Donald Trump鈥檚 counterparts learned best practices during his first term
Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel before and also lifted them. And then imposed them again. The on-again, off-again tariff truce cycle has played out in multiple industries, and Canada can expect more incendiary rhetoric on trade in a second Trump term, writes Professor Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation Canada. So how should Canada engage with Trump鈥檚 theatrical approach to politics?
First Trump presidency holds lessons for the second
The first presidency of Donald Trump was nothing if not unpredictable, and as Canada prepares for a second go-around, it needs to expect the unexpected. The U.S. president-elect regularly uses exaggerated rhetoric about the country鈥檚 trading relationships, writes Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation.
Prospect of new U.S. tariffs creates uncertainty for QC businesses
For Quebec businesses, Donald Trump鈥檚 planned tariffs are a source of significant uncertainty. The Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce nervously awaited the results of the U.S. election. With Trump proposing a 10 per cent tariff on all goods entering the United States, many Quebec businesses could be hit hard.
Corporate social responsibility disclosures have benefits, but also come with costs
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures can enhance a company鈥檚 public image and contribute to increased sales. However, these benefits may come at a cost.
Automotive safety recalls are usually free 鈥� but many owners of older vehicles still don鈥檛 participate
Automotive safety recalls are commonplace, and, most of the time, the required changes are performed for free at your local dealership. Yet, many owners of older vehicles don鈥檛 bring in their vehicles when there is a recall. Inertia is part of the problem, according to Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics Vivek Astvansh.
Presidential candidates鈥� choice of words reveals aspects of their personalities
The words a speaker chooses communicate more than just ideas and opinions. Language reveals much about a speaker鈥檚 personality. In the recent U.S. presidential debate, two very different personalities were on display鈥攖hat of Democratic candidate and Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
Journalists and social media users exert influence over product recall decisions
In 2023, product recalls in Canada hit an all-time high 鈥� there were well over 2,000 of them. Manufacturing companies are typically the ones to issue these recalls, and their decisions are affected by journalists and social media users.
Better data protections in Europe could encourage participation in retail data collection programs
In-store data collection can help retailers provide shoppers with a personalized experience that includes perks like lower prices or options tailored to a shopper鈥檚 taste. But uptake for in-store data collection has been slower in North America than it has been in Europe. 鈥淭he assumption is that if I enter a retail store, cameras are recording. That is an established norm.
SAQ monopoly pads government revenues but isn鈥檛 necessarily in shoppers' best interest
Despite being a lucrative revenue source for the government, the Soci茅t茅 des Alcools du Qu茅bec (SAQ) monopoly is under scrutiny for limiting consumer choices, especially for premium spirits like high-end bourbons. Exclusive distribution rights mean that if SAQ doesn鈥檛 stock a particular brand, it won鈥檛 be available in Quebec's retail outlets.
E-commerce vehicle acquisitions face hurdles due to existing laws
During the 2023 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai and Amazon revealed plans to enable vehicle purchases on their e-commerce platform by 2024. However, this option is not currently available. Since 2018, it has been possible to browse a digital showroom of Hyundai vehicles, but not to complete the purchase. Even when the company introduces the capability to buy vehicles online, widespread availability is unlikely.
The pandemic pushed tipping too far, but customers can push back
A recent video sharing one woman鈥檚 New Year鈥檚 resolution to no longer tip has gone viral, proving that, for many consumers, tipping has become excessive. Just a few years ago, diners often ponied up 15% on a restaurant bill or bar tab. As restaurants were forced to close during the pandemic, tip prompts creeped up to 18%, 20%, or even 30%. Tip prompts were also added to many other services where tipping had never been customary 鈥� like drive-thru windows and even deli counters.
鈥楤uy now, pay later鈥� loans are not covered by existing consumer protection laws
Buy now, pay later technology offers loans to consumers to pay for purchases in instalments over time. A soft credit check verifies eligibility, and can extend credit to users who might not otherwise have access to credit products. These loans claim to improve the financial inclusion of lower-income young people, but should be approached with caution, writes Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation.
This holiday season, shoppers are spending more and getting less
Christmas is just around the corner, and even with inflation slowing down, gift prices are higher than ever. Canada鈥檚 Consumer Price Index is at an all-time high of nearly 160 points, Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh tells CTV News Montreal. 鈥淐onsumers are feeling the pinch, and while they want to buy stuff, they are resisting purchases,鈥� says Astvansh.
Tip creep and tip-flation leading to a review of tipping culture in Canada
Tipping has gotten out of control in Canada. Not only are restaurants鈥� automated payment systems prompting patrons for tips of up to 30%, there are even some tip prompts at self-serve kiosks. More than half of Canadians say they鈥檇 prefer a no-tip, service-included model that ensures higher base wages for employees.
Navigating the retail conundrum: striking the right balance in inventory management
It has been a challenging few years for supply chains. After pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, many retailers increased their inventory for the 2022 holiday season. After all, demand was still booming at the time. But demand has come down off its peak, and that presents an entirely different problem for retailers in 2023. Some major retailers have reduced inventory so as to not be left with products they can鈥檛 sell.
