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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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From PolyU Research to Geneva Global Debut: GOOD Vision oka³y! ™ Redefines Precision in Freeform Orthokeratology

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09/03/2026

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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 March 2026 – GOOD Vision Technologies Co., Limited, a pioneer in ophthalmic optics and diagnostics, today announced the global debut of oka³y!™, a first-of-its-kind “3A” Freeform Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) solution. Unveiled at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions in Geneva, the technology solves the industry’s most persistent hurdles by leveraging proprietary AI and freeform optics: AI-guided fitting, Astigmatic precision, and Asymmetric cornea alignment.

Beyond Traditional Toric Lenses: The Future of Freeform Orthokeratology

With myopia expected to affect 50% of the world’s population by 2050, demand for effective management is high. While Ortho-K is a highly effective strategy, traditional symmetric and spherical/ toric designs often underestimate corneal shape complexity, causing lens decentration and poor visual outcomes.

The oka³y!™ freeform technology, incorporating the company’s proprietary FAST-360 and CORe Technology, surpasses traditional lens design. AI-based FAST-360 reconstructs missing corneal data for faster scans, while CORe ensures precise alignment with the visual axis, leading to 3.1 times greater stability.

Precision Myopia Correction and Control for High Astigmatism and Asymmetric Corneas

For optometrists and clinic owners, oka³y!™’s key benefit is improving workflow by automating complex mathematics, cutting chair time by 64%. This boosts myopia management capacity without extra staff or lengthy training. “As a registered optometrist in Hong Kong and a researcher in one of the world’s leading optometric institutes, I witnessed a growing gap between the number of patients seeking Ortho-K and the limited range of conventional products available to treat them,” says Dr. Kin Ho Chan, Ken, the lead inventor of oka³y!™. “By focusing on the ‘3A’: AI-guided, Astigmatism, and Asymmetry, and working alongside The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Poly U), we have developed a design that not only delivers superior vision but also enhances safety by reducing corneal staining. We are turning a frustrating, manual trial-and-error process into a predictable one-click adjustment.”

From Niche Specialty to Global Enterprise: Scaling the Future of Eye Care

As myopia rates reach epidemic levels, GOOD Vision partners with PolyU, harnessing its research strengths and support from its startup ecosystem PolyVentures, to redefine primary eye care by transforming a niche specialty into a scalable global enterprise. By replacing manual OK lens design with oka³y!™, the company has created a technology bridging clinical complexity and scalability. This transition enables practitioners to manage myopia, high astigmatism, and asymmetrical cases precisely, removing barriers to modern refractive error management.

“By embedding and automating the complex mathematics of lens design, we provide clinicians with the tools to treat ‘difficult’ patients who were previously considered unsuitable for Ortho-K,” added Professor Chea-su Kee, Founder of GOOD Vision. “This is about elevating the global standard of care and ensuring that precision myopia management is accessible to the next generation on a global scale.”

Experience the Future of Myopia Control

GOOD Vision invites investors, distributors, and practitioners to a live demonstration of the oka³y!™ at the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva:

  • Location: PolyU Delegation Booth, Hall 2, Palexpo, CP 112, Route François-Peyrot 30, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex, Geneva, Switzerland
  • Dates: 11–15 March 2026

Hashtag: #GOODVision

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

About GOOD Vision Technologies Co., Limited

GOOD Vision, a Hong Kong-based startup nurtured by PolyU, is dedicated to advancing the field of corneal reshaping technologies. With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and affordability, the company develops innovative solutions to empower eye practitioners and enhance the quality of eye care worldwide.

For additional details about GOOD Vision and their innovative offerings, please visit

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Tech Innovator Acquires Nexxus Building Trivium to Oversee Asset Management

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09/03/2026

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Central Landmark Set for Revitalization with International Expertise

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 March 2026 – In a vote of confidence in Hong Kong’s vibrant and enduring business environment, Nexxus Building, a landmark Grade‑A commercial property in Central’s prestigious CBD, has been acquired by a leading figure in the technology sector. Trivium Asset Management (“Trivium”), an Asian real estate investment and asset management firm, has been appointed as Nexxus Building’s Asset Manager (“AMC” or Asset Management Company), taking charge of the asset’s comprehensive management and operations.

Under new ownership, Nexxus Building is set to undergo a forward‑looking transformation integrating next‑generation technologies with world‑class professional management. The revitalization aims to redefine the building’s market positioning, enhance its tenant experience, and reinforce its status as an iconic and premier Grade‑A property in the heart of Hong Kong’s CBD.

Leveraging Trivium’s extensive expertise, the enhancement programme will incorporate smart‑building management systems and sustainability‑driven upgrades designed to meet the evolving needs of global tenants. The reimagined Nexxus Building aims to attract financial institutions, fintech platforms, and technology enterprises, reaffirming Central’s position as Asia’s dynamic financial and innovation hub.

Mr. Wilfred Ma, Managing Partner of Trivium Asset Management, said, “Trivium is honored to be entrusted with the role of Asset Manager (“AMC” or Asset Management Company) for Nexxus Building, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic commercial landmarks. Drawing on our track record in real estate investment and operations across Hong Kong and Japan, we are committed to implementing forward‑thinking strategies that enhance tenant value, optimize building performance, and unlock Nexxus Building’s full potential as a commercial anchor in the city’s core.”

Originally built in 1962 as the former headquarters of Hang Seng Bank, Nexxus Building has been a witness to Hong Kong’s rise as a global financial centre. Following a major renovation in 2008 and the addition of a direct footbridge to IFC and the Airport Express in 2020, the building continues to host multinational corporations, leading financial institutions and professional services firms, and premium retail tenants – including the iconic Hong Kong Bankers Club – reinforcing its status as one of Central’s most distinguished Grade‑A office towers.

Hashtag: #TriviumAssetManagement

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

About Trivium Asset Management

Founded in 2022, Trivium Asset Management is a Hong Kong‑based real estate investment and asset management firm overseeing assets valued at over US$900 million across Asia. Trivium serves institutional investors, financial institutions, and family offices through integrated investment and asset management, value‑creation strategies, and technology integration. The firm’s mission is to maximize long‑term value and promote sustainable growth for clients and communities alike.

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HOFA Announces the Second Edition of the Digital Art Awards, in Collaboration with Exhibition Partner PhillipsX in Hong Kong, proudly backed by Lightyear

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09/03/2026

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 March 2026 – Celebrating a new generation of digital artists working across generative systems, AI, immersive media and experimental formats, with winners selected by a panel of leading experts and exhibited at Phillips’ Asia headquarters in the West Kowloon Cultural District during Hong Kong Art Basel Week 2026.

Refik Anadol, ‘Sense of Healing’, 2023, AI Data Sculpture (Courtesy of the Artist)

The awards ceremony will take place on 24 March 2026, featuring the four key categories of Still Image, Moving Image, Innovation and Experiential and followed by a private sale exhibition hosted by Phillips in Hong Kong, from 25–28 March 2026.

As a highlight of Hong Kong’s spring art calendar, the awards celebrate the growing cultural significance of digital art and spotlights the visionary artists redefining visual culture through cutting-edge technologies.

Thirty two international finalists will be selected for their work pushing the boundaries of digital creativity. Each of the four category winners will receive a $10,000 USDC commission towards a new artwork.

The thirty two finalists include several prominent figures in digital and generative art, such as Erick Calderon (Snowfro) Founder of Art Blocks, Botto, Sarah Meyohas, William Mapan, Sasha Stiles and Mario Klingemann – underscoring the calibre of talent the awards are already attracting with over two hundred applications across more than fifty countries.

Refik Anadol is nominated for the Honorary Career Award for Sense of Healing, an AI Data Sculpture that emerges from Refik Anadol Studio’s long-term research into creating meditative art based on neurological data.

Finalists and winners will be selected by a panel of leading experts in art, hospitality and technology, including Irini Mirena Papadimitriou, Exhibitions Director at Diriyah Art Futures, Thomas Heyne, Co-Founder and CEO at Scorpios, Dorothy di Stefano, Art Curator and Creative Strategist at Molten Immersive Art, Danielle So, Hong Kong Head of Auction, Modern & Contemporary Art, Phillips, Sebastien Borget, Co-Founder & Global of The Sandbox, SANDchain, President of Blockchain Game Alliance and Co-Founder of Artverse, Jean-Michel Pailhon, Co-Founder and Chief Investment Officer at Grailcapital, Simonida Pavicevic, Co-Founder and Curator at HOFA, Justin Gilanyi, Founder of WhereArt.Works and Curator at SILK, and Matt Zhang, Founder and Managing Partner at Hivemind Capital.

The Digital Art Awards are proudly backed by Lightyear, a subsidiary of Hivemind Digital Group. A full-stack digital culture partner, Lightyear provides infrastructure, liquidity and market expertise, and hands-on delivery for digital ownership and engagement across physical and digital experiences. Lightyear is committed to championing artists and organizations pushing the boundaries of digital culture.

Hashtag: #HOFA #PhillipsX

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

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