WeChat users sends 1bn virtual red envelopes for Chinese New Year
WeChat users exchanged over 1 billion virtual hongbao (red envelopes containing cash gifts) on New Year’s Eve. A total of 1.01 billion red envelopes were exchanged through Tencent’s WeChat on Chinese New Year’s Eve, the social media company said...Burger King test free home delivery in the UK
Burger King is trialling a UK delivery service for the first time, although initially only in a limited number of postcodes. The new website offers the service during local branch delivery hours, while orders can also be taken over the phone. The service is being...Sainsbury’s tests self-updating e-ink price labels
Sainsbury’s is trialling a new digital pricing display system that uses e-Ink technology rather than traditional paper to produce self-updating pricing tickets. The new e-Ink digital price tags are being tested at a Sainsbury’s London store in Shoreditch and enable...Facebook debuts ‘Product Ads’ for retailers
In yet another assault on Google’s search ad business, Facebook has launched ‘Product Ads’, offering a new way for retailers to upload and advertise their product listings on the social network. Facebook claims the new ad format sets it apart from rivals like...Amazon drones hit by US regulations
Amazon’s plans for drone deliveries have suffered a setback after new federal rules will not allow Prime Air to operate in the US. However, the online retailer insists that it’s is still committed to delivering products by drone. The Federal Aviation Authority’s...Most Brits change shopping habits due to promotions
Retailer promotions are directly impacting the buying habits of 60% of UK consumers, according to new research. The study, from RapidCampaign, reveals that promotions influence 28% of consumers to spend more, 27% to buy from retailers they would not normally choose...Valentine’s Day customers going mobile
Mobile devices are playing an increasingly important role in the planning and purchasing decisions of UK customers for Valentine’s Day, according to new research. The survey, conducted for RadiumOne by specialist research agency TPoll, highlights just how...China ecommerce trends: Alibaba tests drone deliveries
Alibaba is testing delivering online orders via drones for its Taobao service with a one-off, three day campaign in China. Alibaba is limiting the trial to just 450 packets of ginger tea, which will be delivered to specific parts of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou....Amazon makes rare profit as investments pay off
Amazon posted profits of $214m (£142m) in the three months until 31 December, down on the same period in 2013. The online retailer, well known for focusing on growth rather than profits, posted revenue of $26.33bn (£19.5bn) over the three-month period, missing...Yahoo to spin-off Alibaba shares in cost-saving drive
Yahoo plans to spin off the company’s $40 billion stake in Alibaba will likely buy her at least another year to turn Yahoo’s core business around. In creating the separate company made up of its stake in Alibaba, Yahoo will avoid a large tax bill. Yahoo...Global ecommerce trends 2015: UK leads the way in Europe and North America
Ecommerce is set to boom across Europe and North America this year. Online sales are forecast to grow by 16.2% in the UK, while sales across Europe are tipped to grow by 18.4%, according to new research.
