Malaysia Retailer Eco Shop to Tap Investors Ahead of IPO

Google Joins the AI Shopping Revolution With Agent Tools for Retailers

The next stage of AI development, which lets the technology act with more autonomy and performs some customer service actions, is being applied to an industry that must constantly embrace change.

Inc. - 2d

Why you may be paying to help make the mattress industry more eco-friendly

Oregon began levying a $22.50 fee in 2025 on consumers who buy a mattress. It's the fourth state to adopt such a policy, to help fund recycling efforts.

CNBC - 2d

Class of 2025? The IPO hopefuls that could revive London

After disappointment in 2024, financial services, industrials and consumer names could debut this year

Financial Times - 2d

Billionaire Issa brothers’ EG Group readies $13bn US IPO

Private equity-backed petrol station business expected to list as early as this year

Financial Times - 3d

Malaysia expects surge of Chinese investment, economy minister says

Rafizi Ramli suggests semiconductor and tech sectors are seeking to avoid exposure to possible Trump tariffs

Financial Times - 3d

Which other countries should be on Trump’s shopping list?

Trump and his eye for successful business deals are now trained on countries instead of buildings and hotels. When he looks at certain troubled countries, he seemingly asks himself, “Well, what if ...

The Hill - 3d

Fintech IPOs return with precious little credit in the bank

Hope still wins out over experience as financial disrupters seek to ride the latest wave

Financial Times - 4d

Healthy Deal Pipeline Fuels Revived IPO Outlook for 2025

Wall Street banks eye private-equity owned companies looking for exits as the lineup of projected public offerings grows.

Inc. - 4d

Wall Street gets off to a bumpy start to 2025. How investors can prepare for more volatility ahead.

A sharp selloff in the world’s largest bond market sent shockwaves through the U.S. financial markets this week, leaving investors to ponder if that choppiness will persist throughout the new year.

MarketWatch - 5d

Silicon Valley’s largest start-ups to shun IPOs in 2025

Huge recent fundraising deals for Databricks, SpaceX and OpenAI further delay need for stock market debuts

Financial Times - 5d

Lands’ End winter sale: 13 best products to shop

Lands’ End is currently discounting apparel for men, women and children, including winter essentials like coats, pants, gloves and more.

NBC News - 5d

Bush gives Obama a belly tap at Carter funeral

Former President Bush gave former President Obama a belly tap at the funeral on Thursday for the late President Carter, a moment caught on camera and then shared widely on social media. When Bush ...

The Hill - 5d

With TikTok’s Future Uncertain, Livestream Shopping Startups Are Making Moves

How TikTok Shop’s rivals are preparing to swoop up the e-commerce giant’s market share.

Inc. - 5d

Greenlanders are worried to find themselves on Trump’s shopping list

Donald Trump has doubled down on his ambition to buy Greenland using economic or military pressure. Residents of its capital of Nuuk are unhappy about it.

NBC News - 6d

Britain’s retail ‘boomer’ chains are making a comeback

Youth is wasted on the young with 160-year-old Next showing a steady cash flow despite rising costs

Financial Times - Jan. 8

Lotte Group taps Arbitrum for Web3 entertainment experiences

Lotte Group, a big five conglomerate in South Korea, said at CES 2025 that it has picked the Arbitrum blockchain for its Lotte Caliverse.

VentureBeat - Jan. 7

December sales provide little cheer for retailers

Black Friday boosted monthly sales, but overall 2024 was a lacklustre year for retail, figures show.

BBC News - Jan. 7

‘Forever Chemicals’ Reach Tap Water via Treated Sewage, Study Finds

Wastewater, even after treatment to make it drinkable, contains high levels of PFAS, according to researchers.

The New York Times - Jan. 6

Online Holiday Shopping Got an AI Boost, Says Salesforce

Online sales climbed 4 percent in the year-end buying period, as AI-powered chatbots facilitated sales and returns.

Inc. - Jan. 6

FirstFT: Private equity to lobby Trump as industry seeks to tap retirement funds

Also in today’s newsletter, China’s equity markets extend poor start to the year and accountancy’s Gen Z problem

Financial Times - Jan. 6

Malaysia's jailed ex-leader Najib wins appeal to pursue bid to serve corruption sentence at home

Malaysia's imprisoned former Prime Minister Najib Razak has won an appeal to pursue his bid to serve his remaining corruption sentence under house arrest

ABC News - Jan. 6

Fortnite Lego Sets Launch At Major Retailers, Including Amazon And Walmart

Lego Fortnite Battle Bus (954 Pieces) ...

GameSpot - Jan. 5

US set for IPO comeback as private equity firms seek to offload holdings

Bankers hope strong 2024 gains for Wall Street equities and pro-business policies will drive listings rebound

Financial Times - Jan. 5

Tech groups to pay premium for energy for Malaysia data centres, says minister

Investment in ‘oil of the 21st century’ will support country’s development of renewable power

Financial Times - Jan. 5

Malaysia turns away 2 boats with nearly 300 Rohingya refugees after dozens landed on island

Malaysian authorities say they have turned away two boats carrying nearly 300 Muslim Rohingya refugees who had entered the country illegally

ABC News - Jan. 4

Retail investors never had so many ways to invest. What’s at stake in 2025.

New technology can make investing easier — or more complicated — for retail investors.

MarketWatch - Jan. 4

Fire at Dallas pet shop kills more than 500 animals

Animals, mostly birds, die of smoke inhalation in incident at shopping centre in Texas. More than 500 animals have died after a fire broke out in a shopping centre in Dallas.. The 579 animals, ...

The Guardian - Jan. 4

The Year Ahead

There’s an empty calendar spread out before us. What meaning will we give to it?

The New York Times - Jan. 4

Hundreds of animals killed in Dallas shopping center fire

Authorities in Dallas say a fire that broke out at a shopping center in Dallas has killed more than 500 animals, most of which were small birds

ABC News - Jan. 4

Trump taps ex-Fox News contributor to join State department

President-elect Trump announced Friday that former Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce is slated to join his State Department later this month. “It is my great honor to announce that Tammy Bruce will ...

The Hill - Jan. 4

The Biggest U.S. Retailers Increased Their Dominance in 2024

Using distinct but overlapping business models, Amazon, Costco, and Walmart captured over half of recent growth in retailing, and are squeezing smaller rivals hard.

Inc. - Jan. 3

Shops offered grottos and wine to combat 'drab' December

Small businesses are offering incentives to entice customers as consumer confidence remains low.

BBC News - Jan. 3

How Three Small Independent Coffee Shops Started Their Businesses

The owners began their businesses with no college degrees and 100 percent grit. A visit from the TikTok food critic Keith Lee also helped.

The New York Times - Jan. 3

Meta Taps Republican as New Head of Global Policy

Joel Kaplan is replacing former U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg as Silicon Valley prepares for the second Trump administration.

The Wall Street Journal - Jan. 2

WeChat, TikTok First to Secure Licenses Under Malaysia's New Social-Media Rules

The two Chinese technology companies had each obtained licenses under requirements for internet- messaging and social-media companies unveiled last year.