Retail news round-up on January 28, 2016: Amazon to launch its first-ever Super Bowl campaign, eBay profits slip 12% and Ireland calls for independent retail ombudsman.

Irish Farmers' Association wants strong retail ethics code and ombudsman

Ireland’s farmer representative group has demanded the creation of an independent retail ombudsman as the country is set to introduce new grocery rules in the coming weeks.

The move by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) comes after the UK groceries code adjudicator found that Tesco deliberately delayed payments to suppliers and, in some cases, paid them less than they were owed in an attempt to meet financial targets.

The IFA’s national chairman Jer Bergin said: “These will provide some contractual guarantees between producers and retailers, however the UK experience shows that a strong, Independent Retail Ombudsman is needed to deal firmly with retailer multinationals.”

Amazon’s first-ever Super Bowl ad to star Alec Baldwin and Dan Marino

Online retailer Amazon has picked actor Alec Baldwin and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino to feature in its first-ever Super Bowl ad campaign.

The company is keen on promoting its Echo wireless voice command device at the sporting event.

In the teaser for the yet-to-air spot, Baldwin and Marino are seen brainstorming ideas for a Super Bowl party and consult the device to clear up what a 'Snacks Stadium' is.

EBay reports disappointing sales over Christmas period

eBay recorded 5% rise in its quarterly revenues to $2.3bn from the same period a year before.

Net income for the fourth quarter from continuing operations fell to $600m, a 12% drop from a year ago.

The number of buyers on the eBay site grew 5% in 2015, reaching 162m at the end of the year.

The online retailer forecasts that its revenues would increase between 2% and 5% in this year.



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