consumers

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the Japanese company at the center of a supplement contamination scandal linked to suspected deaths, is reportedly considering a buyout offer worth more than ¥500 billion. The news has drawn attention given the company's damaged reputation and the uncertain future of its consumer health business following the red yeast rice supplement scandal.

OpenAI is paying influencers and sponsoring creators on platforms like Instagram to promote ChatGPT and shape a public image of the company as 'good for the world', according to Business Insider reporting on its marketing strategy. The move signals a shift toward conventional brand advertising as competition over AI users intensifies. Critics see it as image management rather than substance, while others view it as a normal step for a company reaching a mass consumer market.

The Seattle City Council has voted to ban surveillance pricing in the sale of groceries, prohibiting retailers from setting individualized prices based on consumer data such as shopping habits or personal profiles. Consumer advocates, including Consumer Reports, welcomed the move as a first-of-its-kind protection against algorithms charging different shoppers different prices for the same items, while retailers may face questions about compliance.

A new EU directive aimed at curbing greenwashing in advertising comes into force. Terms like 'green', 'sustainable' and 'climate neutral' must now meet stricter rules so environmental claims are clearer and verifiable for consumers. Attention in Germany is focused on the national implementation, which has drawn criticism, along with practical questions about what happens to products already sold in old packaging with sustainability claims.

Brazilian President Lula has announced a ban on online gambling ahead of the country's presidential election. The move affects the fast-growing betting industry, which has expanded rapidly among Brazilian consumers in recent years. With the election approaching, the decision is being closely watched for its political and economic implications, and reactions are emerging from across Brazil's political spectrum and the gambling sector.

The United States and China have reached a trade deal to lower tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods described as non-sensitive, following a meeting between President Trump and President Xi this week. The agreement is expected to reduce prices on consumer products such as small appliances, toys and holiday items, and markets are watching for official confirmation and further details.

President Trump announced that his administration has ended an electric vehicle rule introduced under President Biden and has updated federal fuel economy standards. The move rolls back emissions and efficiency requirements that had pushed automakers toward electric vehicles. The announcement is drawing attention from the auto industry and environmental groups, who are weighing the impact on vehicle prices, manufacturing plans and US climate goals.

North Carolina's attorney general is calling on Congress to establish safeguards around artificial intelligence following a series of bot attacks. He argues federal action is needed to protect consumers and elections from AI-driven manipulation, and is urging lawmakers to move on regulation as AI misuse cases mount.

Eurostat figures show domestic producer prices in the European Union increased by 1.4% in July 2026. The rise in factory-gate prices is being tracked as a signal of inflationary pressure moving through the bloc's supply chains, with analysts watching whether the increase feeds through to consumer prices in the coming months.

Michigan House lawmakers are working through a list of legislative items as they wind down sessions ahead of the general election. With campaigns intensifying and the legislative calendar narrowing, representatives are considering several pending bills before adjourning. The wrap-up period typically marks the last chance to advance measures until after voters head to the polls in November.

The United States is set to finalize vehicle fuel economy standards that are sharply lower than previously planned, according to a Reuters report. The rollback would ease requirements on automakers to improve mileage efficiency, a reversal of stricter rules pursued under earlier policy. The move is likely to draw criticism from environmental groups while being welcomed by parts of the auto industry.

Donald Trump said he has approved new fuel economy standards that roll back rules put in place during Joe Biden's administration. The change relaxes efficiency requirements for cars and light trucks, a longstanding goal of Trump's deregulation agenda that automakers and environmental groups have been contesting. Reaction has focused on what the rollback means for gasoline prices, vehicle choices and US climate targets.

President Trump announced he has approved new fuel economy standards that, according to him, end the Biden-era electric vehicle mandate. The move would roll back emissions and fuel-efficiency rules introduced under the previous administration that pushed automakers toward electric vehicles. The announcement is drawing attention from the auto industry and energy policy observers.

President Trump announced new fuel economy standards that he says end the so-called 'EV mandate', rolling back requirements that pushed automakers toward electric vehicles. The move frames loosened efficiency rules as freeing consumers and manufacturers to choose gasoline-powered cars, a decision likely to reignite debate over climate policy and the future of the US auto industry.

Analysts cited by Nikkei Asia say Chinese electric vehicles will nonetheless enter the US market even without a deal between leaders at the summit. Their view suggests commercial and market forces will push Chinese automakers toward American consumers despite strained diplomatic relations and trade barriers. The claim is drawing attention as Washington and Beijing weigh tariffs and competition in the electric vehicle sector.

InsideEVs argues that 300 miles of range has become the standard expectation for new electric vehicles, and asks whether 400 miles is the next benchmark. The piece reflects a broader industry shift as battery technology improves and automakers compete to ease consumers' lingering range anxiety.

Gasoline prices are rising in the United States, and car shopping firm Edmunds reports a corresponding increase in searches for electric vehicles. The company's data suggests consumers are turning to EVs as a way to avoid pain at the pump, echoing a pattern seen during previous fuel price spikes.

President Donald Trump has approved new fuel economy rules, asserting that the change will lead to lower car prices for American consumers. The move relaxes existing fuel efficiency standards, which the administration argues have raised manufacturing costs. Supporters welcome the prospect of cheaper vehicles, while environmental advocates warn the rollback could increase emissions and fuel consumption over time.

A new study examines how people who grow their own food make decisions once they reach the grocery store, tracing the path from backyard garden to shopping cart. Researchers say growing food can shape what consumers buy, value and eat. The findings are drawing attention from food, gardening and sustainability readers interested in how home production influences everyday purchasing habits.

GAC's AION UT is launching in the UK, and attention is focused on whether the compact Chinese electric hatchback can convert British shoppers' interest in affordable Chinese EVs into lasting brand loyalty. Commentators are weighing its price, range and practicality against established rivals, and asking whether the model marks a serious push by Chinese carmakers into the British mass market.