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‘Collaboration Forms Largest Health Sciences Program in State’

‘Collaboration Forms Largest Health Sciences Program in State’

Old Dominion University and Eastern Virginia Medical School are teaming up to address the shortage of medical professionals in the region by creating the Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at ODU.

This collaboration, set to begin on July 1, aims to expand the healthcare workforce in Hampton Roads by attracting and retaining local talent. The merger will also double the number of residency slots available in the area.

The partnership, which has the support of a 10-year agreement with ODU, EVMS, and Sentara providing 0 million in funding, is expected to enhance healthcare capabilities and reduce disparities in the region.

To support students interested in pursuing careers in health sciences, the Ellmer and Brock families have donated million each to create scholarships. ODU’s School of Nursing and College of Health Sciences have been renamed the Ellmer School of Nursing and Ellmer College of Health Sciences.

With the integration of the Virginia Health Sciences program, the combined institution will serve 5,000 students. This initiative is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare and benefit the community.

Overall, the merger between ODU and EVMS represents a significant step towards addressing the healthcare needs of the local population.

Top Selling Products from BGLH Marketplace

Looking to stock up on some top-selling beauty products? Look no further! Here are our current best sellers that have been flying off the shelves.

Our number one seller is the Vanilla Whipped Shea Butter. Customers rave about its non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly and its amazing scent. Renee says, “It glides on and absorbs quickly. It is not greasy like other body butters. And the smell is AMAZING!!!”

Coming in at number two is the Baby Powder Blended Butter. This creamy butter has a floral perfume-like fragrance that customers love. Tiffany describes it as, “so creamy and smells sooo good and fragrant, like a floral perfume. It’s one of the most fast-absorbing and moisturizing butters in the line.”

Our third best seller is the Sandalwood & Bergamot Blended Butter, a favorite among customers and their significant others. Adryanna shares, “This is the scent my husband uses! He uses it every day for his whole body and his beard.”

In the fourth spot is the African Black Soap, which has received rave reviews for its effectiveness in improving skin conditions. Tana exclaims, “All I can say is “Wow!!” What a difference it made in my skin. I was dealing with some mild skin irritation on my face and after about a week or so of using the African Black Soap, I started to notice the redness and irritation had started to go away.”

Rounding out our top five is the Unscented Whipped Shea Butter, perfect for those with extra sensitive skin. Danni appreciates its fragrance-free formula, stating, “Feels silky smooth for a long time, and I appreciate having an amazing option that’s fragrance-free as my skin is extra sensitive.”

If you want to try out these best sellers for yourself, shop now on our website. Plus, consider subscribing to our Subscription Box for a convenient way to stay stocked up on your favorite products. The Subscription Box gives you the flexibility to pause, cancel, or edit your subscription at any time, and it’s available at 40% off retail price. You can customize it to your liking or let us choose for you, and you can even purchase individual sizes. Sign up today and discover the benefits of our Subscription Box!

Florida High School Athletes Allowed to Make Money from Name, Image, and Likeness

Florida High School Athletes Allowed to Make Money from Name, Image, and Likeness

In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance cannot be overstated. The negative impacts of overworking and neglecting personal well-being are well-documented, leading to decreased productivity, poor mental health, and strained relationships. It is crucial to set boundaries between work and personal life to achieve a better balance.

Setting aside time for self-care, practicing effective time management, and learning to disconnect from work outside of office hours are essential steps to improve work-life balance. Taking breaks and vacations to recharge and avoiding burnout is equally important. Listening to one’s body and mind, and not pushing oneself beyond limits, are key in preventing burnout.

Technology also plays a role in work-life balance, blurring the lines between work and personal life. It is important to set boundaries around technology use and create designated times to unplug and focus on personal relationships and hobbies. The challenges of maintaining work-life balance are acknowledged, especially in a culture that glorifies overworking. Self-care and setting boundaries, even at the cost of saying no to extra responsibilities, are necessary for overall well-being.

Employers can also play a significant role in promoting work-life balance by offering flexible work hours, remote work options, and mental health resources for employees. Stress, both physical and mental, can significantly impact well-being and is often exacerbated by a lack of work-life balance. Managing stress through activities like meditation, exercise, therapy, and spending time with loved ones is crucial.

The concept of “presenteeism,” where employees feel the need to be physically present at work despite being unwell or unproductive, is detrimental to both individuals and organizations. Taking time off when needed and prioritizing personal well-being over work commitments is crucial in preventing burnout and maintaining overall well-being. By focusing on self-care and mindfulness, individuals and organizations can create a healthier and more sustainable approach to work and life.

Top Family-Friendly Museum of 2024: Great Lakes Science Center

Top Family-Friendly Museum of 2024: Great Lakes Science Center

The Great Lakes Science Center has been named the “Best Museum to Visit With Your Family” in the 2024 Parent Choice Awards. This annual event gathers opinions from local parents to highlight family-friendly businesses, attractions, and services in the region.

The Great Lakes Science Center is dedicated to bringing science, technology, engineering, and math to life through interactive exhibits and programs for children and adults. Some of the center’s offerings include the Cleveland Clinic Dome Theater, Camp Curiosity, Design and Build Challenge, and Robotics Initiatives. Current exhibits feature the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, Steamship William Mather, biomedtech, and science phenomena.

In second place is the Children’s Museum of Cleveland (cmcleveland.org), followed by the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (cmnh.org) in third place. These museums also offer engaging and educational experiences for families in Northeast Ohio.

The Parent Choice Awards showcase the top family-friendly attractions in the region, providing valuable recommendations for parents looking for fun and enriching activities to enjoy with their children.

Regional VP Named for Turnkey Project Services in Fort Worth-Based Workspace

Regional VP Named for Turnkey Project Services in Fort Worth-Based Workspace

Turnkey Project Services, a Fort Worth-based commercial furniture and facility services company, has appointed Geri Hieronymus as the regional vice president of sales. This move comes after Turnkey Project Services became a part of Omni Workspace, a well-established portfolio of brands, last summer.

Omni Workspace CEO Carlene Wilson expressed confidence in Hieronymus, highlighting her enthusiasm, knowledge, and extensive experience in the industry. Hieronymus is expected to enhance the overall client experience with her interpersonal skills and sales acumen, inspiring and leading the Turnkey team towards success.

With a focus on providing end-to-end solutions through furniture, technology, and service capabilities, Turnkey aims to create environments that are innovative, high-performing, and people-centric. Hieronymus, with over 20 years of sales experience in contract furniture, is well-equipped to lead sales initiatives aimed at elevating customer satisfaction and driving business growth.

Hieronymus expressed excitement about her new role in a company with a stellar reputation spanning over two decades. She foresees a bright future for Turnkey and plans to leverage Omni’s resources to enhance client services exponentially. Hieronymus is confident that the talented team she is joining will serve as a strong foundation for future expansion aligned with Omni’s organizational goals.

As Hieronymus takes on this new role, she is committed to exceeding expectations, cultivating enduring client partnerships, and driving Turnkey towards success in collaboration with the broader Omni Workspace team.

‘AI Recall feature revamped following backlash’

‘AI Recall feature revamped following backlash’

Microsoft unveiled Copilot Plus PCs in May, introducing a new feature called Recall that raised concerns among privacy-conscious Windows users. Recall uses AI to capture and analyze screen snapshots for easy retrieval on a visual timeline. However, after facing criticism and security concerns, Microsoft is making significant adjustments to the feature before its full launch.

In response to the backlash and a report by cybersecurity researcher Kevin Beaumont, Microsoft announced updates to enhance user control and security when using Recall. The company is now improving the setup process for Copilot Plus PCs to clearly indicate whether users are opting in or out of Recall. Upon purchasing a Copilot Plus PC, users will encounter a new screen explaining the feature and seeking permission to save screen snapshots.

Furthermore, Microsoft is now mandating Windows Hello enrollment to activate Recall. Users will need to authenticate their presence through Windows Hello to access their timeline or utilize the search function in Recall. Additionally, Microsoft is implementing additional security measures for Recall, such as “just in time” decryption protected by Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security (ESS). Snapshots will only be decrypted upon user authentication, and the search index database will be encrypted for added protection.

These changes aim to address privacy concerns and bolster security for users utilizing Recall on Copilot Plus PCs. Microsoft is taking proactive steps to ensure that users have more control over their data and that their sensitive information remains secure while utilizing this AI-powered feature.

Crypto Analyst Predicts XRP Price Target of [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”Reword this title and remove reference to the source: ‘Inverted Hammer Appears On The XRP Price Chart, Crypto Analyst Picks First Target Of $0.75′”].75 with Inverted Hammer Pattern

Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has identified a bullish pattern on the XRP price chart that could signal a significant price increase for the crypto token. Egrag pointed out an Inverted hammer formation on XRP’s chart, describing it as “super bullish” for the altcoin. He believes that this pattern could lead XRP to reach [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”You are a news editor expand and Rewrite the following article, remove references to the source, make sure the generated article is well written, makes sense and is SEO enabled:

Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has revealed a bullish pattern that recently formed on the XRP price chart. The analyst also revealed how high the crypto token could rise once it makes this move to the upside.

Inverted Hammer Forms On The Chart

Egrag highlighted an Inverted hammer that had formed on XRP’s chart while noting how bullish this was for the crypto token. He claimed that last month’s candle formation showed a 75% Inverted Hammer at the bottom, which is “super bullish” for XRP. Egrag believes this is an “amazing sign” that the altcoin could rise to $0.75 soon enough. He added that July will be a “month of fireworks” for XRP.

Crypto Analyst Predicts XRP Price Target of [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”Reword this title and remove reference to the source: ‘Inverted Hammer Appears On The XRP Price Chart, Crypto Analyst Picks First Target Of $0.75′”].75 with Inverted Hammer Pattern

XRP’s possible rise to $0.75 is significant, as Egrag had previously highlighted that price level as a “critical breakout point” for XRP. Back then, he mentioned that XRP was “poised” to achieve this breakout in the coming weeks. He suggested an XRP breakout above that price level would send it to $1.5, and the crypto token could enjoy a further upward trend to $7.5.

Crypto analyst CasiTrades also recently provided a bullish narrative for the altcoin. She stated that the crypto token is maintaining its bullish momentum and bouncing off the 0.382 retracement level. The analyst added that XRP has finally flipped a trendline that had acted as resistance for months to support.

Meanwhile, CasiTrades highlighted $0.54 as a price level to keep an eye on, stating that XRP could encounter resistance at that level. She suggested that the coin could enjoy a parabolic move if it breaks out above that price level, remarking that it is a “crucial level to watch for a potential breakthrough.”CasiTrades previously raised the possibility of the altcoin rising to as high as $80 when it breaks out from a consolidation triangle.

XRP Is On The Brink Of A Parabolic Rally

Crypto analyst Mikybull Crypto recently suggested that XRP was on the brink of a parabolic rally. He stated in an X post that the token is currently at the level it was in 2017 and 2020, which triggered a “massive rally” for the crypto token on both occasions. In 2017, the altcoin enjoyed a price gain of 61,000% in 280 days.

The chart that Mikybull Crypto shared showed that the altcoin could rise to as high as $5. Meanwhile, crypto analyst XRP Captain claimed that the altcoin was ready for the “massive breakout.” He claimed that XRP is in the “middle of apex. ” Crypto analyst Jaydee also agreed with XRP Captain that a breakout is imminent, stating that “it’s coming,” although he claimed that “beginners” will miss out on the run.

At the time of writing, XRP is trading at around $0.52, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

“].75 soon, declaring July as a “month of fireworks” for the cryptocurrency.

The possibility of XRP rising to [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”You are a news editor expand and Rewrite the following article, remove references to the source, make sure the generated article is well written, makes sense and is SEO enabled:

Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has revealed a bullish pattern that recently formed on the XRP price chart. The analyst also revealed how high the crypto token could rise once it makes this move to the upside.

Inverted Hammer Forms On The Chart

Egrag highlighted an Inverted hammer that had formed on XRP’s chart while noting how bullish this was for the crypto token. He claimed that last month’s candle formation showed a 75% Inverted Hammer at the bottom, which is “super bullish” for XRP. Egrag believes this is an “amazing sign” that the altcoin could rise to $0.75 soon enough. He added that July will be a “month of fireworks” for XRP.

Crypto Analyst Predicts XRP Price Target of [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”Reword this title and remove reference to the source: ‘Inverted Hammer Appears On The XRP Price Chart, Crypto Analyst Picks First Target Of $0.75′”].75 with Inverted Hammer Pattern

XRP’s possible rise to $0.75 is significant, as Egrag had previously highlighted that price level as a “critical breakout point” for XRP. Back then, he mentioned that XRP was “poised” to achieve this breakout in the coming weeks. He suggested an XRP breakout above that price level would send it to $1.5, and the crypto token could enjoy a further upward trend to $7.5.

Crypto analyst CasiTrades also recently provided a bullish narrative for the altcoin. She stated that the crypto token is maintaining its bullish momentum and bouncing off the 0.382 retracement level. The analyst added that XRP has finally flipped a trendline that had acted as resistance for months to support.

Meanwhile, CasiTrades highlighted $0.54 as a price level to keep an eye on, stating that XRP could encounter resistance at that level. She suggested that the coin could enjoy a parabolic move if it breaks out above that price level, remarking that it is a “crucial level to watch for a potential breakthrough.”CasiTrades previously raised the possibility of the altcoin rising to as high as $80 when it breaks out from a consolidation triangle.

XRP Is On The Brink Of A Parabolic Rally

Crypto analyst Mikybull Crypto recently suggested that XRP was on the brink of a parabolic rally. He stated in an X post that the token is currently at the level it was in 2017 and 2020, which triggered a “massive rally” for the crypto token on both occasions. In 2017, the altcoin enjoyed a price gain of 61,000% in 280 days.

The chart that Mikybull Crypto shared showed that the altcoin could rise to as high as $5. Meanwhile, crypto analyst XRP Captain claimed that the altcoin was ready for the “massive breakout.” He claimed that XRP is in the “middle of apex. ” Crypto analyst Jaydee also agreed with XRP Captain that a breakout is imminent, stating that “it’s coming,” although he claimed that “beginners” will miss out on the run.

At the time of writing, XRP is trading at around $0.52, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

“].75 holds significance as Egrag previously emphasized this price level as a “critical breakout point” for XRP. He had mentioned that XRP was on the verge of achieving a breakout above this level in the near future, with potential targets reaching .5 and even .5.

Another crypto analyst, CasiTrades, also shared a positive outlook for XRP, noting the bullish momentum and resistance-flipping trendline for the altcoin. She highlighted [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”You are a news editor expand and Rewrite the following article, remove references to the source, make sure the generated article is well written, makes sense and is SEO enabled:

Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has revealed a bullish pattern that recently formed on the XRP price chart. The analyst also revealed how high the crypto token could rise once it makes this move to the upside.

Inverted Hammer Forms On The Chart

Egrag highlighted an Inverted hammer that had formed on XRP’s chart while noting how bullish this was for the crypto token. He claimed that last month’s candle formation showed a 75% Inverted Hammer at the bottom, which is “super bullish” for XRP. Egrag believes this is an “amazing sign” that the altcoin could rise to $0.75 soon enough. He added that July will be a “month of fireworks” for XRP.

Crypto Analyst Predicts XRP Price Target of [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”Reword this title and remove reference to the source: ‘Inverted Hammer Appears On The XRP Price Chart, Crypto Analyst Picks First Target Of $0.75′”].75 with Inverted Hammer Pattern

XRP’s possible rise to $0.75 is significant, as Egrag had previously highlighted that price level as a “critical breakout point” for XRP. Back then, he mentioned that XRP was “poised” to achieve this breakout in the coming weeks. He suggested an XRP breakout above that price level would send it to $1.5, and the crypto token could enjoy a further upward trend to $7.5.

Crypto analyst CasiTrades also recently provided a bullish narrative for the altcoin. She stated that the crypto token is maintaining its bullish momentum and bouncing off the 0.382 retracement level. The analyst added that XRP has finally flipped a trendline that had acted as resistance for months to support.

Meanwhile, CasiTrades highlighted $0.54 as a price level to keep an eye on, stating that XRP could encounter resistance at that level. She suggested that the coin could enjoy a parabolic move if it breaks out above that price level, remarking that it is a “crucial level to watch for a potential breakthrough.”CasiTrades previously raised the possibility of the altcoin rising to as high as $80 when it breaks out from a consolidation triangle.

XRP Is On The Brink Of A Parabolic Rally

Crypto analyst Mikybull Crypto recently suggested that XRP was on the brink of a parabolic rally. He stated in an X post that the token is currently at the level it was in 2017 and 2020, which triggered a “massive rally” for the crypto token on both occasions. In 2017, the altcoin enjoyed a price gain of 61,000% in 280 days.

The chart that Mikybull Crypto shared showed that the altcoin could rise to as high as $5. Meanwhile, crypto analyst XRP Captain claimed that the altcoin was ready for the “massive breakout.” He claimed that XRP is in the “middle of apex. ” Crypto analyst Jaydee also agreed with XRP Captain that a breakout is imminent, stating that “it’s coming,” although he claimed that “beginners” will miss out on the run.

At the time of writing, XRP is trading at around $0.52, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

“].54 as a crucial price level to watch for potential resistance, suggesting that a breakout above this point could lead to a parabolic move for XRP. CasiTrades had previously suggested the possibility of XRP reaching as high as upon breaking out from a consolidation triangle.

Mikybull Crypto recently suggested that XRP was on the brink of a parabolic rally, comparing the current level of the token to previous instances in 2017 and 2020 that led to substantial price gains. The chart shared by Mikybull Crypto indicated a potential rise for XRP to . XRP Captain also expressed confidence in a “massive breakout” for the altcoin, with other analysts like Jaydee predicting an imminent breakout.

Currently, XRP is trading around [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”You are a news editor expand and Rewrite the following article, remove references to the source, make sure the generated article is well written, makes sense and is SEO enabled:

Crypto analyst Egrag Crypto has revealed a bullish pattern that recently formed on the XRP price chart. The analyst also revealed how high the crypto token could rise once it makes this move to the upside.

Inverted Hammer Forms On The Chart

Egrag highlighted an Inverted hammer that had formed on XRP’s chart while noting how bullish this was for the crypto token. He claimed that last month’s candle formation showed a 75% Inverted Hammer at the bottom, which is “super bullish” for XRP. Egrag believes this is an “amazing sign” that the altcoin could rise to $0.75 soon enough. He added that July will be a “month of fireworks” for XRP.

Crypto Analyst Predicts XRP Price Target of [or_text model=”openai/gpt-3.5-turbo” prompt=”Reword this title and remove reference to the source: ‘Inverted Hammer Appears On The XRP Price Chart, Crypto Analyst Picks First Target Of $0.75′”].75 with Inverted Hammer Pattern

XRP’s possible rise to $0.75 is significant, as Egrag had previously highlighted that price level as a “critical breakout point” for XRP. Back then, he mentioned that XRP was “poised” to achieve this breakout in the coming weeks. He suggested an XRP breakout above that price level would send it to $1.5, and the crypto token could enjoy a further upward trend to $7.5.

Crypto analyst CasiTrades also recently provided a bullish narrative for the altcoin. She stated that the crypto token is maintaining its bullish momentum and bouncing off the 0.382 retracement level. The analyst added that XRP has finally flipped a trendline that had acted as resistance for months to support.

Meanwhile, CasiTrades highlighted $0.54 as a price level to keep an eye on, stating that XRP could encounter resistance at that level. She suggested that the coin could enjoy a parabolic move if it breaks out above that price level, remarking that it is a “crucial level to watch for a potential breakthrough.”CasiTrades previously raised the possibility of the altcoin rising to as high as $80 when it breaks out from a consolidation triangle.

XRP Is On The Brink Of A Parabolic Rally

Crypto analyst Mikybull Crypto recently suggested that XRP was on the brink of a parabolic rally. He stated in an X post that the token is currently at the level it was in 2017 and 2020, which triggered a “massive rally” for the crypto token on both occasions. In 2017, the altcoin enjoyed a price gain of 61,000% in 280 days.

The chart that Mikybull Crypto shared showed that the altcoin could rise to as high as $5. Meanwhile, crypto analyst XRP Captain claimed that the altcoin was ready for the “massive breakout.” He claimed that XRP is in the “middle of apex. ” Crypto analyst Jaydee also agreed with XRP Captain that a breakout is imminent, stating that “it’s coming,” although he claimed that “beginners” will miss out on the run.

At the time of writing, XRP is trading at around $0.52, up in the last 24 hours, according to data from CoinMarketCap.

Featured image created with Dall.E, chart from Tradingview.com

“].52, showing an uptrend in the last 24 hours according to data from CoinMarketCap. The cryptocurrency market anticipates a positive trajectory for XRP, with various analysts projecting significant price movements in the near future.

Assistance Needed to Address Climate Change in Peconic Bay

Assistance Needed to Address Climate Change in Peconic Bay

Peconic Baykeeper, a nonprofit advocacy group, has launched a new initiative called Project R.I.S.E (Recording Inundation Surrounding the Estuary) and is seeking help from the public. The main goal of this project is to gather images from different points along the Peconic Estuary to document the impact of climate change on the coastline.

According to the state Department of Environmental Conservation, sea levels are rising on Long Island, with an expected increase of 13 to 25 inches over the next 25 years. This rise could potentially reach 69 inches by the end of the century.

Various locations, including Riverhead, Orient, East Hampton, Southampton, Noyac, and Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island, have installed “chronologs” – two-by-four wooden platforms with phone cradles attached. Visitors can take photos of the shoreline using these platforms, and the images can be submitted via email. They are then uploaded to individual websites where people can track changes to the coastline over time.

Peconic Baykeeper aims to expand the number of stations along the East End and is seeking a five-year commitment from each location. There is no cost for site partners to install or maintain the chronologs. The organization hopes to extend this commitment beyond the initial five years.

By participating in this initiative, individuals can contribute to documenting and understanding the effects of climate change on the Peconic Estuary.

Saudi Arabia becomes a full participant in Project mBridge

Saudi Arabia becomes a full participant in Project mBridge

Saudi Arabia has officially joined Project mBridge, a groundbreaking initiative led by China aimed at revolutionizing cross-border payments through central bank digital currency (CBDC). The Saudi Central Bank’s involvement as a “full participant” was announced by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), marking a significant step towards modernizing the country’s payment systems and potentially reducing reliance on cash.

Launched in 2021, Project mBridge is a collaborative effort involving the central banks of China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the goal of offering digital alternatives to physical cash and enhancing payment efficiency. The platform has now progressed to the “minimum viable product” phase, prompting the BIS to invite private financial institutions to contribute innovative solutions that maximize the platform’s potential.

With around 135 countries accounting for 98% of global GDP exploring CBDCs, the addition of Saudi Arabia to Project mBridge signifies a major milestone in advancing cross-border digital currency projects. This development is expected to facilitate commodity settlement outside of traditional currencies, particularly in the realm of oil trading between China and Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Central Bank has been evaluating the use of wholesale CBDC to streamline cross-border payment and settlement processes among commercial banks. In addition to the six full participants, Project mBridge has garnered support from 27 other institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and prominent financial entities like Goldman Sachs and HSBC. The platform’s compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine software further enhances its capabilities and reinforces its position in the digital currency landscape.

Project mBridge’s core objectives include facilitating swift and cost-effective cross-border payments while promoting financial inclusion, particularly in regions where correspondent banking poses challenges. By bringing together key global players and leveraging innovative technology, the initiative aims to revolutionize international trade and payment systems for the benefit of all stakeholders.

Consistent Growth in Small Business Retail Spending in May, Especially in Food & Beverage Sector.

Consistent Growth in Small Business Retail Spending in May, Especially in Food & Beverage Sector.

The Fiserv Small Business Index for May remained steady at 145, indicating stability in small business activities. Small business sales showed a 4.3% year-over-year increase in May, with a modest 0.2% month-over-month growth. Foot traffic also saw a 5.2% year-over-year rise, although there was a slight 0.5% decline compared to April.

Nationwide, small business retail spending stayed flat in May, with transactions seeing a 0.7% month-over-month increase. Food & beverage retailers experienced substantial spending expansion (+2.1%), while other sectors like clothing, sporting goods, and health/personal care also reported marginal gains over April.

On the other hand, spending in general merchandise, auto parts, building materials, and furniture declined in May, suggesting a restraint in discretionary spending by consumers.

Prasanna Dhore, Chief Data Officer at Fiserv, noted that consumer spending increased in May, but consumers are cautious about their discretionary purchases. There is a trend towards non-discretionary spending, with grocery stores seeing higher spending growth compared to restaurants.

Consumers are trying to strike a balance in food spending, allocating a significant portion of their budget to food purchases each month. Restaurant spending saw a 4.1% year-over-year increase, with a modest 0.6% growth from April. However, restaurant foot traffic decreased by 1.2% compared to April, as consumers preferred visits to food & beverage retailers, such as grocers, which saw an 8.4% year-over-year and 1.5% month-over-month increase in foot traffic.