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Bits & Bytes | Google to Invest in JD.com, Too Many Ads Discourage Shoppers

This week, Google places a $550 million bet on China's second-largest e-commerce player , while too many ads turn away online shoppers.
JD.com's white glove delivery service | Source: Courtsey
By
  • Kristina Ezhova

Google to Invest into China's JD.com (CNBC)
"As part of a strategic partnership, Google will put $550 million in cash into JD.com, the companies said in a statement. In return, Google will receive more than 27 million newly issued JD.com Class A ordinary shares at an issue price of $20.29 per share."

Too Many Ads, Clunky Websites Turning off Digital Shoppers (Retail Dive)
"Today's shoppers go online for convenience, so slow-loading websites, intrusive ads and clunky user experiences defeat the purpose, especially for users on mobile phones, where patience runs even thinner."

Stitch Fix Chief Executive Talks About Leading a Public Company (Refinery29)
"We solve a very different problem than Amazon does. We're in the business of discovery and helping people weed through the millions and millions of SKUs out there to figure out exactly which ones are best for them. I think we're taking share from very different sides of the market. "

Mobile Apps Are Musts for Most Brands, as Long as Users like Them (The New York Times)
"The apps are considered a crucial part of a company's financial strategy. Shoppers in the United States were expected to make $118 billion in retail purchases through their smartphones in 2018, up from $13.4 billion in 2013, according to Forrester Analytics."

These High-Tech Clothes Make You Money by Selling Your Data (Wired)
"The Loomia Tile is a device that can be stitched into the seams of clothing to gather information as the item is worn. To share data, users scan the Tile with their phone and submit the information to Storj. Brands will be able to pay users for their data in Loomia's cryptocurrency tokens, and customers can use these tokens to purchase goods through the Tile app."

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