Latest news with #ThreeShips
Globe and Mail
25-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Faster, smarter and bolder: How AI is helping companies to pivot and profit in real time
This past January, Three Ships, a Toronto-based clean beauty brand, identified a spike in domestic sales through its artificial intelligence-enabled performance dashboard. It clearly tracked the growth back to the brand's Canadian identity. The team at Three Ships acted swiftly to update all channels across their marketing universe with made-in-Canada positioning. In the months that followed, they could see the elevated sales trend continuing with a 477 per cent increase in conversions related to the messaging. 'We're all about agility,' says Connie Lo, co-founder of Three Ships. 'We track our KPIs [key performance indicators] and reporting on a daily basis, so whenever we see any type of fluctuation in the market or within our own performance, we're able to diagnose it.' Since launching in 2017, Three Ships has built a robust e-commerce presence as well as relationships with North American retailers such as Whole Foods, Credo and the Detox Market. Ms. Lo says the company is on track to hit revenues of $16-million to $20-million in 2025. AI has become critical at Three Ships, to synthesize data, support the advertising creative development process, and build custom dashboards without extensive coding investments. In seconds, Three Ships can see how many touchpoints a cohort needs to make a purchase. In a volatile business environment, companies are leaning more on agile analytics and AI to drive quicker and smarter decisions. That's evident in marketing. For years, companies relied on mixed media modelling and consumer research studies for the confidence to spend their campaign budgets. But there's a downside. 'It takes six months to get you a six-month prediction, so it doesn't really help you anymore,' says Winston Li, founder of Toronto-based Arima, a cloud-based consumer insights platform. With Arima, companies can update their models weekly or monthly, which adds real-time relevance to sales forecasting and marketing investments. It's easier to pivot, Mr. Li says. Business leaders need to be technology leaders too, says Bernadette Osmow, president and chief marketing officer of Osmow's Shawarma, headquartered in Mississauga, Ont. The chain started as a mom-and-pop sub shop, and has grown to 203 restaurants. Osmow's has always been an early adopter of new technology, from digital screen menus to point-of-sale systems. They now use an AI-powered fraud-fighting platform that reduces false claims about delivery orders gone awry. AI is also being used to boost digital threat detection, says Palash Thakur, head of data analytics and fraud operations at Interac, the Canadian payments provider. 'The industry requires real-time insights to detect fraud patterns instantly and anticipate fraud attempts before they strike.' He sees generative AI and analytics as a strategic powerhouse, driving both immediate impacts and future readiness. 'We aim to shift from reactive reporting to proactive, anticipatory analytics that foresee client needs in a rapidly evolving financial landscape,' says Mr. Thakur. While Ms. Osmow embraces what AI can offer, she adds that it's not a replacement for team members. 'It's an efficiency piece that allows them to do their jobs faster and more seamlessly. We ask, 'What pain points do you have? What takes you the longest?' And then those are the things we look at in terms of AI.'
Global News
15-05-2025
- Health
- Global News
The best acne treatments from Canadian brands we love
The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms. Struggling with stubborn spots? You're not alone. In Canada, women account for 75 per cent of adult acne cases—a reminder that no one is too old for breakouts. The upside? Acne care has come a long way since the days of dotting toothpaste on a pimple (aka the minty mess that never worked). Thankfully, our favourite Canadian skincare brands are stepping up their offerings for pimple-prone women across the nation and beyond. From a salicylic acid-powered cleanser to cutesy hydrocolloid pimple patches, rest assured, there's a solution for every bothersome blemish. Ahead, eight breakout-fighting products that have you–and your skin–covered. Nudestix Blemish Clarifying Gel Moisturizer We love Nudestix for their minimalist makeup, but this powerhouse gel moisturizer deserves the spotlight too. With acne-fighting salicylic acid, brightening niacinamide and calming cica, it leaves skin clear and redness-free for the perfect skin base. $32 at Nudestix Story continues below advertisement Three Ships Refresh Cleanser with Papaya + Salicylic Acid You might know Three Ships for their cult-fave biodegradable eye masks, but don't sleep on this breakout-busting cleanser. Loaded with natural salicylic acid and papaya extract, it deep-cleans pores and gently exfoliates oily or combination skin in need of a reset. $30 on Amazon Blume Meltdown Oil for Acne Prone Skin Blume's breakout-fighting lineup is seriously impressive, and this targeted oil is no exception. Packed with clean, calming ingredients, it tackles active blemishes, fades stubborn scars and helps prevent future flare-ups–now that's a triple threat we can get behind. $40.50 at Sephora Grace & Stella Skin Rescue Hydrocolloid Covers No matter your skin concern–eye bags, dry skin, acne–Grace & Stella is here to save the day. These playful pimple patches don't just look cute; they're packed with tea tree and salicylic acid to help shrink spots fast. They're skincare superheroes, in sticker form. $13.95 on Amazon Story continues below advertisement You may also like: Oxy Deep Pore Acne Vanishing Treatment – $7.18 Attitude Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide – $29.99 Murad Deep Relief Acne Treatment – $61 Manjula Face Oil Face oil–for acne? Yes, you read that right. Majula's non-comedogenic formula is made for breakout-prone skin, with hand-picked ingredients that calm inflammation, balance oil and keep pores clear. The result? Hydrated, blemish-free skin–minus the greasiness. $85 at The Ordinary The Acne Set If one product isn't cutting it, it might be time to commit to a full routine. This three-step set from The Ordinary includes a cleanser, serum and moisturizer designed to target acne with the soothing, clarifying powers of beta glucan and salicylic acid. $18.60 at Sephora Story continues below advertisement Skinfix Resurface+ AHA/BHA Niacinamide Exfoliating Pads If rough texture has you down, this leave-on exfoliant from Skinfix is your saviour. Packed with skin-loving AHAs and niacinamide, these pre-soaked pads smooth, brighten and refine pores. Bonus: You can use them on your face, neck and body. $61.02 on Amazon $68 at Sephora Hypochlorous Acid All Natural Face and Skin Spray Here's an ingredient you might not have heard of: hypochlorous acid. Naturally produced by your body, it's a gentle but powerful ally for acne-prone skin–soothing redness and supporting your skin's protective barrier with just a spritz. This E11ement formula happens to be a total game-changer. $18.95 on Amazon You may also like: Sun Bum Sunscreen Lip Balm – SPF 30 – $4.49 Story continues below advertisement Finishing Touch Flawless Facial Hair Remover – $27.19 TheraFace LED Mask – $799.10
BBC News
17-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Albion Square: Extra £17m needed for Hull city centre development
A council is being asked to provide an extra £17m to plug a potential funding gap in a major Albion Square scheme will turn a derelict site in Hull city centre into homes, shops, offices and an urban park.A report to Hull City Council's cabinet recommended that "up to £17m of capital funding is allocated to the project to support the potential shortfall between development cost and end value".It also said the project would have to reapply for planning permission following the inclusion of an £18m Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC). The NHS building is set to open in April and provide X-rays, MRIs and CT its addition "represents a material departure from the originally approved outline and reserved matters scheme; therefore, a revised application will need to be submitted for the Albion Square Development," the report issues to be decided include whether to appoint a new development partner to finish the scheme, sell the site, or even end further work on it. The site includes a former BHS department store featuring a listed Three Ships mosaic mural by artist Alan Boyson, which must be incorporated into the than 600,000 tonnes of contaminated waste, including concrete blocks containing asbestos, has been removed from the former on the £96m project began in 2022 and is expected to be completed by report will be discussed at a meeting next to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
