Online shopping stories

Google is rolling out Gemini in Chrome to India, New Zealand and Canada, adding over 50 languages and deeper links to Gmail, Maps and YouTube.

Syndigo has snapped up Taggstar, folding its real-time social proof messaging into a wider product data cloud for retailers and brands.

Elastic argues that in an AI-obsessed market, robust search across messy data is the real foundation of trustworthy, profitable experiences.

New BS ISO 21800 standard aims to cut fine print and make online contracts clearer for consumers across booming UK digital markets.

Vudoo partners with PubMatic to bring shoppable, commerce-enabled ads to its programmatic marketplace via a single deal ID integration.

Criteo joins OpenAI's ChatGPT ad pilot as first adtech partner, testing conversational commerce ads across ChatGPT Free and Go in the US.

Poor product data is costing Indian eCommerce about INR ₹5,000 crore a year in lost margins and returns, a new sector-wide study warns.

Akai India launches Akaiindia.in, a direct online store for smart TVs, appliances and audio, with up to 30% off and no-cost EMI offers.

Ecommpay launches a free fraud guide for online retailers as UK payment fraud hits GBP £1.17 billion and AI-driven scams rapidly escalate.

Global mobile app installs jumped 10% in 2025 as sessions rose 7%, fuelled by surging finance and eCommerce usage in APAC and beyond.

Retailers risk USD $796bn in losses from returns and shrink in 2025, with omnichannel gaps fuelling preventable fraud and abuse.

Fashion and electronics see the sharpest online price swings, as Decodo data shows retailers repricing items every few hours worldwide.

Fake Olympics shop ads on Meta push fans to cloned sites mimicking Milano Cortina 2026 store to steal card and personal details.

More consumers now treat generative AI as an everyday aide and even a companion, using it for routine decisions despite trust concerns.

Online Valentine's discounts shrink as shoppers browse earlier, research more and spread spending beyond traditional romantic gifts.

Cyber experts warn Valentine's Day brings a surge in romance and shopping scams, urging users to be wary of links, apps and payment requests.

Visa survey finds most Asia Pacific shoppers use AI to browse, but many still distrust it with payment details at online checkout.

Criteo launches an AI-powered commerce service that plugs into shopping assistants, promising more relevant product picks from real purchase data.

Address validation on Shopify cuts failed deliveries, trims shipping costs and boosts loyalty by ensuring accurate, standardised customer data.

Shoppers turn to AI to find products, but 92% still demand reviews and real customer photos before finally clicking to buy.