��ֱ�� News - Vivek Astvansh

Journalists and social media users exert influence over product recall decisions

webfull — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 22:24:26 +0000

In 2023, product recalls in Canada hit an all-time high – there were well over 2,000 of them. Manufacturing companies are typically the ones to issue these recalls, and their decisions are affected by journalists and social media users. “Journalists’ praise about safety in a manufacturer’s products leads to increased disclosure of product safety defects, while their criticism curbs such disclosure,” writes Vivek Astvansh in an article in The Conversation.

Published: 27 August 2024

Better data protections in Europe could encourage participation in retail data collection programs

webfull — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:22:59 +0000

In-store data collection can help retailers provide shoppers with a personalized experience that includes perks like lower prices or options tailored to a shopper’s taste. But uptake for in-store data collection has been slower in North America than it has been in Europe. “The assumption is that if I enter a retail store, cameras are recording. That is an established norm.

Published: 3 June 2024

SAQ monopoly pads government revenues but isn’t necessarily in shoppers' best interest

webfull — Thu, 09 May 2024 16:52:53 +0000

Despite being a lucrative revenue source for the government, the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) monopoly is under scrutiny for limiting consumer choices, especially for premium spirits like high-end bourbons. Exclusive distribution rights mean that if SAQ doesn’t stock a particular brand, it won’t be available in Quebec's retail outlets.

Published: 9 May 2024

Experts: Valentine’s Day | Heart Month 2024

webfull — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 14:58:43 +0000

February is Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of cardiovascular health and an opportunity to focus on what we can do to improve our heart health. Heart disease is the second leading cause of death for both men and women in Canada. (Government of Canada).

Published: 7 February 2024

E-commerce vehicle acquisitions face hurdles due to existing laws

webfull — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:44:29 +0000

During the 2023 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai and Amazon revealed plans to enable vehicle purchases on their e-commerce platform by 2024. However, this option is not currently available. Since 2018, it has been possible to browse a digital showroom of Hyundai vehicles, but not to complete the purchase. Even when the company introduces the capability to buy vehicles online, widespread availability is unlikely.

Published: 6 February 2024

The pandemic pushed tipping too far, but customers can push back

webfull — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:41:54 +0000

A recent video sharing one woman’s New Year’s resolution to no longer tip has gone viral, proving that, for many consumers, tipping has become excessive. Just a few years ago, diners often ponied up 15% on a restaurant bill or bar tab. As restaurants were forced to close during the pandemic, tip prompts creeped up to 18%, 20%, or even 30%. Tip prompts were also added to many other services where tipping had never been customary – like drive-thru windows and even deli counters. Referred to as “tip-flation”, this phenomenon has sparked debate.

Published: 11 January 2024

‘Buy now, pay later’ loans are not covered by existing consumer protection laws

webfull — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:13:35 +0000

Buy now, pay later technology offers loans to consumers to pay for purchases in instalments over time. A soft credit check verifies eligibility, and can extend credit to users who might not otherwise have access to credit products. These loans claim to improve the financial inclusion of lower-income young people, but should be approached with caution, writes Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation.

Published: 21 December 2023

This holiday season, shoppers are spending more and getting less

webfull — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:11:08 +0000

Christmas is just around the corner, and even with inflation slowing down, gift prices are higher than ever. Canada’s Consumer Price Index is at an all-time high of nearly 160 points, Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh tells CTV News Montreal. “Consumers are feeling the pinch, and while they want to buy stuff, they are resisting purchases,” says Astvansh. Holiday spending will still be higher than it was last year, but not because people are actually buying more gifts. “The prices of everything have gone up.

Published: 21 December 2023

Tip creep and tip-flation leading to a review of tipping culture in Canada

webfull — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:12:03 +0000

Tipping has gotten out of control in Canada. Not only are restaurants’ automated payment systems prompting patrons for tips of up to 30%, there are even some tip prompts at self-serve kiosks. More than half of Canadians say they’d prefer a no-tip, service-included model that ensures higher base wages for employees. For now, shoppers should be reminded that tipping is discretionary, says Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh in an article for The Conversation.

Published: 14 December 2023

Navigating the retail conundrum: striking the right balance in inventory management

webfull — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:42:45 +0000

It has been a challenging few years for supply chains. After pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, many retailers increased their inventory for the 2022 holiday season. After all, demand was still booming at the time. But demand has come down off its peak, and that presents an entirely different problem for retailers in 2023. Some major retailers have reduced inventory so as to not be left with products they can’t sell.

Published: 8 December 2023

����ֱ�� News - Vivek Astvansh