Google's AI Overviews, launched in May and expanded in August, now reach over 1 billion monthly users across more than 100 nations. Available in multiple languages, this global rollout enhances user search experiences by including more in-line links, increasing site traffic, and supporting various languages. The move connects users to creators, publishers, and businesses worldwide, with a rise in search relevance. Ad placements in AI Overviews, available in the U.S. on mobile, aim to provide relevant results. This expansion shows Google’s commitment to enhancing access to the best of the web with AI-driven insights.

Poland's Foodsi raised $1.3M in seed funding, increasing its total round to $2.6M. Founded by Mateusz Kowalczyk and Kuba Fryszczyn, Foodsi connects restaurants and stores with customers, offering discounts on surplus food. Europe generates 59M tons of food waste yearly, costing $140B, while Foodsi offers consumers deals up to 70% off on excess food items. Investors AIP Seed, Satus Starter, and AC/VC Impact Fund backed the funding to help Foodsi address food waste and expand its impact.

Cirro E-Commerce partners with nShift to simplify global shipping. This integration will automate processes for merchants, enhance tracking, and streamline returns, improving delivery experience for customers. CIRRO’s 30+ country presence and nShift’s 1000+ carrier network aim to give merchants a competitive edge and better customer satisfaction.

MealMe raised $8M in Series A funding, bringing its total to $16M. Founded as a consumer app in 2019, MealMe has transitioned into a B2B API provider, powering food and retail ordering within apps. The API connects over 1M stores and restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. The company plans to expand into broader e-commerce and AI. Investors include Mercury Fund, Gaingels, and Palm Drive Capital.

Simplisales, founded by Ihsan Diskan, provides B2B wholesalers with tools to thrive in e-commerce. Through an AI-powered platform, it eliminates manual order-taking with ERP-integrated apps and websites. Since launching, the company has attracted clients with annual sales up to €100M, achieving €20M GMV to date. Simplisales now connects 24/7 to clients’ ERP systems, updating inventory and custom pricing every five minutes. Diskan plans to add AI-driven marketing tools for cross-selling and upselling, positioning the company to meet high demand in a largely untapped B2B market.

San Francisco-based Coframe raised $9.3M from Khosla Ventures and NFDG. The startup’s AI platform optimizes websites, adjusting UX based on user behavior and boosting sales. In testing, Coframe achieved a 42% increase in click-through rates, with one segment seeing a 352% lift. Coframe partners with OpenAI to streamline code for personalized user interfaces.

Yodel partners with InPost to handle final-mile delivery from InPost lockers to customer doors across the UK. The collaboration supports a rising demand in Out of Home parcel services, with C2C deliveries up 200% over two years. Tracking is provided via InPost's app, adding convenience. This move reflects Yodel’s growth in second-hand markets and InPost’s expansion of its locker network, offering UK customers more delivery options.

Klarna now offers payment options on Apple Pay for users in the U.S. and UK, allowing them to buy items now and pay later. Klarna’s “Pay in 4” plan gives customers four installments, interest-free. With iOS 18, shoppers can select Klarna as a payment option online and in-app on Apple devices. Klarna plans to expand to Canada in the coming months.

Alibaba.com’s new Trade Assurance for European merchants boosts security in B2B trade. Covering Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, this free service includes secure payments, real-time order tracking, and market insights. Dermaroller, an SME using Alibaba.com, praised it for providing "confidence in protected transactions." Karl Wehner, Managing Director for DACH, highlighted that German companies, especially, benefit from greater security and risk minimization in global expansion. This move emphasizes Alibaba’s commitment to European SMEs, helping them expand globally with peace of mind.

Ceconomy, parent of MediaMarkt and Saturn, saw a 4.1% rise in sales to €22.4B ($23.7B) in FY ending Sept 30. After four years of steady growth, profitability is up for the seventh quarter, expected to hit $305M. CEO Wildberger cites success from smaller Xpress shops, closing unprofitable locations, and expanding online. Over 66% of stores have been modernized, with a goal of 90% by 2026. More conversions from Saturn to MediaMarkt, shop-in-shop models, and department store placements with Galeria will fuel growth. Online marketplaces also add to this positive trend.

Optiwise.ai raised $2.4M in seed funding to expand Olivia, an AI assistant designed to enhance listings and ads for Walmart Marketplace sellers. Olivia analyzes product listings, offers tailored keyword and pricing suggestions, and even adapts content from Amazon for Walmart. The funding will support Olivia's growth and enable sellers to maximize holiday sales. StartupXseed Ventures led the funding, betting on Optiwise.ai’s ability to transform Walmart sales through AI-powered automation. With Optiwise.ai’s integrated strategy, sellers are set for increased conversions and smoother compliance with Walmart standards.

DoorDash exceeded Q3 earnings predictions, reporting $2.7B in revenue—a 25% increase year-over-year. With 643M total orders and a partnership with Lyft, the company continues to innovate, drawing closer to its competition, Uber Eats. CEO Tony Xu highlighted their expansion in grocery delivery and the new partnership benefits. DoorDash is also exploring autonomous delivery, though mass deployment isn’t expected soon.

7-Eleven will open 600+ New Standard stores in North America by 2027. This new format offers a broader food and beverage range and aims to strengthen the brand amid declining fuel profits and cigarette sales. The company also plans to close 444 underperforming locations to focus on profitable stores. Initial New Standard stores, which launched in Texas, have shown 11% returns on invested capital and outperformed previous store formats by 30% in sales. 7-Eleven is working to rebuild its financial base, with 115 stores to open by the end of 2024.

Deliveroo, with 160K partners in ten markets, is driving major growth and innovation. At its Food Forward event, Deliveroo unveiled its strategy with three key pillars: building trust, expanding delivery occasions, and empowering partners. According to Kantar data, only 2% of the UK's 50B annual food occasions are takeaways, showing vast room for growth. Deliveroo aims to expand its active user base, which currently places 300M orders annually. By 2026, Deliveroo plans for more users to join its Plus loyalty program, which already accounts for 40% of orders. Technologies like AI-powered support and a Hub Manager app aim to improve customer experience and partner support.

HelloFresh sold fewer meal kits last quarter, yet saw sales rise 1.4% to $1.9B, driven by a 40% increase in ready-to-eat meals. CEO Dominik Richter highlighted this category as the primary growth driver, with the company refining marketing for higher profitability. Adjusted EBITDA rose 4.2% to $77M, surpassing targets. The company is aiming for moderate sales growth this year, targeting up to 1.7%, while strengthening the ready-to-eat sector.

Tony Hoggett, Amazon’s SVP of grocery stores, is leaving after nearly three years. His departure marks a pivotal moment as Amazon Fresh rapidly expands, surpassing 50 stores and adopting new designs. Amazon has not announced a successor, but Hoggett's influence has been key, helping Amazon integrate grocery offerings across brands, including Whole Foods. His last day is Nov. 1, 2024, capping off an impactful period of growth and innovation.

Lidl is doubling down on fresh produce and simplicity in its latest U.S. rebrand, led by CEO Joel Rampoldt. Known as “The Super-est Market,” Lidl aims to retain its European roots while catering to American tastes. The brand, with 170 stores, recently opened in the Bronx, and is honing its approach for Atlanta, NYC, and D.C. Lidl's plan involves compact, 25,000-square-foot stores with 4,000 SKUs. Rampoldt emphasizes that Lidl wants to be the first choice for fresh produce, not competing with bigger supermarkets on selection size. The goal? To build awareness among American shoppers.

Just Eat Takeaway.com expands its in-car ordering app to Ireland, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Initially launched in the UK, the app is accessible via the Mercedes-Benz In-Car App Store. More car brands will soon have access. Just Eat has added new features, like Group Ordering, and tools like Menu AI, for a smoother customer and partner experience. By year-end, one app will serve all markets to streamline operations and cut costs.

Swiggy targets $11.3B IPO valuation—about half of Zomato’s market cap at $26.2B. Swiggy's IPO next month seeks $1.34B, with $535M from new shares. Yet, it now ranks behind Blinkit and Zepto in quick commerce. Swiggy’s valuation growth has slowed since its $10.7B private market peak in 2022, but it will try to rebound with its public offering.

Lazada partners with Alibaba’s Taobao to launch a new Taobao Fashion channel in Singapore and Malaysia. With over 6M items available and discounts of up to 70% every Saturday, Lazada aims to offer affordable style. Promotions like “Buy 3, Get 20% Off,” free returns, and fast air shipping in as little as 5 days enhance the shopping experience. Lazada’s Chief Business Officer, Jason Chen, highlights this partnership as an opportunity to deliver variety and value. The dedicated channel will showcase top Taobao merchants, with plans to expand into lifestyle products soon.

Deichmann has acquired rights to Esprit for US and Europe. This move will return Esprit to retail through shoe stores like VanHaren, while clothing rights go to Theia Brands. Esprit’s owners sought buyers after bankruptcy issues in April, but no acquisition price was disclosed.

Estée Lauder is now on Amazon's Premium Beauty Store, allowing customers to shop its skincare and makeup products with added features like an exclusive Shade Finder for "Double Wear" foundation. The launch includes a sports-themed campaign, “Game Day, Your Way,” promoting the products to female sports fans via Prime Video. Holiday Beauty Haul discounts will be available through November 3rd.

GU’s new flagship store in New York blends digital and physical retail, using its app to let customers scan items, check inventory, and get personalized sizing through the “MySize CAMERA.” This approach supports the "Click-and-Mortar" trend, which has grown 38% since 2020 across major markets, per a PYMNTS report. With affordable, curated collections, GU’s "MINI edit MAX" strategy is a unique take on trend-driven fashion, combining style and affordability to differentiate itself from sister brand Uniqlo. GU aims to create a tech-forward, eco-friendly U.S. shopping experience.

Unilever’s investment in AI for beauty is paying off, creating immersive experiences for users while boosting sales. In the U.S., Dove’s AI-powered Scalp and Hair Therapist, launched in March, gives scalp-care advice with scientifically-backed responses. BeautyHub Pro, available in Asia, has attracted 3M+ users with selfie-based recommendations. Customers getting AI-driven suggestions are 43% more likely to buy, with basket values up 39%. Despite success, Unilever faces challenges in AI accuracy and reliability, plus layoffs of 3.2K roles by 2025 amid shareholder pressure.

Luxury retailer Harrods has launched an e-commerce platform with Scayle, aiming to provide seamless luxury shopping across the globe. With custom landing pages, product management tools, and integrated ERP, Harrods targets the US and Middle East. Caitlin Innes, Harrods' digital chief, praises Scayle's ability to manage categories globally and their quick, successful migration. Upcoming upgrades include a mobile app and a multi-channel, global rollout.

British retailer Next launches Seasons, a new e-commerce platform offering premium brands like Marc Jacobs and A.P.C. to capitalize on the demand for luxury in the UK. Following recent acquisitions and industry changes, Seasons will focus on high-quality service and curated selections aimed at discerning customers. International expansion is set for 2026, and discussions with luxury groups Kering and Richemont are underway.

Shein, the fast-fashion giant, reported a 70% drop in profits for the first half of 2024, with earnings falling below $400M on $18B revenue. Rising competition from Temu has challenged Shein's market share, dampening growth. Revenue growth slowed to 23%, down from 40% in 2023. These setbacks complicate Shein’s plans for a London IPO, which aims to raise funds amidst investor frustration over stalled growth. Valued at $66B in 2023, Shein is now under pressure to reassure stakeholders, including major investors like Jafco Asia and Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Investment Company, as regulatory scrutiny mounts in the UK and other major markets.

Meesho has achieved positive cash flow, becoming the first Indian horizontal e-commerce firm to do so. For the fiscal year ending March 2024, Meesho reported a cash flow of ₹232 crores ($27.6M) and grew revenues by 33% to $905.6M. It also reduced adjusted losses by 97%, showing its competitive edge. Meesho’s growth outpaced India’s e-commerce market, with new users from smaller cities driving 45% of its growth. The e-commerce market, currently seeing fierce competition from quick-commerce firms, expects 120M more online shoppers by 2027, mostly from Tier-2/3 cities.

AliExpress is launching a promotion to attract U.S. retailers, waiving commission fees and onboarding costs. The move offers local sellers access to a global audience. AliExpress also provides tools to simplify setup and optimize sales, aiming to boost U.S. participation in a competitive eCommerce landscape with rivals Temu, Amazon, and Walmart vying for market share.

Otto Group's new logistics hub in Ilowa, Poland, blends robotics and AI for next-day delivery. The center can manage 110M orders annually and will create 1,900 jobs. The $300M investment highlights Otto’s European commitment, positioning Poland as a key logistics point. Deputy PM Gawkowski praised the move as vital for Poland’s economy, emphasizing local job creation and regional growth.

The EU has launched a formal DSA probe into Temu’s marketplace, citing concerns over illegal products, addictive design features, and transparency issues. A possible 6% global revenue fine looms for parent company Pinduoduo if violations are found. This action comes as part of the EU’s push to tighten oversight of online marketplaces and consumer protections, with Temu joining AliExpress in facing heightened scrutiny under the DSA. The EU’s decision to investigate follows concerns raised by various member states and consumer groups.

From November 11, 2024, Amazon sellers with UK customers must either provide a domestic return address or a prepaid return label. If neither is available, Amazon will refund customers automatically without requiring item returns. Sellers from France, Germany, Italy, and Spain must adapt quickly to avoid losing both sales and inventory. By setting these stricter rules, Amazon aims to enhance the customer experience but adds new responsibilities and costs for international sellers. Adjusting systems and processes to meet the 4-day response time is crucial to avoid unwanted refunds.

In 2025, Shein and Temu's growth rates are forecast to drop sharply, as predicted by a Forrester report. Cited issues include quality concerns, nationalism, and rising customer acquisition costs. Recent results show Temu’s missed targets and Shein’s doubling profits, but with IPO delays for Shein and PDD reporting growth as "unsustainable," their outlook remains uncertain.

Amazon’s Rufus AI shopping assistant, which supports search, comparisons, and recommendations, expands to Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Launched in the U.S. earlier this year, Rufus leverages Amazon’s data on customer reviews and product information to offer targeted recommendations. Shoppers can use the AI assistant through the latest Amazon app update. Amazon also announced investments of $230M to advance AI projects as it accelerates its presence in generative AI.

BCG’s report, based on Forrester’s U.S. Online Retail Forecast and presented by Gregor Murray, highlights a rapid shift to online shopping in most categories, with grocery still trailing behind. Marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart show impressive growth as digital demand accelerates.

The recent "State of Digital Grocery" report from Grocery Doppio reveals insights on retail media networks in U.S. grocery, highlighting an $8.5B growth opportunity as retail media integration becomes a critical focus for grocers and brands.

Carpathia, with OC&C Strategy Consultants, has released insights into Switzerland’s second-hand market, highlighting growth, sustainability, and leading platforms.

SmartScout published its latest report on Amazon seller demographics, revealing a major shift in e-commerce dynamics toward Chinese cities dominating the market.

Sensei, a Portuguese startup, raised $16.2M to expand its contactless store platform. Led by BlueCrow Capital, this Series A round aims to support 1,000 autonomous points of sale by 2026 across Europe, with a focus on central and northern regions.

Bausch + Lomb launched Opal, a digital marketplace for contact lenses, aiming to simplify ordering and improve patient experience. The platform allows 24/7 ordering, integrates loyalty rewards, and offers free shipping for practices and patients.

Squarespace goes private in a $7.2B deal with Permira, finalized in October 2024. Initially set at $6.9B, Permira upped its offer to $7.2B, equating to $44.50 per share. CEO Anthony Casalena retains a significant equity share and leadership role.

The UK will ban disposable vapes on June 1, 2025, a win for Trojan Electronics' campaign. With vaping risks addressed, focus now turns to e-waste from small devices, stronger repair laws, battery recycling, and VAT-free electronics repairs.

Fleek, co-founded by Abhi Arora and Sanket Agarwal, streamlines sourcing for second-hand fashion. It connects 10,000+ sellers to wholesale suppliers, enabling the trade of 2.5M pieces. The market is expected to hit $350B by 2028.

Wayfair unveils Wayfair Rewards, a $29/year loyalty program. Customers get 5% back on purchases, free shipping, and special sales access. With perks like priority support, the program aims to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Stripe's $1.1B acquisition of Bridge Network is a rare win for VCs during a dry IPO market. This deal, announced in October 2024, marks a 200% valuation boost for Bridge since August, rewarding investors like Index Ventures and Haun Ventures. Stripe, known for its payment solutions, aims to strengthen its position in the stablecoin payments space through this deal. The transaction, pending regulatory approval, is expected to close in a few months. Patrick Collison of Stripe calls this a major move in the $160B stablecoin market.

MediaMarktSaturn introduces a GenAI voicebot to its customer hotline. Launched in Germany in September, it's now being tested in Austria and the Netherlands, with a planned rollout in Spain by early 2025. The AI voicebot uses website FAQs to answer queries quickly, even outside normal hours, reducing wait times. The initiative is part of MediaMarktSaturn’s digital strategy to improve customer service efficiency. If the bot can't handle a request, calls are transferred to a human. Vice President Henny Steiniger says the goal is to offer innovative, always-available service.

Salesforce now offers integrated ecommerce storefronts within its Starter and Pro Suites, targeting small and growing businesses. Available in the U.S. starting October 22, 2024, these suites combine marketing, sales, service, and now commerce in one package.

DPD and GLS partner to expand their delivery services with a new network of parcel shops and lockers across Germany. With 8,000 drop-off points each, the companies plan to reach 20,000 out-of-home locations by 2027. They will launch 1,000 shared lockers by 2025. This initiative aims to enhance customer convenience and reduce delivery distances. Both companies invest equally in this nationwide expansion, providing an alternative to closed systems and supporting sustainable growth. Customers will enjoy more flexibility, with lockers situated close to everyday routes and retail locations.

YouTube’s new affiliate program partners with Flipkart and Myntra in India. Creators with 10K+ subscribers can earn through referrals by tagging products in their videos. India, YouTube’s largest market with over 400M users, offers massive growth potential.

Facebook launches Local and Explore tabs to connect users with local content and interests. Messenger Communities aim to help small groups interact. AI tools like Comment Summaries enhance user experience. Tests roll out in 10 U.S. cities.