Happy reading, happy listening 👁️🎧
Yours, Verena
🛑 Asos blocks customer accounts – and messes up its communication
British fashion retailer Asos has blocked numerous customer accounts due to excessive returns. Although this measure seems harsh, it is considered necessary to protect the business model. However, there has been criticism of the poor communication: many of those affected were not adequately informed. The account blocks send a clear signal against excessive returns, but reveal weaknesses in customer service. >>> BBC
🦹 Midjourney: How the AI image tool copies – and harms – brands
The AI image tool Midjourney can use simple prompts to create deceptively realistic replicas of copyrighted brand-name products such as iPhones, Nike shoes, or Coca-Cola bottles – often in contexts that are damaging to the brands. AdAge shows examples. Companies such as Disney and Universal are therefore suing Midjourney for massive copyright infringements. >>> AdAge (€)
🇬🇧 Internet search: Google now also under pressure in the UK
The British competition authority CMA wants to grant Google the new rating of "Strategic Market Status" and thus gain stricter control over the search service. The aim is to oblige Google to provide fairer search results, make alternative search engines more visible, and give publishers more control over their content. A decision is expected in October. >>> Reuters
🧘 Fairphone 6: Eco-friendly smartphone aims to promote focus and mindfulness
The newly unveiled Dutch eco-friendly mobile phone Fairphone 6 (€599) focuses on sustainability and digital mindfulness: with the new "Fairphone Moments" switch, the smartphone can be reduced to basic functions to promote focus and conscious use. The modular design allows for easy replacement of all 12 components. At least 50 percent of the materials are recycled or fairly sourced. >>> The Verge
⁉️ OpenAI: Is Jonathan Ive not planning an AI wearable after all?
OpenAI is known to be working with former Apple design guru Jonathan Ive on a new AI device – but according to the latest reports, it will be neither a wearable nor an in-ear device. Court documents reveal that OpenAI did analyze the headphone market, but the final product will not be worn on the body. It will fit in your pocket or sit on your desk and create a completely new category of devices. The mysterious AI innovation is not expected to hit the market until 2026 at the earliest. >>> MacRumors
🎙️ 18- to 29-year-olds listen to more podcasts than radio for the first time
According to SevenOne Audio’s "Podcast Report 2025", more 18- to 29-year-olds (73 percent) are listening to podcasts than radio (70 percent) for the first time in Germany. In 2019, the ratio was still 43 percent to 83 percent in favor of radio. Women in particular are driving this growth: 81 percent of young women listen to podcasts. Daily usage time rose to 16 minutes among 18- to 29-year-olds. >>> Meedia
🤝 Amazon sees itself as a partner to SMEs
Mariangela Marseglia, Vice President for EU Marketplaces at Amazon, emphasizes: "We are not a killer, but a partner for retailers." Over 127,000 SMEs sell across Europe via Amazon marketplaces. Marseglia sees Amazon as a catalyst for SME growth that simplifies cross-border trade. Criticism is directed at the EU patchwork: Europe acts like 27 different markets instead of a single market. >>> Onlinehändler News
🎉 On its 30th anniversary: The BVDW’s agenda for the future is here
To mark its 30th anniversary, the BVDW is publishing its first future agenda. It defines specific tasks for the association, the digital economy and politics, based on the cornerstones of data, creativity and responsibility. The aim is to strengthen Germany’s position in the digital competition, create sustainable jobs, and secure prosperity. The agenda is open to participation and calls for joint action. >>> BVDW
🇨🇳 Chinese retailer AliExpress labels "local" items
Chinese online retailer AliExpress is now marking products with the "Local+" label if they are shipped from local warehouses in Europe. Customers benefit from faster delivery times (within seven days), free shipping and free returns. The aim is to improve the shopping experience and catch up with competitors such as Temu and Amazon. >>> Logistik heute
🫧 Procter & Gamble drags down the German advertising market
Procter & Gamble is putting pressure on the German advertising market: the US corporation cut its advertising expenditure by 24.3 percent to 145 million euros in May, although it remains the market leader. Almost its entire 699 million euro budget goes towards TV advertising. Other major customers such as Ferrero (-24 percent), Amazon (-18 percent), Henkel (-10 percent) and McDonald's (-43 percent) are also cutting back. TV advertising slumped by 12 percent, causing the overall market to shrink by 6 percent. Positive exceptions: Unilever (+79 percent), Haribo (+30 percent) and the retail sector. >>> Horizont (€)
