Latest news with #onlineshopping
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- Business
- News.com.au
End of financial year sales drive massive billion dollar spending boom
Savvy shoppers have spent more than $19.2bn online in the last three months in a sign of renewed consumer confidence and anticipated rate relief. The Australia Post eCommerce report shows a massive 7.9 million Australians are now shopping online, with every category tracked seeing a lift in spending. This was led by $4.2bn in online marketplaces, $3.9bn in food and liquor, and $2.7bn spent in on fashion. Australia Post puts the surge in online shopping down to a mix of bargain hunting Aussies targeting the end of financial year, easing cost of living pressures and households expecting further interest rate relief. One of those taking advantage of this sales period was Central Coast mortgage holder and mum Justine Ribgy who said June was always an expensive period for her household. 'We took advantage of those online retail offers more so around household appliances that needed replacing,' she said. 'My husband and I are also in the year being 40 so we had some big gifts there and our children's birthday's fall in June and July, so when we add all that up the (end of financial year sales) is a big savings.' The increase in customer spending came during a period when the Reserve Bank of Australia initially held the cash rate in April, before slashing 25 basis points in May. Households had also expected further relief in July, with a cut widely forecasted at the start of the new financial year. Instead, the central bank held the official cash rate at 3.85 per cent. Ms Ribgy said even though the RBA held the official cash rate in July, it was still a little win for households 'We have had to budget month to month with the cost of living over the last couple of years so a rate cut frees up our discretionary spending. We can be a little less frugal,' she told NewsWire. 'To be honest, even with the hold … it's still positive. It gives us that confidence to loosen the purse strings a little bit.' Despite the increasing overall spend, Australia Post research showed Australians are spending less per transaction with the basket size falling by 1.6 per cent over the previous year. Instead Aussies are buying more often and are turning to marketplaces and department stores to get the cheapest price product. Australian Post general manager customer success Chelsea O'Reilly said Australians were taking their time when it comes to online shopping in order to get the best deal possible. 'Consumers are becoming a whole lot more savvy and strategic in terms of their shopping and we've seen that with an increase in the amount of time they are spending on online marketplaces and department stores,' Ms O'Reilly said. 'They are going there so they can compare brands, pricing and maximise their savings.' Aussies proved their love for a quick bargain, spurring a significant 28 per cent spike in online department store spending during the quarter. Younger Aussies remain the most likely to buy online with Millennials spending $6.9bn online, followed by Gen X at $5.3bn and Gen Z who spent $3.4bn. Ms Reilly said with more Australians choosing to spend their money online, the postal service was investing heavily to keep up with customer demand. 'We are heavily investing in delivering choice and convenience for our customers,' she said.
Gulf Business
7 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Saudi's new online shopping platform is here: What to expect?
Image credit: Supplied Maison Safqa, a members-only private sales platform, has officially launched in Saudi Arabia, providing a curated online destination for luxury fashion and lifestyle at exclusive prices. Designed specifically for the modern Saudi shopper, the platform combines international prestige with regional creativity, debuting with well-known global brands and planning to gradually showcase emerging Saudi designers. Read- The platform redefines access to luxury style by offering time-limited private sales that allow members to shop premium fashion, lifestyle, and beauty products with a sense of exclusivity and excitement. Each brand appears on the platform for a limited period, creating urgency and freshness with every drop—from coveted high-end labels to rising global designers. 'Maison Safqa was built on the idea that each brand deserves a dedicated off-price sales channel to maximize its performance and reach without compromising the equity and name they have built,' said Co-founder and CEO Léa Mehaweg. 'For our customers, we wanted to create a space where they could shop premium and luxury brands with insider prices, without sacrificing experience or taste.' Luxury brands often face challenges with fast-moving fashion cycles leaving excess inventory. Maison Safqa turns this into an advantage by providing a private, members-only platform where brands can discreetly reintroduce past collections. This strategy protects brand prestige, preserves value, and keeps luxury on its own terms. Now live in Saudi Arabia, Maison Safqa offers a fresh approach to fashion, luxury, and digital exclusivity for discerning shoppers.
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Business
- Arab News
Apple launches online store in Saudi Arabia with Arabic support, local delivery
RIYADH: US tech giant Apple has launched its online store and Apple Store app in Saudi Arabia, offering next-day delivery and, for the first time, direct Arabic-language support. 'This launch will make the 40th country and territory around the world with an Apple Store online,' Karen Rasmussen, Apple's head of Online Retail, said. 'It is going to be our first Apple Store online fully in Arabic,' she added. Originally launched in 1997, Apple's online store has since expanded to over 40 countries and territories worldwide. Starting July 22, customers in Saudi Arabia can shop for Apple products online through the website or the app, with the promise of faster delivery, new customization options, and local-language support. The site offers Arabic and English customer service, flexible payment options, and product personalization. The Apple executive noted that most orders will be delivered the next day. 'We built a distribution center in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to be able to support all of our customers in the fastest possible way,' Rasmussen told Arab News. Free engraving is now available in both Arabic and English, allowing customers to personalize products such as AirPods, Apple Pencil, and AirTag with text, emoji, and numbers. The company has partnered with Saudi-based buy-now-pay-later platform Tamara to offer customers the ability to pay in four monthly installments at zero percent interest. Apple is also introducing Arabic-language, in-country shopping assistance. 'We will provide in-country, in-Arabic shopping support, where a specialist is trained exactly the same way as any Apple specialist, whether online or in the store,' she said. Hardware support and express replacement services will also be available in Arabic through the new online platform. AppleCare+ has been updated to allow customers to subscribe on a monthly basis, rather than making a single annual payment. Another addition is Apple Trade In, which enables Saudi customers to exchange their current Apple devices for credit toward new purchases. The Apple Education Store will also be accessible through the online platform, offering special pricing on Macs and iPads for university students, educators, and their families. 'All year long, we offer special education discounts for verified students and educators,' Rasmussen explained. Additionally, a back-to-school offer valid until Oct. 21 will give eligible buyers the option to receive AirPods or another accessory when purchasing an eligible Mac or iPad. However, the long-awaited question on the minds of Apple device users in Saudi Arabia is: When will there be a physical store in the Kingdom? The company confirmed plans to open its first flagship Apple Store in Saudi Arabia in 2026. 'We absolutely have plans to open stores in the country as well, starting in 2026,' she said. 'My favorite store, which is coming a little after that, is going to be the one we are planning in Diriyah,' added Rasmussen. Apple is currently in the early planning stages for a second store in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. When asked about the first physical store's location, Rasmussen said: 'It's a subsequent store... We have been partnering very particularly on the Diriyah site, but it's not going to be the first one,' she told Arab News. 'The investment in Saudi Arabia is something that Apple has been very focused on for a very long time,' Rasmussen stated. 'This is just one step in a broader journey of long-term investment in the Kingdom.' 'Up until now, for the past five years, we have spent more than SR10 billion ($2.67 billion) in development initiatives such as the Apple Developer Academy,' the head of online retail told Arab News.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Can One Founder Launch A Million Dollar Product Brand With AI?
Businesswoman laptop using , online shopping concept For years, creators have been encouraged to expand into product lines. Yet, the complexities of managing a brand often remain overlooked. Pietra, an e-commerce platform supporting a wide range of launches, recently introduced AI Assistants—a suite of specialized tools designed to help run an e-commerce business. This new release aims to reduce the need for human teams. Pietra's AI handles many components of e-commerce, including supplier outreach, inventory tracking, marketing, fulfillment and data analysis. 'With this new launch, we're deploying a set of AI agents that you can think about as a digital army of workers,' said Ro (Ronak Trivedi), co-founder and CEO of Pietra. 'They can touch the real world and actually get things done.' These agents are available 24/7, 365 days per year, no vacation. The core goal behind Pietra's AI Assistants is to simplify operational tasks. Many founders spend the majority of their time on back-end logistics rather than activities that drive growth. 'E-commerce and direct-to-consumer brand building is highly operational,' said Tala Akhavan, Pietra's COO. 'It's a very tedious process. And most people are only exposed to the final step, like adding a product to a Shopify store. Everything before that? That's the hard part.' Pietra's platform supports sourcing, negotiations, marketing and analytics. Founders use it to oversee functions that would otherwise require additional software or staff. 'You're not executing anymore,' Ro explained. 'You're the creative director and a decision maker. The agents are your workforce.' Pietra's AI Assistants are designed to operate independently. They are programmed with specific business data and able to complete tasks based on that information. 'We don't need another AI that tells you to do your homework,' Ro said. 'We need an AI assistant that can actually do the homework for you.' This functionality became especially relevant during recent supply chain disruptions related to tariffs. Businesses turned to Pietra's sourcing agent to manage the situation. 'We took a six-to-12-month process and reduced it to 48 hours,' Ro said. 'The agent contacted factories, got quotes, calculated landed costs with tariffs, and delivered a quote table and Zoom links to meet suppliers. A process that used to require an agency and several team members now takes one person, one prompt, and two days.' Each brand on Pietra's platform is supported by a persistent information layer known as the brand vault. This component stores and updates business data over time. 'It knows everything—marketing insights, production cycles, sell-through rates,' Tala explained. 'It's like hiring someone who doesn't need to be onboarded. It saves time and money, and lets founders focus on what's actually unique about their business.' The AI uses this repository to refine its decisions. As a result, it becomes increasingly efficient. 'We're at the intern phase,' Ro said. 'But like an intern who becomes a VP over time, these agents will eventually know your brand well enough to act with more autonomy.' There are questions about how AI systems behave when tasks escalate or fail. Pietra's model is designed with approvals and checkpoints. 'You're still the CEO,' Tala said. 'Where you used to stay up late talking to a supplier, now the agent does that for you overnight and you wake up and approve the results.' Ro and Tala describe AI as a tool that makes brand management less time-intensive. They also say it increases capacity without replacing core functions. 'People don't want a button that designs their logo for them,' Ro said. 'That's the fun part of building a brand. They want AI to handle the stuff they don't want to do—like finance, logistics, procurement. That's where the real value is.' Pietra's customers include both established and emerging businesses. Ro cited companies such as Road Skin and Houseplant, and mentioned that some larger teams, including those at Everlane, have also used parts of the platform. Creators and public figures have also launched products using Pietra. Paris Hilton is among those who have released new items through the system. In one example, a former Pinterest employee used Pietra to launch Grip Baby, a brand selling grip-safe babywear. 'That's who we're building this for,' Ro said. 'She was able to leave her job and grow a successful small business. You can sit down with a cup of coffee and say, 'I want to launch a baby clothing brand,' and six hours later, you've got factories, fulfillment, packaging, and a go-to-market plan.' Ro explained that this timeline would have previously taken months. Pietra's leadership sees its AI Assistants as a way to standardize advanced business operations across many types of entrepreneurs. 'We believe every business in the world will eventually have a custom-trained AI working for them,' Ro said. 'Just like Microsoft once said they wanted a desktop on every desk, we want a brand-trained agent in every business.' For new entrepreneurs, this can reduce initial complexity. For experienced teams, it offers efficiencies in execution. 'Humans go rogue too,' Tala said with a laugh. 'Sometimes AI actually gives you more control, not less.' AI is reshaping how businesses launch, grow and operate. What was once limited to companies with large teams and budgets is now accessible to anyone with an idea and the willingness to experiment with new tools. This article is based on an interview with Ro and Tala from my podcast, The Business of Creators.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
These eBay discount codes will save you up to 15% in July
Whether you're after a new gadget or a pre-loved designer bag, eBay is one of the UK's most popular online marketplaces for a reason. With millions of listings from top brands and individual sellers, there is a wide variety to shop, including everyday essentials, fashion, beauty, tech and even one-of-a-kind pieces. Whilst eBay is already known for its competitive pricing, The Independent's team of deal experts has been hard at work finding the latest eBay discount codes and offers to help you save even more. How to save on your eBay order Use an eBay discount code Ebay often releases promo codes with savings on selected items, sellers or categories, which we'll list above. You'll regularly find a 10 to 15 per cent discount on certain categories or products, such as mobile phones or summer essentials. Payday deals are also a regular occurrence, with up to 20 per cent off. Most codes come with a minimum spend of £9.99 or more, depending on the category's value. Shop the summer sale Ebay's seasonal sales are an excellent way to save more than half price on bestselling products. The summer sale is currently in full swing with discounts on big brands across tech, fashion, garden tools and more. Some of our favourite deals include up to 50 per cent off selected cooling and fans, 55 per cent off summer bedding and more than 1,000 summer scents under £30. Browse the daily deals section The eBay daily deals section offers limited-time promotions on everything from kitchen appliances to beauty buys, often with free postage. These deals are hand-picked and usually run for just 24 to 48 hours, so if you spot something you like, don't hang around. Recent deals have included 44 per cent off a brand new Worx robot mower, bringing the price down from £799.99 to £449.99. We also spotted 27 per cent off new Ninja woodfire BBQ grill and smoker, saving you more than £80. Shop refurbished products Choosing certified refurbished products over buying brand new is a smart way to save on high-ticket items tech and appliances. Each item is expertly serviced and cleaned before re-listing, with all accessories included. Plus there's a minimum 12-month refurbished guarantee, which covers any defects or issues with functionality. You will receive a separate email from eBay with full details of what's covered, along with contact details – this will also be included in the package. You can buy pre-loved items direct from some of our favourite tried-and-tested brands such Dyson, Apple, Eufy, Shark and more, with savings of up to 50 per cent compared with buying brand new. Support online charity shops Speaking of pre-loved, eBay also has a variety of charity shops ready to shop online, including Oxfam, Sue Ryder and The British Heart Foundation. Just like high street charity shops, you can browse a wide selection of items, from fashion to furniture, with proceeds supporting a range of causes. You can browse by charity or product category to find thousands of items at bargain prices. Helpful information for buyers Reduced buyer protection fee Ebay's buyer protection fees give you extra security when purchasing from private sellers. The fee is automatically added to all private purchases and includes 24/7 customer service, encrypted transactions and ensures sellers aren't paid until after you have received the item. From 17 July, eBay has reduced the buyer protection fee to the following rates: A flat fee of up to 10p per item Seven per cent on the first £20 Four per cent on the portion from £20 to £300 Two per cent from £300 to £4,000 There is no fee charged beyond £4,000. For listings that started before the new rate on 17 July, the older rate applies: a 75p flat fee, plus four per cent up to £300 and two per cent from £300 to £4,000. Delivery and returns Delivery costs and return policies vary depending on the seller, but many offer free postage and easy returns. You can find full details on the product listing or, to make it even easier, filter your search results to show sellers who offer free postage and packaging or click and collect, as well as free returns. Ebay money back guarantee To give you added peace of mind and security, most purchases from the online marketplace are covered by the eBay money back guarantee. If your item doesn't arrive, arrives damaged or not as described, you'll be able to request a refund from the seller. If you don't hear back in three business days, eBay will step in to support. There is no extra fee for this protection, and it covers the entire purchase price, including shipping costs. How we find the best eBay deals We work closely with the team at eBay to bring our readers the latest deals and offers. Our team of expert deal hunters are always on the lookout for ways to help you save on your shopping, whether it's discounted refurbished items or flash sales on brand new products. Why you can trust us The Independent has been trusted by shoppers since 1986, helping readers find the best deals and testing products on their behalf. Our team of shopping experts are experienced in sourcing the best offers, discounts and finding the latest sales. We only select deals from brands that we trust and we understand that a great deal isn't always the one with the highest discount.
