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KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) — iHerb, one of the world’s leading online retailers for health and wellness products, celebrated a groundbreaking 2024, with net sales surpassing US$2.4 billion, marking a historic peak for the company. (US$1=RM4.40)

The growth was propelled by robust customer demand and a commitment to exceptional service, as the e-commerce retailer fulfiled 37 million orders across 180 countries, reinforcing its position as a trusted global leader in the health and wellness industry.

Its chief executive officer, Emun Zabihi, praised the company’s resilience amid global challenges, emphasising the trust built with customers through quality products and seamless service.

“As we look ahead, we remain committed to our mission of making health and wellness accessible to all,” he said in a statement.

iHerb achieved a 14.5 per cent year-over-year increase in net sales, topping US$2.4 billion. The company’s Anniversary Sale in September 2024 set new records in various metrics, generating around US$250 million in sales and contributing to iHerb’s robust international presence.

Active customers grew by 20 per cent to 12.4 million, with repeat customers responsible for 73 per cent of orders. High customer loyalty was reflected in a 90 per cent satisfaction rate and an impressive 85.6 per cent Net Promoter Score (NPS).

In addition, iHerb sourced nearly 250 new brands in 2024, including major names like Olaplex and Superfoods. The company’s product catalogue now includes over 50,000 items, spanning health, wellness, beauty, and nutrition solutions.

Investments in culturally diverse products, the customer platform, now available in 22 languages, helped iHerb broaden its reach with a presence in 25 global marketplaces such as JD and Rakuten.

With seven logistics centres in the United States and abroad, iHerb maintained fast shipping times, with nearly half of its orders arriving in under three days. New shipping methods and free delivery in 80 countries have further strengthened its logistics capabilities.

Building on the momentum of 2024, iHerb plans to strengthen its market position by expanding product lines, enhancing customer relationships, and driving innovation to meet evolving consumer needs. The company is opening two additional fulfilment facilities strategically in Dallas, Texas, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to speed up delivery times and support its growing customer base.

To drive growth, the company plans to focus on three strategic pillars, namely invest in targeted digital campaigns to attract health-conscious consumers; enhance product selection; and achieve sustainable growth through operational excellence.

iHerb is poised for continued success as it builds on its strengths, delivering accessible health and wellness solutions for millions of customers worldwide.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 (Bernama) — The European Capital of Culture officially kicked off at Europe Square, the symbolic centre of both Slovenian Nova Gorica and Italian Gorizia, with a grand celebration on Feb 8, coinciding with Slovenia’s Cultural Holiday.

Titled From Station to Station, the opening event will feature performances by musicians, dancers, and folklorists across both cities, followed by an unforgettable cultural spectacle at Nova Gorica’s municipal building.

According to the Slovenian Tourist Board in a statement, over the next several months, the GO! 2025 programme will feature a range of events, including concerts, theatre performances, art exhibitions, film screenings, and culinary experiences.

Key highlights include March for Europe (May 1 to 9), transforming border crossings into art; Tastes without Borders (Sept 26 to 28), offering a feast of gourmet delights; and the Enlightened Closing Ceremony (Dec 1 to 3), illuminating both cities in a spectacular finale.

Highlights also include concerts by Alexander Gadjijev, Borderless Body, Dodecalogy 1972–1983, EPIC, ISOLABS, and Benedetti Life, celebrating unity, creativity and cultural heritage.

GO! 2025 also offers an opportunity to explore the region’s rich history and nature. Nova Gorica, Slovenia’s youngest city, is known for its modernist architecture and proximity to the scenic Soča River, offering plenty of natural beauty. Visitors can explore the Soča Valley, visiting Tolmin, Kobarid, and Bovec.

To stay updated on events, attendees are encouraged to use the Wherever You Go! – GO!2025 web app, which offers the latest event details, or the BulevAR app, which enhances the experience by using augmented reality to bring the past and present of Nova Gorica and Gorizia to life.

The Slovenian Tourist Board is deeply engaged in promoting GO! 2025, recognising arts and culture as a central theme of 2024–2025 promotional activities.

— BERNAMA

· ALMANAR brings ROSHN’s integrated community living to Makkah Al-Mukarramah, offering over 700 new homes available for sale in the first batch.
· With a diverse selection of homes strategically positioned within walking distance of key amenities, ALMANAR promises residents convenience and quality of life.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Feb 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — ROSHN Group, Saudi Arabia’s leading multi-asset class real estate developer and a PIF company, has launched the first batch of sales for ALMANAR, its first community in Makkah. Providing a new way of living, integrated with vital and lifestyle amenities and located inside Al-Haram Boundary, 20 minutes from Al-Masjid Al-Haram, ALMANAR expands ROSHN’s offering across the Kingdom.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250217884369/en/

The first sales offering for ALMANAR includes 727 single-family homes, in several typologies, ranging from 3- to 4-bedroom townhouses and duplexes up to 4- to 5-bedroom villas, including ROSHN Group’s largest C10 villa typology offering. Every home in ALMANAR features stylish kitchens with coordinated color palettes and convenient shaded parking spots. Customers can visit the available exemplary ALMANAR show villa at the on-site Sales Center.

ALMANAR community enjoys a strategic location adjacent to Makkah Gate, just 20 minutes from the Al-Masjid Al-Haram, less than an hour from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Centered around a lush green spine with more than 18% of its footprint composed of green and open public spaces, ALMANAR fosters dynamic community engagement and promotes a healthy, active lifestyle with dedicated paths for walking and cycling.

The community features the rich and vibrant array of amenities signature to ROSHN Group developments, readily accessible from every home on walkable living streets, including, retail and commercial centers schools, and both local and Jumaa mosques. Ideally situated at Makkah’s Western Gate, between the old and new expressways linking the city to Jeddah, ALMANAR community is exceptionally well-connected.

ALMANAR community draws inspiration from the region, with homes embracing traditional architectural styles and adornments rendered in modern materials that beautifully capture the essence and heritage of the region. Sustainability is at the core of ALMANAR community with homes delivering significant energy and water conservation, featuring industry-leading energy-conserving technologies, including modern insulation, and efficient air-conditioning.

The Acting Group CEO of ROSHN Group, Dr. Khalid Johar, stated: “We are thrilled to bring our vision of new way of living to Makkah for the first time, offering the highest standards for a vibrant and integrated community on the doorstep of the holy city that meets all residents’ needs. With ALMANAR community, we honor the region’s rich architectural designs while embracing nature, providing residents the chance to embrace a healthy lifestyle. The sales launch of the first batch of ALMANAR community underscores our commitment to developing exceptional destinations that cater to the diverse needs and aspirations of the Kingdom’s residents, aligning with Vision 2030 objectives for homeownership and quality of life.”

*Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250217884369/en/

Contact

Abeer Alqahtani
aalqahtani@apcoworldwide.com

Source : ROSHN Group

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 3 (Bernama) — EBC Financial Group (EBC), a global financial brokerage, has announced its latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative through a strategic partnership with the Shakti Empowerment Education Foundation, part of the Shakti Regeneration Institute (SRI).

EBC in a statement said this collaboration will support the Ramakrishna Vedanta Vidyapith school in West Bengal, India, providing 50 low-income students with access to essential educational materials, uniforms, vocational sewing classes, and extracurricular activities.

This partnership forms part of EBC’s broader CSR strategy, which complements its role as a global financial brokerage, enabling access to global markets while promoting equitable education and sustainable development in communities where economic opportunities are limited.

Moreover, EBC has also supported the University of Oxford’s What Economists Really Do public education series through the sponsorship of two episodes, namely The Economics of Tax Evasion in 2023 and Macroeconomics and Climate in November 2024.

These episodes explore how economics can address significant societal issues and reflect EBC’s broader mission of empowering informed decision-making, a principle that also drives its global brokerage services, enabling individuals and institutions to confidently navigate financial markets.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate EBC’s dedication to advancing educational access, promoting critical discourse, and addressing the interconnected challenges of socio-economic development and sustainability.

Shifting focus to India, EBC’s partnership with SRI reinforces its mission to drive long-term societal change at the local level, equipping individuals with the tools to thrive and contribute to the development of their communities while promoting sustainable development at the grassroots level.

In addition to this critical sponsorship, EBC’s leadership in global advocacy is reflected in its contributions to the upcoming documentary #TheRegenerationGeneration, an initiative of SRI directed by its founder, Indrani Pal-Chaudhuri.

The film, which addresses the urgent need for regenerative finance and education, highlights the efforts of Nobel Prize winners, innovators, business leaders, educators, and Indigenous leaders working together to protect vulnerable ecosystems and communities from the increasing threats of climate change.

Operating under top-tier regulation, EBC combines its mission to equip investors with access to global markets such as currencies, indices, and commodities with impactful social investments that contribute to community welfare and sustainability.

— BERNAMA