Trump says all trade talks with Canada are terminated
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday all trade talks with Canada were terminated following what he called a fraudulent advertisement in which ...
A last-minute shopping surge and heavy discounts drove U.S. holiday sales higher than expected, rising 3.8% from last year, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse.
Holiday retail spending in the U.S. from November 1 to December 24 exceeded prior forecasts, reflecting strong consumer activity despite inflation and higher interest rates. The 3.8% year-over-year increase underscores continued resilience among shoppers, Mastercard SpendingPulse reported.
However, retailers noted a shift in consumer behavior. Describing customers as “selective” and “cautious,” many stores leaned heavily on promotions to attract buyers. Major chains such as Walmart extended price cuts through rollbacks, while Target intensified its promotional campaigns to maintain shopper interest. Dollar General, Kroger, and Five Below also slashed prices to remain competitive, acknowledging the pressure on profit margins.
E-commerce outpaced physical store sales growth, continuing a digital-first shopping trend. Online sales grew at double the rate of in-store purchases, as consumers increasingly opted for convenience. Retailers embraced generative AI tools to enhance customer service and product discovery, while improving curbside pickup and delivery services to streamline the shopping experience.
“Digital innovation and customer-centric strategies played a pivotal role in shaping this holiday season,” noted Steve Sadove, senior adviser to Mastercard and former CEO of Saks.
Despite economic challenges, the 2024 holiday season highlights both the adaptability of retailers and the enduring spending power of American consumers.
At least 69 people have died and almost 150 injured following a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Cebu City in the central Visayas region of the Philippines, officials said, making it one of the country’s deadliest disasters this year.
A tsunami threat was issued in Chile after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday. The epicenter was located 135 miles south of Puerto Williams on the north coast of Navarino Island.
The war in Ukraine has reached a strategic impasse, and it seems that the conflict will not be solved by military means. This creates a path toward one of two alternatives: either a “frozen” phase that can last indefinitely or a quest for a durable political regulation.
A shooting in Nice, southeastern France, left two people dead and five injured on Friday, authorities said.
Snapchat will start charging users who store more than 5GB of photos and videos in its Memories feature, prompting backlash from long-time users.
Türkiye has emerged as Europe’s largest steel producer and the world’s seventh largest in the first eight months of 2025, producing 36.9 million tonnes last year, according to sector officials.
Germany’s Adidas increased its full-year profit guidance, saying it managed to cushion some of the extra expenses resulting from higher U.S. tariffs.
Germany’s Adidas on Tuesday raised its full-year operating profit forecast, saying it had successfully offset part of the additional costs caused by higher U.S. tariffs.
New Zealand's annual inflation accelerated in the third quarter, reaching 3.0%, which aligns with analysts' expectations and is at the upper end of the central bank's target range, according to official data released on Monday.
On Sunday, the Netherlands' Economy Minister, Vincent Karremans, stated that he expects to meet with a Chinese government official in the coming days to discuss how to resolve the standoff over Nexperia NV, a computer chip maker whose issues are threatening global automotive supply chains.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment