CUSTOMERS
Power outage in Seattle: Nearly 83,000 customers lose power amid windstorm; check affected areas, weather advisory and more
Seattle power outage news: A severe windstorm impacted Western Washington, resulting in wide-scale power outages for over 83,000 customers. Seattle City Light reported significant outages in different areas, including West and South Seattle. Puget Sound Energy also faced outages disrupting service to numerous customers across the region. Winds reached high speeds, with some gusts recorded at 69 mph in Hoquiam.
Companies want AI-powered customer service; EY says they need a bigger reset
Adopting artificial intelligence tools alone is insufficient for companies aiming to enhance customer service operations. They need to redesign their operating models and workforce capabilities, as highlighted in an EY report. Assessing existing operations and identifying gaps are crucial first steps in this transformation process. Additionally, integrating AI into existing systems is necessary to drive measurable business outcomes and improve customer experiences.
AI to boost industrial robotics growth, but manufacturers may benefit less than customers: S&P Global
Artificial intelligence is anticipated to significantly enhance the long-term prospects of industrial robotics and automation. Manufacturers may experience reduced benefits compared to their customers, as equipment utilization increases. Global industrial robot installations have increased markedly, driven by labour shortages and productivity needs. AI improvements are projected to further expand automation capabilities before achieving full autonomy. However, the overall impact on manufacturers' profits remains uncertain due to competitive market dynamics.
Amazon rolls out text-based shopping through Alexa
Amazon said the new text feature lets users research and compare products, track deals and price drops, and have Alexa for Shopping complete purchases on their behalf.
IndusInd Bank customers can now send money abroad in 123 currencies through J.P. Morgan tie-up
IndusInd Bank has teamed up with J.P. Morgan Payments to elevate their outward remittance capabilities. This partnership enables customers to transfer money globally in 123 currencies with local-currency settlements. By integrating the Xpedite solution, the bank aims to simplify international transactions and plans to enhance online and mobile banking offerings for a more user-friendly experience.
Stop AI from Eroding Your Brand
Artificial intelligence is changing how companies operate and how customers experience their brands. New research suggests that companies with lower levels of “brand debt”—the trust, relevance, and consistency lost when products, experiences, and decisions drift away from customer expectations—are significantly more likely to outperform their peers. Drawing on a benchmark of 60 companies and lessons from Bose’s digital transformation, the lessons here are that managing brand debt should become an enterprise-wide priority rather than a marketing exercise. As AI increasingly shapes customer interactions, companies that manage brand debt deliberately will be better positioned to strengthen trust, sustain growth, and preserve competitive advantage
- Go To Page 1
Starbucks Red Cup Day 2026 in US, UK and Canada: How to get a free limited-edition cup on November 17; here's what customers need to buy
When is the Red Cup Day at Starbucks: Starbucks is gearing up for its annual holiday celebrations, with Red Cup Day 2026 attracting attention from coffee lovers across the world. The popular promotion gives customers an opportunity to receive a free, limited-edition reusable red cup when they purchase eligible holiday beverages at participating stores. This year's Red Cup Day is scheduled for November 17, 2026, in the US and Canada.
Box expands Nvidia partnership, unveils AI workflow builder
Box Context Retrieval, a new search engine built on Nvidia's Nemotron models, will be generally available to Enterprise Advanced customers early next year, the company said.
NPCI defends MDR charges in SC, says merchants can't pass on them to customers
The top court on September 28 had sought responses from the Centre and others, including the NPCI, on a petition challenging the decision to impose an MDR on specified UPI person-to-merchant transactions above Rs 2,000.
UPI MDR proposal: Street vendors may pass on charges to customers or switch to cash, ISB survey finds
Payments by street vendors exceeding Rs 2,000 may incur charges under the proposed merchant discount rate framework. Many vendors may switch to cash transactions if additional costs are imposed by suppliers. Awareness of the framework varies among vendors in different city tiers, affecting their payment acceptance practices. A significant percentage of Tier 1 vendors are likely to pass on additional charges to customers.
Bringing gold jewellery, bars, coins from Dubai to India? Know how much a passenger can bring duty-free
A passenger who has been abroad for at least 6 months can bring up to 1 kg of gold, including bars, coins and ornaments, by paying a concessional duty in foreign currency. Ornaments studded with stones or pearls don't qualify for that concession. Know customs rules for different passengers for bringing gold from Dubai to India.
Bengaluru woman calls customer care to seek Rs 441 refund for ill-fitting clothes, loses Rs 1.05 lakh
A Bengaluru woman lost Rs 1.05 lakh while trying to get a Rs 441 refund for ill-fitting clothes after contacting a fake customer care number found online. In a separate incident, another woman lost Rs 98,000 while seeking a replacement for a damaged curd packet ordered through Blinkit.
How to win Xbox Series X-BITE: Microsoft announces giveaway of custom alligator-inspired console worth $799
Microsoft has launched an exciting sweepstakes on social media for a unique Xbox Series X-BITE console and controller bundle. To participate, fans can enter via X, Instagram, and TikTok by completing specific actions and using the designated hashtag. Open to US residents aged 18 and older, the lucky winner will be randomly chosen and notified after the sweepstakes ends, with prize deliveries expected around eight weeks post-selection.
Prices of premium Scotch set to fall in Delhi after customs duty cut on British spirits
Prices for premium Scotch whiskies in Delhi are expected to decline shortly due to changes in customs duty. The reduction in import duty follows the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between India and the UK. Initially, the duty on British spirits will decrease from 150 to 75 percent, further dropping to 40 percent over the next ten years.
Bengaluru man invests Rs 70 lakh to open a cafe, faces unexpected problem; explains why some cafes charge so much
Bengaluru-based founder Vikramaditya Shukla shared how his school friend’s Rs 60-70 lakh cafe investment has run into an unexpected challenge. Customers ordering just one Rs 150 coffee occupy tables for hours, driving away potential visitors. His post sparked debate over cafe pricing, with users suggesting hourly charges, laptop restrictions and other ways to manage seating.
Stockal scam: Trading platform says unauthorised third party accessed customer accounts
Stockal has disclosed that unauthorized trading practices impacted 13 client accounts, resulting in notable financial losses. Investors claim their assets were liquidated without consent, redirecting funds towards unauthorized transactions. An investigation revealed there was no compromise within Stockal's systems; however, it points to a likely social engineering incident. Affected investors have reached out to regulatory bodies in India and the U.S.
Freshworks crosses $1 billion ARR as enterprise push lifts growth
Revenue for the July-September quarter rose to $245.4 million from $215.1 million a year earlier. Net profit stood at $18.3 million, compared with a loss of $4.7 million in the year-ago period. Its non-GAAP operating margin expanded to 29.8% from 21% a year earlier, while adjusted free cash flow increased 29% to $73.9 million.
Tesla misled South Korean customers about automated-driving tech, consumer group alleges
Tesla is facing a consumer complaint in South Korea over allegedly misleading customers by selling its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software to buyers whose vehicles cannot legally use it. The software, which was sold for a one-time payment of 9.043 million won ($6,726), is compatible with only about 20% of Tesla cars registered in the country, mainly US-made models.
Irdai mandates four-tier structure for motor insurance from Dec 15
Irdai will implement a four-tier structure for motor insurance covering private cars and two-wheelers. Customers will have the option to select separate covers, including mandatory third-party liability and optional personal accident cover. Existing policyholders can add occupant liability coverage without canceling their current policies.
How digital distribution shifts the balance of power towards the customer
The insurance sector grapples with pressing issues like mis-selling and customer complaints, which hinder the efficacy of policies. However, digital platforms offer improved transparency, enabling consumers to make well-informed choices about their coverage options. By comparing policies, customers not only save on premiums but also gain better insights into their coverage. Additionally, digital channels simplify grievance resolution, fostering easier interactions with insurers.
SBI hunts for weak links after suspected cyberattack exposed 3,897 customer records
State Bank of India (SBI) is investigating a suspected cyberattack that may have exposed 3,897 customer records, with root cause analysis still underway. The bank is focusing on containing the breach and fixing vulnerabilities after customer information, including names, contact details and loan records, appeared on the dark web.
SaaS firm Capillary’s AI platform drives new customer wins, revenue grows 51%
Capillary’s aiRA (AI-powered Research Assistant) is an AI agent for enterprise brands that helps connect customer data across platforms and identifies opportunities to acquire, convert, retain and reactivate customers. It also executes campaigns through existing marketing tools, with human approval. It works with data from platforms such as Salesforce, Snowflake, Databricks, Google Ads and Meta, according to the investor presentation.
Budget 2027: Customs duty relief on 118 goods under review
The Indian government is currently reviewing customs duty concessions applicable to 118 products set to expire. This review involves input from respective line ministries and industry stakeholders regarding these exemptions. Goods under review include materials for power projects and certain medical devices. A focus is on correcting the inverted duty structure to support local manufacturing initiatives. The outcomes of this review will influence the upcoming budget for 2027-28.
Washington DC power outage: Helpline for Pepco customers, maps, restoration time and checklists
Pepco Outage map: The disruption affected parts of Foggy Bottom and downtown Washington DC. The incident also prompted an emergency response after smoke was reported coming from multiple manholes in the area. The reported outage affected more than 1,100 Pepco customers. The affected area included the vicinity of 23rd Street NW and I Street NW.
From unpaid salaries to refund demands: China man charges Rs 2,600 to argue with bosses, businesses on behalf of customers; videos go viral
A man in Guangzhou, China, is offering to argue on behalf of people who struggle with confrontations for 188 yuan (around Rs 2,600). His service covers disputes over unpaid wages, refund requests, poor services and cosmetic surgery results. Videos of his unusual work have drawn attention online, with users sharing the complaints they would want him to handle.
India, EU discuss FTA implementation ahead of December signing
In an effort to advance their free trade agreement, India and the European Union held pivotal discussions led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, who visited Brussels for dialogues with prominent EU officials. Central to the talks were customs cooperation and trade facilitation, deemed critical for the agreement's efficacy. Additionally, industry stakeholders from the diamond sector were engaged to harness opportunities within India's expanding market.
India, EU discuss FTA implementation, customs cooperation and market access in Brussels
India and the European Union engaged in discussions regarding the implementation of their Free Trade Agreement. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held meetings with various senior European Commission officials in Brussels, focusing on market access and customs procedures. The FTA is expected to eliminate tariffs on the majority of exports from both regions. Both parties are working towards the proposed signing and full ratification of the agreement.
Govt extends customs duty exemption on cotton imports till December 31
The Indian government has announced an extension of the customs duty exemption on cotton imports until December 31, 2026. This move aims to improve the availability of raw materials for the textile and apparel industry. The extension supports Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) while easing input cost pressures for manufacturers.
India extends cotton import duty exemption till December 31 to ease textile costs
The Centre has decided to extend the customs duty exemption on cotton imports until December 31, 2026. This extension aims to improve cotton availability, particularly benefiting India's textile sector and reducing costs. Manufacturers and consumers are expected to experience relief due to this measure and its impact on input costs. Small and medium enterprises in the domestic textile industry should see improved market conditions.
Load More
