> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nearmedia.co/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Foot Traffic Outlook, Facebook's Apple End-Around, Promoting Black-Owned Businesses - URL: https://www.nearmedia.co/foot-traffic-outlook-facebook-counters-apple-prompt-big-tech-promote-bobs/ - Published: 2021-02-02T22:06:47.000Z - Updated: 2021-02-03T20:53:29.000Z - Author: Greg Sterling - Tags: News ### Report: Store Foot Traffic to Remain Down Post-Vaccine Businesses ravaged by COVID-19 hope widespread vaccination will trigger a return to pre-pandemic consumer behavior. But survey [data](https://www.firstinsight.com/white-papers-posts??ref=nearmedia.co) from First Insight argues that's not necessarily true. Nearly 43% of shoppers said they would visit physical retail stores "less or the same amount" after the vaccine. Other [studies](https://www.retaildive.com/news/stores-are-open-but-the-pandemic-keeps-shoppers-away/594212/??ref=nearmedia.co) appear to support this bearish assessment of post-pandemic retail. **Our take:** - E-commerce is now roughly 16% of all US retail spending, though there's pent-up demand for a return to "normal" shopping. - Stores remain strategically important for branding and CX; the challenge is figuring out how to use them most effectively. - Retailers that can better integrate online and offline channels, and deliver convenience and better service, will be in a stronger position than rivals. ### Facebook Testing 'Let Us Track You' Prompt for iPhone Facebook [is testing a new prompt](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/01/facebook-strikes-back-against-apple-ios-14-idfa-privacy-change.html?ref=nearmedia.co) (image below) that will appear in the iOS versions of the Facebook and Instagram apps. It’s a response to Apple’s [App Tracking Transparency](https://developer.apple.com/app-store/user-privacy-and-data-use/?ref=nearmedia.co) (ATT) policy, which rolls out in March and requires publishers to obtain opt-in consent to tracking. Apple allows developers to offer their content within the ATT prompt but space is very limited so Facebook has created its own. The Facebook message is: get more personalized ads and "support businesses that rely on ads to reach customers." **Our take:** - Facebook aggressively campaigned against Apple’s privacy policy, arguing it will hurt small businesses, but the company is really concerned about its own revenues. - The implication that SMBs will be harmed unless users allow tracking may be persuasive to some, though it remains to be seen. - If this tactic does succeed, it will become a model for others. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/80/0380d96d-ef7e-450e-96b3-2963e18aaab5/content/images/2021/02/Facebook-iOS-14-prompt.png) Facebook iOS 14 ATT prompt ### Big Tech Trumpet Support for Black-Owned Businesses In honor of Black History Month, amid a surge in consumer interest in supporting black-owned businesses (BOBs), Google, Facebook, [Apple](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/01/apple-celebrates-black-history-month/?ref=nearmedia.co) and Yelp all touted their support earlier this week. Google and Yelp are both making BOBs more visible in search, with Google [putting the black-owned local business attribute in the shopping tab](https://blog.google/outreach-initiatives/small-business/black-history-month-2021/?ref=nearmedia.co). Facebook promoted #BuyBlack on Facebook and Instagram, as well as [its financial support for BOBs](https://www.adweek.com/media/facebook-shares-update-on-the-200m-in-support-for-the-black-community-it-pledged-last-year/?ref=nearmedia.co) and various other diversity initiatives. **Our take:** - These initiatives are important and in many cases very helpful to struggling local businesses; they're to be applauded, but this is also PR. - Most of these companies lag significantly in hiring, pay and promotion of black employees and executives. - Google this week [agreed](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/ofccp/ofccp20210201?ref=nearmedia.co) to a nearly $4 million settlement with the US Department of Labor to resolve claims of "systemic compensation and hiring discrimination" in California and Washington state. ## Short Takes - [Reporting](https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/02/amazon-amzn-earnings-q4-2020.html?ref=nearmedia.co) $126 billion in sales, **Amazon delivers its largest quarter ever**; **Google also has a [blowout quarter](https://abc.xyz/investor/static/pdf/2020Q4%5Falphabet%5Fearnings%5Frelease.pdf??ref=nearmedia.co)** with nearly $57 billion in revenue. - Economists [argue](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/business/economy/ppp-jobs-small-business.html??ref=nearmedia.co) **$500 billion in PPP loans didn't really help most American SMBs** because the money typically went to firms least in need. - Early Foursquare competitor **Gowalla has been relaunched as an AR-driven** **social media app** and [just raised $4 million](https://techcrunch.com/2021/01/28/gowalla-raises-4-million-from-gv-and-spark-for-its-ar-social-app/?ref=nearmedia.co). - Many app publishers [appear to ](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/01/29/apple-privacy-nutrition-label/?ref=nearmedia.co)**[mislead](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2021/01/29/apple-privacy-nutrition-label/?ref=nearmedia.co) on Apple's "privacy nutrition labels**." - Google **[makes its case](https://blog.google/products/search/about-search-results/?ref=nearmedia.co) against Australia's News Media Bargaining Code**, as it reiterates threat to shut down search in that market. - **Amazon recommits to physical office space** with splashy "poop emoji" design for [new Northern Virginia headquarters](https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-unveils-outdoorsy-new-hq2-renewing-its-commitment-to-offices-11612267200??ref=nearmedia.co). Please let us know what you think. Email [gsterling@nearmedia.co](mailto: gsterling@nearmedia.co) with suggestions and recommendations.