Latest news with #seller
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Amazon Intensifies Focus on North America: What is the Path Ahead?
Amazon's AMZN North America segment continues to be the backbone of its business, playing a critical role in driving overall growth. With strong consumer demand, wide product selection and an expanding seller network, the region is helping Amazon maintain its leadership in e-commerce. In the first quarter of 2025, Amazon's North America segment (59.7% of total revenues) generated $92.9 billion in revenues. The segment saw an 8% year-over-year growth, reflecting strong performance despite economic uncertainties. Our model estimate for second-quarter 2025 North America revenues is pegged at $97.2 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 7.9%.To support this growth, AMZN is continuing to improve its fulfillment network across the region. The company has redesigned its inbound network to better distribute inventory across its regions, which allows it to place products closer to customers. This has helped reduce delivery times, lower the cost to serve and increase the likelihood that multiple items in a customer's order arrive together. In the first quarter, Amazon achieved its fastest-ever speeds for same-day and next-day deliveries, helping it maintain a lead in ahead, Amazon is expanding its use of automation and robotics in its operations, continuing to build out its same-day delivery network and adding more delivery stations in rural areas in the United States. These steps are aimed at reducing handling costs, improving speed and expanding reach. The company is also focused on offering low prices and great value, which remains especially important for customers given broader economic uncertainty. Together, these efforts are central to Amazon's strategy to drive continued growth in the North America segment. Amazon Faces Stiff Competition in North America As Amazon sharpens its focus on the North America segment, competition from major retailers like Walmart WMT and Target TGT is remodeled 40 U.S. stores in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, improved three-hour delivery coverage to 93% of U.S. households and saw a 21% jump in U.S. e-commerce sales. Additionally, Walmart has undertaken several initiatives to enhance e-commerce operations in the region, including buyouts, alliances and improved delivery and payment is strengthening its position in North America by combining digital expansion with store investments. Target has an outstanding pipeline of new stores and is committed to ongoing remodels of existing locations. Additionally, it has been ramping up its digital solutions and strengthening delivery capabilities through services like doorstep delivery, curbside pickup, or buy online and pick up at the store. AMZN's Share Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates AMZN shares have gained 3.8% in the year-to-date (YTD) period, underperforming the Zacks Internet – Commerce industry and the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector's growth of 9.5% and 5.1%, respectively. AMZN's YTD Price Performance Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, AMZN stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 3.28X compared with the industry's 2.17X. AMZN has a Value Score of D. AMZN's Valuation Image Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter 2025 earnings is pegged at $1.32 per share, which has been revised upward by a penny over the past 30 days, indicating 7.32% year-over-year growth. Inc. Price and Consensus Inc. price-consensus-chart | Inc. Quote Amazon currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Inc. (AMZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report Target Corporation (TGT) : Free Stock Analysis Report Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Biggest July dip in average asking price for a home ‘in at least 20 years'
The average price tag on a home coming to market fell by more than £4,500 this month, the biggest July price drop recorded in at least two decades, according to a property website. Across Britain, the average asking price in July is £373,709, marking a £4,531 or 1.2% decrease month-on-month, Rightmove said. While there is often a seasonal dip in prices in July, this is the largest monthly price drop at this time of year recorded by Rightmove over more than 20 years of data, the website said. Rightmove has also cut its house price forecast for 2025 from 4% growth to 2%. A high level of seller competition is limiting price growth, it said. But it is retaining its prediction of 1.15 million transactions this year. London, and particularly inner London, has been a driver of asking price falls among new sellers, Rightmove said. Price tags across London have fallen by 1.5% month-on-month, rising to 2.1% average price falls in inner London. April's increase in stamp duty has had a particular impact in London where property prices are higher, the website added. By contrast, the north east of England has seen a 1.2% increase in prices month-on-month, continuing a trend of less expensive areas seeing faster price growth, Rightmove said. Summer sellers typically need to work harder to capture distracted buyers' attention. Tempting pricing from new sellers is helping to improve buyer affordability, enticing new buyers into making inquiries, the report said. It added that with mortgage rates falling and two more Bank of England base rate cuts still expected in 2025, the overall outlook for the second half of the year remains positive. Many lenders have recently made changes to their criteria, allowing some borrowers to potentially take out bigger loans. Rightmove's mortgage tracker indicates that the average two-year fixed mortgage rate is 4.53%, compared with 5.34% a year earlier. Colleen Babcock, a property expert at Rightmove, said: 'We're seeing an interesting dynamic between pricing and activity levels right now. 'The healthy and improving level of property sales being agreed shows us that there are motivated buyers out there who are willing to finalise a deal for the right property. 'What's most important to remember in this market is that the price is key to selling. 'The decade-high level of buyer choice means that discerning buyers can quickly spot when a home looks overpriced compared to the many others that may be available in their area. 'It appears that more new sellers are conscious of this and are responding to this high-supply market with stand-out pricing to entice buyers and get their home sold.' Ms Babcock added: 'Crucially, buyer affordability is heading in the right direction, and another two (Bank of England base rate) cuts before 2026 would be a big boost to this.' Phillip Bishop, managing director at Perry Bishop in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, said: 'We're seeing significantly higher stock levels than a year ago but mitigated in part by a good increase in buyer registrations and viewing levels compared with last year. 'Buyers are taking their time and viewing more before deciding, and the serious and motivated sellers are pricing sensibly and getting success.' He added: 'Rarely available properties are still receiving mass interest and multiple offers. 'The Cotswolds summer market can slow over the holidays, but we expect a second wave of serious buyer activity in the autumn, with serious motivated buyers wanting to agree their purchase.' Rightmove's report was released as property firm Hamptons downgraded its 2025 rental growth forecast from 4.5% to 1.0% across Britain. It said this reflected a faster-than-expected market slowdown. It said the primary driver behind this cooling rental market has been the transfer of demand from the rental sector to the sales market. As mortgage rates have fallen, homeownership has become more accessible, leading to strong first-time buyer activity, Hamptons said. Hamptons said that rents on newly let properties rose by 0.4% year-on-year across Britain in June, reaching £1,369 per month – the weakest growth since August 2020. Aneisha Beveridge, head of research at Hamptons, said: 'The rental market has softened more quickly than we anticipated towards the end of last year. 'What initially appeared to be a London-centric slowdown has now spread across the country, with rents declining in multiple regions and growth easing elsewhere. 'A combination of falling mortgage rates and a weaker labour market has shifted the dynamics – more affluent renters are becoming first-time buyers, while the economic slowdown is limiting what others can afford. 'That said, this isn't the end of the rental growth story.' She said that a shortage of rental homes 'remains unresolved' and regulatory changes are likely to add to landlords' costs, constraining supply. Hamptons' lettings index uses data from the Connells Group to track changes to the cost of renting. It is based on achieved rather than advertised rents. Nathan Emerson, chief executive of property professionals body Propertymark, said: 'We have seen encouraging signs from (Chancellor) Rachel Reeves's Leeds Reforms which are designed to potentially better help lenders serve those on lower incomes. 'However, such reforms alone will not help keep house prices manageable without the UK Government and the devolved administrations meeting their individual housing targets to keep pace with real world demand.'
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Used Audi A2 advertised for bargain price of £300 has a nasty surprise lurking inside...
When the Audi A2 arrived in 2000, it was considered a pioneer of the fast-changing automotive landscape. The lightweight car was one of the first true 'crossover' models, combining compact hatchback dimensions with MPV-style features - as well as a number of quirky touches that set it apart from every other motor on the road at the time. As such, it has gone on to earn modern classic status. Back in 2019, we even earmarked it as one of ten motors you could buy for less than £1,000 that would almost certainly rise in value in the future. So, when we stumbled across this 2003 example for sale for just £300, it looked like a real bargain. Despite its relatively high mileage - in excess of 100,000 miles - the Facebook Marketplace main image shows what looks to be a very tidy exterior with very little damage. But wait until you see what's inside.... The Audi, advertised in Stratford upon Avon, has a very nasty interior surprise: mould, and lots of it. In a complete contrast to the photos of the outside, the front section of the cabin is ravaged by fungus. This has likely been triggered by the car standing unused for months and suffering leaks that has left the interior exposed to Britain's mixed weather, including fluctuating temperatures and plenty of moisture. As such, mould spores have gathered and reproduced en masse, especially on the rim of the steering wheel, driver's seat and dashboard. The - extremely short - listing states the car 'doesn't run' and 'doesn't drive'. A quick check of its MOT background shows it was last assessed in January 2018 with the mileage at 102,244. Its history, however, suggests it had been relatively well cared for until then. It had three failed tests spanning a 12-year period, all of which were quickly followed by an MOT pass after repairs had been carried out. In fact, the last MOT seven years ago shows no advisories whatsoever. The Audi A2 is currently declared off the road as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification), which likely has been the case since early 2019 and why it has fallen into such a state of disrepair. It is listed as having three owners from new and a manual transmission. The advert also says the 'V5 has been misplaced'. This is the registration document that is required to register it to a new owner, suggesting the car will need to be broken down and sold for spares. And the vendor clearly wants it removed as soon as possible, with the ad including the instruction: 'Need gone asap'. The mould inside, which has also affected the rear seating compartment, is so catastrophic that the interior would almost need to be fully stripped and replaced if a new keeper wanted to put it back on the road. And not only will it look and feel disgusting, we imagine the dank, lingering smell will also be incredibly potent - and in the worst cases, could lead to health issues. Long-term exposure can trigger allergies and rashes. It can also be dangerous for asthma sufferers as it typically causes wheezing and coughing. Exposure to toxic black mould can be even more serious and has been linked to headaches, vomiting, bleeding from the nose or lungs, nausea and extended sensations of fatigue. When the Audi A2 arrived in 2000, it considered a pioneer of the automotive landscape It's fair to say the A2 is a car that arrived slightly ahead of its time when it hit the market at the turn of the Century. As a result, it wasn't much of a sales hit when new, with sales ending after just five years in 2005, making it one of the shortest-lived models in UK showrooms of all time. That's made these cars relatively rare by today's standards - and very good condition examples are now collectable motors. DVLA records suggest that just 5,840 remain on the road in Britain today. Its space-age looks and clever engineering has garnered a cult A2 following, especially among fans of Audi cars in particular. The A2 is notable for its extremely aerodynamic body, all-aluminium 'spaceframe' construction and unique 'service hatch' behind the grille, which provides easy access to top up oil and window washer fluid. The downside of the latter is that the bonnet hood has to be removed entirely to reach the engine itself, which can be a fiddly job to say the least. The A2 also debuted this unique 'service hatch' behind the grille, which provides easy access to top up oil and window washer fluid. The downside is that the bonnet hood has to be removed entirely to reach the engine itself The A2 was sold in the UK from 2000 to 2005, making it one of the most short-lived cars in recent history It was available with a range of mega-efficient powertrain. The 1.4 diesel could return up to 70 miles to the gallon. It's now considered a modern classic, though just fewer than 6,000 remain on the road today Speaking of powertrains, these are incredibly efficient. The 1.4 diesel could return up to 70 miles to the gallon. The more powerful 1.6 FSi petrol engine - fitted to the mouldy car listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace - had a claimed fuel economy in the region of 50mpg. In 2011, Audi hinted it might bring the A2 back with the unveiling of an A2 Concept. However, it was never reborn. A good, low-mileage, example today costs around £4,000. Though we fear that this advertised car is more health hazard than collectable classic.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- CTV News
Phone bought online with counterfeit bills, say Guelph Police
Guelph Police are looking for a suspect following a purchase made with counterfeit bills on Monday. A Guelph man told police that he had listed an iPhone for sale online and was contacted by a potential buyer who agreed to pay $1,100. The seller told police he met the buyer in the lobby of his apartment building around 8:50 p.m. After the transaction was completed, and the buyer left, the man realized the 11 $100 bills he was given all had the same serial number. The man told police he tried to message the buyer again but the profile had been deleted. The suspect was described as a 19-year-old Brown man, around 5'6' with a medium build and tattoos on both arms. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, grey pants and Crocs.
Khaleej Times
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
UAE traffic fines: Who pays penalties if car ownership is not transferred?
Question: I sold my car to a friend for Dh10,000, but we did not complete the ownership transfer. Subsequently, I began receiving messages about traffic fines incurred on the vehicle. I asked my friend to pay the fines, but he refused. Due to the car's poor condition, I ended up selling it for just Dh1,500 to cover some of the fines. However, I have recently discovered that there are still outstanding fines totalling Dh12,000 registered against the car. My friend continues to refuse any responsibility for these penalties. From a legal standpoint, what options are available to me in this situation? Please guide. Answer: In the UAE, until the concerned authority formally transfers the vehicle's ownership in the name of a new owner, a registered (current) owner remains legally liable for all obligations against the vehicle, including but not limited to traffic violations. This is in accordance with Article 22 (1) of the Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2024 On Traffic Regulation, 'Any transfer of ownership of a vehicle shall be registered with the Licensing Authority through the means approved by it. The owner of the vehicle in whose name the Vehicle Licence is registered shall remain liable for the obligations arising from the use of the vehicle until the Vehicle Licence is registered in the name of the new owner in accordance with the procedures followed by the Licensing Authority in this regard.' Furthermore, from the perspective of traffic enforcement and administrative liability, the fines incurred during your friend's use of the vehicle are associated with the vehicle, which makes you liable to pay as the registered owner. In addition, it is assumed that you and your friend entered into a contract for the sale of the vehicle. In light of this contractual relationship and given that your friend took possession of the vehicle and used the vehicle after entering into a sale contract, he may be held liable to you for the traffic fines incurred during that period. This liability arises notwithstanding the absence of formal ownership transfer, as the existence of a binding contract may give rise to enforceable legal obligations between the parties to a contract under UAE civil law. In the UAE, if a contract is entered into between all parties named in a contract, it is a legal obligation of each party to perform their respective obligations in accordance with the provisions of the contract. This is by Article 246 (1) of the Federal Law No. (5) of 1985 On the Civil Transactions Law of the United Arab Emirates, which states, '1. The contract shall be implemented, according to the provisions contained therein and, in a manner, consistent with the requirements of good faith.' Anyone who causes harm to another is liable to compensate for that harm. This is in accordance with Article 282 of the UAE Civil Code, 'Any harm done to another shall render the actor, even though not a discerning person, liable to make good the harm.' You may consider filing a claim against your friend for the financial losses you incurred as a direct result of his failure to meet his obligations under the sale contract, particularly relating to his use of the vehicle and the resulting fines. By the aforesaid provision of the law, you remain liable for the outstanding traffic fines to be paid to the concerned authority as the vehicle continues to be registered in your name.
