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‘Western waistlines’ on the way globally as supermarkets and convenience stores take over the world, new study warns

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Immediate action needed to disrupt junk food diet trend

Some of the fastest growing countries in the world are set for dietary disaster as the trend of convenience store and supermarket dominance takes hold, according to a new global study released today on World Obesity Day.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2025 – Just published in Nature Food, the study by researchers from Deakin University in Australia and experts from UNICEF, unveils a seismic shift in the types of food stores springing up globally over the past 15 years, with serious health implications for vulnerable low and middle-income countries.

Analysing data from 97 countries on retail changes over the last 15 years, the study showed that the number of chain supermarkets, hypermarkets and convenience stores per 10,000 people increased by 23.6% globally over the period. With market domination by these types of retailers being the norm in high-income countries, low and middle-income countries are copying the trend and catching up fast. In South Asia and Southeast Asia, the number of chain retail outlets per person has increased by nearly 10% per year, with a corresponding drop off in independently owned traditional stores.

And in a sign that retail is set for an even bigger shake up, grocery sales from digital retailers increased by 325% over a 10-year period across 27 countries.

In a clear indication that more supermarkets and convenience stores are bad for our health, the researchers showed for the first time that at a global scale, change in the density of chain retail outlets and the increasing amount of unhealthy food sold by them was associated with an increase in the prevalence of obesity, which continues to rise in every region of the world and is very much a global concern.

And how does the increase in the number of chain retailers impact our health?

According to the study’s lead author Dr Tailane Scapin, from Deakin University:

“Large chain retailers usually hold significant market power, using their dominance over food manufacturers to determine what food is available and what price it’s sold at, which has led to the widespread availability of unhealthy foods.

“Large chain retailers and food manufacturers also use aggressive marketing strategies to promote unhealthy foods, contributing to poor dietary habits and, as consequence, negatively impacting their customers’ health.”

Dr Scapin said that immediate action was needed to address the impact of changing retail food environments.

“Our findings underscore the importance of regulating the retail environment to make sure that it’s healthy foods that are promoted, while the marketing and promotion of unhealthy food products is limited.

“In low and middle-income countries where supermarkets and convenience stores are spreading the fastest, governments have a time-limited opportunity to make sure that these new, modern retail stores actually promote healthy food. We know from the experience in North America, Europe and other high-income regions that once retailers are established, they are very hard to change.”

The study’s research team called for urgent action from governments, from retailers and from the health promotion workforce to prioritise healthier retail food environments that support sustainable and healthy dietary patterns and positive public health outcomes.

“With this research published on World Obesity Day which has a theme of ‘Changing systems for healthier lives’, it’s important that the promising action being taken by forward-thinking retailers and governments is scaled up globally,” Dr Scapin said.

The full study report, with data by country, by geographic region and by country income group, appears in the publication in Nature Food and in an interactive dashboard here.

This work was completed as part of a collaboration between UNICEF and the Centre of Research Excellence in Food Retail Environments for Health: Next Generation in Australia.

For further information visit: healthyfoodretail.com

Hashtag: #healthyfoodretail #globalhealth #healthyfoodresearch #research #WorldObesityDay #WOD #DeakinUniversity #GLOBE #populationhealth


) at Deakin University in Australia is a designated World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention. GLOBE’s vision is to catalyse improvements in population health – with a focus on prevention, nutrition and obesity – through innovative research that empowers people and enables healthier environments.

GLOBE is one of the largest research groups dedicated to obesity prevention research in Australia. As a leader in preventive health and nutrition research, our methods are drawn from multiple disciplines, including public health, nutrition and dietetics, epidemiology, political science, health economics, systems science and implementation science.
GLOBE is part of Deakin University’s Institute for Health Transformation.

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PERSOL Unveils Unified Regional Outsourcing Brand to Drive Digital Transformation and Operational Excellence in Singapore

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PERSOL Outsourcing will deliver tailored end-to-end solutions for today’s evolving business landscape

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – PERSOL, Asia Pacific’s leading HR solutions provider, today announced the official launch of PERSOL Outsourcing. This strategic rebranding brings together the collective strengths of P-Serv and EVO, creating a unified, future-ready outsourcing brand designed to help businesses navigate an increasingly complex and tech-driven market.

The rebranding of P-Serv and EVO as PERSOL Outsourcing marks a significant milestone in PERSOL APAC’s regional growth strategy. By combining three decades of operational stability with digital capabilities, PERSOL Outsourcing is positioned to deliver tailored end-to-end solutions that integrate People, Process, and Technology.

“The launch of PERSOL Outsourcing reflects our commitment to scaling smarter and innovating faster for our clients,” said Foo See Yang, Managing Director and Strategic Business Group Head, PERSOL APAC. “By unifying our business process design and technical expertise under one brand, we can deliver more comprehensive, scalable, and future-ready solutions to our clients in the region. The rebranding allows PERSOL APAC to better support clients’ evolving needs in areas such as digital transformation, workforce optimisation, and operational resilience.”

Tailored Solutions for an Increasingly Complex Landscape

PERSOL Outsourcing addresses the rising demand for agile delivery models in a regional Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market that is expected to reach US$147.06 billion by 2032. As regional enterprises increasingly seek partners who can navigate this rapid growth through specialised domain expertise, PERSOL Outsourcing will focus on delivering solutions across three core pillars:

  • Customer Experience: Supporting service delivery across all touchpoints, from customer service management to omnichannel contact centre operations and front-of-house operations.
  • Corporate Services: Streamline complex shared service operations through a comprehensive suite of solutions including Human Resource Advisory, Finance, Marketing, and Compliance. Services include the management of intricate administrative, facility, and regulatory requirements based on organisational needs and growth trajectories.
  • Technical: Driving digital transformation through engineering and IT infrastructure management. Capabilities span cloud operations, digital support, and platform management, leveraging AI implementation and automation to innovate and improve core business processes.

Effective immediately, P-Serv and EVO will operate under the PERSOL Outsourcing brand. The integration will allow clients to tap into an expanded suite of regional resources and digital innovations designed to drive greater operational efficiency.

For more information, please visit https://www.persoloutsourcing.com/.

Hashtag: #PERSOLOutsourcing

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About PERSOL Outsourcing

PERSOL Outsourcing is a regional strategic partner delivering comprehensive outsourcing solutions that seamlessly integrates people, process, and technology. As a newly integrated brand following the rebranding of P-Serv and EVO, PERSOL Outsourcing unites three decades of operational excellence with deep domain expertise to drive agility and resilience for enterprises across Asia-Pacific.

About PERSOL APAC

PERSOL is Asia-Pacific’s leading Staffing and HR solutions partner, operating across 13 markets with deep local insight and regional scale. With more than 140 offices and decades of experience, we deliver integrated workforce solutions that are tailored, tech-enabled, and designed for the dynamic world of work.

We combine human expertise with smart technology to help organisations solve workforce challenges, unlock potential, and stay ahead of change. From recruitment and talent management to workforce strategy and advisory, our collaborative approach puts your goals at the centre.

In 2025, we came together under the PERSOL name – reflecting our bold vision for the future of work and our Group’s Vision: ‘Work and Smile’. Whether you’re building teams, growing careers, or transforming how work gets done, we’re here.

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PERSOL Introduces Unified Regional Outsourcing Brand to Boost Digital Transformation and Operational Excellence in Malaysia

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PERSOL Outsourcing will deliver tailored end-to-end solutions for today’s evolving business landscape

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – PERSOL, Asia Pacific’s leading HR solutions provider, today announced the official launch of PERSOL Outsourcing. This strategic rebranding brings together the collective strengths of P-Serv and EVO, creating a unified, future-ready outsourcing brand designed to help Malaysia businesses navigate an increasingly complex and tech-driven market.

The rebranding of P-Serv and EVO as PERSOL Outsourcing marks a significant milestone in PERSOL APAC’s regional growth strategy. By combining three decades of operational stability with digital capabilities, PERSOL Outsourcing is positioned to deliver tailored end-to-end solutions that integrate People, Process, and Technology.

“The transition to PERSOL Outsourcing is a natural evolution of our deep-rooted presence in Malaysia and the wider region,” said Brian Sim, Managing Director and Country Head of PERSOL Malaysia. “By unifying the specialised domain expertise of P-Serv and EVO, we are better positioned to help our clients navigate the evolving business and workforce landscape. Our clients will continue to work with the same expert teams they trust, but with the added benefit of unified regional scale and enhanced digital capabilities that drive long-term resilience and efficiency.”

Tailored Solutions for an Increasingly Complex Landscape

PERSOL Outsourcing addresses the rising demand for agile delivery models in a regional Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market that is expected to reach US$147.06 billion by 2032. In Malaysia, Customer Experience BPO market generated US$1.43 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% by 2030. As local and regional enterprises increasingly seek partners who can navigate this rapid growth through specialised domain expertise, PERSOL Outsourcing will focus on delivering solutions across three core pillars:

  • Customer Experience: Supporting service delivery across all touchpoints, from customer service management to omnichannel contact centre operations and front-of-house operations.
  • Corporate Services: Streamline complex shared service operations through a comprehensive suite of solutions including Human Resource Advisory, Finance, Marketing, and Compliance. Services include the management of intricate administrative, facility, and regulatory requirements based on organisational needs and growth trajectories.
  • Technical: Driving digital transformation through engineering and IT infrastructure management. Capabilities span cloud operations, digital support, and platform management, leveraging AI implementation and automation to innovate and improve core business processes.

Effective immediately, P-Serv and EVO will operate under the PERSOL Outsourcing brand. The integration will allow clients to tap into an expanded suite of regional resources and digital innovations designed to drive greater operational efficiency.

For more information, please visit https://www.persoloutsourcing.com/.

Hashtag: #PERSOLOutsourcing

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About PERSOL Outsourcing

PERSOL Outsourcing is a regional strategic partner delivering comprehensive outsourcing solutions that seamlessly integrates people, process, and technology. As a newly integrated brand following the rebranding of P-Serv and EVO, PERSOL Outsourcing unites three decades of operational excellence with deep domain expertise to drive agility and resilience for enterprises across Asia-Pacific.

About PERSOL APAC

PERSOL is Asia-Pacific’s leading Staffing and HR solutions partner, operating across 13 markets with deep local insight and regional scale. With more than 140 offices and decades of experience, we deliver integrated workforce solutions that are tailored, tech-enabled, and designed for the dynamic world of work.

We combine human expertise with smart technology to help organisations solve workforce challenges, unlock potential, and stay ahead of change. From recruitment and talent management to workforce strategy and advisory, our collaborative approach puts your goals at the centre.

In 2025, we came together under the PERSOL name – reflecting our bold vision for the future of work and our Group’s Vision: ‘Work and Smile’. Whether you’re building teams, growing careers, or transforming how work gets done, we’re here.

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Maharlika Consortium Breaks Ground for PHP 2 Billlion Microgrid Investment Powering 12,000 Philippine Homes

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – The Maharlika Consortium, through its Special Purpose Companies Archipelago Renewables Corporation (ARC) and ARC II, in partnership with lead developers WEnergy Global and CleanGrid Partners, announced that it has officially broken ground for its ambitious project, commencing construction on a total of twenty-four (24) new off-grid microgrids, the largest private sector portfolio of its kind in the country. This significant milestone follows the pivotal regulatory approvals granted by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) earlier, paving the way for the largest private sector investment in rural electrification in the Philippines. Representing approximately ₱2.1 billion (US$35 million) in capital investment, this undertaking will bring clean, reliable, 24/7 quality electricity to 11,560 households, benefiting over 50,000 people and local enterprises, across previously unserved or underserved communities in Palawan, Cebu, and Quezon. This builds on the award-winning Sabang Microgrid that the consortium has developed and been operating sine 2019, serving over 600 consumers in the UNESCO Heritage community that hosts the renowned Underground River in Puerto Princesa.

Left Image:
Atem S. Ramsundersingh, Founder and CEO of WEnergy Global

Right Image:
Local officials, consortium partners, and community stakeholders gather for the Hybrid Microgrid Power Plant Groundbreaking Ceremony in Caruray, Palawan. Present are Barangay Captain Bernardo M. Borja, Mayor Ramir Pablico, Quintin Jose V. Pastrana, Atem S. Ramsundersingh, and H.E. Constance See, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Philippines.

Maharlika Consortium is a recognized leader in microgrid innovation, deploying best-in-class technology that includes advanced solar PV power, high-performance battery storage systems (BESS), intelligent hybrid generation, smart meters, and sophisticated distribution grids to deliver 24/7 clean, affordable, and reliable electricity to residential and commercial consumers.

Awarded following a competitive selection process by the Philippine government under the Qualified Third Party Programme (QTP) and the new Microgrid Service Provider (MGSP) Act, the approved microgrids will deploy a smart, clean, and modern utility-grade power infrastructure. The portfolio will initially deploy 7 MWp Solar PV, BESS totaling 8.0 MWh, efficient diesel capacity of 3.5 MW and a smart power distribution network of 225 km across the three provinces. This ambitious undertaking is expected to generate approximately 300 full-time jobs during the 10-12 month construction period, with 30 permanent positions for operations and maintenance (O&M) and additional part-time sub-contractors for ongoing maintenance works.

This significant milestone underscores the Philippine government’s intensified efforts to fast-track rural electrification projects. These initiatives are propelled through pathways such as the Certified Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS) designation and inter-agency streamlining, consistent with the respective mandates and authorities of the concerned government agencies, a push acknowledged by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin and ERC Chairperson Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan. Now facing a global oil crisis, more than ever, decentralized and hybrid power infrastructure is the country’s best strategy to increase its energy security. Such hybrid powered microgrids will reduce the burden on fuel subsidies by the government while ensuring business continuity in entire communities, because over 50-60 percent of the power is generated from locally available sunlight.

In Palawan, a province celebrated for its environmental efforts and home to the world-class pioneering Sabang microgrid, the news was warmly received by local leadership. “This program is about creating opportunities, improving lives, and building a brighter future for every San Vicentenian. As we lay the foundation today, we are not only building infrastructure—we are building hope.” said San Vicente Mayor Ramir R. Pablico.

Community leaders and indigenous representatives also expressed strong support for the project, highlighting its long-awaited impact on education, livelihoods, and cultural continuity. “We have been waiting a long time for this project because our community truly wants access to electricity. While I know some of our residents may face challenges in getting connected due to financial constraints, I am confident they will find ways, because they want their children to study well. Reliable lighting will help ensure better education for our community,” said Barangay Captain Alvin J. Marsi of Taburi. “We are grateful to our elders and the Indigenous Political Structure for their support through the entire approval process. Their consent reflects a shared aspiration to advance and develop their community,” said Dina C. Pascual, Municipal Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR). “This project is very meaningful for us. I believe this is not only for our generation, but especially for the children. We hope that access to electricity will encourage our youth to stay, so they can continue to protect and uphold the rights of our indigenous community,” shared Ebredy Orok, an Indigenous community elder, who affirmed that the project has been granted a Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) through the National Commission on Indigenos Peoples (NCIP).

Her Excellency Ambassador Constance See of Singapore, who led key dignitaries during the ceremony, underscored the broader significance of the project, highlighting both its development impact and the strength of bilateral cooperation. “This is not just an energy project—it is a development project. Projects like this microgrid strengthen livelihoods, improve access to essential services, and demonstrate how Singapore and the Philippines can work together to deliver practical, lasting benefits for communities.”

Atem S. Ramsundersingh, CEO of WEnergy Global, the pioneering company in hybrid power systems and offgrid microgrids over past 14 years, highlighted the significant opportunity for financiers. “We invite financing institutions to join this movement as lenders, claim real, measurable SDG impact, and gain early access to an approximately US$7 billion off-grid infrastructure market in the Philippines. Our 24-site portfolio is diversified, de-risked, and shovel-ready, now also open for financing of 8 additional sites. We expect to apply for more offgrid microgrid sites in 2026 and beyond and invite national and international investors to join this mission.”

“These approvals and the subsequent groundbreaking validate our approach: building bankable, scaleable microgrids to empower the over 2 million Filipino households that remain unenergized,” added Quintin V. Pastrana, President of Maharlika Clean Power Holdings. “We are grateful to our partners who have sustained their patience and determination to secure the necessary approvals under this new regulatory framework and believe with this experience and more streamlined processes, we can bring in more private sector investment to support the government reach its 100% household energization target within the decade.”

With the groundbreaking successfully completed, construction is now officially underway. While development will proceed in phases, ensuring all DENR clearances, final local government unit permits, and compliance with remaining ERC requirements are meticulously secured, the Maharlika Consortium remains steadfast in its aim to have every community energized by Christmas 2026, bringing 24/7 power to households, schools, barangay health stations, and micro, small, and medium enterprises. These decentralized power infrastructure systems are also opening up opportunities for owners and operators of micro and containerized data centers to co-locate with this decentralized set up and the use of clean energy sources.

Backed by the ERC, DOE and DENR, and with vital support from governors, mayors and barangays clearing rights-of-way and permits, this program marks a decisive shift in how rural electrification gets done in the Philippines: faster, accountable and designed for impact. The Maharlika Consortium is matching that public resolve with WEnergy Global driving disciplined execution, engineering with suppliers and local contractors to deliver fit-for-island components and climate-resilient power networks that withstand typhoons, floods and earthquakes. The objective is specific and measurable: close the energy-poverty gap in our host communities, unlock local jobs and services, and deliver lifetime reliability and value for money.

Hashtag: #MaharlikaConsortium #WEnergy

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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