iPhone a Winner: New figures from Counterpoint Technology Market Research reveal that Apple is coming out ahead of the competition in North America. The iPhone was responsible for one-third of smartphone sales in the region in the third quarter, more than any other manufacturer. Samsung was second with a 23% share, followed by LG (18%) and low-cost manufacturer ZTE (12%).
Retail Fraud Spike: Retail fraud is on an upward trajectory. LexisNexis Risk Solutions reports that the volume of successful fraudulent retail transactions has climbed from a monthly average of 206 per merchant last year to 238 per merchant in 2017. The firm reported that merchants that process international transactions had significantly higher levels of fraud than those that were focused solely on domestic sales.
Convenience Wins: US shoppers are headed online simply because it's easier. A survey from Arvato found that 58% of respondents cited convenience as the reason they made digital purchases. About six in 10 said it was easier to compare prices online, while more than half thought online retailers offered more choice.
Live Stream Fail: There's no evidence yet to support the idea that live streaming TV is the hot new thing. According to StreamOn, only 11% of all consumers who stream content pay for live streaming television. The company also reported that almost one-third of those who did stream content had eliminated or reduced their traditional TV service.