China's carmakers are struggling with narrowing profit margins due to higher raw material costs and declining market demand, exacerbated by the end of purchase subsidies and tax incentives.
Germany faces multiple challenges: a fatal vehicle attack at Berlin's CSD event, warnings over right-wing 'active clubs', economic competitiveness concerns, and the Bayreuth Festival's 150th anniversary amid controversy.
Modern electric vehicle batteries are significantly outperforming initial degradation forecasts, with average EVs retaining 95% of their original range after five years. Advances in battery chemistry, management systems, and thermal regulation, alongside more realistic real-world driving conditions compared to lab tests, contribute to this longevity, easing consumer fears about replacement costs.
A Himachal Pradesh consumer commission ordered Reliance JioFiber to pay Rs 10,000 compensation to a Shimla woman for unresolved internet service disruptions despite multiple complaints, citing deficiency in service and unfair trade practice.
Coca-Cola has increased prices in India due to severe disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key supply route for aluminum cans and raw materials, following the collapse of an interim truce in the Iran conflict.
Donald Trump announced that 200 entities, including 23 Republican governors and major utilities, have signed his non-binding "Ratepayer Protection Pledge." The pledge aims to ensure US consumers don't pay for AI datacenter build-out costs, but critics dismiss it as an "empty promise" amid rising electricity bills.
UK consumer confidence rose significantly in July, driven by the prospect of Andy Burnham becoming PM, England's World Cup run, and hopes for Middle East peace. Despite this, personal finance outlook remained cautious, and rising oil prices from renewed US-Iran conflict threaten inflation forecasts.
Donald Trump secured a voluntary pledge from governors and electricity companies to protect U.S. consumers from higher utility bills due to data centers. The initiative highlights the AI sector's growing impact on politics and consumer costs, with concerns about electricity demand and job displacement.
Samsung's new foldable phones saw a $100 price increase, setting a trend major handset makers like Google and Apple are expected to follow. This industry-wide rise, also seen in other sectors like energy, is causing consumers to reconsider purchases and hold onto devices longer, impacting sales significantly through 2027.
The European Union has imposed sanctions on Russian energy holding Inter RAO, citing its significant role in Russia's economy and its large consumer base of approximately 19 million consumers.
Sony has launched its new FX5 cinema camera, featuring a 16.6MP stacked full-frame sensor, 16-bit linear RAW video, and open gate recording. Positioned between the FX3 and FX6, it offers advanced stabilization and three base ISO settings, with pre-orders starting at $4,898 for mid-August availability.
Seven-Eleven is addressing reports of staff hoarding popular merchandise like Pokemon cards and One Piece items for resale, leading to early termination of some franchise agreements and a warning to franchisees about inappropriate practices.
Merchants in India often charge extra for credit card payments, but experts state this is generally prohibited by card network rules and RBI regulations. The Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is a fee paid by merchants, not customers, and funds card benefits. Many merchants prefer UPI due to lower costs.
Yuka, a French-developed app, empowers 85 million users across 12 countries to scan food and cosmetic products for health ratings, influencing shopping habits. It operates profitably through premium subscriptions, not advertising, with a 2024 survey indicating 94% of users reject red-rated items.
An individual shares their family's five-year journey and eight practical strategies for reducing ultra-processed foods (UPF) in their diet, drawing on expert advice from Kary Rappaport, Julia Wolfson, and Penny Stankiewicz, emphasizing plant-based eating, cooking skills, and consistency.
US lawmakers are exploring tariffs, port fees, and sanctions against China's shipbuilding industry to rebuild America's commercial fleet. Citing economic and national security concerns, members of Congress acknowledge that penalties alone may not suffice to restore US capacity.
A California man is suing Microsoft in a proposed class-action lawsuit, alleging the company pocketed government refunds from illegal Trump-era tariffs instead of passing them to consumers who paid inflated Xbox prices. Similar lawsuits target other retailers like Costco, while some companies like FedEx and UPS plan to issue refunds.
Ukraine attacked four Wildberries warehouses in Russia, escalating its drone campaign against the country's top online retailer. The strikes, targeting a key economic driver, threaten disruption for businesses and millions of Russian consumers.
Samsung Electronics AmericaはBarclays US Consumer BankとVisaネットワークを通じて「Samsung Galaxy Card」を発表。7月22日より申込受付を開始し、サムスン製品購入で5％、Samsung Wallet決済で3％などのキャッシュ還元を提供する。
A Himachal Pradesh consumer commission has ordered Paytm to refund a cancelled flight ticket amount of Rs 6,437, along with Rs 10,000 compensation and Rs 5,000 in legal costs, to a customer. Paytm was found liable for "deficiency in service" for failing to ensure the refund reached the customer, despite the airline transferring the money to Paytm.
Luxury car sales in China dropped significantly last month and in the first half of the year, with brands like Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover experiencing declines as wealthy consumers increasingly favor electric vehicles due to rising crude oil prices.
China's electric vehicle industry is being examined as a potential blueprint for developing countries to foster their own domestic champions. Electrification has lowered traditional entry barriers, and China's vast supply chain offers a faster foothold for aspiring carmakers.
Amazon has been using various tactics to pressure suppliers into raising prices on rival retailers' sites, according to internal emails and court claims, potentially affecting consumer prices across platforms.
A cyclosporiasis outbreak causing diarrhea has made American consumers wary of grocery-bought produce, leading to increased demand for locally-harvested goods in Missouri. Farmers like Dave Thies and Josh Smith report a surge in calls from customers seeking safe, local lettuce, despite federal assurances that the outbreak is under control.
