China's Ministry of Commerce released guidelines to boost physical retail, addressing slow sales growth and intense online competition. The plan aims to create a rational pricing system and transform stores into experience destinations by 2030.
Alibaba Group will pay $600 million to resolve a US Department of Justice investigation into allegations its platforms facilitated the sale of thousands of illegal pharmaceuticals and controlled substances into the US. The settlement involves non-prosecution agreements with Alibaba and AUS Merchant Services.
Chinese police have dismantled a months-long smear campaign targeting e-commerce platforms Alibaba and JD.com. Chengdu Xiaoben Culture Media, hired by an unnamed company, allegedly created fake images and false information to harm the platforms' reputations and operations.
China's market regulator summoned major e-commerce platforms like Alibaba, JD.com, and Pinduoduo over marketing malpractices, including misleading ads and inadequate rule disclosures, as the "618" shopping festival approaches. This is part of an effort to curb "involution-style" competition.
Beijing market regulators summoned 5 major e-commerce platforms, including Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, to address "involutionary" competition risks and consumer rights issues during the "6/18" shopping festival. Issues cited include false advertising, non-compliant promotion rules, and undisclosed seller information.
Beijing market regulators have summoned five major e-commerce platforms, including Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, to address issues like false advertising and non-disclosure of promotional rules during the '6.18' shopping festival, warning against 'involutionary' competition.
Beijing regulators met with 5 major e-commerce platforms, including Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, to address "vicious competition" risks during the 6.18 shopping festival. Issues cited include false advertising, non-transparent rules, and lack of seller information, prompting demands for immediate rectification.
Beijing's market regulator summoned 5 major e-commerce platforms, including Taobao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, to address 'involution' competition risks during the '6.18' sales event. Issues found include false advertising, non-standard promotion rules, and un-disclosed seller information, prompting demands for rectification.
Beijing's market regulator met with 5 major e-commerce platforms on June 11, 2026, to address 'involution' competition risks during the '6·18' sales event. Issues included false advertising, non-transparent rules, and unpublicized seller information, with specific concerns raised about '10 billion subsidy' promotions.
China's e-commerce platforms are reportedly selling "Red Princess" citrus, a new premium variety developed by Japan's Ehime Prefecture. This alleged sale raises concerns about intellectual property theft, similar to the "Shine Muscat" grape incident, and will test Japan's new seedling protection laws.
Alibaba Group Holding is integrating its flagship AI assistant Qwen into its biggest e-commerce platforms, betting that the future of online shopping lies in fluid conversations rather than rigid search terms. Using the Qwen app, shoppers are able to find, compare and purchase products from Taobao and Tmall’s 4-billion-item inventory via text or voice chat, Alibaba said in a statement on Monday. Taobao has also launched a Qwen-powered shopping assistant, which was trained on the platform’s...
SEOUL, April 27 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's antitrust regulator on Monday ordered...
More than 4 million small parcels from China arrive daily at Liege Airport in Belgium, overwhelming a customs team of just 80 officers. Belgium's top customs official Kristian Vanderwaeren says the surge, linked to Trump's return and new fees in Italy and France, is straining capacity. Thirty percent of inspected parcels violate EU standards, with cosmetics at 100% infringement rate.
About 422 indie bookshops opened in 2025, up 31%, defying predictions of retail consolidationFor years now, we have heard that Amazon and the big chains are crushing small businesses, but independent bookstores are suddenly making a comeback.About 422 new indie bookshops opened in 2025, according to the American Booksellers Association, a 31% rise from 2024. Countless independent restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, movie theaters, clothing stores and other small businesses also continue to thrive even in this era of ever-bigger retailers, fast-casual restaurants and massive e-commerce platforms. Continue reading...
