Online Shopping

July 26 (Reuters) – Canada’s Shopify Inc (SHOP.TO) is laying off 10% of its workforce as the ecommerce company struggles with slowing growth due to a pullback in online shopping after benefiting from a pandemic-fueled surge in demand.

Its shares tumbled 14.7% on the US bourses and on the Toronto Exchange, they shed 14% on Tuesday, pulling Canada’s wider main stock index lower. The shares have lost 75% of their value so far in the year.

Shopify’s turn of fortunes from the most valuable company in Canada last year to its present-day struggle to increase sales come as easing lockdowns have led consumers to return to brick-and-mortar stores.

Its sales growth during the pandemic led the Ottawa-based company to ramp up hiring and invest in technology, betting that the shift to online from physical retail shops

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – The Better Business Bureau is warning of scams when buying online, especially when it comes to back-to-school shopping.

Technology like laptops and tablets has become a staple in education. But buying new technology in stores and online has become more of a challenge.

According to the BBB, shortages of some technology like computer chips could limit options available to consumers. When consumers can’t find these products from trustworthy retailers, they become more likely to encounter a scam.

Market research firm Deloitte says some of the driving factors in purchase decisions are price and quality. The BBB says scammers could target a desperate shopper with fake deals or exciting advertisements.

It’s recommended to follow a few tips from the BBB to avoid becoming a victim:

• Shop with familiar retailers. Laptops, tablets or other tech accessories can be a major investment. Shop with businesses you know and trust,

Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

How online shopping has changed during COVID-19

Woman holding credit card online shopping

---

afotostock // Shutterstock

E-commerce sales grew by 43% during 2020

Woman holding phone online shopping

---

Ivan Kruk // Shutterstock

Globally, people started shopping online more, but spending less

Hands holding credit card and using laptop

---

McLittle Stock // Shutterstock

Online grocery shopping took off

Girl using a phone with online supermarket on the screen

---

kitzcorner // Shutterstock

More consumers are switching brands

Woman with shipping box with shoes, phone, and credit card

---

RossHelen // Shutterstock

Shoppers are testing accessories, furniture, and more with augmented reality

Woman holding iPad with augmented furniture in display

---

Yuganov Konstantin // Shutterstock

Out-of-stock messages are more common

Woman is holding credit card and using laptop

---

Ground Picture // Shutterstock

An estimated half of all US adults made a purchase on social media in 2022

Smiling young woman using mobile

More people who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will soon be able to have groceries delivered to their houses. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) opened applications earlier this month for grants to an organization that will provide technology and systems support for new retailers to offer SNAP online shopping, according to Good Morning America (GMA).

Stacy Dean, the agency’s deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, called online grocery shopping “a vital resource that improves access and convenience for all, including low-income families.” She added that this grant has the potential to “improve customer service for SNAP participants, especially those that face barriers in traveling to a physical store.”

Most recently, Instacart announced a new partnership with Albertsons to add more online grocery shopping benefits, including delivery and pickup, to give more families access to affordable food, GMA said.

Delivery and pickup fees will

If you’ve shopped online recently, you may have had this experience: You find an item, add it to your cart, and then when you get around to paying, the price has increased.

You can thank pricing algorithms.

These are computer programs that look at factors such as supply, demand and the prices competitors are charging, and then adjust the price in real time. Now, there are calls for greater regulation at a time when these tactics are expected to become more common.

“A key thing about the algorithm is that given different inputs, like, say, time of day or weather or how many customers might