The landscape of retail has been dramatically altered over the past few decades, leaving many American department stores struggling to find their footing. Once celebrated as icons of American shopping culture, these stores face a battle for relevance against the backdrop of overexpansion, the rise of e-commerce, and an overall decline in mall traffic. As […]
FTC Fines Companies for Misusing AI in E-Commerce Schemes
In recent months, the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in the e-commerce sector has come under significant scrutiny. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stepped up its enforcement actions, penalizing companies that mislead consumers through deceptive AI practices. These developments highlight a growing concern about the ethical use of AI technologies in business, particularly […]
Xiaomi Challenges Flipkart Report Over Data Concerns
The escalating tension between Xiaomi and Flipkart has come to a head as Xiaomi requests India’s competition authority to retract a confidential antitrust report concerning the leading e-commerce platform. The request pivots around allegations that the report contains sensitive business data that was not adequately redacted before its release, which could potentially harm Xiaomi’s market […]
Chinese Platforms Face New Shipping Restrictions in the US
The Biden administration’s proposal for new shipping regulations signals a significant shift for e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu, which have made their mark in the US market. The intended changes aim to eliminate the ‘de minimis exception,’ a provision that allows goods valued under $800 to enter the United States without incurring tariffs. This […]
US Crackdown on Cheap Chinese Goods Takes Aim at Temu, Shein
The growing scrutiny of cross-border e-commerce, particularly regarding Chinese sellers, has recently intensified with the announcement of new rules by the U.S. administration. This measure aims to impose tariffs on packages valued at less than $800, effectively targeting platforms like Temu and Shein that have thrived by exploiting the existing tax-free loopholes. This potential policy […]
US Looks to Curb Low-Value Chinese Shipments Under $800 ‘De Minimis’ Exemption
In a move aimed at redefining import regulations, the Biden administration has announced plans to curb low-value shipments entering the United States duty-free under the $800 “de minimis” threshold. This decision follows increased scrutiny of how Chinese e-commerce firms—specifically Shein and PDD Holdings’ Temu—have been leveraging this exemption to bypass tariffs and regulatory oversight. The […]
India Probe Finds Amazon, Walmart’s Flipkart Breached Antitrust Laws
The e-commerce landscape in India is undergoing significant scrutiny as the Competition Commission of India (CCI) recently unveiled findings that Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart have violated local competition laws. This revelation follows an extensive investigation initiated by the CCI back in 2020, prompted by concerns from local retailers regarding preferential treatment provided to select sellers […]
Illegal Gun Parts from China Seized by US Authorities
In a significant blow to the illegal arms trade, US authorities have successfully shut down over 350 websites involved in the sale of gun parts and silencers illegally imported from China. This enforcement action, which commenced in August 2023, specifically targeted illicit sales that compromise public safety and violate existing firearm laws. During a series […]
How AI Could Change Online Product Search and Discovery
As technology continues to reshape our shopping experiences, generative AI stands at the forefront of this transformation. The recent launch of the iPhone 16, featuring Apple’s generative AI capabilities termed Apple Intelligence, highlights this trend. This device integrates AI to assist users in everyday tasks such as organizing emails and scheduling events, but it also […]