9I�� News - Vivek Astvansh

Donald Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ does away with de minimis exemption for impots from all countries

webfull — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:10:02 +0000

The de minimis exemption has played a major role in the rise of Chinese fast fashion brands like Shein and Temu. The exemption works like this: if an imported good has a value of less than $800, it is exempt from tariffs. The loophole has been around since the 1930s, but in recent years, it has given e-commerce brands that ship many smaller orders an advantage. “A retailer like Wal-Mart buys in bulk, and imports are much more than $800, so they pay tariffs,” Prof.

Published: 30 July 2025

Lego has built next-level brand loyalty

webfull — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:21:50 +0000

When people an affinity for a brand, they can feel as though it’s their friend. And Lego has a powerful brand. For many, the mere mention of the Denmark-headquartered maker of plastic building bricks evokes memories of wholesome childhood play. And the warm and fuzzy feelings that a brand like Lego catalyzes can have real effects on how people interact with it.

Published: 23 July 2025

Despite rise of chatbots, people still prefer human customer services

webfull — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:19:43 +0000

Until recently, the most common way that customers interacted with a company’s customer service was via human agents on the telephone, the web or a mobile app. But increasingly, customer service is being provided by chatbots. Even though chatbots offer instant availability, 24 hours a day, more than two-thirds of people still prefer to speak with a human agent, according to research by PWC, an accounting consultancy. Most companies use chatbots as the first line of customer service, writes Prof.

Published: 23 July 2025

Eliminating the de minimis exemption will hit fast fashion shoppers hard

webfull — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:17:50 +0000

A de mimimis exemption allows goods below a certain value threshold to be traded internationally without paying duty. And on May 2 2025, the United States eliminated their de minimis exception for Hong Kong and China. That will drive up prices for shoppers on ultra-budget fast fashion platforms like Shein. With the changes to the rules, the price of a $20 dress on Shein could increase to more than $30.

Published: 23 July 2025

Controversial slogans sell

webfull — Thu, 15 May 2025 19:10:35 +0000

A Canadian clothing company has recently come under fire for using provocative slogans on some of its clothing. The company claims its target demo is now a confident shopper in their mid-twenties, but Professor of Marketing Vivek Astvansh argues that a company might use controversy to sell, even if their customers aren’t of age.

Published: 15 May 2025

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio helps decipher Trump administration goals

webfull — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 18:56:59 +0000

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was among the least controversial cabinet appointments made by President Donald Trump. During this turbulent time in geopolitics, the stature of the former Florida senator is rising, according to Newsweek. It’s a high-stakes role, and for countries like Canada, Rubio has become a kind of interlocutor that helps interpret information coming out of the White House.

Published: 27 March 2025

How U.S.-Canada tariffs could hit New York’s economy

webfull — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:08:13 +0000

As U.S.-Canada tariff disputes escalate, New York’s economy faces serious risks, with over $42 billion in trade at stake. 9I�� professors Preetika Joshi and Vivek Astvansh warn that rising costs on goods like aluminum, barley, and auto parts could lead to inflation, job losses, and disruptions across key industries.

Published: 21 March 2025

Trump’s tariffs: “Short-term pain, long-term gains?

webfull — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 19:05:10 +0000

As President Trump’s latest tariffs send markets into turmoil, 9I�� Desautels Professor Vivek Astvansh provides insight into the potential long-term impact on trade and investments. Amid uncertainty, experts suggest diversification as the key to stability. Read more on how Canadian markets and investors can navigate this shifting landscape.

Published: 21 March 2025

Retaliatory tariffs are economically unwise, but politically expedient

webfull — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:34:54 +0000

With the United States both threatening and imposing tariffs, Canada has responded with counter-tariffs of its own. But could these measures do more harm than good?“Retaliatory tariffs are just a bad decision. They increase the prices that Canadian importers pay to bring goods into the country, and increase prices for consumers” says Vivek Astvansh, an Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics at 9I�� Desautels.

Published: 12 March 2025

Political tensions between long-time allies fuelled ticket price spike for Canada-USA hockey game

webfull — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 19:23:02 +0000

When Canada and the United States faced off in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament, the game held at the Bell Centre was the hottest ticket in Montreal, with some asking prices topping $10,000 a ticket on online ticket selling services. The intense demand was likely driven in part by the political tensions between the long-time allies.

Published: 25 February 2025

9I��������� News - Vivek Astvansh

Donald Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ does away with de minimis exemption for impots from all countries

Lego has built next-level brand loyalty

Despite rise of chatbots, people still prefer human customer services

Eliminating the de minimis exemption will hit fast fashion shoppers hard

Controversial slogans sell

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio helps decipher Trump administration goals

How U.S.-Canada tariffs could hit New York’s economy

Trump’s tariffs: “Short-term pain, long-term gains?

Retaliatory tariffs are economically unwise, but politically expedient

Political tensions between long-time allies fuelled ticket price spike for Canada-USA hockey game

9I�� News - Vivek Astvansh