n.88

American consumers spent a record $10.8 billion on Black Friday, up 10.2 per cent year-on-year.


This masked markedly different trends in e-commerce and physical shops. While online retail sales increased by 14.6 per cent year-on-year, in-store sales increased by only 0.7 per cent, Mastercard said. Adobe [Analitics] predicts that sales during the entire festive season, from 1 November to 31 December, will reach $240.8 billion, an increase of 8.4 per cent over last year, despite inflation [inflation is down but prices are no longer falling] . Compiled 2 December, updated 3 December 2024

E-CommerceInflation
 

n.86

OpenAI targets 1 billion users in next growth phase


The San Francisco-based group, whose popular chatbot ChatGPT has soared to 250 million weekly active users since its launch two years ago, plans to expand further through the launch of so-called AI 'agents', its own artificial intelligence-based search engine, and the integration of ChatGPT with Apple devices... To achieve its goals, OpenAI plans to invest in building data centre clusters in parts of the Midwest and Southwest US, according to Chris Lehane, OpenAI's new chief policy officer. This push to build its own artificial intelligence infrastructure follows a similar strategy from Big Tech rivals such as Google and Amazon.... 'chips, data and energy' are the critical resources needed to succeed in the AI race

AIAmazon
 

n.84

European Court of Auditors on food labelling: 450 million EU consumers defenceless against misleading messages


(intentionally or unintentionally). Among the shortcomings identified by the ECA is the fact that the legislation allows the use of nutrition and health claims even on products with a high fat, sugar and/or salt content. Thus, the addition of vitamins, minerals, fibre or protein to unhealthy foods is sufficient to claim beneficial properties. This is a consequence of the absence of nutrient profiles to limit the use of such claims. The legislation originally foresaw their definition and entry into force by 2009, but 15 years later there is still no trace of them. The EU does not seem to be interested in informing and educating consumers: in fact, the EU has only allocated EUR 5.5 million in food labelling awareness campaigns from 2021 to 2025

 

n.77

Walmart ends some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives after being threatened with a conservative boycott ahead of the critical Black Friday shopping period.


US companies have broadly pledged to tackle discrimination after George Floyd's murder in 2020 sparked a racial showdown across the country, promising to diversify their workforce and donate billions to non-profit organisations that focus on social justice... The retailer will stop using the phrase 'diversity, equity and inclusion' and tighten restrictions on LGBT-themed products in its marketplace for third-party sellers. It will also not renew funding for its $100 million Center for Racial Equity after it expires in June 2025.

Walmart