Christmas is over, but retailers will remain busy—with returns
The month after Christmas has been dubbed “Returnuary” for good reason. The National Retail Federation estimates 17% of holiday purchases will be sent back this year.
online sales
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Online vendors already cashing in on Trump assassination attempt
Retailers and conservative supporters have commodified the assassination attempt on Donald Trump at lightning speed, with products from T-shirts to trading cards bearing images of the former president—fist raised and bleeding at his Pennsylvania campaign rally—flooding the internet.
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In Indy visit, Donald Trump Jr., Jim Banks offer vision for parallel economy
Donald Trump Jr. and U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Indiana)were joined by Michael Seifert, founder and CEO of PublicSq., a digital marketplace of businesses that support conservative causes.
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Online grocery service Green Bean Delivery calling it quits
The 15-year-old Indianapolis-based company founded by organic farmer Matt Ewer and nutritionist Beth Blessing said it would permanently close after this week’s deliveries.
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Shein’s U.S. expansion starts with distribution center in Indiana
The apparel company founded in China is pushing to get its ultra-low priced merchandise on doorsteps more quickly by opening more North American distribution centers, including a major hub in Whitestown.
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Fast shipping is increasing emissions. Here’s why delivery has become more polluting.
Companies like Amazon, which provides same-day or overnight shipping in many cases, are changing their delivery vehicles and processes to minimize environmental impact.
Instacart ends a program where users could see different prices for the same item at the same store
A recent report by consumer advocacy agencies said Instacart offered nearly three out of every four grocery items to shoppers at multiple prices as part of an experiment.
Shoppers spend billions online on Black Friday, despite wider economic uncertainty
Consumers have turned to online deals to make post-Thanksgiving purchases from the comfort of their own homes—or opt to stretch out spending across longer promotions now offered by retailers.
Ford taps Amazon to let shoppers buy its used cars online
Ford joins Hyundai on the Amazon Autos portal, which allows car buyers to browse, finance and purchase a used car by clicking on the familiar “add to cart” icon.
Amazon launches new AI shopping tool for US users
Initially, the Help Me Decide tool will be available to “millions” of U.S. consumers picked randomly, suggesting a limited test to see how it performs and whether shoppers use it.
OpenAI partners with Walmart to let users buy products in ChatGPT, furthering chatbot shopping push
The retailer’s products will be available through instant checkout in ChatGPT—allowing users to buy anything from meal ingredients or household items, to other goods they might be discussing with the chatbot.
Tariff exemption for small orders set to end in big deal for some shoppers, businesses
Proponents of limiting the exemption argue that it has served as a way for China-founded retail platforms like Temu and Shein to flood the U.S. with low-priced goods.
Customers seeking deals give Amazon’s Prime Day, competing sales a solid start
Adobe Digital Insights, which tracks visits to e-commerce sites, reported that U.S. consumers spent $7.9 billion at online stores on Tuesday, a 9.9% increase from the comparable day last year.
Temu sales plunge 25% in United States, but rival Shein sees growth
Temu’s sales decline in the U.S. is deepening as the online marketplace drastically cuts spending on advertising targeting American consumers, signaling a shift in focus after President Donald Trump’s tariff barrage.
Nike to start selling products directly on Amazon again
Nike, which sells footwear, clothing and other items, cut ties with Amazon in 2019, at a time when the online retailer was trying to lure big brands to its website.
Tariffs double some prices on retail sites Temu, Shein
There are no import surcharges on items that are already available in U.S. warehouses, keeping the prices of those goods generally stable, at least for now.
Secondhand retailers poised to benefit if tariffs drive up new clothing costs
Price hikes may drive cost-conscious shoppers to online resale sites, consignment boutiques and thrift stores in search of bargains or a way to turn their wardrobes into cash.
E-commerce sites Temu, Shein say they’re raising prices due to tariffs
Temu, which is owned by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, and Shein, which is now based in Singapore, said in separate but nearly identical notices that their operating expenses have gone up “due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs.”
New rule aims to help consumers cancel subscriptions, memberships
The click-to-cancel rule went into effect Jan. 14, although sellers have until May 14 to comply.
iGaming legislation for Hoosier Lottery, casinos dead for session
Under the bill, Indiana would have joined 14 other states with digital lottery games, including Kentucky, Illinois and Michigan.
U.S. ‘notorious markets’ report warns of risks from online pharmacies
The report says 96% of online pharmacies were found to be violating the law, many operating without a license and selling medicines without prescriptions and safety warnings.
Meta tries letting Facebook Marketplace users view eBay listings as way to resolve EU charges
Meta is carrying out the trial after Brussels slapped the company with a penalty of nearly $824 million for what it called “abusive practices” involving Marketplace.
Online holiday sales set record, driven by higher-income shoppers
U.S. shoppers spent an unprecedented $41.1 billion online over the five-day period from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday this year.
Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set record
Cyber Monday has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it.