Mobile  can play a valuable role in reducing the risk of "showrooming", according to a new study based on responses from 38,000 people in 43 countries and released by TNS. “The impact of digital development, mobile Internet and online shopping are coming together in a way that is posing a very real threat to traditional bricks and mortar retailers. However, there is also opportunity to mitigate that risk for brands that get their customer engagement right,” Matthew Froggatt, Chief Development Officer at TNS, said. Among those who showroom, two-thirds use their phone and experts see this as a great opportunity for brands to interact with consumers via mobile and turn browsers into buyers. More than one-fifth of smartphone owners are keen to receive mobile coupons while shopping. At the same time 13 percent% of the consumers are interested in a ‘virtual sales assistant,’ who will help answer their questions in-store about a particular product. The survey concluded that the key for brands and retailers is to find ways to make buying in-store the convenient option.

Source: retailinasia.com

Baidu announced that it has acquired PPS.tv's streaming video service for $370 million, which means that the Chinese search company is now in a position to challange market leader Youku-Tudou for a bigger share of China's web video marketplace. According to Baidu's official press release the acquisition "creates China's largest online video platform" but doesn't mention any specific numbers. PPS.tv will continue to operate as a sub-brand of iQiyi, according to the release, but current iQiyi CEO Gong Yu will also be CEO of the new PPS sub-brand. Current PPS president Xu Weifeng and CEO Zhang Hongyu will remain onboard as co-presidents. 

Source: Techinasia

Suning Commerce Group announced the results of the financial report for the first quarter of 2013: the group realized operating revenue of CNY27.201 billion, a year-on-year increase of 20.14%; meanwhile, its e-commerce business realized revenue of CNY4.499 billion, a year-on-year increase of 134%. According Suning representatives the business development strategy is clear and the focus is to realize the full integration of online and offline sectors, including organizations, products, prices, and services. In the future the company will promote its open-platform strategy and improve the variety of its branded sales units. 

 Source: iresearch.com

The chairman of security software company Qihoo 360, Zhou Hongwei, announced that he will appeal to China's Supreme People's Court after his company lost a lawsuit against Tencent regarding unfair competition, on the 25th of April. Qihoo 360 was accused of breaching good faith and equal competition practices while maliciously working against Tencent. Zhou denied the allegations and said the court ruling was unfair and an example of the court's tendency towards regional protectionism. In the past 3 years, the two companies have been engaged in a protracted legal battle with the latest verdict representing Tencent's third win against Qihoo. 
Source: wantchinatimes.com