Last week, a new, redesigned Google Pay was introduced with a lot of the functionality and user interface that consumers had said that they would find appealing in a super app. Google had asked consumers what would be their expectations in a super app almost eighteen months ago, in June 2019.

The Google Pay app focuses on three major activities in one place:

• Paying friends and businesses
• Finding offers and rewards across its ecosystem
• Getting insights on consumer spending

The app integrates Plex accounts adding a banking layer that has products created by credit unions and banks.

Google Pay allows its 150 million users to redeem discount offers via a tap in the app (through an Explorer tab). The offers and promotions are automatically added whether online or in-store.

Google has taken a “privacy-forward design. It will not sell data or transactions history with third parties or the rest of Google for ad targeting. Consumers can choose whether they want to turn on the personalization setting. It is off by default.

It’s too early to predict the trajectory of Google Pay, whether it’s super enough to launch itself as a super app. It has succeeded, however, in setting a high bar for others to follow, especially Apple, who’s ecosystem will soon look outdated as Google Pays can probably take off to great heights as it gets popular day by day.

This app of apps works across operating systems, channels and devices. It can be activated either by voice or by SMS.

Source Seeking Alpha

The travel and leisure industry encountered a lot of turbulence during the pandemic. Profits plunged and their economies plummeted to the lowest levels ever. Yet, the industry has offered flexible deals on Black Friday.

“Make sure to prioritize flexibility alongside price this year. Look for airline and lodging deals that have waived change and cancellation fees, should plans change,” Kelly Soderlund, a travel trend expert, told Fox.

He added, “Many travel providers are offering credits instead of refunds, so determine a backup plan if the trip is canceled. The financial implications of travel credits could impact the when and where of an alternative trip.”

Some of the deals are as follows:

• Expedia is offering 50% of select stays and an extra 12% off select hotels and activities
• Marriott is offering up to 20% off at over 5000 hotels and 25% off to its Bonvoy members
• Cheap Caribbean website is offering up to 75% off on its properties for beach vacations
• Regent Seven Seas if offering a $500 credit for cruises through the Mediterranean and Northern Europe in 2021
• Norwegian Cruise Lines is offering 30% off for voyages from 2021 to 2023
• Carnival is offering 30% off any cruise fare before 2023

Most of these bookings must be made today or up to the end of the month depending on the terms and conditions available on their websites.

Yet another traditional business model is sinking with the spread of the coronavirus. Walt Disney will be laying off 32,000 staff who primarily worked in their theme parks. The pandemic has delivered a huge blow to the entertainment industry and Disney announced a second consecutive quarterly loss. These losses are mainly due to the loss of business from theme parks and movies which have been adversely impacted due to lockdowns and the need for social distancing.

With the US bearing brunt of the pandemic, the Company is unsure when it will be able to reopen its Disneyland theme park. This park, in Anaheim, California has been closed from March 2020.

In Wednesday’s filing, the company said that it was looking at additional measures to cut costs including suspension of capital spending and implementing furloughs. It was also considering the reduction of film and content investments.

“Some of these measures may have an adverse impact on our businesses,” the company warned.

“With the unknown duration of COVID-19 and yet to be determined timing of the phased reopening of certain businesses, it is not possible to precisely estimate the impact of Covid-19 on our operations in future quarters,” the company said.

Disney’s direct-to-consumer business is one bright spot as subscriptions to Disney+ reached 73.7 million on October 3, showing an increase of 60 million from August.

The pandemic has played spoilsport to in-store sales including huge retail stores who have had to close down many iconic brick and mortar stores. However retailers with strong online business models have thrived way beyond expectations.

Traditionally, holiday shopping has revolved around Black Friday with stores offering huge discounts on this day. Queues of shopping waiting to enter stores stretch for miles and deals disappear within seconds as there’s a clamor to pick the best deals.

This year brick and mortar stores have suffered closure, both temporary and permanent due to the lockdown and dwindling footfalls. Large online retailers like Amazon and Walmart have had bullish sales and their sales figures have been breaking all records. Meanwhile brick and mortar stores have been transformed into fulfillment centers rather than department stores.

The trade group National Retail Federation said that about 59% holiday shopping began early November and a large part of this was online. They expect E-commerce sales to grow by 30% when compared with last year’s sales.

Stores are still hoping to get Black Friday crowds this year. Many large retail stores, like Walmart and Best Buy, who also have a robust online presence, are offering fantastic deals in stores. Shops are scheduled to open at 5am.

Holiday shoppers should also browse through smaller websites and online stores like iParis and organic greek to pick once in a year excellent deals.

Source NY Times

Walmart restocked both PS5 game consoles and Xbox Series X from Sony and Microsoft on Wednesday 9 pm ET. By 9:02 pm, all stocks were sold out. Walmart had indicated that its Black Friday sales of PS5 and Xbox Series X would be only available online. Preorders had also sold out very quickly. So Walmart had indicated that it would restock these consoles before Black Friday.

The listings say that the consoles are “temporarily” out of stock. There is no indication to when there would be a restock. However, it is confirmed that even after possible restocks, the consoles will be available only online. Actually, Walmart stores will remain closed on Thanksgiving.

Many gamers and shoppers have missed out on the pre-sales of these consoles from some large retailers. However, there could be consoles available in-store as well online with other retailers. Customers have to stay home, browse a lot and be quick in payments to get one of these consoles. One of the main reasons for online shopping was to increase safety and promote social distancing on Black Friday as the coronavirus has been spreading across the US.

Keep browsing and you may find a   good black Friday deal at GameStop, Best Buy, Walmart or Amazon. Who knows what’s in store for you?