There’s a disconnect between Starbucks’ progressive initiatives and some of its actions: The retailer is installing EV charging stations and phasing out its iconic cups at the same time it fights unionization efforts.
US consumers pined for pre-pandemic pleasures in Q4 2021, with the delta wave receding and omicron just entering the frame—and it showed in their search behavior. Organic Google search visits to travel sites increased 41% year over year that quarter. Meanwhile, retail and consumer goods took a hit: Visits to those sites decreased 14% as the prospects of in-store shopping improved.
5G tower connects remote areas that others can’t—but it’s not cheap: Aradatum’s sustainable 5G towers are a boon for edge computing, but they are less costly ways to close the digital divide.
For workplace sustainability, the little things matter: Adoption of renewable energy and climate pledges are important, but greater digital efficiency is also necessary to make progress on carbon emissions targets.
AT&T’s 2.6M fiber locations boost fiber-to-the-premises growth: Government infrastructure subsidies could further accelerate the industry’s transition away from copper if funding becomes available sooner, rather than later.
Traffic on ecommerce websites and apps is ground zero for establishing a retail media network.
Walmart wants to sell services as well as stuff: The company hopes an expanded Wellness Hub and parental resources will instill loyalty in shoppers and make them spend more.
The payments firm partnered with FTX and launched a new API service aimed at attracting crypto firms.
Instagram’s consolidation is one more example of the ascendant “super app” concept: Boomerang, Hyperlapse, and IGTV are all going away, as platforms realize they don’t want users toggling between experiences.
Capchase lands more capital and customers: The fintech can use its $80M in funding to capitalize on surging investor demand in the revenue-based financing space.
Google and Meta head toward another major showdown with Europe’s regulators: A new investigation alleges the two companies made a deal to block competition against Google’s ad system.
Jamaica adds cash incentives for CBDC usage: The government’s offer of JMD$2,500 ($16.35) to the first 100,000 people who set up digital wallets after April 1, 2022 could drive adoption—but won’t ensure retention.
Data from the FDIC, NCUA, and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) on outcomes of initiatives targeting the underserved would also have value for banks.
Stilt offers credit solutions to neobanks: The US fintech’s banking as a service (BaaS) arm could take off due to neobanks’ need to diversify revenue.
Off-price retailers have an opportunity to attract customers: US consumers’ confidence slipped in February, driving shoppers to focus on value.
Ties to Russian heritage are no longer an advantage: Stoli vodka is rebranding to educate consumers that it is actually Latvian.
Computers don’t need brake pedals, feds say: AVs are changing the vehicle regulation landscape, but driverless cars still lack the necessary training wheels.