deeper. Semiotics: An Introductory Anthology edited by Robert E. Innis Anyone want to bet this is the first book to drop off my to-read list? Reading ABOUT semiotics is tough enough. Reading original stuff is almost impossible. I'm going to give it a shot, but I'm not hopeful. Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari Harari is a favorite of mine. He popularizes Big Topics in ways that bug a lot of people but I find enlightening, even soothing. This one is about the history of networks and their impact on humanity and society. I don't know much more than that and don't really care. I eat the guy's stuff up. The Virtual Life Of Film by David Rodowick I actually went to grad school with Rodowick and understood, like, every fifth word he said. He was our resident semiotics nut. He's gone on to an impressive career as an academic and I'm hoping - as I did with the Wollen book - I can learn something about practical application of a critical approach I find opaque (at best). I hate when I don't understand something and I'm going to lick this semiotics thing if it kills me. The Work Of Art: How Something Comes From Nothing by Adam Moss I love reading books about creativity, the creative process and the creation of art works. I know very little about this book other than it got great reviews, I love the topic and the book itself is a work of art. I mean the way it's bound, the quality of the paper, the beautiful illustrations. I'm in... Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell This is supposed to be the Next Big Thing in Fantasy. I'll need something lightweight to balance out all the heavy stuff weighing down my night table. I'm hoping this is it. If not, there are a LOT of comics and graphic novels to read! (I'm not ALWAYS pretentious!) Fight Me by Austin Grossman This wasn’t on the first list I submitted, but that was just a foolish oversight on my part. I was boxing up a bunch of books for reasons that wouldn’t interest anyone and there was Austin’s latest novel, somehow unread. I know nothing about it other than that it was written by Austin Grossman, which is all I really need to know. If you don’t know who Austin is, check his game design credits – System Shock, Deus Ex and more. He’s helped me on most of my games. He also happens to be a wonderful novelist. Fight Me is his latest, but you should check out Soon I Will Be Invincible and, if you want a peek behind the curtain of game development, his novel You is a great way to see what it’s like at a game dev studio... with monsters. The City And Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami This was another late entry – it just came out the day I submitted this list but it had to be included. I love Murakami. His brand of magical realism just does it for me. I could recommend ALL of his books and hate to single any out but if you’ve never given him a shot, you could do worse than start with 1Q84. But, really, he hasn’t written a bad book so start anywhere and prepare to have your view of reality changed. Playing With Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World by Kelly Clancy This book showed up in The Economist’s list of best books of the year this week and, given its title and subject matter, I pretty much had to make it a last minute addition to my list. It’s a history of games from a political, military, psychological, philosophical and, I understand, just plain fun perspective. Sounds both useful and, well, fun. It’s gotta be on my could-be-next list. I've been collecting quotes for decades so this is going to be both easy and hard. Easy because I have a lot to choose from. Hard because I have a lot to choose from. I'm tempted to pass on this for now - someday I'm going to start up a Quote a Day website where I provide a quote, talk about why it's interesting in general and why it's important to me, personally. Okay, here's one (out of, literally, thousands) in my collection. It sang to me. (Anyone I might work for should stop reading here!) "I want everything we do to be beautiful. I don't give a damn whether the client understands that that's worth anything, or that the client thinks it's worth anything, or whether it is worth anything. It's worth it to me. It's the way I want to live my life. I want to make beautiful things, even if nobody cares." - Saul Bass (As a note, Saul Bass created some of the most memorable film title sequences of all time. A second-to-none visual designer. Look him up. There's lots of his work on YouTube...) Ack. Another one where I have to list several! I'll list just six (and regret the ones I've forgotten immediately after I finish this!) Time And Again by Jack Finney I love time travel stories and this is a doozy. My sister read this first, reading it in one sitting. She passed it along to my father, who read it in one sitting. He passed it along... and, well, you get the idea. Totally fun. No more, no less. It's a popcorn read, but nothing wrong with that. Organizing Genius by Warren Bennis This book by noted leadership thinker describes several what he calls "great groups" - teams that created great, innovative, world-changing things. He doesn't offer instructions about how to create them, but describes their characteristics and the shared circumstances that allowed them to come into being and flourish. I LOVE this book. It describes a couple of teams I've been lucky enough to work with. That said, I'll warn you that my current team, when I had them read it, HATED it. I won't go into why here. (Hey, I want to intrigue you.) Read it yourself and see what you think. I'm happy to discuss it. The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp Okay. This is simply the Best Book I've Ever Read About Creativity. Tharp is a world-renowned choreographer and, yes, there's an element of autobiography here (that got me seriously obsessed with ballet for a while, about which I'm still simmeringly interested). The autobiographical stuff is fascinating. I mean, you wouldn't believe the people Tharp has worked with. It's like a who's who of the arts community. But her discussion of her process and how it can be applied to any medium is just (insert four letter word here) brilliant. GO READ THIS! The Creative Act by Rick Rubin Rubin's book shares some characteristics with Tharp's Creative Habit, but it has its own - dare I say it? - "hippie" vibe. The first third of the book lays that stuff on pretty thick, to the point where I almost stopped reading. Man, am I glad I stuck with it! The last two-thirds of the book are (insert four letter word here) incredible. I said earlier that I collect quotes. I got a LOT of them from this book. There's insight on every damn page. The Timeless Way Of Building by Christopher Alexander I keep a copy of Timeless Way of Building by my bed and read a passage when I need to lower my blood pressure. Alexander invented the idea of Pattern Languages, which have become an important part of software development, and that's very much in evidence here. Be warned, Alexander was an architect and he had his hippie-dippie aspect, so there's nothing about software in this book and there's some stuff here that might send left-brain folks spinning off into some alternate universe. But if you can get past that, the writing is beautiful and the descriptions of spaces that are "alive" are pretty wonderful. Designing Disney by John Hench Disney's Imagineers are among the smartest, most creative people on the planet. No fooling. This book, by an Imagineer who was there at the very beginning of the effort that led to Disneyland in 1955 has lots of lessons to teach us - especially world-builders. The creation of spaces that tell stories, ways of directing players without leading them around by the nose, color to create emotions... All that and more is here. There's so much to learn in what's a surprisingly compact read. This may be the toughest question of all. I'm not sure there are ANY books I want to see adapted to a game. I mean, books are wonderful as books, and games are wonderful as games. The two media don't need each other. That said, let me see... okay, here's one almost entirely selfish one: Wildcards edited by George R.R. Martin Wildcards is a shared world anthology created and edited by George R.R. Martin (yeah, the guy who writes the Song of Ice and Fire books, now and forever known as Game of Thrones). It's a "what if superheroes and villains and vaguely monstrous things existed in an alternate version of our world." (Man, does that not do it justice!) The first book came out in 1987 so it's been around for a while, basically as long as Watchmen, the obvious competition. I think it's on its 25 book or something. (Don't quote me on that.) I say it's here selfishly because a lot of the writers in the series are friends of mine and I love their work. In one case, I love the writer herself - my wife Caroline writes with George in the series. She's created some memorable characters and, if I say so myself, written some terrific stories. But enough tooting my wife's horn. If you want to give the series a try, you can start with the very first book or you can dive in with one called Inside Straight. One of those two - don't start anywhere else or you're likely to be confused. And if you just want more information, check out the Wikipedia page. I've tried to get every company I've worked for to license the rights to Wildcards and make a game but haven't had any luck. Ok, Warren wins. Or, is at least tied with Dan . Book for now!
Thitikul beats Yin in dramatic finish to LPGA finaleYouth work with legislators to brainstorm policies for preventing violent extremism
Operating margin of 9.3% improved 270 basis points versus last year Market share gains across all brands in the quarter Raises outlook for fiscal 2024 net sales, gross margin and operating income growth SAN FRANCISCO , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gap Inc. (NYSE: GAP), the largest specialty apparel company in the U.S. and a house of iconic brands including Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta, today reported financial results for its third quarter ended November 2, 2024. "I'm proud that Gap Inc. delivered another successful quarter, growing net sales for the 4 th consecutive quarter and gaining market share across all brands while meaningfully expanding operating margin," said President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Dickson . "Consistent execution of our strategic priorities, including the rigor and repetition we're applying to our brand reinvigoration playbook, is making us a stronger company and demonstrates our continued progress in unlocking Gap Inc.'s full potential." Dickson continued: "Holiday is off to a strong start and we remain focused on executing with excellence in the fourth quarter. Our performance year-to-date gives us the confidence to raise our full year outlook for sales, gross margin and operating income growth." Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 – Financial Results Net sales of $3.8 billion were up 2% compared to last year. Comparable sales were up 1% year-over-year. Due to the 53 rd week in fiscal 2023, in order to maintain consistency, comparable sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 are compared to the 13 weeks ended November 4, 2023 . Store sales decreased 2% compared to last year. The company ended the quarter with 3,603 store locations in about 40 countries, of which 2,544 were company operated. Online sales increased 7% compared to last year and represented 40% of total net sales. Gross margin of 42.7% increased 140 basis points versus last year's gross margin. Merchandise margin increased 90 basis points versus last year primarily driven by improved inventory management. Rent, occupancy, and depreciation (ROD) as a percent of sales leveraged 50 basis points versus last year. Operating expense was $1.3 billion . Operating income was $355 million ; operating margin of 9.3%. The effective tax rate was 24%. Net income of $274 million ; diluted earnings per share of $0.72 . Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Highlights Ended the quarter with cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $2.2 billion , an increase of 64% from the prior year. Year-to-date net cash from operating activities was $870 million . Year-to-date free cash flow , defined as net cash from operating activities less purchases of property and equipment, was $540 million . Ending inventory of $2.33 billion was down 2% compared to last year. Capital expenditures were $330 million . Paid a third quarter dividend of $0.15 per share, totaling $57 million. The company's Board of Directors approved a fourth quarter fiscal 2024 dividend of $0.15 per share. Additional information regarding free cash flow, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is provided at the end of this press release along with a reconciliation of this measure from the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for the applicable period. Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 – Global Brand Results Comparable Sales Old Navy: Third quarter net sales of $2.2 billion were up 1% compared to last year. Comparable sales were flat. The brand's continued focus on operational rigor and brand reinvigoration drove solid performance in the quarter, despite lapping tougher compares and facing weather-related headwinds. Gap: Third quarter net sales of $899 million were up 1% compared to last year. Comparable sales were up 3% representing the fourth consecutive quarter of positive comparable sales at the brand. Gap's strong product and marketing execution have helped drive continued momentum and consistent results at the brand. Banana Republic: Third quarter net sales of $469 million were up 2% compared to last year. Comparable sales were down 1%. The brand saw strength in its men's business during the quarter and remains focused on fixing the fundamentals. Athleta: Third quarter net sales of $290 million were up 4% compared to last year. Comparable sales were up 5%. As expected, the brand returned to positive comparable sales in the quarter as its new product and marketing are resonating with customers. Fiscal 2024 Outlook As a result of its strong third quarter results, the company is raising its full year outlook for net sales, gross margin and operating income growth compared to prior expectations. Please note that the company's projected full year fiscal 2024 operating income growth below is provided in comparison to its full year fiscal 2023 adjusted operating income, which excludes $93 million in restructuring costs and a $47 million gain on sale of a building. Full Year Fiscal 2024 Webcast and Conference Call Information Whitney Notaro , Head of Investor Relations at Gap Inc., will host a conference call to review the company's third quarter fiscal 2024 results beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time today. Ms. Notaro will be joined by President and Chief Executive Officer, Richard Dickson and Chief Financial Officer, Katrina O'Connell . A live webcast of the conference call and accompanying materials will be available online at investors.gapinc.com . A replay of the webcast will be available at the same location. Non-GAAP Disclosure This press release and related conference call include financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and are therefore referred to as non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP measures described below are intended to provide investors with additional useful information about the company's financial performance, to enhance the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects, and to allow for greater transparency with respect to important metrics used by management for financial and operating decision-making. The company presents these non-GAAP financial measures to assist investors in seeing its financial performance from management's view and because it believes they provide an additional tool for investors to use in computing the company's core financial performance over multiple periods with other companies in its industry. Additional information regarding the intended use of non-GAAP measures included in this press release and related conference call is provided in the tables to this press release. The non-GAAP measures included in this press release and related conference call are adjusted operating expense/adjusted SG&A, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating margin, adjusted diluted earnings per share, and free cash flow. These non-GAAP measures exclude the impact of certain items that are set forth in the tables to this press release. In addition, the company's outlook includes projected full year fiscal 2024 operating income growth compared to its full year fiscal 2023 adjusted operating income. The non-GAAP measures used by the company should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP and may not be the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies due to possible differences in method and in items or events being adjusted. The company urges investors to review the reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures included in the tables to this press release below, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate its business. The non-GAAP financial measures used by the company have limitations in their usefulness to investors because they have no standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and are not prepared under any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and related conference call and accompanying materials contain forward-looking statements within the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "project," and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the following: becoming a high performing company; unlocking Gap Inc.'s potential; our four strategic priorities, including maintaining and delivering financial and operational rigor, the reinvigoration of our brands, strengthening our operating platform, and energizing our culture; driving relevance and revenue by executing on our brand reinvigoration playbook; expectations for Old Navy for the holiday season; accelerating Old Navy's presence in the Active category; Old Navy's holiday activations and product; reigniting Gap brand's leadership in trend-right products and creative expression through big ideas and culturally relevant messaging; reestablishing Banana Republic to thrive in the premium lifestyle space; evolving Banana Republic's assortment and fit; continuing to fix the fundamentals at Banana Republic; Banana Republic's holiday product; Athleta's trajectory; Athleta's holiday product; enhancing Athleta's in-store and online experiences; driving high-performance across our teams; executing with excellence; Gap Inc.'s positioning going into the holiday season; expectations for our full year performance; expected year-end inventory levels; expected full year fiscal 2024 net sales; the expected impact of the loss of the 53rd week on full year fiscal 2024 net sales; expected fourth quarter fiscal 2024 net sales; the expected impacts of the loss of the 53rd week and the weekly calendar shift on fourth quarter fiscal 2024 net sales; expected full year fiscal 2024 gross margin; the expected impacts of commodity costs and better inventory management on full year fiscal 2024 gross margin; expected full year fiscal 2024 ROD; expected fourth quarter fiscal 2024 gross margin; the expected impact of the loss of the 53rd week on fourth quarter fiscal 2024 gross margin; expected full year fiscal 2024 SG&A/operating expense; continuing cost discipline and unlocking more efficiencies in the business; expected full year fiscal 2024 operating income; expected full year fiscal 2024 effective tax rate; expected full year fiscal 2024 capital expenditures; generating sustainable, profitable growth and delivering long-term shareholder value; and our dividend policy. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation, the following risks, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or reputation: the overall global economic and geopolitical environment, including the ongoing Russia - Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts and recent elections in the United States , and impacts on consumer spending patterns; social and political unrest in our sourcing countries, including Bangladesh , and disruptions to global trade and shipping capacity, including in the Red Sea; the risk that we or our franchisees may be unsuccessful in gauging apparel trends and changing consumer preferences or responding with sufficient lead time; the highly competitive nature of our business in the United States and internationally; the risk that we may be unable to manage our inventory effectively and the resulting impact on our gross margins and sales; the risk that our investments in customer, digital, and omni-channel shopping initiatives may not deliver the results we anticipate; the risk that we fail to maintain, enhance, and protect our brand image and reputation; the risk of loss or theft of assets, including inventory shortage; the risk that we fail to manage key executive succession and retention or continue to attract qualified personnel; reductions in income and cash flow from our credit card arrangement related to our private label and co-branded credit cards; the risk that changes in our business strategy or restructuring our operations may not generate the intended benefits or projected cost savings; the risk that trade matters could increase the cost or reduce the supply of apparel available to us; the risks to our business, including our costs and global supply chain, associated with global sourcing and manufacturing; the risks to our reputation or operations associated with importing merchandise from foreign countries, including failure of our vendors to adhere to our Code of Vendor Conduct; the risk that we or our franchisees may be unsuccessful in identifying, negotiating, and securing new store locations and renewing, modifying, or terminating leases for existing store locations effectively; engaging in or seeking to engage in strategic transactions that are subject to various risks and uncertainties; the risk that our efforts to expand internationally may not be successful; the risk that our franchisees and licensees could impair the value of our brands; the risk of data or other security breaches or vulnerabilities that may result in increased costs, violations of law, significant legal and financial exposure, and a loss of confidence in our security measures; the risk that failures of, or updates or changes to, our IT systems may disrupt our operations; the risk that our comparable sales and margins may experience fluctuations, that we may fail to meet financial market expectations, or that the seasonality of our business may experience fluctuations; the risk of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; the risk that our level of indebtedness may impact our ability to operate and expand our business; the risk that we and our subsidiaries may be unable to meet our obligations under our indebtedness agreements; the risk that changes in our credit profile or deterioration in market conditions may limit our access to the capital markets; natural disasters, public health crises (such as pandemics and epidemics), political crises (such as the ongoing Russia - Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts), negative global climate patterns, or other catastrophic events; evolving regulations and expectations with respect to ESG matters, including climate reporting; the adverse effects of climate change on our operations and those of our franchisees, vendors, and other business partners; our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations and changes in the regulatory or administrative landscape; the risk that we will not be successful in defending various proceedings, lawsuits, disputes, and claims; the risk that our estimates and assumptions used when preparing our financial information are inaccurate or may change; the risk that changes in the geographic mix and level of income or losses, the expected or actual outcome of audits, changes in deferred tax valuation allowances, and new legislation could impact our effective tax rate, or that we may be required to pay amounts in excess of established tax liabilities; the risk that changes in our business structure, our performance or our industry could result in reductions in our pre-tax income or utilization of existing tax carryforwards in future periods, and require additional deferred tax valuation allowances; the risk that the adoption of new accounting pronouncements will impact future results; and the risk that additional information may arise during our close process or as a result of subsequent events that would require us to make adjustments to our financial information. Additional information regarding factors that could cause results to differ can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2024 , as well as our subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on information as of November 21, 2024 . We assume no obligation to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized. About Gap Inc. Gap Inc., a house of iconic brands, is the largest specialty apparel company in America. Its Old Navy , Gap , Banana Republic , and Athleta brands offer clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products for men, women and children. Since 1969, Gap Inc. has created products and experiences that shape culture, while doing right by employees, communities and the planet. Gap Inc. products are available worldwide through company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. Fiscal year 2023 net sales were $14.9 billion . For more information, please visit www.gapinc.com . Investor Relations Contact: Nina Bari Investor_relations@gap.com Media Relations Contact: Megan Foote Press@gap.comIn the bustling metropolis of Hangzhou, China, lies an extraordinary power plant that fuels not only the city's energy needs but also the entrepreneurial spirit of two remarkable individuals – Jack Ma and Fan Luyuan. These two visionaries, often referred to as the "AB face" of the renowned Alibaba group, are the driving forces behind a revolution in the e-commerce industry and beyond.