Artificial intelligence is moving from experimentation to long-term business strategy. According to KPMG's latest survey of 250 retail executives, retailers are increasing investments in digital technologies at a rapid pace. More than half of respondents now spend at least $50 million annually on digital transformation, while nearly one-third invest between $100 million and $250 million each year. The report also shows where those investments are heading. Over the next 12 months, retailers expect to increase spending on cybersecurity (52%), data and analytics (49%), and AI and automation (42%). For the retail industry, AI is no longer viewed as a standalone…
China's 618 shopping festival has long been one of the biggest events in global e-commerce. Every June, platforms such as Alibaba's Tmall, JD.com, Pinduoduo, and Douyin compete to attract millions of shoppers through discounts, promotions, and exclusive product launches. This year, however, the results tell a different story. According to Reuters, gross merchandise value (GMV) during the 2026 618 shopping festival reached 863.6 billion yuan, only slightly higher than last year's 855.6 billion yuan. The modest growth reflects continued caution among Chinese consumers despite weeks of promotions and discounts. Slowing retail sales, economic uncertainty, and weaker consumer confidence have all…
