91�� Desautels Faculty of Management - Vivek Astvansh’s Recent Media Coverage

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

91�� — 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.

Lego has built next-level brand loyalty

91�� — 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.

Despite rise of chatbots, people still prefer human customer services

91�� — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 15:19:42 +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.

Eliminating the de minimis exemption will hit fast fashion shoppers hard

91�� — 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.

Controversial slogans sell

91�� — Thu, 15 May 2025 19:10:34 +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.

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

91�� — 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.

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

91�� — 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. 91�� 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.

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

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

As President Trump’s latest tariffs send markets into turmoil, 91�� 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.

Retaliatory tariffs are economically unwise, but politically expedient

91�� — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 16:34:53 +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 91�� Desautels.

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

91�� — 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.

Canadian steel and aluminum producers still heavily reliant on US buyers

91�� — Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:42:49 +0000

During the first Trump administration, the US imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum. And though those tariffs were lifted, they’re doing it again. Even though Canadian producers had more than four years to diversify their clientele, they remain heavily reliant on the US market.

President Trump’s trade antics could be a prelude to 2026 USMCA renegotiation

91�� — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 20:16:22 +0000

It is not yet clear whether US President Donald Trump will follow through on his threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all goods imported from Canada—or even what the motivation for that threat really is. Inconsistent messaging could be a deliberate tactic by the US president, Vivek Astvansh told canadianfamilyoffices.com. “We should care less about the reasons Trump is threatening tariffs, because they keep shifting,” says the Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics at 91�� Desautels.

Amazon to close Quebec warehouses, affecting 1,700 jobs

91�� — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 19:07:37 +0000

Amazon Canada is closing all of its Quebec warehouses, affecting nearly 2,000 employees. The company claims the move is to provide long-term savings to customers and is unrelated to recent unionization efforts. However, industry experts, including 91�� business Professor Vivek Astvansh, suggest the closures are a response to union activities.

Got(oat) milk? Neighbourhood café can’t give it away for free, but they can be transparent about the costs

91�� — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 19:04:46 +0000

At Café Origine on Sherbrooke Street, oat milk costs extra—and there’s a reason for that. Non-dairy milk substitutes like oat milk cost more than cow’s milk does. Some large chains like Starbucks have stopped charging extra for milk substitutes, but independent cafes can struggle to absorb the costs. “A local café doesn’t have the sales volume,” says Vivek Astvansh, Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics.

Montreal retailer Frank and Oak files for creditor protection for second time

91�� — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 17:25:58 +0000

In January 2025, the Montreal-based retailer Frank and Oak filed for creditor protection for the second time in recent years. A company statement said it was to protect employees, assets and operations from creditor claims while exploring options to restructure. “The brand is not standing out in an environment where other brands have done well,” said Bensadoun School of Retail Management Executive Director Charles de Brabant in an interview with the Montreal Gazette.

Donald Trump’s counterparts learned best practices during his first term

91�� — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:55:39 +0000

Donald Trump has imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel before and also lifted them. And then imposed them again. The on-again, off-again tariff truce cycle has played out in multiple industries, and Canada can expect more incendiary rhetoric on trade in a second Trump term, writes Professor Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation Canada. So how should Canada engage with Trump’s theatrical approach to politics? “Ideally, leaders talk to each other and resolve disagreements,” says Astvansh.

First Trump presidency holds lessons for the second

91�� — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 20:54:43 +0000

The first presidency of Donald Trump was nothing if not unpredictable, and as Canada prepares for a second go-around, it needs to expect the unexpected. The U.S. president-elect regularly uses exaggerated rhetoric about the country’s trading relationships, writes Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation. But the first Trump presidency taught us that the most effective way for foreign leaders to respond to Trump’s political theatre is to retaliate with countermeasures, be muted in one’s rhetoric, and hope for a truce.

Prospect of new U.S. tariffs creates uncertainty for QC businesses

91�� — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 21:16:00 +0000

For Quebec businesses, Donald Trump’s planned tariffs are a source of significant uncertainty. The Federation of Quebec Chambers of Commerce nervously awaited the results of the U.S. election. With Trump proposing a 10 per cent tariff on all goods entering the United States, many Quebec businesses could be hit hard. “We are extremely dependent on the United States, and that dependence is not mutual,” says Vivek Astvansh, Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics.

Corporate social responsibility disclosures have benefits, but also come with costs

91�� — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:00:21 +0000

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures can enhance a company’s public image and contribute to increased sales. However, these benefits may come at a cost. In a study analyzing CSR disclosures from companies in China, where such reporting is mandatory, Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics Vivek Astvansh found that while these disclosures attract customers, they may also discourage new suppliers.

Automotive safety recalls are usually free – but many owners of older vehicles still don’t participate

91�� — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 19:58:54 +0000

Automotive safety recalls are commonplace, and, most of the time, the required changes are performed for free at your local dealership. Yet, many owners of older vehicles don’t bring in their vehicles when there is a recall. Inertia is part of the problem, according to Associate Professor of Quantitative Marketing and Analytics Vivek Astvansh.

Presidential candidates’ choice of words reveals aspects of their personalities

91�� — Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:39:24 +0000

The words a speaker chooses communicate more than just ideas and opinions. Language reveals much about a speaker’s personality. In the recent U.S. presidential debate, two very different personalities were on display—that of Democratic candidate and Vice-President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Journalists and social media users exert influence over product recall decisions

91�� — Tue, 27 Aug 2024 22:24:25 +0000

In 2023, product recalls in Canada hit an all-time high – there were well over 2,000 of them. Manufacturing companies are typically the ones to issue these recalls, and their decisions are affected by journalists and social media users. “Journalists’ praise about safety in a manufacturer’s products leads to increased disclosure of product safety defects, while their criticism curbs such disclosure,” writes Vivek Astvansh in an article in The Conversation.

Better data protections in Europe could encourage participation in retail data collection programs

91�� — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 14:22:59 +0000

In-store data collection can help retailers provide shoppers with a personalized experience that includes perks like lower prices or options tailored to a shopper’s taste. But uptake for in-store data collection has been slower in North America than it has been in Europe. “The assumption is that if I enter a retail store, cameras are recording. That is an established norm.

SAQ monopoly pads government revenues but isn’t necessarily in shoppers' best interest

91�� — Thu, 09 May 2024 16:52:53 +0000

Despite being a lucrative revenue source for the government, the Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) monopoly is under scrutiny for limiting consumer choices, especially for premium spirits like high-end bourbons. Exclusive distribution rights mean that if SAQ doesn’t stock a particular brand, it won’t be available in Quebec's retail outlets.

E-commerce vehicle acquisitions face hurdles due to existing laws

91�� — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 19:44:29 +0000

During the 2023 Los Angeles International Auto Show, Hyundai and Amazon revealed plans to enable vehicle purchases on their e-commerce platform by 2024. However, this option is not currently available. Since 2018, it has been possible to browse a digital showroom of Hyundai vehicles, but not to complete the purchase. Even when the company introduces the capability to buy vehicles online, widespread availability is unlikely.

The pandemic pushed tipping too far, but customers can push back

91�� — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 18:41:54 +0000

A recent video sharing one woman’s New Year’s resolution to no longer tip has gone viral, proving that, for many consumers, tipping has become excessive. Just a few years ago, diners often ponied up 15% on a restaurant bill or bar tab. As restaurants were forced to close during the pandemic, tip prompts creeped up to 18%, 20%, or even 30%. Tip prompts were also added to many other services where tipping had never been customary – like drive-thru windows and even deli counters. Referred to as “tip-flation”, this phenomenon has sparked debate.

‘Buy now, pay later’ loans are not covered by existing consumer protection laws

91�� — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:13:34 +0000

Buy now, pay later technology offers loans to consumers to pay for purchases in instalments over time. A soft credit check verifies eligibility, and can extend credit to users who might not otherwise have access to credit products. These loans claim to improve the financial inclusion of lower-income young people, but should be approached with caution, writes Vivek Astvansh in The Conversation.

This holiday season, shoppers are spending more and getting less

91�� — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 17:11:08 +0000

Christmas is just around the corner, and even with inflation slowing down, gift prices are higher than ever. Canada’s Consumer Price Index is at an all-time high of nearly 160 points, Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh tells CTV News Montreal. “Consumers are feeling the pinch, and while they want to buy stuff, they are resisting purchases,” says Astvansh. Holiday spending will still be higher than it was last year, but not because people are actually buying more gifts. “The prices of everything have gone up.

Tip creep and tip-flation leading to a review of tipping culture in Canada

91�� — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:12:03 +0000

Tipping has gotten out of control in Canada. Not only are restaurants’ automated payment systems prompting patrons for tips of up to 30%, there are even some tip prompts at self-serve kiosks. More than half of Canadians say they’d prefer a no-tip, service-included model that ensures higher base wages for employees. For now, shoppers should be reminded that tipping is discretionary, says Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh in an article for The Conversation.

Navigating the retail conundrum: striking the right balance in inventory management

91�� — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 18:42:45 +0000

It has been a challenging few years for supply chains. After pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, many retailers increased their inventory for the 2022 holiday season. After all, demand was still booming at the time. But demand has come down off its peak, and that presents an entirely different problem for retailers in 2023. Some major retailers have reduced inventory so as to not be left with products they can’t sell.

Bargain hunters beware: online deals can come with unanticipated conditions

91�� — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 18:22:24 +0000

Scouring for holiday gifts at bargain prices is a savvy way to cut costs, but the allure of Black Friday deals sometimes masks potential pitfalls. In an article for BNN Bloomberg, Associate Professor Vivek Astvansh emphasizes the need for caution among bargain hunters to ensure they're fully informed about any unforeseen conditions.

Bankrupt companies benefit from cooperation with suppliers during legal process

91�� — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 20:29:19 +0000

When a company declares bankruptcy, the spotlight often falls on its creditors, primarily focusing on corporate debt from financial institutions. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant role of suppliers in the company's journey through bankruptcy. While financial institutions play a key role, suppliers can also be instrumental in the company's successful emergence from bankruptcy proceedings. Suppliers stand to gain more by supporting their buyer's recovery instead of witnessing the liquidation of assets.

91���� Desautels Faculty of Management - Vivek Astvansh’s Recent Media Coverage