The European Commission has referred Belgium to the Court of Justice of the European Union due to its failure to properly implement the Anti-Tax Avoidance Directive (Directive (EU) 2016/1164). The Directive allows Member States to tax profits from controlled foreign companies when their tax payments are less than half of what would be paid in the parent company’s Member State. Belgian law, however, does not permit taxpayers to deduct the tax paid by a controlled foreign company in its state of tax residence. Despite receiving a formal notice and a reasoned opinion, Belgium still needs to amend its legislation to the EU’s satisfaction, prompting the referral to the Court of Justice. The Directive aims to establish a minimum level of protection against corporate tax avoidance and promote a fairer business environment in the EU.
German beer: popularity outside the EU on the rise
German beer is gaining popularity outside the European Union (EU). The Federal Statistical Office reports that German breweries sold about 715.9 million litres of beer in non-EU countries in 2022, despite a 12% decrease compared to the previous year. This represents an increase of 66% compared to 2012. In contrast, beer sales in EU countries fell by 27% in the same period. The number of German breweries increased by 12% over the last ten years to 1,507, with Bavaria hosting the most breweries. However, there has been a slight decline in the previous three years, caused by the Corona pandemic and rising energy and raw material prices.
Zalando presents AI-based Fashion Assistant
Zalando announces the beta version of a ChatGPT-based Fashion Assistant in the Zalando Fashion Store. The tool is designed to make the online shopping experience easier and deliver personalised product recommendations. Customers can use the Fashion Assistant to intuitively search for products and provide feedback in chat conversations to refine recommendations. A beta version will be available this spring for selected customers in Germany, Ireland, the UK, and Austria in German and English. Zalando plans to develop additional features in the future, such as fashion and beauty advice or the creation of complete outfits. At the same time, data protection and AI accountability remain guaranteed.
Klarna introduces a price comparison tool for users
Klarna has launched a comprehensive price comparison tool that compares prices from thousands of retailers to help consumers find their favourite items at lower prices. The tool allows users to filter their search by various criteria and offers an alternative to Google and Amazon. The new feature is integrated into the Klarna app and browser and displays relevant information as users navigate product pages. The price comparison tool is essential for Klarna to evolve from a payment provider to a comprehensive shopping ecosystem. The tool has been available since the beginning of April. It was launched in Germany after being introduced in the USA, the UK, Sweden and Denmark.
