Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/550022
Events 44 maltatoday, Sunday, 2 auguSt 2015 M·A·C Cosmetics launches in Malta M·A·C Cosmetics, the profes- sional choice of make-up artists around the world, and one of the most iconic brands of cosmetics, will be opening two new stores in Malta. M·A·C offers an extraordinary collection of make-up products loved and championed by profes- sional make-up artists around the world since its inception in 1984. The brand is currently sold in 106 countries around the world. It is committed to developing new categories and products, with over 60 new collections each year and offering unique high touch in store experience. M·A·C has a very strong pres- ence in the beauty and fashion industry, supporting designers and fashion weeks worldwide, sharing latest trends, suggesting products and beauty tips and of- fering professional makeup serv- ices. M·A·C founded the M·A·C Aids Fund in 1994 to support people affected by HIV/AIDS, and to date has raised over $385 million exclusively through the sale of M∙A∙C VIVA GLAM lipstick and lipgloss donating 100 percent of the sale price to fight HIV/AIDS. Edoardo Bernardi, General Manager The Estée Lauder Com- panies Italy, said: "I am especially proud that the M·A·C brand is now also debuting in Malta with the opening of these 2 points of sale. M·A·C, thanks to its di- rect retail model, is increasingly growing in all European coun- tries. "In Italy, during the last finan- cial year, one point of sale per month was opened and in the wake of this success, we are con- fident that the brand will succeed in winning an important position here too. The M·A·C brand is ap- preciated because it allures the consumer and is able to offer a more and more involved and dy- namic shopping experience". The brand's launch in Malta follows an agreement with Unit- ed Department Stores Limited, a subsidiary of United Group of Companies. This marks another significant step in the United Group's on-going expansion in the retail sector. Simon Gatt Baldacchino, Man- aging Director of United Depart- ment Stores Limited, said: "As the retail market in Malta continues to grow and evolve, our Group is well placed to follow up on new opportunities in the sector. "We see further value in the consumer market as consumers become more cosmopolitan in their lifestyle and preferences, and demand the best quality. There is therefore a clear space for brands such as M·A·C in our market and we are fully confident that this long-awaited brand, and its' exciting collections, will be enthusiastically welcomed here.'' The first two M·A·C stores will be conveniently located at De- benhams at The Point Shopping Mall and in Tigné Street, Sliema. Opel continues on successful course in Europe OPEL remains on a successful course in Europe: according to the preliminary numbers for June, new car registrations in- creased by more than 9,800 vehi- cles compared to the same month of last year – an increase of 9 per cent, resulting in new registra- tions of 118,600. The market share was at 6.35 per cent. Opel's result for the first six months of 2015 is also positive. From January to June, the carmaker sold 582,300 ve- hicles, an increase of three per cent or around 18,400 units more than in the same period of 2014. This is equivalent to a slightly improved market share of 5.9 per cent. "The increase in volume in more than 20 markets in the first six months shows that our models appeal to the customers. The new Opel KARL, for which we have already received 30,000 orders, our personal connectiv- ity and service assistant Opel OnStar will create additional impetus for further growth," said Peter Christian Küspert, Vice President Sales & Aftersales Opel Group. In the first half of 2015 Opel registered an increase in regis- trations in 20 European markets including Germany (+ 2 percent), the United Kingdom (+4 per- cent), France (+7 percent), Spain (+18 percent), Italy (+17 percent), Portugal (+21 percent), Poland (+20 percent) and Turkey (+ 36 percent). The brand registered an increase of market shares in more than 13 European markets.. In June, Opel conquered first place on the Hungarian passenger car market with a market share of 11.3 percent. The Rüsselsheim- based carmaker also took second place in the registration statistics in Austria (7.57 percent market share) and the Netherlands (8.1 percent market share. The Mokka once again led the way for the passenger car portfo- lio with an increase of more than 20,000 units or 28 percent. Corsa registrations were up by around 18,000 units or twelve percent followed by the ADAM with more 2,500 units or nine percent. Opel was extremely successful with its LCV portfolio from Jan- uary to June. Registrations rose by 25 percent to 51,500 units. The market share increased by 0.56 percentage points to 4.03 percent. All three LCV lines re- corded an increase in volume with the Movano up 34 percent, the Vivaro 27 percent and the Combo 15 percent. Opel is represented in Malta by Cars International in Mdina Road, Qormi. To experience an Opel car first-hand, book a test drive by sending an email to opelsales@cil.com.mt or call- ing 2269 2122. You can also visit opel.com.mt or the Facebook page Opel Malta. MTA lauds positive tourism results for Gozo and Comino THE collective accommodation statistics for May 2015 published by the National Statistics Office show a marginal increase of 0.5% in arrivals in this type of accom- modation, which excludes private and self catering accommodation facilities. Nights spent increased by a stronger 1.5% due to a slightly longer average length of stay when compared to same month last year. The average length of stay for May 2015 was 5.32 nights as opposed to 5.26 nights in May 2014. These results continue to con- firm the trend emerging from the overall inbound tourism figures published by the National Statis- tics Office which indicate very clearly that the number of tour- ists choosing to stay in non-col- lective private accommodation is increasing at a much faster rate than in collective accommoda- tion. In fact, in May 2015, nights spent in private accommodation increased by 12.6%. Performances during May were overall positive with particular reference to the number of tour- ists staying in 4- and 3-star hotel establishments, which increased by 2.8% and 2.7% respectively. Nights generated by these estab- lishments also grew by 1.9% and 2.2% respectively. 5-star hotel performance was marginally down. Gozo and Comino over-per- formed when compared to main- land Malta. In fact while the main island's results in collective accommodation terms were static in comparison to the previous year, Gozo and Comino grew by 8.8% over May 2014. A positive performance was re- corded for the period January to May 2015, with total arrivals and nights in collective accommoda- tion estimated at 572,409 tourists and 2,989,507 nights respectively; this is equivalent to an increase of 2.1% in arrivals and 1.6% in nights spent. The overall net occupancy rate for the first five months of this year stood at 55.2%, up by 2.7 percentage points over the same period last year. Cumulative in- creases in arrivals and nights were mainly recorded by hotel accom- modation in mainland Malta. MTA CEO Paul Bugeja reacted positively to these figures saying that the current year's excellent results are being spread amongst the various components of the industry including the traditional laggards in the lower categories, which from other data available have shown an increase in their average room rates on a consist- ent basis. Such performances shall con- tribute strongly to these catego- ries' profitability and employ- ment potential, supporting their long-term sustainability, creating further confidence in their in- vestment and upgrading strate- gies. These will in turn continue to consolidate Malta's competi- tiveness as a tourism destination in the years to come. Malta Stock Exchange treats children from the Tarxien creche THE Malta Stock Exchange (MSE) Social Events Committee hosted 20 young children from the Tarxien Children's Home to a fun-filled day by the pool at a Siggiewi Farmhouse on Saturday 18 July 2015. The Exchange staff together with the children, nuns and other carers had a great day out, with everyone taking a reprieve from the heat of summer with games and lots of swimming, as well as lunch and refreshments in a truly picturesque environ- ment. This event was organised by the MSE, which regularly en- deavours to organise events with staff and their families, and com- bine these events with fundrais- ing for charitable causes. The Exchange and its staff also con- tributed to financially support this event, since it fell within the MSE's Corporate Social Respon- sibility strategy which assists worthy causes that are charita- ble, socio-cultural, educational or environmental. The success of the event was also made possible through the generous support from David Azzopardi from Sathobby, Joe Borg from Smart Office Sup- plies Ltd, and Alex Fenech from Percius Car Hire, and of course the Borg family, who graciously hosted the event at their farm- house. The Malta Stock Exchange Chairman Joseph Portelli said that he really appreciated the gifts received from some very generous benefactors as well as the charity and kindness from the hosts and Exchange staff. He said, "I think we all experienced a sense of satisfaction from see- ing the smiles on those beautiful innocent young faces. I so hope we can do it again soon."