Welcome to our latest update on the dynamic world of eCommerce, where we explore strategic acquisitions and innovations shaping the industry.🛍️🛒
1. The future of commerce isn’t just online. It’s everywhere
The future of retail blends online and offline experiences, with 80% of global retail still happening in stores in 2024. Shopify's unified commerce platform enables small businesses to seamlessly integrate in-person and online sales, empowering entrepreneurs to meet customers wherever they are and build lasting relationships.
2. For online shoppers, Friday is the best day to score a discount, report finds
Online shoppers can score the best deals on Fridays, with a 19% increase in coupon releases compared to other days. To maximize savings, savvy consumers should use price-tracking extensions, apply multiple coupons, and be cautious of ‘spaving' – spending more to save more – while hunting for discounts on e-commerce platforms.
3. Nothing to wear? Bengaluru-based startup promises to deliver clothes in just 60 minutes
Bengaluru-based startup Slikk promises 60-minute clothing delivery, offering a “Try and Buy” option for fast fashion enthusiasts. Despite innovative features like quick delivery and a 7-day return policy, the app's user experience falls short, indicating the need for interface optimization and expanded brand collaborations.
4. Google May Unify Schema Markup & Merchant Center Feed Data
Google plans to unify schema.org markup and Merchant Center feed data, simplifying product information management for enhanced shopping search visibility. By aligning product attributes across structured data and merchant feeds, Google aims to ensure consistent, accurate product listings, benefiting both merchants and consumers.
5. VTEX introduces new and upgraded B2B and B2C ecommerce features
VTEX has launched new and enhanced features for both B2B and B2C e-commerce, focusing on improved user experience and operational efficiency. These updates include advanced customization options and streamlined processes, empowering businesses to better engage with their customers and optimize their online operations.
6. China's AliExpress carries excessive hazardous substances in kids goods
South Korea's safety watchdog has flagged AliExpress for selling children's products containing excessive hazardous substances, violating local regulations. The discovery highlights concerns over e-commerce platforms' compliance with safety standards, emphasizing the need for stricter quality control and regulatory oversight in cross-border online trade.
7. SellerX forced to auction
SellerX, a prominent e-commerce aggregator, faces financial insolvency and will be auctioned off on September 17 in Berlin, following a decision by financier BlackRock to recover debts. The auction marks a significant downturn for the once-thriving aggregator, which had acquired several brands but failed to meet repayment obligations amidst a broader decline in investment for e-commerce aggregators.
8. Amazon Is Quietly Bringing Ads to Rufus, Its Gen AI Search Engine
Amazon is integrating sponsored ads into Rufus, its AI-powered conversational shopping assistant, enabling brands to reach customers through contextual advertising. By leveraging generative AI and latent semantic indexing (LSI) keywords, Rufus aims to create personalized, interactive buying experiences while improving Amazon's e-commerce SEO strategy.
9. Ikea aims to compete with eBay with launch of secondhand online marketplace
IKEA launches Preowned, a secondhand online marketplace, to compete with eBay and other resale platforms, offering affordable and sustainable home furnishing options. By leveraging AI, SEO-optimized product listings, and LSI keywords like “secondhand furniture,” “used IKEA,” and “affordable home decor,” IKEA aims to capture a growing share of the rapidly expanding global second-hand furniture market.
10. GoKwik Acquires Shopify App Return Prime to Bolster Global eCommerce Solutions
GoKwik, an Indian eCommerce enabler, acquires Return Prime, a Shopify returns management app, to expand its global reach and enhance its eCommerce solutions. The acquisition enables GoKwik to leverage Return Prime's technology and network to onboard over 10,000 new merchants, drive revenue growth, and optimize the returns process for Shopify brands worldwide
That's all for now, but the e-commerce world never sleeps. Stay tuned for more updates, and may your conversions be high and your bounce rates low!🚀
