consumer groups

The Trump administration has sharply scaled back federal fuel economy requirements for new cars, loosening standards that had pushed automakers toward greater efficiency and lower emissions. The rollback of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy rules means new vehicles can consume more gasoline than previously mandated, a move likely to draw opposition from environmental groups and possible legal challenges, while offering relief to automakers facing compliance costs.

New analysis from PwC examines how US consumer spending is diverging between higher-income households, who continue to spend freely, and lower-income households, who are pulling back as prices strain budgets. This so-called K-shaped pattern is shaping retailers' strategies, with brands tailoring offerings and pricing to two very different consumer groups navigating the same economy.

The Group of Seven nations has agreed to release up to 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from strategic reserves in a coordinated effort to cap soaring gas prices and stabilize global energy markets. The move is being closely watched as a test of whether joint action can relieve pressure on consumers and economies.

The Seattle City Council has approved a measure banning surveillance pricing in the sale of groceries, preventing retailers from setting food prices based on customer data such as shopping habits or personal profiles. The move, backed by consumer advocacy groups including Consumer Reports, makes Seattle one of the first US cities to target data-driven price discrimination at the grocery checkout.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a lawsuit challenging the federal rollback of fuel economy standards. The legal action contests efforts to weaken fuel efficiency requirements for vehicles, which Colorado argues would increase emissions and consumer fuel costs. The case adds Colorado to a group of states pushing back against the federal policy change.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association is pressing the US Federal Trade Commission to preserve retailers' ability to use data-driven pricing practices, arguing they are procompetitive. The group's intervention comes amid regulatory scrutiny of how retailers use consumer and market data to set prices, a debate with major implications for pricing strategies across the retail sector.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's rollback of federal fuel-economy standards, which his office calls illegal. The legal action argues the weakened emissions and mileage rules harm consumers at the gas pump and worsen air pollution. It adds Minnesota to the group of states pushing back against the administration's environmental deregulation through the courts.

Italian users are searching for information about Cassa di Ravenna S.p.A., a bank based in Ravenna. The interest comes alongside reports of a phone scam in which a fake police inspector tricked a citizen out of 4,900 euros, a topic covered by consumer group Altroconsumo. No confirmed link between the bank and the scam has been established.

Germany's Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled in favour of consumer protection groups, rejecting a price increase applied to Amazon Prime subscriptions. The court found the way Amazon raised subscription prices did not meet legal requirements, dealing a win to consumer advocates. The ruling could require Amazon to compensate affected Prime customers in Germany and may influence how subscription price hikes are handled in future.

A parliamentary committee has recommended that the BBC licence fee should be reduced in cost and expanded beyond television viewing, according to reporting by Sky News. The cross-party group of MPs says the current funding model needs reform to reflect how audiences now consume content across streaming, online and broadcast services. The recommendations put fresh pressure on the government ahead of decisions about the corporation's future funding.

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump over policies they say are raising fuel costs for American consumers. According to Electrek, the legal action challenges measures that reportedly weaken fuel efficiency standards or boost fossil fuel use, driving up prices at the pump. The case adds to a growing list of legal challenges to the administration's energy and environmental agenda.

Chinese e-commerce group JD.com is expected to receive European Union antitrust approval for its acquisition of German electronics retailer Ceconomy, according to a source cited by Reuters. The clearance would remove a key regulatory hurdle for the deal, giving the Chinese company a major foothold in Europe's consumer electronics retail market.

A bipartisan-sounding group of 26 state attorneys general has called on Congress to regulate frontier artificial intelligence models while preserving states' own authority to act. The attorneys general argue federal rules are needed on advanced AI, but that states must keep their powers to enforce consumer protection and address harms within their borders. The push comes amid ongoing debate in Washington over whether to pre-empt state AI laws with a single federal framework.

Investors and technology groups are continuing to put money into consumer gadget companies, even though the sector carries well-known risks. The main concerns are legal disputes over patents, which can be costly and slow growth, and unpredictable customer demand that can leave products unsold. The report highlights that backers see enough potential in new devices to accept these hazards.

Sany Nutrition Group has launched a new better-for-you (BFY) snack platform, expanding its offering in the growing health-conscious snack market. The move signals the company's push to capture consumer demand for healthier snacking options, though details on specific products, markets or launch timing were not immediately provided.

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging its rollback of vehicle mileage and emissions standards. The rules, which require automakers to improve fuel efficiency, were weakened as part of the administration's broader deregulatory agenda. Critics argue the rollback increases pollution and fuel costs, while supporters say it eases burdens on carmakers and consumers.

Consumers' Research is pressing the Federal Communications Commission to eliminate its $4.5 billion High Cost Fund, the program that subsidizes broadband and phone service in rural and expensive-to-serve areas. The move puts the advocacy group alongside SpaceX, which has also criticized the fund, arguing subsidy programs distort competition among satellite and terrestrial broadband providers.

World Acceptance Corporation, a US consumer lender, is facing an investigation into a data breach, according to a GlobeNewswire announcement. Law firms and watchdog groups routinely publish such notices to identify affected customers who may pursue legal claims over exposed personal and financial information. The scale of the breach and what specific data was compromised have not been detailed in the initial announcement.

A federal court has issued a ruling in the case challenging how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is funded through the Federal Reserve. The dispute centers on whether the bureau's financing structure is constitutional, an issue with wide implications for the agency's operations and the industries it regulates. Industry groups and legal observers are watching closely for details of the ruling and its next steps on appeal.

Consumer advocates are arguing that Australian consumer group CHOICE should test cars not just for performance but for connectivity — what data vehicles capture, where it is sent, and to whom. The discussion cites findings that all connected cars tested contacted their manufacturer's servers, raising questions about how much driving and personal data automakers collect and share.

A legal analysis examines how mass arbitration operates, focusing on the procedural rules set by arbitration providers, recent court decisions shaping the practice, and the growing role of artificial intelligence. Mass arbitration allows large groups of consumers to file similar claims, often over financial products, and the piece assesses how technology and case law are changing the landscape.

Owners of Russian retail chains Krasnoye i Beloye and Bristol received record dividend payouts in 2025, according to Finance Mail. The report details how much the shareholders earned from the alcohol and retail groups, drawing attention to the scale of profits in the sector amid continued consumer demand.

DFI Retail Group is set to take control of Starbucks' operations in Singapore and six other Asian markets, taking over the running of the coffee chain's stores in the region. The move makes the pan-Asian retailer the licensed operator of Starbucks across these markets, and the news is drawing attention in Singapore's business community as a significant shift in the brand's regional retail strategy.

Consumers affected by the Holt Group data breach can now file claims for cash payments under a class action settlement. Instructions explain eligibility, deadlines and how to submit a claim to receive compensation. The settlement stems from a cybersecurity incident that exposed personal information, and affected individuals are being urged to act before the claim window closes.

Consumer advocacy group Public Citizen has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission alleging that commercials paid for by the US government promoting Donald Trump violate federal anti-propaganda laws. The group is calling on regulators to order broadcasters to stop airing the spots, arguing that taxpayer-funded political advertising is unlawful.

A coalition of consumer advocacy groups has sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to address the growing threat of technology-enabled scams. The coalition is calling for legislation that holds companies accountable when their products or platforms are used to facilitate fraud, arguing that greater corporate responsibility is needed to protect consumers from increasingly sophisticated online scams.

The UK government is set to ban airlines from charging parents extra fees to sit next to their children on flights. The rule would end the common practice of families paying for guaranteed child seating, a move welcomed by parents and consumer groups but likely resisted by carriers over seating allocation and revenue impacts.

The Washington Retail Association warns that gift card fraud has evolved into a form of organized retail theft, with criminal groups exploiting gift cards as part of broader theft schemes. Retailers face mounting losses as these operations become more coordinated, prompting industry groups to call attention to the growing threat to stores and consumers.

The watchdog group Better Markets is highlighting how Supreme Court rulings shape the US economy and the financial wellbeing of ordinary Americans. The group argues the Court's decisions on regulation and corporate accountability reach far beyond legal circles, affecting wages, consumer protections and Main Street businesses. The analysis is prompting discussion about how much power the justices wield over everyday economic life.