Ismail Akwei is an international journalist, digital media specialist, media literacy advocate, media viability consultant, media trainer, product manager, editor, writer, and media manager with over a decade of experience working with multinational media companies worldwide.

Operation HOPE and Shopify to help create one million Black-owned businesses

22 Oct 2020  |  Face2Face Africa  |  English  |  Social Justice

Operation HOPE and Shopify have partnered to launch the 'HOPE One Million New Black Business & New Black Entrepreneurship Initiative (1MBB)' aimed at creating one million Black-owned businesses over the next decade. Shopify will provide up to $130 million in resources to support this initiative, which seeks to overcome systemic barriers faced by Black entrepreneurs. The program will focus on providing technology, resources, educational programs, and access to capital. The initiative aims to foster generational wealth, social justice, and economic prosperity in underserved communities across America.

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Shopify

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Yessi Bello Perez is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

TikTok launches recruitment pilot in the US for Gen Z job seekers

08 Jul 2021  |  UNLEASH  |  English  |  Gen Z

TikTok has launched a pilot program called 'TikTok Resumes' in the US, allowing job seekers to create and submit video CVs. This initiative aims to attract Gen Z talent and includes job listings from brands like Target, WWE, Shopify, Chipotle, Contra, and Movers+Shakers. Nick Tran, TikTok's global head of marketing, expressed excitement about the new service, which leverages the platform's existing 'CareerTok' subculture. The move comes amid a tightening talent market and demographic shifts that necessitate new recruitment strategies.

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Shopify TikTok Target WWE Chipotle Contra Movers+Shakers

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I am a journalist, researcher on international refugee law and writer. Author of "Refugees of Idomeni" (https://goo.gl/VAUv5w).

I hold an MA in International Relations from Queen Mary University of London.

I mostly cover politics, society, migration, refugees and human rights. My work ...

How Bosnia and Herzegovina Identified over 25,000 Missing Victims of the War

06 Jun 2020  |  Medium  |  English  |  Srebrenica Massacre

The article discusses the efforts made by Bosnia and Herzegovina to identify over 25,000 missing victims of the civil war following the Dayton Peace Agreement in 1995. The International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP), established in 1996, played a crucial role by using DNA testing and creating a network of forensic centers and DNA laboratories. The ICMP, along with other organizations like the ICRC, Physicians for Human Rights, and the United Nations, pressured the government and involved local actors in the identification process. The Missing Persons Institute (MPI) and the Missing Persons Records Center were also instrumental in streamlining the identification process and combining various databases. The article also touches on a forensic study by Jose Pablo Baraybar and Marek Gasior on the causes of death of victims found in a gypsum mine near Prijedor. The article concludes by highlighting the ongoing challenges with around 8,000 persons still missing and the importance of these efforts in aiding national reconciliation.

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Shopify Partners International Commission for Missing Persons (ICMP) Physicians for Human Rights

Sebastián Calderón is a journalist based in Bogotá, Colombia. It's main expertise is in the automotive and aviation sector. Recognized motorsport journalist with more than 8 years of experience.
Founder & editor of revistacarros.com.co and aviones.net.co

Retail Sales Plummet as Online Shopping Soars

01 Jul 2022  |  chapterzmagazine.com  |  English  |  Economic Trends

UK retail sales have significantly declined post-pandemic, with inflation and gas prices at high levels, affecting consumer spending habits. Despite discounts, shoppers are favoring services like restaurants and trips over retail purchases. Inflation, at its highest since 1981, is impacting consumer psychology and spending. Retailers face increased operational costs and stock price declines, with e-commerce and shipping costs rising. The pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine contribute to an expected inflation rate increase, with central banks raising interest rates in response.

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Shopify

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An experienced British broadcaster, with more than 15 years experience presenting, reporting and producing news reports for the BBC, ITV NEWS and euronews in Europe and the Middle East. 

I’m currently based in Dubai where I work as a broadcast journalist.

Versatility is my strength, I write ...

Fifth-Annual AudFest Deep Dives into Video, Impact, and Diversity in Storytelling with 2021 Theme, “Video is Eating the World”

29 Oct 2021  |  www.nywift.org  |  English  |  Marketing

AudPop announces the fifth annual AudFest, themed 'Video is Eating the World,' to be held virtually from Nov. 3-5, 2021. The event will focus on diversity and innovation in video, featuring influential leaders like Amy Jo Martin, Jaime Davilla, and Isabel Rafferty. Sessions will cover marketing, creativity, and storytelling, aiming to provide insights on brand growth and community building through video. AudPop, founded by Paige Williams, connects video creatives with brands and has been recognized for its innovative approach.

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Shopify AudPop DELL Blue Indeed Intel G2 VaynerX GoDaddy Hilton Sony

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Terri Coles is a journalist based in St. John's, Canada.

Why Web 3.0 represents the future for businesses, despite challenges

01 Oct 2023  |  The Globe and Mail  |  English  |  Business Technology

Web 3.0, the next evolution of the Internet, promises a more immersive and democratic web through blockchain technology. Despite recent setbacks like Meta layoffs and the collapse of FTX, Canadian businesses and investors remain optimistic about Web 3.0's potential across various sectors. Key figures like Avivah Litan from Gartner and Evan Sitler from XpertVR highlight the emerging applications and benefits of Web 3.0, including decentralized data control, secure transactions, and immersive virtual experiences. Challenges such as hardware limitations and regulatory gaps persist, but advancements in VR, AR, and blockchain technology continue to drive interest and investment.

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Shopify Meta FTX Celsius Network XpertVR Walmart Accenture The Glimpse Group Amazon Microsoft Alphabet Twitter

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Melissa Daniels is a journalist based in Los Angeles. She has extensive experience covering political campaigns, public policy and the judiciary — as well as feature reporting for arts and culture sections and business publications. She is available for freelance assignments as well as contract ...

More than half of e-commerce Cyber Week sales came from mobile

01 Oct 2023  |  www.modernretail.co  |  English  |  Cyber Week

More than half of e-commerce Cyber Week sales were made via mobile devices, with Thanksgiving Day alone seeing 59% of online spending from mobile. Brands like Kendra Scott and Apothékary have optimized their mobile experiences, leading to significant increases in mobile traffic and sales. Innovations such as virtual try-on features, data-driven personalization, and effective mobile marketing strategies have contributed to this trend. Platforms like Shopify and Instagram have also enhanced their mobile shopping experiences, further driving mobile transactions. The trend of increased mobile shopping is expected to continue, reflecting a broader shift in consumer behavior.

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Shopify Kendra Scott Apothékary Forever 21 Zip

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Ruth Doris is a journalist based in Dublin, Ireland.

Ruth Doris: Leaning on the business experience of women

01 Mar 2020  |  Irish Examiner  |  English  |  International Women's Day

The article discusses the state of women entrepreneurs in Ireland, highlighting the challenges they face, particularly in accessing venture capital funding. It mentions initiatives like Acorns and other state-backed programs that support female entrepreneurs. Enterprise Ireland's report shows that a small percentage of venture capital goes to women-founded companies, and an even smaller percentage of angel investors are women. Vanessa Tierney, co-founder of Abodoo, shares her experience and the company's success in raising funds and expanding services. The article also features the food business Nutshed, run by sisters Eliza and Evie Ward, emphasizing the community support among women entrepreneurs in Ireland. The article celebrates International Women's Day as an opportunity to recognize and bolster women in business, while also acknowledging the unique challenges they face, such as balancing entrepreneurship with family life.

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Shopify Acorns Abodoo Vodafone Citibank Automattic Deloitte Nutshed Country Choice

Andy Hirschfeld is a journalist based in New York City. His work has appeared in numerous publications including The Daily Beast, Slate, Observer, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Fortune Magazine, Time Out Magazine, Eater, NY Focus, Insidehook,  The Daily Dot, Digital Trends, TYT Investigates, Al Jazeera ...

Is ‘shareholder supremacy’ driving the layoffs in tech?

17 May 2023  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Technology

The concept of shareholder supremacy, where companies prioritize shareholder interests, is driving layoffs in the tech industry. Uber, Meta, Tesla, and other companies have faced lawsuits from investors for failing to meet obligations. Layoffs are seen as a way to appease shareholders and boost stock prices, despite often being at odds with the interests of employees and product development. High-profile tech companies, including Salesforce and Amazon, have made significant job cuts while their executives' salaries are largely tied to stock prices. The tech sector has seen 34 percent of all layoffs in 2023, with about 114,000 people losing their jobs.

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Shopify Uber Meta Tesla Kate Spade and Co Adidas Salesforce Unity Software Eventbrite Amazon

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Cutting to the chase: I'm a luxury lifestyle journalist specializing in watches. I'm the digital editor of Oracle Time, working across print and online, the watch guy for style blog Ape to Gentleman and until last year was running luxury platform Lux Worldwide.

I can cover most aspects of the ...

Sam Altman Is Bringing Worldcoin's Controversial Eye-Scanning Orb to Reddit and Microsoft

13 Dec 2023  |  www.coindesk.com  |  English  |  Privacy

Worldcoin, co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is expanding its eye-scanning identity platform with new integrations and a multi-level verification system for its World ID digital passport. The 2.0 upgrade includes partnerships with Shopify, Mercado Libre, Reddit, Telegram, and Microsoft's Minecraft, aiming to distinguish between bots and verified humans. Despite privacy concerns, Tools for Humanity, the company behind Worldcoin, assures that eye scans are not saved and promotes World ID as a privacy-preserving alternative to traditional systems. The new verification levels include a base-level World ID without retina scans and a stricter Orb Plus tier. Since its launch, nearly five million people have obtained World IDs, with significant adoption in Chile, Argentina, and Portugal. Sam Altman remains actively involved in Worldcoin's strategic decisions.

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Shopify Worldcoin Mercado Libre Reddit Telegram Microsoft Minecraft

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I am a finance journalist and editor, with almost 4 years' experience across full-time and freelance roles, based in London, United Kingdom. I've written about equitiies, commodities, finance, investing and emerging markets extensively. 

Currently, I'm a business reporter at Euronews. I've ...

Black Friday Scams: How to Avoid Them?

28 Nov 2024  |  fr.euronews.com  |  French  |  Consumer Protection

Black Friday scams have surged, particularly in online commerce, due to accessible tools on the dark web and sophisticated techniques. Consumers, especially millennials and Gen Z, are more vulnerable to fraud, often through fake websites and emails. Companies like Temu and Shein are implicated in false discount practices. Experts advise consumers to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, verify URLs, and use credit cards for protection. The rise of AI has made scams more convincing, and the trend towards sustainable products has been exploited by fraudsters. Planning and critical evaluation of deals are recommended to avoid scams and overspending.

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Shopify Temu Shein PayPal Amazon Netflix

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I'm a journalist and feature writer open to work.

Planning to spend big on Valentine’s Day?

11 Feb 2025  |  Stockhead  |  English  |  Cost of Living

Post-Christmas returns in Australia have surged, with 88,600 items valued at $11 million returned, driven by the high cost of living. Dresses, trousers, and tops were the most returned items. Retailers face challenges as they can only retain about 50% of the return value. Loop Returns, a software platform, highlights the increasing trend of returns and the need for retailers to adapt by using technology and new return policies. The article emphasizes the impact of economic uncertainty on consumer behavior and the retail sector.

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Shopify Loop Returns DHL Australia Post

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A former auditor turned into an investigative journalist. Writes about China technology, the US-China relationship, and China's propaganda system for the New York Times, Foreign Policy, WIRED, ChinaFile, and other publications.
Contributing US-Correspondent for Deutsche Welle Chinese.
My Chinese ...

TikTok and Amazon Bet on China’s Ecommerce Model. It’s a Dud

01 Oct 2023  |  www.wired.com  |  English  |  Consumer Behavior

Companies like Amazon, TikTok, and Shopify are investing heavily in livestream ecommerce, inspired by its success in China. However, they face significant challenges in the US market due to differences in consumer behavior and market conditions. While Chinese consumers engage with livestreams for entertainment and deals, American consumers prioritize time efficiency and are less inclined to watch long streams. Influencers in the US also prefer independent content creation over agency contracts. Despite some efforts and minor successes, the livestream ecommerce model has yet to gain substantial traction in the US.

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Shopify Amazon TikTok

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Alyssa Moxley is a writer and audio producer based in Athens, Greece. She is available for investigative reports, detailed cultural analysis, and interviews for print and radio. She is also available for audio recording (for radio or video) needs with high quality equipment. She has expertise in ...

Peering Into A.I.’s Black Box, Who’s the Real Techno-Optimist? and Reading Ancient Scrolls With A.I.

20 Oct 2023  |  www.nytimes.com  |  English  |  History

The podcast episode discusses advancements in understanding AI transparency and interpretability, highlighting efforts by companies like Anthropic and Stanford's Institute for Human-Centered AI. It also covers Marc Andreessen's 'Techno-Optimist Manifesto,' which advocates for unrestrained technological progress and criticizes regulatory and ethical constraints. Additionally, the episode delves into the Vesuvius Challenge, a project aimed at decoding ancient scrolls using AI, featuring contributions from tech industry figures and researchers. The discussion balances optimism about technological advancements with concerns about ethical and societal impacts.

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Shopify Anthropic OpenAI Google Meta Stripe Box

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Mary Mundeya is a journalist based in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Shopify President says international business is a 'massive area of growth'

03 Oct 2023  |  vnexplorer.net  |  English  |  Corporate Earnings

Shopify President Harley Finkelstein emphasized the significant growth potential in international markets for the e-commerce platform, aiming to make global sales as seamless as local transactions. The company serves a diverse range of clients, from small merchants to large brands like Suntory and Nike Strength, and is expanding into business-to-business sales. Despite beating Wall Street's earnings expectations, Shopify's shares fell due to mixed guidance for the current period.

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Shopify Suntory On Running Everlane Nike Strength Oscar de la Renta Carrier

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Ulrik Pedersen is a sports photographer.

I have accreditation for African Cup of Nations coming up in January 2024.

Let me know if you are interested in photos.

Thanks.

****

Revolutionizing AI Conversations: Overview of the upcoming ChatGPT Plugins

01 Oct 2023  |  medium.com  |  English  |  Software Development

The article discusses the upcoming plugins for ChatGPT, highlighting their potential to revolutionize AI conversations. OpenAI is gradually rolling out access to these plugins, starting with a small group of users. The plugins include a web browser, a code interpreter, and a knowledge base retrieval tool. Several companies, such as Expedia and Shopify, have already developed plugins. These plugins aim to extend the capabilities of language models by providing access to more recent and personalized information. OpenAI is also working on open standards to unify AI-facing interfaces and is seeking feedback from developers.

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Shopify Expedia FiscalNote Instacart KAYAK Klarna Milo OpenTable Slack Speak Wolfram Zapier

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Oliver Pickup is an award-winning journalist, copywriter, ghostwriter and broadcaster based in London, United Kingdom. 

Over the last decade his work appeared in all the national newspapers in England, and he has contributed to numerous multinational magazines and websites. 

More recently (...

How to improve the hybrid-meetings culture

05 Oct 2023  |  www.worklife.news  |  English  |  Productivity

Hybrid working, while theoretically ideal, often results in logistical challenges that hinder collaboration and productivity, primarily due to inefficient hybrid meetings. Experts like J. P. Gownder from Forrester Research and Sam Liang from Otter.ai highlight the overwhelming number of unproductive meetings. Research from Otter.ai and Asana reveals that a significant portion of meetings are unnecessary, contributing to missed deadlines and reduced strategic work. Companies like Shopify and Asana have implemented strategies to reduce meeting overload, such as meeting-free days and calendar cleanses, empowering employees to prioritize essential meetings and improve overall productivity.

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Shopify Otter.ai Asana

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I am a freelance writer and journalist covering climate change and its myriad facets. Over the years, I have traveled to five continents to chronicle how rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are posing an outright existential threat to our societies, calling mankind to an unprecedented ...

Why Embedded Fintech is a Bright Spot in Today’s Market

01 Oct 2023  |  Crunchbase  |  English  |  Technology Innovation

Embedded fintech is emerging as a significant trend in the financial services industry, integrating financial services directly into commercial platforms to reduce customer acquisition costs and increase trust. GGV Capital highlights the benefits of embedded fintech, including leveraging real-time data and global opportunities, despite the recent decline in public fintech valuations. Successful fintech companies are expected to evolve into comprehensive financial operating systems, offering a range of services from payments to business intelligence. The article also introduces the Embedded Fintech 50, celebrating innovative companies in the sector, and emphasizes the potential for these companies to achieve higher margins and successful IPOs through product development and strategic partnerships.

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Shopify Square DoorDash Amazon Novo Clara

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Amir Shahzeidi is a journalist based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

How Content Creators Can Sell Digital Products

15 Apr 2022  |  www.uscreen.tv  |  English  |  Online Business

Digital products offer content creators a lucrative and sustainable way to monetize their work. These products, ranging from online courses and ebooks to memberships and licensed digital assets, can be distributed repeatedly without the need for restocking. Platforms like Uscreen, Etsy, Shopify, Skillshare, and Amazon provide various avenues for selling these products, each with its own set of features and costs. While there are some drawbacks, such as competition with free alternatives and potential piracy, the benefits often outweigh the challenges. Successful examples, like Peter McKinnon's sale of Adobe Lightroom presets, illustrate the potential for significant earnings. The guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to start selling digital products, including research, identifying problems, finding a niche, and creating the products.

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Shopify Uscreen Etsy Skillshare Amazon

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London-based freelance journalist specialising in personal finance and the retail market. Music is also an interest. Proficent in using online publishing tools (Keyword Planner, Infogram, Wordpress). A former online writer at Which? Money Online and Retail Gazette. Available for feature articles, ...

How do I build a website for my small business?

19 Jan 2024  |  smallbusiness.co.uk  |  English  |  E-commerce

Building a website for a small business is crucial but can be costly if done by a professional developer. Using website builders like Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Mettrr, Weebly, Mobirise, WordPress, Shopify, EKM, and BigCommerce can be cost-effective and user-friendly. Each platform offers different features, pricing, and user experiences. Domain names are essential and can vary in cost. Integrating payment methods like Stripe and PayPal can enhance trust and ease of transactions. The article provides a comprehensive guide on choosing the right website builder and domain name, considering factors like SEO, branding, and functionality.

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Shopify Wix Squarespace GoDaddy Mettrr Weebly Mobirise WordPress EKM BigCommerce

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Tommy Walker is a journalist based in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Death of Advertising as We Know It

01 Jan 2024  |  www.shopify.com  |  English  |  Ecommerce

The article explores the anticipated transformation of advertising driven by emerging technologies such as web and mobile buy buttons, social buy buttons, near field communications, mobile wallets, smart TVs, and touchscreens. It argues that traditional advertising methods will become obsolete as these technologies enable direct purchasing without the traditional sales funnel. The piece highlights the increasing media consumption and declining attention spans, suggesting that seamless integration of content, marketing, and buying will become the norm. The future of advertising is envisioned as a blend of native commerce on various platforms, including social media, search engines, and even physical locations like malls and taxis, ultimately leading to a more efficient and engaging consumer experience.

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Shopify Apple Google YouTube Wayfair Sephora

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Emma Woollacott is a journalist based in Oxford, United Kingdom, writing in fields from science and tech to business and politics, freelance since 1992. I've written for most British broadsheet national newspapers, including the Times, Daily Telegraph, Financial Times and Guardian, as well as many ...

Intention Economy Could Sell Your Decisions—Before You Make Them

30 Dec 2024  |  Forbes  |  English  |  Technology Manipulation

AI assistants could potentially manipulate user decisions and sell these intentions before they are consciously made, according to researchers from the University of Cambridge. The 'intention economy' could exploit psychological and behavioral data, raising ethical concerns about its impact on free elections, press, and market competition. Major tech companies like OpenAI, Shopify, Nvidia, Meta, and Apple are developing technologies to predict and influence user intentions, prompting calls for regulation to prevent unintended consequences.

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Shopify OpenAI Nvidia Meta Apple

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Zofia Zwieglinska is a fashion and sustainability journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Fashion Briefing: The year of the savvy BFCM shopper

01 Dec 2023  |  www.glossy.co  |  English  |  Consumer Behavior

The article discusses the evolving strategies of retailers and the savvy behavior of consumers during the Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) shopping period. It highlights the increase in online sales, the use of strategic discounts, and the role of AI in shopping. Retailers like Old Navy and Kendra Scott saw success with limited-time offers, while luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue and T-shirt brand True Classic used discounts to attract customers. Amazon faced criticism for inflated pre-discount prices. The article also notes the trend of consumers using social media and comparison sites to find the best deals, and the potential for generative AI to further influence shopping behavior.

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Shopify Adobe Analytics Old Navy Saks Fifth Avenue Kendra Scott Amazon Temu Shein True Classic

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