While digital technology has provided us with a way to browse products and order them online, fraudsters seem to be taking advantage of the loopholes in the services that online shopping provides. In such an incident, an Indian online shopping brand has suffered huge losses as fraudsters exploited loopholes to dupe&nbsp;the company by claiming fake refunds.

Myntra, the Flipkart-owned fashion giant of India, discovered that it had been duped of Rs 1.1 crore ($129,600) between March and June this year after an audit was conducted. The company has lost over Rs 50 crore ($5,891,220) to scammers nationwide, TOI reported, citing a source.

According to police officials, the crooks would place bulk orders for several items available on the website like shoes, apparel, handbags, jewellery, watches, and cosmetics and make payments online or select the cash-on-delivery (COD) option.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengaluru-techie-dies-by-suicide-leaves-behind-24-page-death-note-alleging-harassment-by-wife-782971">Man dies by suicide, tags Musk and Trump in last post, accuses wife of harassment</a>

After receiving the order, they would raise complaints about receiving less number of products than ordered. In some cases, they would make a complaint that the product delivered was fake, of the wrong colour, not the same product, or the wrong size to claim refund.

Myntra Designs enforcement officer Sardar MS told police that about 5,529 such fraudulent orders were delivered to different locations across Bengaluru.

According to TOI, the police suspect a gang from Rajasthan to be involved in the fraud. Nearly all of those orders were placed from Jaipur. The fraudsters gave delivery addresses of Bengaluru and other metros, and few were delivered to commercial establishments.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/yesmadams-hr-email-firing-100-employees-to-relieve-their-stress-goes-viral-heres-the-truth-behind-the-post-782865">YesMadam's HR email firing 100 employees to relieve their stress goes viral. Here's the truth behind the post</a>

Although the online store wanted to file a complaint for all their losses, Bengaluru police have asked them to only file a complaint regarding the losses that occurred through deliveries within the city.

A case has been registered under IPC Sections 419 (cheating by personation) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and Information Technology Act. A police investigation is underway.

In a similar incident, three arrests were made in Gujarat after e-commerce brand Meesho was cheated of Rs 5.5 crore ($648,000) through fraudulent orders.

(With inputs from agencies)

While digital technology has provided us with a way to browse products and order them online, fraudsters seem to be taking advantage of the loopholes in the services that online shopping provides.

While digital technology has provided us with a way to browse products and order them online, fraudsters seem to be taking advantage of the loopholes in the services that online shopping provides. In such an incident, an Indian online shopping brand has suffered huge losses as fraudsters exploited loopholes to dupe the company by claiming fake refunds. Myntra, the Flipkart-owned fashion giant of India, discovered that it had been duped of Rs 1.1 crore ($129,600) between March and June this year after an audit was conducted. The company has lost over Rs 50 crore ($5,891,220) to scammers nationwide, TOI reported, citing a source. According to police officials, the crooks would place bulk orders for several items available on the website like shoes, apparel, handbags, jewellery, watches, and cosmetics and make payments online or select the cash-on-delivery (COD) option. Also read | Man dies by suicide, tags Musk and Trump in last post, accuses wife of harassment After receiving the order, they would raise complaints about receiving less number of products than ordered. In some cases, they would make a complaint that the product delivered was fake, of the wrong colour, not the same product, or the wrong size to claim refund. Myntra Designs enforcement officer Sardar MS told police that about 5,529 such fraudulent orders were delivered to different locations across Bengaluru. According to TOI, the police suspect a gang from Rajasthan to be involved in the fraud. Nearly all of those orders were placed from Jaipur. The fraudsters gave delivery addresses of Bengaluru and other metros, and few were delivered to commercial establishments. Also read | YesMadam's HR email firing 100 employees to relieve their stress goes viral. Here's the truth behind the post Although the online store wanted to file a complaint for all their losses, Bengaluru police have asked them to only file a complaint regarding the losses that occurred through deliveries within the city. A case has been registered under IPC Sections 419 (cheating by personation) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and Information Technology Act. A police investigation is underway. In a similar incident, three arrests were made in Gujarat after e-commerce brand Meesho was cheated of Rs 5.5 crore ($648,000) through fraudulent orders. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian online fashion giant Myntra duped of $129K by fraudsters, investigation underway: Report

In this story, we introduce you to an eye-tracking technology that provides an intriguing look into the decision-making process of house hunters.

Eye-tracking tech shows what homebuyers ignore

The proliferation of obscure Chinese brands on Amazon is reshaping the online shopping landscape. Run of the mill brands dominate search results, often offering low-cost alternatives to established names.

Amazon's junk brand invasion

The proliferation of obscure Chinese brands on Amazon is reshaping the online shopping landscape.

Run-of-the-mill brands dominate search results, often offering low-cost alternatives to established names.

This influx is driven by Amazon’s prioritization of independent merchants, with over half of its top sellers now based in China.

For consumers, this means a vast array of inexpensive products but often at the cost of quality and reliability.

The sheer volume of indistinguishable products can overwhelm shoppers, leading to frustrations with navigating numerous listings and sorting through potentially dubious reviews.

In the broader e-commerce industry, this trend marks a shift towards commoditization and intense price competition.

Rivals like Shein have capitalised on similar models, challenging Amazon's dominance by offering rock-bottom prices even if it means longer shipping times.

Amazon's response, including a "Direct from China" service, highlights the pressure to adapt in a market increasingly driven by cost-conscious consumers willing to sacrifice speed and brand recognition for lower prices.

The proliferation of obscure Chinese brands on Amazon is reshaping the online shopping landscape. Run-of-the-mill brands dominate search results, often offering low-cost alternatives to established names.

The proliferation of obscure Chinese brands on Amazon is reshaping the online shopping landscape. Run-of-the-mill brands dominate search results, often offering low-cost alternatives to established names. This influx is driven by Amazon’s prioritization of independent merchants, with over half of its top sellers now based in China. For consumers, this means a vast array of inexpensive products but often at the cost of quality and reliability. The sheer volume of indistinguishable products can overwhelm shoppers, leading to frustrations with navigating numerous listings and sorting through potentially dubious reviews. In the broader e-commerce industry, this trend marks a shift towards commoditization and intense price competition. Rivals like Shein have capitalised on similar models, challenging Amazon's dominance by offering rock-bottom prices even if it means longer shipping times. Amazon's response, including a "Direct from China" service, highlights the pressure to adapt in a market increasingly driven by cost-conscious consumers willing to sacrifice speed and brand recognition for lower prices.

Chinese brands surge on Amazon, redefining online shopping

Indian online shoppers can expect a bonanza of discounts ahead of the festive season as brands gear up to clear excess inventory. This surge in promotions spans across apparel, electronics, and smartphone categories, aiming to lure consumers with slashed prices.

Online discount frenzy: Massive discounts await online shoppers

Kids of all ages are so tech-savvy these days that they often end up doing the unthinkable. We watch in awe as they run their fingers over the mobile phone to carry out a certain operation even you might not be aware of. This is one reason why it becomes extremely important for us to keep an eye on what kids are doing on their devices. One mother learnt this the hard way, when her five-year-old daughter ended up spending over $3,000 on her Amazon account.&nbsp;

Lila Varisco's mother had given her the phone to play games during a car journey. This is supposedly when she made a few purchases. Little Lila, who lives in Westport, Massachusetts, bought 10 motorcycles and 10 pairs of cowgirl boots on Amazon. The ten motorcycles include five pink ones and five blue ones and cost $3,180. The boots were for about $600.&nbsp;

The motorcycles reached Lila's home within two days of ordering. A giant jeep is also on the way.&nbsp;

Lila's mother was thankfully able to place a return on the motorcycles and the jeep. She was thankfully able to cancel the cowgirl boots before they were dispatched.

How did Lila do it? "You just press a few buttons and then the brown button," Lila told CNN affiliate WJAR.

She is sad that everything she ordered is going back. Meanwhile, her mother sees the incident as something Lila can take a lesson from. Her mother has promised Lila that she will get her gear suited for her age if she helps out with chores at home.&nbsp;

This isn't the first time that a child has spent whopping amount&nbsp;on a purchase, either on shopping apps or video games, without the parents' knowledge. There have been reports of kids spending money on all kinds of things using their parent's devices, leaving them with massive bills and anger issues.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

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Kids of all ages are so tech-savvy these days that they often end up doing the unthinkable. We watch in awe as they run their fingers over the mobile phone to carry out a certain operation even you might not be aware of.

Kids of all ages are so tech-savvy these days that they often end up doing the unthinkable. We watch in awe as they run their fingers over the mobile phone to carry out a certain operation even you might not be aware of. This is one reason why it becomes extremely important for us to keep an eye on what kids are doing on their devices. One mother learnt this the hard way, when her five-year-old daughter ended up spending over $3,000 on her Amazon account. Lila Varisco's mother had given her the phone to play games during a car journey. This is supposedly when she made a few purchases. Little Lila, who lives in Westport, Massachusetts, bought 10 motorcycles and 10 pairs of cowgirl boots on Amazon. The ten motorcycles include five pink ones and five blue ones and cost $3,180. The boots were for about $600. The motorcycles reached Lila's home within two days of ordering. A giant jeep is also on the way. Lila's mother was thankfully able to place a return on the motorcycles and the jeep. She was thankfully able to cancel the cowgirl boots before they were dispatched. How did Lila do it? "You just press a few buttons and then the brown button," Lila told CNN affiliate WJAR. She is sad that everything she ordered is going back. Meanwhile, her mother sees the incident as something Lila can take a lesson from. Her mother has promised Lila that she will get her gear suited for her age if she helps out with chores at home. This isn't the first time that a child has spent whopping amount on a purchase, either on shopping apps or video games, without the parents' knowledge. There have been reports of kids spending money on all kinds of things using their parent's devices, leaving them with massive bills and anger issues. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Five-year-old goes on shopping spree, orders toys worth over $3,000 on Amazon

The latest cost-cutting measure taken by the online retail giant Amazon is the closure of a company that has been selling fabrics for close to 30 years.

Fabric.com announced its decision to stop selling goods on its website and advised users to make purchases on Amazon in its place. The final day for clients to place orders on the fabric website is Thursday.

“As part of our regular business planning, we continually evaluate the progress and potential of our offerings and have made the decision to close Fabric.com,” <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-to-face-uk-class-action-lawsuit-for-dominating-market-using-secretive-algorithm-527098">Amazon</a> spokesperson Betsy Harden said in a prepared statement.

It’s unclear how many employees will be impacted by the closure. Harden said Amazon will work with staff to help them “identify other opportunities” at the company, including at nearby warehouses. Employees who do not stay with Amazon will be given severance, she said.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-workers-in-albany-reject-unionisation-labour-leader-calls-it-sham-election-526579">&nbsp;Amazon workers in Albany reject unionisation, labour leader calls it ‘sham election’</a>

Craft Industry Alliance was the first to break the news of the closure.

Georgia-based Phoenix Textiles Group, the predecessor to Fabric.com, was established in 1993. Before it started selling products directly to customers and launching its own website, it worked as a wholesale distributor of clothing materials for a number of years.

In 2008, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazons-leaked-documents-show-why-its-attrition-rate-is-so-high-526390">Amazon</a> bought the business. At the time, it was stated that doing so would enable Amazon to provide its consumers with additional sewing and craft supplies while also assisting the fabric site in growing its product variety.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The latest cost-cutting measure taken by the online retail giant Amazon is the closure of a company that has been selling fabrics for close to 30 years. Fabric.com announced its decision to stop selling goods on its website and advised users to make purchases on Amazon in its place.

The latest cost-cutting measure taken by the online retail giant Amazon is the closure of a company that has been selling fabrics for close to 30 years. Fabric.com announced its decision to stop selling goods on its website and advised users to make purchases on Amazon in its place. The final day for clients to place orders on the fabric website is Thursday. “As part of our regular business planning, we continually evaluate the progress and potential of our offerings and have made the decision to close Fabric.com,” Amazon spokesperson Betsy Harden said in a prepared statement. It’s unclear how many employees will be impacted by the closure. Harden said Amazon will work with staff to help them “identify other opportunities” at the company, including at nearby warehouses. Employees who do not stay with Amazon will be given severance, she said. Also read | Amazon workers in Albany reject unionisation, labour leader calls it ‘sham election’ Craft Industry Alliance was the first to break the news of the closure. Georgia-based Phoenix Textiles Group, the predecessor to Fabric.com, was established in 1993. Before it started selling products directly to customers and launching its own website, it worked as a wholesale distributor of clothing materials for a number of years. In 2008, Amazon bought the business. At the time, it was stated that doing so would enable Amazon to provide its consumers with additional sewing and craft supplies while also assisting the fabric site in growing its product variety. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Amazon shuts online store fabric.com in cost-cutting move

In just 2 years, India may be home to second biggest user base for online shopping and is well poised to surpass the United States. The pandemic caused a boom in online retail in India. And now, it has the third-largest shopper base globally. Watch this explainer to understand the boom in India's retail market.

Explained | India's growing e-retail market and online shopping user base

Online shopping has become an integral part of our modern society, and with the festive season right around the corner, we see various e-commerce portals offering attractive festive offers, driving more people to their platforms. While online shopping is bliss for humanity, the chances of becoming a victim of cyber fraud are much higher than in ordinary retail outlets. It is important to know certain rules while shopping online so that you do not lose your money, especially during this festive season.



Shop only on verified sites

The chance of being a victim of a fraudulent scheme is much lower on a website you already know.&nbsp;Those companies that have already built up their reputation and a large customer base will not take risks just for the sake of momentary quick earnings.&nbsp;Therefore, even during festive seasons, resist the temptation to order an item from an unknown seller offering a lower price.&nbsp;Festive time is not a reason to test new sellers or portals, especially the lesser-known ones with hard-to-believe offers.



Special attention should be paid to domains. Often, fraudsters use well-known brands with different Top Level Domains (TLDs). You can understand this by looking at the end of the address, e.g. instead of .com it may be .in, .net or .org. Of course, such sites may offer good promotions, but there is no guarantee that you will receive the goods ordered for the promotion (usually carried out on an advance payment). In addition, the owners of such sites get access to the confidential payment information of their customers.



Websites must be encrypted

Don't forget to look at the start of the website address (URL) as well - a secure website always starts with https://. It is not recommended to make purchases with your banking information on sites whose address starts with http://. It’s quite possible that such sites may not be owned by a fraudster but by an honest seller. However, your payment details on such sites are prone to theft as they transit over an insecure channel.



You should also stay alert in case you receive a request to send your credit card number or other details via e-mail. A normal e-store never works in this way.



Password protection

In well-known online stores, you'll need to create your own personal account. And here, too, you need to follow the safety rules and be creative while setting your password. It has long been known that using simple attributes such as your date of birth or car number as a password is highly vulnerable. However, there are many people who forget about it. If you can't come up with a strong password yourself, you can use a trusted password generator.



This feature is available in many password managers. It uses random characters and then stores them in its own secure database.



Check your financial transactions

Make it a habit to regularly check the status of your cards and bank accounts through internet banking or mobile banking. Often, during the festive season, we are less attentive and relaxed, and we use our cards in unfamiliar places. Carefully check each payment, and examine invoices for payments that you did not make. By noticing such transactions in time, you can block the card or account and prevent fraudsters from accessing your savings. At the slightest suspicion, call the hotline of the bank that you have an account with or issued your card, and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.



How to return?

It is rare, but it does happen that the goods you ordered at the same time were already purchased by another person and are no longer in stock. Therefore, before using the online store, find out in advance the return procedure at your bank or technical support, if we are talking about electronic money.



Endpoint Protection

Do not neglect endpoint security; install a reliable antivirus on your computer or smartphone. Try not to click on pop-ups; they may be malicious!



Stay cyber-safe and enjoy your online shopping! Happy Festival Days!

&nbsp;



&nbsp;

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Online shopping has become an integral part of our modern society, and with the festive season right around the corner, we see various e-commerce portals offering attractive festive offers, driving more people to their platforms.

Online shopping has become an integral part of our modern society, and with the festive season right around the corner, we see various e-commerce portals offering attractive festive offers, driving more people to their platforms. While online shopping is bliss for humanity, the chances of becoming a victim of cyber fraud are much higher than in ordinary retail outlets. It is important to know certain rules while shopping online so that you do not lose your money, especially during this festive season. Shop only on verified sites The chance of being a victim of a fraudulent scheme is much lower on a website you already know. Those companies that have already built up their reputation and a large customer base will not take risks just for the sake of momentary quick earnings. Therefore, even during festive seasons, resist the temptation to order an item from an unknown seller offering a lower price. Festive time is not a reason to test new sellers or portals, especially the lesser-known ones with hard-to-believe offers. Special attention should be paid to domains. Often, fraudsters use well-known brands with different Top Level Domains (TLDs). You can understand this by looking at the end of the address, e.g. instead of .com it may be .in, .net or .org. Of course, such sites may offer good promotions, but there is no guarantee that you will receive the goods ordered for the promotion (usually carried out on an advance payment). In addition, the owners of such sites get access to the confidential payment information of their customers. Websites must be encrypted Don't forget to look at the start of the website address (URL) as well - a secure website always starts with https://. It is not recommended to make purchases with your banking information on sites whose address starts with http://. It’s quite possible that such sites may not be owned by a fraudster but by an honest seller. However, your payment details on such sites are prone to theft as they transit over an insecure channel. You should also stay alert in case you receive a request to send your credit card number or other details via e-mail. A normal e-store never works in this way. Password protection In well-known online stores, you'll need to create your own personal account. And here, too, you need to follow the safety rules and be creative while setting your password. It has long been known that using simple attributes such as your date of birth or car number as a password is highly vulnerable. However, there are many people who forget about it. If you can't come up with a strong password yourself, you can use a trusted password generator. This feature is available in many password managers. It uses random characters and then stores them in its own secure database. Check your financial transactions Make it a habit to regularly check the status of your cards and bank accounts through internet banking or mobile banking. Often, during the festive season, we are less attentive and relaxed, and we use our cards in unfamiliar places. Carefully check each payment, and examine invoices for payments that you did not make. By noticing such transactions in time, you can block the card or account and prevent fraudsters from accessing your savings. At the slightest suspicion, call the hotline of the bank that you have an account with or issued your card, and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. How to return? It is rare, but it does happen that the goods you ordered at the same time were already purchased by another person and are no longer in stock. Therefore, before using the online store, find out in advance the return procedure at your bank or technical support, if we are talking about electronic money. Endpoint Protection Do not neglect endpoint security; install a reliable antivirus on your computer or smartphone. Try not to click on pop-ups; they may be malicious! Stay cyber-safe and enjoy your online shopping! Happy Festival Days! WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Online shopping in festive season, be careful with offers and money transactions

Amazon has reported its first quarterly loss since 2015, its money-making juggernaut stalled by a slowdown in pandemic-induced online shopping and a huge write-down of its investment in an electric-vehicle startup.

The Seattle-based e-commerce giant's stock fell 9 per cent&nbsp;on Thursday in after-hours trading.

Amazon reported a loss of $3.84 billion, or $7.56 a share, for the first three months of the year. A year ago, it reported a profit of $8.1 billion, or $15.79 a share, for the first quarter. Wall Street analysts expected a profit of $8.35 a share in the latest quarter, according to FactSet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-workers-in-small-new-jersey-facility-file-for-union-election-472118">Amazon workers in small New Jersey facility file for union election</a>

The ocean of red ink in Amazon's report came mostly from the company's accounting for a $7.6 billion loss in value of its stock investment in Rivian Automotive. Rivian went public in late 2021 and its stock traded at close $180 at one point. It closed Thursday at $32.18. Ford Motor Co reported a similar write-down of the value of its Rivian investment Wednesday.

Amazon's e-commerce business also reported an operating loss of $1.57 billion in North America and $1.28 billion internationally.

Meanwhile, sales at Amazon's cloud-computing business, which helps power the online operations of Netflix, McDonald's and other companies, grew 37 per cent in the quarter. And sales in its advertising business, where brands pay to get their products to show up first when shoppers search on Amazon's site, rose 25 per cent.

Still, the slowdown in online spending is real and broad-based. While in-store sales rose, March is the first month to show decline in online sales since the pandemic began, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending made over the Mastercard payments network and survey estimates for other payments made with cash and checks.

Amazon prospered during the COVID-19 pandemic as homebound people eager to limit human contact turned online to purchase what they need. But growth has slowed as vaccinated Americans feel more comfortable going out. According to the e-commerce research firm MarketPlace Pulse, the value of goods sold on Amazon last year grew by half the rate compared to 2020.

Watch |&nbsp;Amazon's new union demands company start bargaining in early May

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Like many others, Amazon is dealing with pressure from inflation and supply-chain issues. In the past two years, Amazon's Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said the company has doubled the size of its operations and nearly doubled its workforce.

He said labour shortages and a lack of physical space are no longer major issues, but the company continues to face a variety of pressures such as increased shipping costs.

Inflation-related expenses added roughly $2 billion of incremental costs when compared to last year, Olsavsky said, adding that the company also incurred another $4 billion in costs related to productivity loss and other inefficiencies.

The pandemic and subsequent war in Ukraine have brought unusual growth and challenges,&nbsp;said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy in a statement. Our teams are squarely focused on improving productivity and cost efficiencies throughout our fulfillment network. We know how to do this and have done it before.

To offset rising fuel costs and inflation, the retail giant has added a 5 per cent&nbsp;surcharge to fees it charges third-party sellers who use its fulfillment services. Last quarter, Amazon also hiked its annual Prime membership fee by $20, a first since 2018. Despite the fee hike, Olsavsky said millions of new Prime members have enrolled during the quarter.

Revenue rose 7 per cent&nbsp;to $116.44 billion, compared with $108.52 billion in first quarter 2021, representing the company's sixth consecutive quarter of revenue topping $100 billion. Amazon had projected sales between $112 billion and $117 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet were expecting $116.5 billion.

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Given the pace at which the business grew over the past few years this shift is hardly surprising," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail.

"It represents more of a post pandemic reset than catastrophic failure. Nevertheless, the slowdown raises important questions over how Amazon can restore momentum and regain its leadership position as one of the primary drivers of online growth.

Amazon said it forecasts sales for the current quarter to range between $116 billion and $121 billion, below the $125.33 billion that analysts are forecasting.

The results come as Amazon is closing all of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, as well as its 4-star shops and pop up locations, as the online retail behemoth reworks its physical footprint. The company also faces a growing unionisation push from inside its workforce.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amazon-calls-for-election-re-run-after-workers-voted-for-first-us-union-469893">Amazon calls for election re-run after workers voted for first US union</a>

A second union election is currently underway at a company warehouse on Staten Island, New York, the same borough where workers at a nearby facility voted to unionise earlier this month. Amazon has filed objections over the election with the National

Labour Relations Board and is seeking to re-do the vote.

The final outcome of a separate union election in Bessemer, Alabama, is still up in the air with 416 outstanding challenged ballots hanging in the balance. Hearings to review the ballots are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Amazon has reported its first quarterly loss since 2015, its money-making juggernaut stalled by a slowdown in pandemic-induced online shopping and a huge write-down of its investment in an electric-vehicle startup.

Amazon has reported its first quarterly loss since 2015, its money-making juggernaut stalled by a slowdown in pandemic-induced online shopping and a huge write-down of its investment in an electric-vehicle startup. The Seattle-based e-commerce giant's stock fell 9 per cent on Thursday in after-hours trading. Amazon reported a loss of $3.84 billion, or $7.56 a share, for the first three months of the year. A year ago, it reported a profit of $8.1 billion, or $15.79 a share, for the first quarter. Wall Street analysts expected a profit of $8.35 a share in the latest quarter, according to FactSet. Also read | Amazon workers in small New Jersey facility file for union election The ocean of red ink in Amazon's report came mostly from the company's accounting for a $7.6 billion loss in value of its stock investment in Rivian Automotive. Rivian went public in late 2021 and its stock traded at close $180 at one point. It closed Thursday at $32.18. Ford Motor Co reported a similar write-down of the value of its Rivian investment Wednesday. Amazon's e-commerce business also reported an operating loss of $1.57 billion in North America and $1.28 billion internationally. Meanwhile, sales at Amazon's cloud-computing business, which helps power the online operations of Netflix, McDonald's and other companies, grew 37 per cent in the quarter. And sales in its advertising business, where brands pay to get their products to show up first when shoppers search on Amazon's site, rose 25 per cent. Still, the slowdown in online spending is real and broad-based. While in-store sales rose, March is the first month to show decline in online sales since the pandemic began, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks spending made over the Mastercard payments network and survey estimates for other payments made with cash and checks. Amazon prospered during the COVID-19 pandemic as homebound people eager to limit human contact turned online to purchase what they need. But growth has slowed as vaccinated Americans feel more comfortable going out. According to the e-commerce research firm MarketPlace Pulse, the value of goods sold on Amazon last year grew by half the rate compared to 2020. Watch | Amazon's new union demands company start bargaining in early May Like many others, Amazon is dealing with pressure from inflation and supply-chain issues. In the past two years, Amazon's Chief Financial Officer Brian Olsavsky said the company has doubled the size of its operations and nearly doubled its workforce. He said labour shortages and a lack of physical space are no longer major issues, but the company continues to face a variety of pressures such as increased shipping costs. Inflation-related expenses added roughly $2 billion of incremental costs when compared to last year, Olsavsky said, adding that the company also incurred another $4 billion in costs related to productivity loss and other inefficiencies. The pandemic and subsequent war in Ukraine have brought unusual growth and challenges, said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy in a statement. Our teams are squarely focused on improving productivity and cost efficiencies throughout our fulfillment network. We know how to do this and have done it before. To offset rising fuel costs and inflation, the retail giant has added a 5 per cent surcharge to fees it charges third-party sellers who use its fulfillment services. Last quarter, Amazon also hiked its annual Prime membership fee by $20, a first since 2018. Despite the fee hike, Olsavsky said millions of new Prime members have enrolled during the quarter. Revenue rose 7 per cent to $116.44 billion, compared with $108.52 billion in first quarter 2021, representing the company's sixth consecutive quarter of revenue topping $100 billion. Amazon had projected sales between $112 billion and $117 billion. Analysts surveyed by FactSet were expecting $116.5 billion. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: Given the pace at which the business grew over the past few years this shift is hardly surprising," said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail. "It represents more of a post pandemic reset than catastrophic failure. Nevertheless, the slowdown raises important questions over how Amazon can restore momentum and regain its leadership position as one of the primary drivers of online growth. Amazon said it forecasts sales for the current quarter to range between $116 billion and $121 billion, below the $125.33 billion that analysts are forecasting. The results come as Amazon is closing all of its brick-and-mortar bookstores, as well as its 4-star shops and pop up locations, as the online retail behemoth reworks its physical footprint. The company also faces a growing unionisation push from inside its workforce. Also read | Amazon calls for election re-run after workers voted for first US union A second union election is currently underway at a company warehouse on Staten Island, New York, the same borough where workers at a nearby facility voted to unionise earlier this month. Amazon has filed objections over the election with the National Labour Relations Board and is seeking to re-do the vote. The final outcome of a separate union election in Bessemer, Alabama, is still up in the air with 416 outstanding challenged ballots hanging in the balance. Hearings to review the ballots are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Amazon reports rare quarterly loss as online shopping slows

Tata Neu, Tata Digital's mega app, is expected to launch on April 7.

Amazon, Flipkart, and JioMart are expected to be fierce competitors for the e-commerce app.

According to the Tata Digital website, "We can't wait to reward you, new user.On April 7th, start your shopping journey with us."

"Experience the rewarding world of Tata Neu, packed with exclusive offers, benefits, and privileges," states the app's description on the Google Play Store. 
 
What is Tata Neu?

Tata Neu is the conglomerate's super app, which combines all of the company's digital services and apps into one place.

According to the Google Play store description, the app provides a one-stop shop for a seamless purchasing and payment experience.

For several months, the company had been working on the project.

For several quarters, the corporation has been testing the app with its staff.

Currently, the application is solely available to Tata workers.&nbsp;

"Tata Neu is a unified platform that connects several brands across the Tata universe like never before. Designed to be a super-app, Tata Neu offers everything from daily groceries, electronics, financial solutions, flights, holidays, and more, "says the description on Tata Digital’s website.

Lunch date of Tata Neu

On its website, Tata Digital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, announced the launch date of Tata Neu.

From April 7, 2022, the super app will be accessible for download on the Google Play Store and the App Store.&nbsp;

Key features of Tata Neu

The software allows users to order groceries, buy goods, and book flights for travel.

The Tata Neu app brings together a number of Tata Group services, including online supermarket BigBasket, e-pharmacy platform 1Mg, airline AirAsia India, Tata CLiQ, and Westside.

One of the primary objectives for Tata Group is rewards.For every purchase made on Tata Neu, the company will award consumers with "NeuCoins" (one NeuCoin is equivalent to one Indian rupee).

Users can utilise NeuCoins, cards, UPI, and EMI to make payments across numerous Tata brand apps.Users can now use Tata Pay to make QR payments to any merchant.

Users can also use Tata Pay UPI to send money directly to a bank account.

Utility costs, such as DTH, broadband, mobile, and power, can also be tracked and paid.

(With inputs from agencies)

Tata Neu, Tata Digital's mega app, is expected to launch on April 7. Amazon, Flipkart, and JioMart are expected to be fierce competitors for the e-commerce app. According to the Tata Digital website, "We can't wait to reward you, new user.

Tata Neu, Tata Digital's mega app, is expected to launch on April 7. Amazon, Flipkart, and JioMart are expected to be fierce competitors for the e-commerce app. According to the Tata Digital website, "We can't wait to reward you, new user.On April 7th, start your shopping journey with us." "Experience the rewarding world of Tata Neu, packed with exclusive offers, benefits, and privileges," states the app's description on the Google Play Store. What is Tata Neu? Tata Neu is the conglomerate's super app, which combines all of the company's digital services and apps into one place. According to the Google Play store description, the app provides a one-stop shop for a seamless purchasing and payment experience. For several months, the company had been working on the project. For several quarters, the corporation has been testing the app with its staff. Currently, the application is solely available to Tata workers. "Tata Neu is a unified platform that connects several brands across the Tata universe like never before. Designed to be a super-app, Tata Neu offers everything from daily groceries, electronics, financial solutions, flights, holidays, and more, "says the description on Tata Digital’s website. Lunch date of Tata Neu On its website, Tata Digital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, announced the launch date of Tata Neu. From April 7, 2022, the super app will be accessible for download on the Google Play Store and the App Store. Key features of Tata Neu The software allows users to order groceries, buy goods, and book flights for travel. The Tata Neu app brings together a number of Tata Group services, including online supermarket BigBasket, e-pharmacy platform 1Mg, airline AirAsia India, Tata CLiQ, and Westside. One of the primary objectives for Tata Group is rewards.For every purchase made on Tata Neu, the company will award consumers with "NeuCoins" (one NeuCoin is equivalent to one Indian rupee). Users can utilise NeuCoins, cards, UPI, and EMI to make payments across numerous Tata brand apps.Users can now use Tata Pay to make QR payments to any merchant. Users can also use Tata Pay UPI to send money directly to a bank account. Utility costs, such as DTH, broadband, mobile, and power, can also be tracked and paid. (With inputs from agencies)

Tata Neu: The Super App set for April 7 launch

It’s that time of the year, when you can grab great deals online and buy products at heavy discounts. Unfortunately, it's also that time of the year when cybercriminals are known to prey on consumers. But with these simple tips, you should be able to keep scammers at bay.

Scam alert: How online shoppers can stay safe this holiday season

Social media platform Twitter is set to begin testing of shopping feature&nbsp;on profile pages of various brands that will enable brands to showcase their products.

Hoping to enter the online shopping world, Twitter is set to launch "Shops" feature that allowed users to purchase products from companies directly through their profile pages.

This feature will be enabled only for a handful of brands in the United States, and will slowly expand the feature on pages of other brands.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-fleets-to-be-discontinued-in-august-398193" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-fleets-to-be-discontinued-in-august-398193&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiVt9bUlYbyAhVi3jgGHavLCfo4MhAWMAd6BAgCEAI&amp;usg=AOvVaw19Ynxw1yPbFbEutZxCltWa" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/twitter-fleets-to-be-discontinued-in-august-398193" target="_blank">Twitter&nbsp;Fleets to be discontinued in August</a>

Now, users will be able to scroll through a range of products on the profile of the selected brands. After a small tap on the product, the customer will be directed to a payment page through the retailer's website. As soon as the payment is done, the product delivery dates will be made available to the customer.

This feature has come a little after Twitter tried a “Buy Now” button and also a 2015 experiment of product pages.

The announcement came a few days after Twitter announced that it will be discontinuing the newly-launched Fleets feature as it has not been able to attract more users to the social media platform.

"We built Fleets as a lower-pressure, ephemeral way for people to share their fleeting thoughts," Brown says at the very start of his blog post. However, he says that Fleets have not been able to increase the number of people joining the conversation.

"...in the time since we introduced Fleets to everyone, we haven’t seen an increase in the number of new people joining the conversation with Fleets like we hoped...," says Brown.

Social media platform Twitter is set to begin testing of shopping feature on profile pages of various brands that will enable brands to showcase their products. Hoping to enter the online shopping world, Twitter is set to launch "Shops" feature that allowed users to purchase products from companies directly through their profile pages.

Social media platform Twitter is set to begin testing of shopping feature on profile pages of various brands that will enable brands to showcase their products. Hoping to enter the online shopping world, Twitter is set to launch "Shops" feature that allowed users to purchase products from companies directly through their profile pages. This feature will be enabled only for a handful of brands in the United States, and will slowly expand the feature on pages of other brands. Also read | Twitter Fleets to be discontinued in August Now, users will be able to scroll through a range of products on the profile of the selected brands. After a small tap on the product, the customer will be directed to a payment page through the retailer's website. As soon as the payment is done, the product delivery dates will be made available to the customer. This feature has come a little after Twitter tried a “Buy Now” button and also a 2015 experiment of product pages. The announcement came a few days after Twitter announced that it will be discontinuing the newly-launched Fleets feature as it has not been able to attract more users to the social media platform. "We built Fleets as a lower-pressure, ephemeral way for people to share their fleeting thoughts," Brown says at the very start of his blog post. However, he says that Fleets have not been able to increase the number of people joining the conversation. "...in the time since we introduced Fleets to everyone, we haven’t seen an increase in the number of new people joining the conversation with Fleets like we hoped...," says Brown.

Twitter set to test 'shop' feature for select brands

PayPal Holdings reported its strongest first quarter on record and beat profit estimates on Wednesday, with a coronavirus-driven shift to online shopping and digital transactions boosting payment volumes.

World Business Watch: PayPal profit tops estimates on digital payments boom

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/whatsapp">WhatsApp</a> has introduced a new feature to help those who&nbsp;are worried about stepping out of the house to buy groceries amid coronavirus pandemic.

Continuing their strike of new features in the year of 2020, the messaging app has introduced&nbsp;WhatsApp Cart feature through which people can order the day-to-day items, instead of going outdoors.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/whatsapps-feature-of-disappearing-messages-launched-in-india-344797">WhatsApp's feature of 'disappearing messages' launched in India</a>

<h3>WhatsApp Cart</h3>

Through this feature, the WhatsApp users will be able to browse several&nbsp;catalogues of different types in the Carts feature. Once the user likes an item, they can click on 'Message Business' option to know the details about the product(s) and the business, and then click on 'Add to Cart' option to buy the selected product(s) through WhatsApp Cart.

After the items are added in the cart,&nbsp;the customer can either go back to the shopping window and use&nbsp;'Add More' option to increase the cart value, or directly message the shopkeeper if the user has finalised the order.

Have a look|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-instagram-to-whatsapp-victims-of-facebooks-buy-and-bury-strategy-348884">From Instagram to Whatsapp: Victims of Facebook's 'buy and bury' strategy</a>

Through this new feature of WhatsApp Cart, the messaging app will come in direct competition with other e-commerce retail websites and mobile apps such as Amazon, Zomato and Swiggy who have been providing similar services since the first lockdown, which was imposed all over the world.

WhatsApp's new feature will allow people to restrict their outdoor visits especially at a time when the world is preparing itself for a new strain of the novel coronavirus, which has been spotted in the UK, South Africa, Italy and now Australia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-will-facebook-be-forced-to-sell-instagram-and-whatsapp-348929">Also watch|</a>

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&nbsp;

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature to help those who are worried about stepping out of the house to buy groceries amid coronavirus pandemic. Continuing their strike of new features in the year of 2020, the messaging app has introduced WhatsApp Cart feature through which people can order the day-to-day items, instead of going outdoors.

WhatsApp has introduced a new feature to help those who are worried about stepping out of the house to buy groceries amid coronavirus pandemic. Continuing their strike of new features in the year of 2020, the messaging app has introduced WhatsApp Cart feature through which people can order the day-to-day items, instead of going outdoors. Also read| WhatsApp's feature of 'disappearing messages' launched in India WhatsApp Cart Through this feature, the WhatsApp users will be able to browse several catalogues of different types in the Carts feature. Once the user likes an item, they can click on 'Message Business' option to know the details about the product(s) and the business, and then click on 'Add to Cart' option to buy the selected product(s) through WhatsApp Cart. After the items are added in the cart, the customer can either go back to the shopping window and use 'Add More' option to increase the cart value, or directly message the shopkeeper if the user has finalised the order. Have a look| From Instagram to Whatsapp: Victims of Facebook's 'buy and bury' strategy Through this new feature of WhatsApp Cart, the messaging app will come in direct competition with other e-commerce retail websites and mobile apps such as Amazon, Zomato and Swiggy who have been providing similar services since the first lockdown, which was imposed all over the world. WhatsApp's new feature will allow people to restrict their outdoor visits especially at a time when the world is preparing itself for a new strain of the novel coronavirus, which has been spotted in the UK, South Africa, Italy and now Australia. Also watch| ×

Home shopping: WhatsApp introduces new feature of 'cart'

The COVID-19 pandemic has, if not actually brought, but certainly hastened putative trends and developments in almost all domains of life. In the world of business and commerce, the trend of working from home allied to home-based leisurely activities has created shifts in consumer behaviour that are likely to be the ‘new normal’. This, among other things, has undergirded a shift to e-commerce and online retailing.

All major retailers have posted stupendous gains both in revenue and operating profits. This begs the question: is retailing as we know it dead?

On the face of it, the answer is in the affirmative. Consider, for example, the Financial Times news story about independent stores doing better than big chains and assorted news of booming online retail business(es).

Online retailers with a local flavour have been not only more agile but nimble as well. They also have had the benefit of not paying rents that larger retail chains have had to grapple with. Along with the acceleration of what the FT calls, ‘acceleration of online retail spend’, these developments favour e-commerce and online retailing. Will this trend outlast the pandemic? And will retailing die a ‘natural death’?

Yes and no. To cut costs, by having an online presence which defrays rent and other fixed costs, and obviating the need of paying margins to major retailers for shelf space, B2C retailing will gain traction. This will be (and is) paralleled by profound changes in consumer behaviour, propelled by the pandemic along with technological changes and adoption.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-elections-2020-on-election-day-wall-street-ends-on-a-high-dow-up-over-2-340279">US elections 2020: On election day, Wall Street ends on a high; Dow up over 2%</a>

Ocado, the UK retailer, has recently acquired robotics firms so that its warehouses are manned by robots. The aim apparently is to increase the efficiency of its fulfilment. Added up, this would mean that retailing will undergo a profound or even a paradigm shift.

However, retailing, or conventional retailing will not die. The reason(s) pertain to human nature and human needs. One major component of either is to socialize and the need for human contact. Humans, to make a cliched philosophical point, are social and sociable beings where either of these fulfils important psychological and emotional needs.

In this regard, the experience of shopping is not merely to buy goods or/and services but also a socially rewarding experience that people enjoy. Be it the bazaars of South Asia, the souks of the Middle East, or the modern shopping centres, people enjoy and savour the shopping experience. The word ‘experience’ is critical here as it denotes that shopping is more than buying and selling; it is an experience.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/alibabas-shares-hit-hard-following-shocking-suspension-of-ant-groups-ipo-340387">Alibaba's shares hit hard following shocking suspension of Ant Group's IPO</a> 
 
So while the pandemic has induced certain habits and shifts, working from home and shopping online, and while some or even many aspects of these will remain after the pandemic frizzles out, the elemental need to socialize through shopping will re-emerge. But, it will not be the same as before. What is, in all likelihood, to emerge is a synthesis between the online and the real, brick-and-mortar themes that will reflect the nature of the world and the times we live in.

What will be implications of this on firms and consumers?

First, the shift to online platforms, hastened as it is by the pandemic, is a response or even a reaction to changing consumer behaviour and the nature of demand. In this sense than the consumer is king (or queen as the case may be). Because of this firms will attempt to develop business models that reinforce this trend and theme, developing business and operating models that reflect it.

If firms decide to go the whole hog into e-commerce and platforming and develop models that accord with this, it would be an erroneous strategic approach. The reason, at the risk of repetition, pertains to the elemental need of people to shop as a socializing and a social experience. It then behoves retailers and other business to develop models- business and operating- that factor-in both the online shopping variant and the real experience.

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The world, to iterate another cliché, is at the cusp of profound changes and uncertainties. These two elements when they go together incubate changes and developments in all spheres of life. Or, in other words, the forces of creative destruction are at an all-time high under and during these conditions.

But prudence dictates that firms and business take a step back, understand the nature of changes and take a ‘Goldilocks approach' to the trends that are reshaping consumer behaviour, business, financial, economic and technological trends.

While these are the defining features of our age, but the fact remains that humans will be human, who will always have the need to socialize and be social no matter what the overarching trends and developments might be. This is a lesson that retailers must take to heart and develop models that reflect the golden mean between technological change, human nature and commerce.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do&nbsp;not represent the views of&nbsp;WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse&nbsp;the views of the writer)

The COVID-19 pandemic has, if not actually brought, but certainly hastened putative trends and developments in almost all domains of life. In the world of business and commerce, the trend of working from home allied to home-based leisurely activities has created shifts in consumer behaviour that are likely to be the ‘new normal’.

The COVID-19 pandemic has, if not actually brought, but certainly hastened putative trends and developments in almost all domains of life. In the world of business and commerce, the trend of working from home allied to home-based leisurely activities has created shifts in consumer behaviour that are likely to be the ‘new normal’. This, among other things, has undergirded a shift to e-commerce and online retailing. All major retailers have posted stupendous gains both in revenue and operating profits. This begs the question: is retailing as we know it dead? On the face of it, the answer is in the affirmative. Consider, for example, the Financial Times news story about independent stores doing better than big chains and assorted news of booming online retail business(es). Online retailers with a local flavour have been not only more agile but nimble as well. They also have had the benefit of not paying rents that larger retail chains have had to grapple with. Along with the acceleration of what the FT calls, ‘acceleration of online retail spend’, these developments favour e-commerce and online retailing. Will this trend outlast the pandemic? And will retailing die a ‘natural death’? Yes and no. To cut costs, by having an online presence which defrays rent and other fixed costs, and obviating the need of paying margins to major retailers for shelf space, B2C retailing will gain traction. This will be (and is) paralleled by profound changes in consumer behaviour, propelled by the pandemic along with technological changes and adoption. Also Read | US elections 2020: On election day, Wall Street ends on a high; Dow up over 2% Ocado, the UK retailer, has recently acquired robotics firms so that its warehouses are manned by robots. The aim apparently is to increase the efficiency of its fulfilment. Added up, this would mean that retailing will undergo a profound or even a paradigm shift. However, retailing, or conventional retailing will not die. The reason(s) pertain to human nature and human needs. One major component of either is to socialize and the need for human contact. Humans, to make a cliched philosophical point, are social and sociable beings where either of these fulfils important psychological and emotional needs. In this regard, the experience of shopping is not merely to buy goods or/and services but also a socially rewarding experience that people enjoy. Be it the bazaars of South Asia, the souks of the Middle East, or the modern shopping centres, people enjoy and savour the shopping experience. The word ‘experience’ is critical here as it denotes that shopping is more than buying and selling; it is an experience. Also Read | Alibaba's shares hit hard following shocking suspension of Ant Group's IPO So while the pandemic has induced certain habits and shifts, working from home and shopping online, and while some or even many aspects of these will remain after the pandemic frizzles out, the elemental need to socialize through shopping will re-emerge. But, it will not be the same as before. What is, in all likelihood, to emerge is a synthesis between the online and the real, brick-and-mortar themes that will reflect the nature of the world and the times we live in. What will be implications of this on firms and consumers? First, the shift to online platforms, hastened as it is by the pandemic, is a response or even a reaction to changing consumer behaviour and the nature of demand. In this sense than the consumer is king (or queen as the case may be). Because of this firms will attempt to develop business models that reinforce this trend and theme, developing business and operating models that reflect it. If firms decide to go the whole hog into e-commerce and platforming and develop models that accord with this, it would be an erroneous strategic approach. The reason, at the risk of repetition, pertains to the elemental need of people to shop as a socializing and a social experience. It then behoves retailers and other business to develop models- business and operating- that factor-in both the online shopping variant and the real experience. × The world, to iterate another cliché, is at the cusp of profound changes and uncertainties. These two elements when they go together incubate changes and developments in all spheres of life. Or, in other words, the forces of creative destruction are at an all-time high under and during these conditions. But prudence dictates that firms and business take a step back, understand the nature of changes and take a ‘Goldilocks approach' to the trends that are reshaping consumer behaviour, business, financial, economic and technological trends. While these are the defining features of our age, but the fact remains that humans will be human, who will always have the need to socialize and be social no matter what the overarching trends and developments might be. This is a lesson that retailers must take to heart and develop models that reflect the golden mean between technological change, human nature and commerce. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer)

Is retailing dead?

China's market regulator on Tuesday published draft rules aimed at preventing monopolistic behaviour by internet platforms.

China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), which issued the draft, said it wanted to prevent platforms from dominating the market or from adopting methods aimed at blocking fair competition. This is being seen as a move that will increase scrutiny on the country's e-commerce marketplaces and payment services.

The definitions it provided for internet platforms mean the new rules could apply to e-commerce sites.

The draft rules would also consider whether a transaction treats different customers in different ways based on big data, payment ability, consumption preferences, and usage habits, according to the statement from SAMR.

The move comes after the shock suspension last week of the planned $37 billion share market listing of Ant Group, not long after regulators warned the company its lucrative online lending business faced tighter government scrutiny.

The draft rules issued on Tuesday would look to prevent e-commerce practices such as "choose one between two", under which a marketplace restricts brands from selling on multiple platforms.

According to the statement from SAMR, the draft rules would also consider whether a transaction treats different customers in different ways based on big data, payment ability, consumption preferences, and usage habits.&nbsp;

SAMR is seeking reviews and feedback from the public toward the draft rules until November 30.

China's market regulator on Tuesday published draft rules aimed at preventing monopolistic behaviour by internet platforms. China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), which issued the draft, said it wanted to prevent platforms from dominating the market or from adopting methods aimed at blocking fair competition.

China's market regulator on Tuesday published draft rules aimed at preventing monopolistic behaviour by internet platforms. China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), which issued the draft, said it wanted to prevent platforms from dominating the market or from adopting methods aimed at blocking fair competition. This is being seen as a move that will increase scrutiny on the country's e-commerce marketplaces and payment services. The definitions it provided for internet platforms mean the new rules could apply to e-commerce sites. The draft rules would also consider whether a transaction treats different customers in different ways based on big data, payment ability, consumption preferences, and usage habits, according to the statement from SAMR. The move comes after the shock suspension last week of the planned $37 billion share market listing of Ant Group, not long after regulators warned the company its lucrative online lending business faced tighter government scrutiny. The draft rules issued on Tuesday would look to prevent e-commerce practices such as "choose one between two", under which a marketplace restricts brands from selling on multiple platforms. According to the statement from SAMR, the draft rules would also consider whether a transaction treats different customers in different ways based on big data, payment ability, consumption preferences, and usage habits. SAMR is seeking reviews and feedback from the public toward the draft rules until November 30.

China publishes draft competition rules for online platforms

Anything sells, if your business idea is one of a kind. And this is unexpectedly becoming increasingly evident just after US Vice-Presidential Debate. Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris' snub to US Vice President Mike Pence during the debate is quickly becoming a buzzword online and people are already selling mugs and T-shirts.

"Mr Vice President I am speaking. I am speaking," was Kamala Harris' warning for Mike Pence to stop interrupting her. Such was the force in her words and her gaze that Pence promptly stopped talking.
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'I am still speaking' is appearing to be the buzzword everyone craves in the age of social media. Within minutes of Kamala Harris's snub, sellers started selling merch with the words printed on it.

Websites like Etsy were offering mugs, T-shirts and even coronavirus masks with words 'I am still speaking' printed on them.
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Kamala Harris was criticising Trump administration's handling of coronavirus pandemic. 
&nbsp; 
"Whatever the Vice-President has said the administration has done, clearly it hasn't worked," Harris began before the interruption from Pence.
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"When you look at more than 210,000 dead bodies in our country, American lives that have been lost, families that have been grieving that loss. And you know, the Vice-President is the head of the task force," she added.

The Vice Presidential debate was relatively a polite affair and nobody said anything to the effect of 'shut up man' but both debators overshot their time-limit. Pence was particularly prone and he was reminded of this many times by the moderator.

Anything sells, if your business idea is one of a kind. And this is unexpectedly becoming increasingly evident just after US Vice-Presidential Debate. Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris' snub to US Vice President Mike Pence during the debate is quickly becoming a buzzword online and people are already selling mugs and T-shirts.

Anything sells, if your business idea is one of a kind. And this is unexpectedly becoming increasingly evident just after US Vice-Presidential Debate. Democratic vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris' snub to US Vice President Mike Pence during the debate is quickly becoming a buzzword online and people are already selling mugs and T-shirts. "Mr Vice President I am speaking. I am speaking," was Kamala Harris' warning for Mike Pence to stop interrupting her. Such was the force in her words and her gaze that Pence promptly stopped talking. 'I am still speaking' is appearing to be the buzzword everyone craves in the age of social media. Within minutes of Kamala Harris's snub, sellers started selling merch with the words printed on it. Websites like Etsy were offering mugs, T-shirts and even coronavirus masks with words 'I am still speaking' printed on them. Kamala Harris was criticising Trump administration's handling of coronavirus pandemic. "Whatever the Vice-President has said the administration has done, clearly it hasn't worked," Harris began before the interruption from Pence. "When you look at more than 210,000 dead bodies in our country, American lives that have been lost, families that have been grieving that loss. And you know, the Vice-President is the head of the task force," she added. The Vice Presidential debate was relatively a polite affair and nobody said anything to the effect of 'shut up man' but both debators overshot their time-limit. Pence was particularly prone and he was reminded of this many times by the moderator.

US VP Debate 2020: Kamala Harris' 'I'm speaking' snub to Pence appears on t-shirts, mugs online

Amazon has upped the development of mechanisms to limit contact among people, and to eliminate potential exposure to COVID-19.

As part of this, the company has introduced a smart grocery cart, whereby shoppers will no longer need to checkout and wait in queues.

"Cashier less"

As part of this “cashier less” experience, both the company employees and the customers will no longer need to interact with each other.

"It's a new smart shopping cart that makes a quick grocery trip even quicker by allowing you to skip the checkout line," Amazon said in a statement.&nbsp;"When you're done shopping, you'll simply exit through the store's Amazon Dash Cart lane, and your receipt will be emailed to you”, it added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/technology/survey-says-amazon-google-pump-millions-into-websites-spreading-misinformation-about-covid-19-311753" hreflang="en">Survey says Amazon, Google pump millions into websites spreading misinformation about COVID-19</a>

Amazon is set to expand its grocery stores very soon, starting in the US state of California. To make the stores future ready, it will use a system being pegged as “Dash Carts”, which will employ sensors and cameras to lodge items in one’s cart, so that the invoice may be generated.

Every cart will be equipped with softwares complementing the sensors to identify items being put in the card, and the number of items and their price will be reflected on a display, as per Amazon.

However, to be able to use the Dash Cart feature, buyers will need the Amazon application, which will sync data based on the QR codes, after which the payment will be made through a credit card saved in the system.

"Just walk out"

In a bid for more automation and less dependence on manpower, the company has been testing its “just walk out” systems which allow a cashier less experience at grocery stores.

"Just Walk Out technology enables shoppers to simply enter a store, grab what they want, and just go," Amazon said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/amazoncom-bans-then-un-bans-tiktok-app-from-employee-mobile-devices-312476" hreflang="en">Amazon.com bans, then un-bans TikTok app from employee mobile devices</a>

Jus recently, Amazon opened a grab-and-go cashier-less store in Seattle. Additionally, the company has opened 20 smaller stores in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

All users who have already registered with Amazon with their credit card details may use the feature. The technology is not arbitrary, ie, people may continue picking up items, and may decide against buying them, after which it will be automatically deleted from the software.

(With inputs from AFP)

Amazon has upped the development of mechanisms to limit contact among people, and to eliminate potential exposure to COVID-19. As part of this, the company has introduced a smart grocery cart, whereby shoppers will no longer need to checkout and wait in queues.

Amazon has upped the development of mechanisms to limit contact among people, and to eliminate potential exposure to COVID-19. As part of this, the company has introduced a smart grocery cart, whereby shoppers will no longer need to checkout and wait in queues. "Cashier less" As part of this “cashier less” experience, both the company employees and the customers will no longer need to interact with each other. "It's a new smart shopping cart that makes a quick grocery trip even quicker by allowing you to skip the checkout line," Amazon said in a statement. "When you're done shopping, you'll simply exit through the store's Amazon Dash Cart lane, and your receipt will be emailed to you”, it added. Also read: Survey says Amazon, Google pump millions into websites spreading misinformation about COVID-19 Amazon is set to expand its grocery stores very soon, starting in the US state of California. To make the stores future ready, it will use a system being pegged as “Dash Carts”, which will employ sensors and cameras to lodge items in one’s cart, so that the invoice may be generated. Every cart will be equipped with softwares complementing the sensors to identify items being put in the card, and the number of items and their price will be reflected on a display, as per Amazon. However, to be able to use the Dash Cart feature, buyers will need the Amazon application, which will sync data based on the QR codes, after which the payment will be made through a credit card saved in the system. "Just walk out" In a bid for more automation and less dependence on manpower, the company has been testing its “just walk out” systems which allow a cashier less experience at grocery stores. "Just Walk Out technology enables shoppers to simply enter a store, grab what they want, and just go," Amazon said. Also read: Amazon.com bans, then un-bans TikTok app from employee mobile devices Jus recently, Amazon opened a grab-and-go cashier-less store in Seattle. Additionally, the company has opened 20 smaller stores in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. All users who have already registered with Amazon with their credit card details may use the feature. The technology is not arbitrary, ie, people may continue picking up items, and may decide against buying them, after which it will be automatically deleted from the software. (With inputs from AFP)

Amazon pegs 'Dash Carts' to eliminate contact among people at grocery stores

The coronavirus pandemic is highlighting growth in inequality in Communist Cuba as worsening shortages force most citizens to spend hours in line to purchase basic goods while the better-off are shopping online.

Online shopping highlights Cuba's inequality in time of coronavirus

As per a survey, 56% Indians were victim of online scams by clicking on malicious links. Cybersecurity firm warns Indians from becoming a victim of online shopping discounts during the holiday season. Watch to know more

Increasing number of Indians falling prey to online scams

Online retailers were expecting the biggest Cyber Monday (December 2) yet with $9.5 billion in sales predicted by experts.

Retailers expect $9 bln Cyber Monday

The NDA government’s tweaks in the retail policy for electronic commerce (e-commerce) are to placate its largest constituency of dookandars, small traders and shop-owners who were badly bruised by the twin blows of demonetisation in 2016 and Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017. So, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), meant to design policy and promote industrial development, including inviting foreign direct investment (FDI), unveiled a policy to restrict the activities of foreign mega retail giants such as Amazon and Flipkart and enable domestic retail outlets and the rest of the vast universe of mom-and-pop shops to breathe easier.

E-commerce is defined as the ‘production, distribution, marketing, sale or delivery of goods and services by electronic means’. An e-commerce transaction can be between enterprises, households, individuals, governments and other public or private bodies. The DIPP clarifications or amendments to the extant press note on the subject on December 23 focus on the provision that vendors with any stake owned by an e-commerce company cannot sell their products on the e-commerce company’s portal. 
 
This is meant to whittle down their competitive strength and aggressive marketing techniques that at times border on excessive bombardment of hapless consumers with tokenism like deep discounts, door delivery in amazing speed which a small shop-owner is at his wits end to match! This is particularly so as large e-commerce firms such as Flipkart and Amazon, not owing inventory themselves, have been extending a platform for their group companies such as WS Retail and CloudTail respectively. In a way, the new policy adjustment is to mollify the anguish and agony among offline retailers over massive discounts and the concomitant leap in e-commerce sales.

Yet another provision postulates any vendor which purchases 25 per cent or more of its inventory from an e-commerce group company is deemed to be controlled by that e-commerce company and thereby barred from selling on its portal. This is to put an end to anti-competitive practices in the absence of a domain regulator for e-commerce transactions, which the government conceded in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha on December 13 that “there is no proposal at present for setting up a regulator for e-commerce”.

What the DIPP amendments to extant rules seek to achieve is to deny control by such big retail behemoths as Amazon and Flipkart over vendors. The third principal provision clearly notes that the e-commerce firm must not sway the price of a product sold on its portal by extending spurs/freebies to particular vendors to keep them on or get them hooked permanently! Officials seeking anonymity maintain that these clarifications to the policy were designed to address “anti-competitive” proclivities by e-commerce players as these online market places were egregiously subsidizing products putting at a big disadvantage small retailers across the nation.

The other side of the argument is that India has become a huge playground for Amazon and Wal-Mart as they have committed a combined 21 billion US dollars to this middle-class and aspiring youthful populace using the purchase of goods services digitally. Amazon, for instance, has multiple joint ventures, including Cloudtail and Appario, that might be hit by the restrictions on sales by related parties. Flipkart has exclusive partnership with smartphone brands like Xiamoi and Oppo that could also encounter a formidable hurdle on exclusive deals for products by the latest tweak in policy. 
 
It is no brainer that both offer promotional schemes such as cash-backs and expeditious delivery which are now construed discriminatory/ predatory! Besides, as these companies come under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) they must perforce have to provide minutiae to the RBI annually, adding yet another layer to compliance and monitoring of the e-commerce industry. This also attenuates India’s audacious claim that it has improved on the ease of doing business for investors, both domestic and overseas, the latter in particular for the FDI it brings in the form of best managerial practices, modern technology and opportunities of integration into global markets contributing to accelerated domestic growth and job creation in the country.

It is small wonder that the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) termed the tweaks in policy as regressive, taking the alibi of the move being detrimental to the welfare and interests of consumers who benefit by inexpensive goods American retailers have been providing ever since the FDI in e-commerce was allowed 100 per cent in single-brand retailing and other policy support placed from time to time.

Considering the fact that the country’s e-commerce market is now close to 39 billion US dollars, growing at a healthy double-digit rate, thanks to the demographic dividend of youthful populace splurging their income through digital-commerce by the click of a mouse, the government ought to have been wary of upsetting the apple-cart by taking part in the foreign versus domestic turf war. 
 
(This article was originally published on DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-a-breather-for-small-retailers-punched-hard-by-e-commerce-giants-2703511">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

The NDA government’s tweaks in the retail policy for electronic commerce (e-commerce) are to placate its largest constituency of dookandars, small traders and shop-owners who were badly bruised by the twin blows of demonetisation in 2016 and Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017.

The NDA government’s tweaks in the retail policy for electronic commerce (e-commerce) are to placate its largest constituency of dookandars, small traders and shop-owners who were badly bruised by the twin blows of demonetisation in 2016 and Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017. So, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), meant to design policy and promote industrial development, including inviting foreign direct investment (FDI), unveiled a policy to restrict the activities of foreign mega retail giants such as Amazon and Flipkart and enable domestic retail outlets and the rest of the vast universe of mom-and-pop shops to breathe easier. E-commerce is defined as the ‘production, distribution, marketing, sale or delivery of goods and services by electronic means’. An e-commerce transaction can be between enterprises, households, individuals, governments and other public or private bodies. The DIPP clarifications or amendments to the extant press note on the subject on December 23 focus on the provision that vendors with any stake owned by an e-commerce company cannot sell their products on the e-commerce company’s portal. This is meant to whittle down their competitive strength and aggressive marketing techniques that at times border on excessive bombardment of hapless consumers with tokenism like deep discounts, door delivery in amazing speed which a small shop-owner is at his wits end to match! This is particularly so as large e-commerce firms such as Flipkart and Amazon, not owing inventory themselves, have been extending a platform for their group companies such as WS Retail and CloudTail respectively. In a way, the new policy adjustment is to mollify the anguish and agony among offline retailers over massive discounts and the concomitant leap in e-commerce sales. Yet another provision postulates any vendor which purchases 25 per cent or more of its inventory from an e-commerce group company is deemed to be controlled by that e-commerce company and thereby barred from selling on its portal. This is to put an end to anti-competitive practices in the absence of a domain regulator for e-commerce transactions, which the government conceded in a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha on December 13 that “there is no proposal at present for setting up a regulator for e-commerce”. What the DIPP amendments to extant rules seek to achieve is to deny control by such big retail behemoths as Amazon and Flipkart over vendors. The third principal provision clearly notes that the e-commerce firm must not sway the price of a product sold on its portal by extending spurs/freebies to particular vendors to keep them on or get them hooked permanently! Officials seeking anonymity maintain that these clarifications to the policy were designed to address “anti-competitive” proclivities by e-commerce players as these online market places were egregiously subsidizing products putting at a big disadvantage small retailers across the nation. The other side of the argument is that India has become a huge playground for Amazon and Wal-Mart as they have committed a combined 21 billion US dollars to this middle-class and aspiring youthful populace using the purchase of goods services digitally. Amazon, for instance, has multiple joint ventures, including Cloudtail and Appario, that might be hit by the restrictions on sales by related parties. Flipkart has exclusive partnership with smartphone brands like Xiamoi and Oppo that could also encounter a formidable hurdle on exclusive deals for products by the latest tweak in policy. It is no brainer that both offer promotional schemes such as cash-backs and expeditious delivery which are now construed discriminatory/ predatory! Besides, as these companies come under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) they must perforce have to provide minutiae to the RBI annually, adding yet another layer to compliance and monitoring of the e-commerce industry. This also attenuates India’s audacious claim that it has improved on the ease of doing business for investors, both domestic and overseas, the latter in particular for the FDI it brings in the form of best managerial practices, modern technology and opportunities of integration into global markets contributing to accelerated domestic growth and job creation in the country. It is small wonder that the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) termed the tweaks in policy as regressive, taking the alibi of the move being detrimental to the welfare and interests of consumers who benefit by inexpensive goods American retailers have been providing ever since the FDI in e-commerce was allowed 100 per cent in single-brand retailing and other policy support placed from time to time. Considering the fact that the country’s e-commerce market is now close to 39 billion US dollars, growing at a healthy double-digit rate, thanks to the demographic dividend of youthful populace splurging their income through digital-commerce by the click of a mouse, the government ought to have been wary of upsetting the apple-cart by taking part in the foreign versus domestic turf war. (This article was originally published on DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

A breather for small retailers punched hard by e-commerce giants

India will announce a new draft policy for<a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/flipkart-amazon-sale-may-become-history-as-govt-tightens-e-commerce-norms-186710"> e-commerce in a few weeks</a>, a source in the government said on Thursday, a day after the country tweaked foreign investment rules for the burgeoning sector.

The new e-commerce policy could entail provisions for a regulator in the sector dominated by US tech giant Amazon.com and homegrown Flipkart, which was bought over by retail giant Walmart for $16 billion earlier this year.

India on Wednesday introduced changes to foreign direct investment rules, banning e-commerce players from selling products from entities in which they have an equity interest, a move the source said was aimed at preventing anti-competitive practices. The source declined to be named as the matter was not public.

Meanwhile, the Indian government said that the companies will be prevented from entering into exclusive agreements with sellers. The new rules will be applicable from February 1.

"An entity having equity participation by e-commerce marketplace entity or its group companies, or having control on its inventory by e-commerce marketplace entity or its group companies, will not be permitted to sell its products on the platform run by such marketplace entity," the commerce ministry said in a statement.

E-commerce companies can make bulk purchases through their wholesale units or other group companies that in turn sell the products to select sellers, such as their affiliates or other companies with which they have agreements. Those sellers can then sell the products to other companies or direct to consumers, often at attractively low prices.

India will announce a new draft policy for e-commerce in a few weeks, a source in the government said on Thursday, a day after the country tweaked foreign investment rules for the burgeoning sector.

India will announce a new draft policy for e-commerce in a few weeks, a source in the government said on Thursday, a day after the country tweaked foreign investment rules for the burgeoning sector. The new e-commerce policy could entail provisions for a regulator in the sector dominated by US tech giant Amazon.com and homegrown Flipkart, which was bought over by retail giant Walmart for $16 billion earlier this year. India on Wednesday introduced changes to foreign direct investment rules, banning e-commerce players from selling products from entities in which they have an equity interest, a move the source said was aimed at preventing anti-competitive practices. The source declined to be named as the matter was not public. Meanwhile, the Indian government said that the companies will be prevented from entering into exclusive agreements with sellers. The new rules will be applicable from February 1. "An entity having equity participation by e-commerce marketplace entity or its group companies, or having control on its inventory by e-commerce marketplace entity or its group companies, will not be permitted to sell its products on the platform run by such marketplace entity," the commerce ministry said in a statement. E-commerce companies can make bulk purchases through their wholesale units or other group companies that in turn sell the products to select sellers, such as their affiliates or other companies with which they have agreements. Those sellers can then sell the products to other companies or direct to consumers, often at attractively low prices.

Online shopping set to change: Govt to issue draft e-commerce policy in a few weeks

Amazon opens a new retail store in New York on Thursday selling a range of products from the online colossus that get top ratings from customers.

The brick-and-mortar outlet in New York's trendy Soho neighbourhood will sell consumer electronics, kitchen, home, toys, books and games, and "chose only the products that customers have rated 4 stars and above, or are top sellers, or are new and trending," Amazon said in a statement.

Amazon has previously opened physical stores that sell books and has had pop-up outlets in some locations, but Amazon 4-Star is a new concept that offers a variety of goods in different categories.

"We created Amazon 4-Star to be a place where customers can discover products they will love," a company statement said.

"Amazon 4-Star's selection is a direct reflection of our customers -- what they're buying and what they're loving."

Amazon, one of the world's most valuable companies whose growth has made founder Jeff Bezos the world's richest person, has been in recent years moving increasingly to physical stores.

It has opened more than a dozen Amazon Books stores that sell top-selling titles and some additional merchandise. And it has acquired the grocery chain Whole Foods, which has several hundred stores.

Amazon has also introduced a handful of concept Amazon Go grocery stores that operate without cashiers, with purchases automatically scanned and billed to customer accounts.

Amazon opens a new retail store in New York on Thursday selling a range of products from the online colossus that get top ratings from customers. The brick-and-mortar outlet in New York's trendy Soho neighbourhood will sell consumer electronics, kitchen, home, toys, books and games, and "chose only the products that customers have rated 4 stars and above, or are top sellers, or are new and trending," Amazon said in a statement.

Amazon opens a new retail store in New York on Thursday selling a range of products from the online colossus that get top ratings from customers. The brick-and-mortar outlet in New York's trendy Soho neighbourhood will sell consumer electronics, kitchen, home, toys, books and games, and "chose only the products that customers have rated 4 stars and above, or are top sellers, or are new and trending," Amazon said in a statement. Amazon has previously opened physical stores that sell books and has had pop-up outlets in some locations, but Amazon 4-Star is a new concept that offers a variety of goods in different categories. "We created Amazon 4-Star to be a place where customers can discover products they will love," a company statement said. "Amazon 4-Star's selection is a direct reflection of our customers -- what they're buying and what they're loving." Amazon, one of the world's most valuable companies whose growth has made founder Jeff Bezos the world's richest person, has been in recent years moving increasingly to physical stores. It has opened more than a dozen Amazon Books stores that sell top-selling titles and some additional merchandise. And it has acquired the grocery chain Whole Foods, which has several hundred stores. Amazon has also introduced a handful of concept Amazon Go grocery stores that operate without cashiers, with purchases automatically scanned and billed to customer accounts.

Amazon opens new '4-star' retail store in New York

Online shopping has made deep inroads in India with millions of Indians logging on to e-commerce websites to buy things online - from gadgets to apparels to food, grocery and healthcare products.

Sometimes shoppers are sure of the product quality, but there are times when people are not confident of goods they are planning to buy online. So what do they do in such cases? They look at rating of a particular product to check how many have rated it 5-star, read comments to find out how happy existing owners of the product are.

Such reviews help them in making our choice, and are considered safe. But are they?

An investigative report done by the BBC has revealed that a lot of five-star ratings and positive reviews are traded online. Not just global websites, it's been discovered that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/videos/know-how-the-black-market-of-fake-reviews-work-134563">this practice is common</a> on Indian e-commerce websites as well.

So how does this work? It's a simple reward-driven business model where both businesses and customers are gaining. A customer is asked to make good ratings and write positive reviews so that businesses can get more customers. The buyers, on the other hand, are also benefitting they are rewarded with free goods and full refund in exchange of positive reviews.

Some people or merchants directly contact prospective clients to write fake reviews through emails, guaranteeing a return. Sending emails is just one way. There are now Facebook groups as well for the same where customers are encouraged to buy certain products and post positive reviews in exchange for monetary and non-monetary rewards.

WION approached Amazon, Ebay and Flipkart to understand the measures they are taking to curb this black market of fake online reviews. Amazon replied saying, "Acknowledging your email. We have shared internally and the relevant team member will connect with you." However, there has been no communication from the e-retailer after that. Flipkart and Ebay, on the other hand, have not responded to the mail yet.

While fake reviews are being traded openly on the Internet, sadly it's not easy to track people making these offers and in some cases, it's not even possible to track businesses the reviews are being sought for.

The business of fake reviews is attracting a lot of customers and giving them an easy way to make money, so much so that some people have made it their full-time profession.

While a lot of online companies are aggressively working towards cracking down on bogus reviews, the fact remains the black market of online reviews is only increasing day by day.

Some people or merchants directly contact prospective clients to write fake reviews through emails, guaranteeing a return.

Online shopping has made deep inroads in India with millions of Indians logging on to e-commerce websites to buy things online - from gadgets to apparels to food, grocery and healthcare products. Sometimes shoppers are sure of the product quality, but there are times when people are not confident of goods they are planning to buy online. So what do they do in such cases? They look at rating of a particular product to check how many have rated it 5-star, read comments to find out how happy existing owners of the product are. Such reviews help them in making our choice, and are considered safe. But are they? An investigative report done by the BBC has revealed that a lot of five-star ratings and positive reviews are traded online. Not just global websites, it's been discovered that this practice is common on Indian e-commerce websites as well. So how does this work? It's a simple reward-driven business model where both businesses and customers are gaining. A customer is asked to make good ratings and write positive reviews so that businesses can get more customers. The buyers, on the other hand, are also benefitting they are rewarded with free goods and full refund in exchange of positive reviews. Some people or merchants directly contact prospective clients to write fake reviews through emails, guaranteeing a return. Sending emails is just one way. There are now Facebook groups as well for the same where customers are encouraged to buy certain products and post positive reviews in exchange for monetary and non-monetary rewards. WION approached Amazon, Ebay and Flipkart to understand the measures they are taking to curb this black market of fake online reviews. Amazon replied saying, "Acknowledging your email. We have shared internally and the relevant team member will connect with you." However, there has been no communication from the e-retailer after that. Flipkart and Ebay, on the other hand, have not responded to the mail yet. While fake reviews are being traded openly on the Internet, sadly it's not easy to track people making these offers and in some cases, it's not even possible to track businesses the reviews are being sought for. The business of fake reviews is attracting a lot of customers and giving them an easy way to make money, so much so that some people have made it their full-time profession. While a lot of online companies are aggressively working towards cracking down on bogus reviews, the fact remains the black market of online reviews is only increasing day by day.

Beware, online shoppers! E-commerce websites flooded with fake reviews

Amazon.com told some shoppers that there was a problem when they were trying to view product listings.

&quot;Sorry something went wrong on our end,&quot; Amazon said on a page some shoppers were sent to after clicking on items from its US home page. A different image of a dog greeted users each time.

Many shoppers took to Twitter to report the error message, which Reuters witnesses separately viewed. The cause was not clear, and company representatives did not respond to requests for comment.

Outages are rare for Seattle-based Amazon, which prides itself on being a technology company, not simply a retailer. 
In February, its cloud storage and computing business, Amazon Web Services, suffered a technical disruption.

The widely felt outage underscored how enterprises from news sites to even Apple rely on Amazon&#39;s cloud for some of their day-to-day operations.

Wednesday&#39;s glitch was unlikely to slow Amazon&#39;s growing control over consumers&#39; wallets, however.

&quot;A one-off outage for a couple hours in the middle of the day is not going to have a major impact,&quot; said analyst Jan Dawson of Jackdaw Research.

Though &quot;it&#39;s never good,&quot; he added.

The world&#39;s largest online retailer averaged more than $151,000 in sales per minute in North America last year, reflecting lost opportunity from even short-lived disruptions.

&nbsp;

The cause was not clear, and company representatives did not respond to requests for comment

Amazon.com told some shoppers that there was a problem when they were trying to view product listings. "Sorry something went wrong on our end," Amazon said on a page some shoppers were sent to after clicking on items from its US home page. A different image of a dog greeted users each time. Many shoppers took to Twitter to report the error message, which Reuters witnesses separately viewed. The cause was not clear, and company representatives did not respond to requests for comment. Outages are rare for Seattle-based Amazon, which prides itself on being a technology company, not simply a retailer. In February, its cloud storage and computing business, Amazon Web Services, suffered a technical disruption. The widely felt outage underscored how enterprises from news sites to even Apple rely on Amazon's cloud for some of their day-to-day operations. Wednesday's glitch was unlikely to slow Amazon's growing control over consumers' wallets, however. "A one-off outage for a couple hours in the middle of the day is not going to have a major impact," said analyst Jan Dawson of Jackdaw Research. Though "it's never good," he added. The world's largest online retailer averaged more than $151,000 in sales per minute in North America last year, reflecting lost opportunity from even short-lived disruptions.

Amazon error sends some shoppers to dog photo

Refuting charges of non payment, e-commerce major Snapdeal said it has no outstanding dues towards sellers on its platform.

The statement comes after e-sellers&#39; representative body -&nbsp;All India Online Vendors Association (AIOVA) -&nbsp;alleged that the city-based online marketplace has not settled dues with many sellers.

Snapdeal said payments to sellers are made 6-10 times a month and typically, sellers receive their payments within 3-5 days of the sale of their goods.

It added that in a few cases, details are awaited from sellers in support of the claims made by them.

&quot;In these cases, sellers have so far failed to provide required justification for their claims despite multiple attempts by Snapdeal to facilitate these settlements,&quot; Snapdeal Senior Vice President (Finance Operations) Sanjay Agarwal said.

He added that these are minor amounts, which will get paid based on information provided by sellers and in accordance with the contracts and seller policies.

In recent weeks, Snapdeal claimed it has further expedited the payment cycles for sellers, making payments faster.

Earlier this week, AIOVA had written to corporate affairs ministry and commerce ministry seeking their intervention on the proposed Snapdeal-Flipkart deal.

According to sources, Snapdeal&#39;s largest investor SoftBank has been proactively mediating with the board members over the past few weeks for a potential sale to Flipkart and has succeeded in getting their consent.

A non-binding term sheet to undertake due diligence on Snapdeal by Flipkart is expected to be signed soon.

(PTI)

Snapdeal says payments to sellers are made 6-10 times a month and typically, sellers receive their payments within 3-5 days of the sale of their goods

Refuting charges of non payment, e-commerce major Snapdeal said it has no outstanding dues towards sellers on its platform. The statement comes after e-sellers' representative body - All India Online Vendors Association (AIOVA) - alleged that the city-based online marketplace has not settled dues with many sellers. Snapdeal said payments to sellers are made 6-10 times a month and typically, sellers receive their payments within 3-5 days of the sale of their goods. It added that in a few cases, details are awaited from sellers in support of the claims made by them. "In these cases, sellers have so far failed to provide required justification for their claims despite multiple attempts by Snapdeal to facilitate these settlements," Snapdeal Senior Vice President (Finance Operations) Sanjay Agarwal said. He added that these are minor amounts, which will get paid based on information provided by sellers and in accordance with the contracts and seller policies. In recent weeks, Snapdeal claimed it has further expedited the payment cycles for sellers, making payments faster. Earlier this week, AIOVA had written to corporate affairs ministry and commerce ministry seeking their intervention on the proposed Snapdeal-Flipkart deal. According to sources, Snapdeal's largest investor SoftBank has been proactively mediating with the board members over the past few weeks for a potential sale to Flipkart and has succeeded in getting their consent. A non-binding term sheet to undertake due diligence on Snapdeal by Flipkart is expected to be signed soon. (PTI)

No outstanding dues to sellers: Snapdeal

After ploughing about $2 billion into minority stakes in Indian e-commerce businesses over the past few years, Japan&#39;s SoftBank is upping the stakes, looking to play consolidator and take a more active role at a trio of leading startups.

According to sources with direct knowledge of the matter, the solar-to-tech conglomerate is seeking to secure a piece of India&#39;s industry leaders in everything from payment systems to online shopping and groceries, in a series of deals that would shake up the $65 billion sector.

Among the most high-profile plans is SoftBank&#39;s push to engineer a merger between Snapdeal, the No. 3 player in one of the world&#39;s most competitive online markets and one of its biggest Indian investments to date, and market leader Flipkart.

The deal could be finalised as soon as next week, one of the sources said.

SoftBank has poured roughly $1 billion into Snapdeal since 2014, but competition in e-commerce has risen dramatically with US&nbsp;giant Amazon cranking up its presence and taking the No. 2 spot from Snapdeal.

Besides Snapdeal, SoftBank is also close to finalising a cash infusion of more than $1 billion into Alibaba-backed digital payments firm Paytm - another leader in a highly competitive sector - giving it a more direct say in that group too, according to one source familiar with discussions.

Media reports have separately linked SoftBank to a tie-up between grocery delivery group Grofers, in which it has invested roughly $70 million, and market leader and rival BigBasket.

SoftBank, Snapdeal, Paytm and BigBasket did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for Grofers said the company did not comment on merger speculation.

Land of opporunity

At the heart of the push is the charismatic Masayoshi Son, SoftBank&#39;s founder and chairman, the sources said. Son has taken a more active role in the group globally since last year, when he pushed aside his heir apparent, Nikesh Arora.

SoftBank is best-known for its hugely lucrative early stage bet in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, in which it is still the single largest investor. But it has also been a long-time supporter of India - and with some success.

&quot;Son is thinking India is the place where he will create one or two Alibabas,&quot; said one of the sources familiar with SoftBank ambitions, adding Son sees the country right now as the &quot;land of golden opportunity&quot;.

SoftBank is the biggest investor in India&#39;s leading ride-share player Ola, which competes with Uber, and its top hotel aggregator Oyo. Son and other partners have also pledged to pour $20 billion into solar projects in the energy-hungry South Asian nation.

&quot;They are getting into sectors where the big differentiator, firstly, is going to be technology, of course,&quot; said the same source.

&quot;Secondly, also sectors that need large amounts of capital, so you can browbeat or elbow out people with your capital.&quot;

A Flipkart-Snapdeal combination would create just such a e-commerce behemoth. Flipkart, though battling Amazon, has maintained its pole position and last month it raised $1.4 billion from a trio of cash-rich and tech savvy players that include eBay, Tencent and Microsoft. It also bought eBay&#39;s Indian operations as part of the deal.

Meanwhile, SoftBank poured cash into Snapdeal, but Son began to lose patience as it was outpaced by Amazon, said a source at Snapdeal and the source familiar with SoftBank&#39;s aspirations. SoftBank has already begun talks with Flipkart&#39;s largest investor, Tiger Global, to buy a stake, the two sources said.

To push through the tie-up, SoftBank was likely to invest about $1 billion in Flipkart, both via a direct cash infusion and by buying equity stakes in investors such as Tiger Global, another source said, adding that Snapdeal investors were expected to get one Flipkart share for every 10 Snapdeal shares.

Flipkart did not respond to requests for comment, while a spokeswoman for Tiger Global said the hedge fund did not speak to the media about its investments.

Further consolidation

Forging all these deals could prove to be a challenge. One source familiar with the Grofers-BigBasket talks said a deal, while being considered, looked unlikely as BigBasket has a cash-burn rate significantly higher than that of Grofers, making it hard to justify a deal.

Moreover, even if the deals do click, there is no guarantee bets like a Flipkart-Snapdeal combine will pay off. &quot;In the short-term, yes,&quot; said Gartner analyst Sandy Shen. &quot;But things move quickly in e-commerce and Amazon is a strong player with global scale, technology and operational expertise.&quot; Still, a Flipkart-Snapdeal combine is likely to revive hopes of a broader consolidation in Indian e-commerce.

Alibaba had explored the possibility of combining Snapdeal and Paytm&#39;s e-commerce business with Flipkart about a year ago, one of the sources said, but talks broke down over price.

Industry watchers believe that Paytm&#39;s marketplace and Tiger Global-backed ShopClues could eventually fold into Flipkart if the tie-up and Paytm investment goes through.

(Reuters)

SoftBank has poured roughly $1 billion into Snapdeal since 2014

After ploughing about $2 billion into minority stakes in Indian e-commerce businesses over the past few years, Japan's SoftBank is upping the stakes, looking to play consolidator and take a more active role at a trio of leading startups. According to sources with direct knowledge of the matter, the solar-to-tech conglomerate is seeking to secure a piece of India's industry leaders in everything from payment systems to online shopping and groceries, in a series of deals that would shake up the $65 billion sector. Among the most high-profile plans is SoftBank's push to engineer a merger between Snapdeal, the No. 3 player in one of the world's most competitive online markets and one of its biggest Indian investments to date, and market leader Flipkart. The deal could be finalised as soon as next week, one of the sources said. SoftBank has poured roughly $1 billion into Snapdeal since 2014, but competition in e-commerce has risen dramatically with US giant Amazon cranking up its presence and taking the No. 2 spot from Snapdeal. Besides Snapdeal, SoftBank is also close to finalising a cash infusion of more than $1 billion into Alibaba-backed digital payments firm Paytm - another leader in a highly competitive sector - giving it a more direct say in that group too, according to one source familiar with discussions. Media reports have separately linked SoftBank to a tie-up between grocery delivery group Grofers, in which it has invested roughly $70 million, and market leader and rival BigBasket. SoftBank, Snapdeal, Paytm and BigBasket did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for Grofers said the company did not comment on merger speculation. Land of opporunity At the heart of the push is the charismatic Masayoshi Son, SoftBank's founder and chairman, the sources said. Son has taken a more active role in the group globally since last year, when he pushed aside his heir apparent, Nikesh Arora. SoftBank is best-known for its hugely lucrative early stage bet in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, in which it is still the single largest investor. But it has also been a long-time supporter of India - and with some success. "Son is thinking India is the place where he will create one or two Alibabas," said one of the sources familiar with SoftBank ambitions, adding Son sees the country right now as the "land of golden opportunity". SoftBank is the biggest investor in India's leading ride-share player Ola, which competes with Uber, and its top hotel aggregator Oyo. Son and other partners have also pledged to pour $20 billion into solar projects in the energy-hungry South Asian nation. "They are getting into sectors where the big differentiator, firstly, is going to be technology, of course," said the same source. "Secondly, also sectors that need large amounts of capital, so you can browbeat or elbow out people with your capital." A Flipkart-Snapdeal combination would create just such a e-commerce behemoth. Flipkart, though battling Amazon, has maintained its pole position and last month it raised $1.4 billion from a trio of cash-rich and tech savvy players that include eBay, Tencent and Microsoft. It also bought eBay's Indian operations as part of the deal. Meanwhile, SoftBank poured cash into Snapdeal, but Son began to lose patience as it was outpaced by Amazon, said a source at Snapdeal and the source familiar with SoftBank's aspirations. SoftBank has already begun talks with Flipkart's largest investor, Tiger Global, to buy a stake, the two sources said. To push through the tie-up, SoftBank was likely to invest about $1 billion in Flipkart, both via a direct cash infusion and by buying equity stakes in investors such as Tiger Global, another source said, adding that Snapdeal investors were expected to get one Flipkart share for every 10 Snapdeal shares. Flipkart did not respond to requests for comment, while a spokeswoman for Tiger Global said the hedge fund did not speak to the media about its investments. Further consolidation Forging all these deals could prove to be a challenge. One source familiar with the Grofers-BigBasket talks said a deal, while being considered, looked unlikely as BigBasket has a cash-burn rate significantly higher than that of Grofers, making it hard to justify a deal. Moreover, even if the deals do click, there is no guarantee bets like a Flipkart-Snapdeal combine will pay off. "In the short-term, yes," said Gartner analyst Sandy Shen. "But things move quickly in e-commerce and Amazon is a strong player with global scale, technology and operational expertise." Still, a Flipkart-Snapdeal combine is likely to revive hopes of a broader consolidation in Indian e-commerce. Alibaba had explored the possibility of combining Snapdeal and Paytm's e-commerce business with Flipkart about a year ago, one of the sources said, but talks broke down over price. Industry watchers believe that Paytm's marketplace and Tiger Global-backed ShopClues could eventually fold into Flipkart if the tie-up and Paytm investment goes through. (Reuters)

How Japan's SoftBank is powering India's e-commerce

Paytm E-commerce has announced the launch of its new Paytm Mall app on Android. As described by the company, Paytm Mall will offer a unique combination of the mall and bazaar concepts to Indian consumers.

Only trusted sellers passing strict quality guidelines and qualification criteria will be allowed on the Mall. All products listed on the Mall will also go through Paytm certified warehouse and shipping channels ensuring guaranteed consumer trust.

&quot;Consumers will be able to shop from 1.4 lakh sellers for millions of products across categories like fashion, electronics, consumer durables and home furnishings among others at their convenience,&quot; says Paytm in a press note.

The Bazaar, the hugely popular unstructured shopping channel on Paytm, will also be featured on the new app. It will aim at providing consumers the widest domestic and international assortment.&nbsp;

With over 17 fulfillment&nbsp;centres across India, Paytm Mall is geared towards offering consumers the most trusted and efficient online shopping experience. The platform would also offer sellers the widest reach through its vast network of over 40 courier partners. The Paytm Mall will also launch an ungraded version of the Paytm Seller app.

The Paytm Mall is currently available on Android and Web. It lists over 68 million products sold by 1.4 lakh sellers spread over 1000 cities and towns across the country. The iOS app is expected soon.

(WION)

Paytm Mall will offer a unique combination of the mall and bazaar concepts to Indian consumers

Paytm E-commerce has announced the launch of its new Paytm Mall app on Android. As described by the company, Paytm Mall will offer a unique combination of the mall and bazaar concepts to Indian consumers. Only trusted sellers passing strict quality guidelines and qualification criteria will be allowed on the Mall. All products listed on the Mall will also go through Paytm certified warehouse and shipping channels ensuring guaranteed consumer trust. "Consumers will be able to shop from 1.4 lakh sellers for millions of products across categories like fashion, electronics, consumer durables and home furnishings among others at their convenience," says Paytm in a press note. The Bazaar, the hugely popular unstructured shopping channel on Paytm, will also be featured on the new app. It will aim at providing consumers the widest domestic and international assortment. With over 17 fulfillment centres across India, Paytm Mall is geared towards offering consumers the most trusted and efficient online shopping experience. The platform would also offer sellers the widest reach through its vast network of over 40 courier partners. The Paytm Mall will also launch an ungraded version of the Paytm Seller app. The Paytm Mall is currently available on Android and Web. It lists over 68 million products sold by 1.4 lakh sellers spread over 1000 cities and towns across the country. The iOS app is expected soon. (WION)

Paytm launches new marketplace for online shoppers

The number of Britons who hit the shops on Boxing Day morning, a traditional shopping day, fell 6 per cent versus the same period last year, while online transactions rose 11.5 per cent year-on-year, retail data company Springboard said.

British retail sales grew at the fastest rate in more than a year in late November and early December, which may have taken some of the buzz out of the period around the Christmas holiday.

Boxing Day sales have traditionally been an indicator of the strength of the Christmas shopping period. But as online transactions grow in importance, discounting periods are being spread more evenly over the year and fewer people are visiting shops to make purchases.

In further evidence of changing shopping habits, Springboard said the number of people in shopping centres on Boxing Day morning fell 16.6 per cent versus the same period last year.

Britain&#39;s The Telegraph newspaper said huge volumes of returns from Black Friday in November meant that many items would not make it back into shops in time for Boxing Day, hampering shops&#39; sales further, citing data from Clear Returns which tracks online shopping returns.

A record 1 billion pounds worth of items are expected to be returned after this year&#39;s Black Friday as online customers adopted a &quot;buy now and decide later&quot; stance, The Telegraph said.

Clear Returns was not immediately available to comment.

(Reuters)

As online transactions grow more frequent, discounting periods are being spread more evenly over the year

The number of Britons who hit the shops on Boxing Day morning, a traditional shopping day, fell 6 per cent versus the same period last year, while online transactions rose 11.5 per cent year-on-year, retail data company Springboard said. British retail sales grew at the fastest rate in more than a year in late November and early December, which may have taken some of the buzz out of the period around the Christmas holiday. Boxing Day sales have traditionally been an indicator of the strength of the Christmas shopping period. But as online transactions grow in importance, discounting periods are being spread more evenly over the year and fewer people are visiting shops to make purchases. In further evidence of changing shopping habits, Springboard said the number of people in shopping centres on Boxing Day morning fell 16.6 per cent versus the same period last year. Britain's The Telegraph newspaper said huge volumes of returns from Black Friday in November meant that many items would not make it back into shops in time for Boxing Day, hampering shops' sales further, citing data from Clear Returns which tracks online shopping returns. A record 1 billion pounds worth of items are expected to be returned after this year's Black Friday as online customers adopted a "buy now and decide later" stance, The Telegraph said. Clear Returns was not immediately available to comment. (Reuters)

UK Boxing Day online sales up 11.5%, in-person shopping down 6%

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