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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Apple’s Business Connect now lets all businesses, even without physical locations, manage their brand across Apple apps like Maps, Wallet, and Mail. Over 1B users can access accurate business info, driving brand visibility and trust.

DHL Express introduces its Label-Free service for returns. Available in over 50 countries, this eco-friendly solution allows consumers to return packages using a QR code, removing the need for printed labels. The service targets industries like fashion and technology.

Alibaba’s international arm has launched a new version of its AI-powered translation tool, which it claims is superior to Google and ChatGPT. With 500K merchants using it across 15 languages, the tool is set to help sellers increase international sales.

General Motors is converting OnStar into an e-commerce platform. It will offer Super Cruise plans, auto insurance, SiriusXM, and accessories. This shift aims to streamline shopping for services with a responsive, flexible system.

Alibaba's 2024 Singles' Day will see $4.3B in perks for both consumers and merchants. Over 300K brands will participate on Tmall, and SMEs will benefit from $13B in cross-platform traffic and marketing subsidies.

Storfund is deepening its collaboration with Mangopay to provide sellers with an embedded wallet solution. This partnership enhances cash flow, offering faster payments and better currency conversion across 50 marketplaces globally, including Amazon.

Starting soon, canceling subscriptions like Amazon Prime or streaming services will be as simple as signing up. The FTC's new "click-to-cancel" rule is designed to eliminate obstacles, going into effect 180 days after publication.

Square introduced a new Orders Platform in Q3 2024 to help U.S. sellers. The platform offers flexible options like pre-authorization, bar tabs, and subscriptions. This shift aims to improve business operations and customer experiences.

Apple Pay celebrates 10 years with new features in iOS 18. Users can redeem rewards from Discover cards and use Klarna's flexible payments. Installment loans are available with Affirm in the US and Monzo in the UK, expanding payment flexibility.

WP Engine files for an injunction to restore access to WordPress.org after being banned by co-creator Matt Mullenweg following a lawsuit. The company seeks to return to its pre-September 20, 2024, status to update its plugins.

Pinterest unveils its new Performance+ Suite, blending AI and automation to supercharge ad campaigns. Prada saw a 64% CPA reduction, and Walgreens achieved 55% more clicks. The tools are available globally for advertisers in multiple markets.

Asda teams up with Virtualstock to expand its online product range through a dropship marketplace. Decathlon is the first major brand onboarded, offering sporting equipment. Asda plans to onboard more sellers in the coming weeks.

Mercado Libre sold a record 20M products in Argentina in August. Growth in nonessentials like notebooks (up 173%) and TVs (up 59%) led the charge. Loans increased 69%, with SME financing up 62%, driving digital payments higher.

Otto Group will deploy Boston Dynamics' Spot and Stretch robots in over 30 locations, focusing on automating logistics. This partnership aims to enhance operational efficiency and ease labor shortages in the e-commerce giant's warehouses.

TikTok has launched Smart+, an AI-powered advertising tool to optimize ad performance. The tool simplifies ad management, promising a 53% increase in return on ad spend. However, TikTok's legal issues in the US may impact its adoption.

TikTok is facing lawsuits from 13 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. They accuse it of causing harm to young users, citing mental health impacts and addiction to its app. The lawsuits aim to increase financial penalties on the platform.

The US government is considering dismantling Google after it was found guilty of violating antitrust laws. The Department of Justice may recommend separating its search engine from Android, Chrome, and Play Store.

Google updates AI-powered tools in Search, making it easier to find information visually, by video, and voice. Lens now handles 20B visual searches monthly. AI Overviews and voice search boost satisfaction and engagement.

Waitrose has signed a multi-year deal with Just Eat to expand in the on-demand grocery market. Customers will enjoy 30-minute deliveries from 229 stores, while Waitrose's weekly on-demand sales have soared 140% in 2024.

Ikea opens its first Dutch Plan & Order Point in Leeuwarden, just 650 sqm, focusing on personalized advice. It supports customers with tailored services, acting as an extension of the larger Groningen store, increasing accessibility in Friesland.

Selfridges partners with Criteo to launch sponsored products on its online platform. This two-year deal lets brands target luxury shoppers with personalized, premium ads. It marks the first time Selfridges uses sponsored ads for product discovery. The partnership will also provide brands with in-depth performance data, helping them engage with customers more effectively.

DHL Global Forwarding introduced a cross-border e-commerce solution ahead of the peak season. Offering 4-5 day delivery from China to Germany, the solution also includes customs clearance, tracking, and returns. Europe and the U.S. are key markets.

Henry Schein Inc. launched a dental supply marketplace, offering over 8,000 products. Partnering with TDSC and powered by Mirakl, the platform aims to enhance digital shopping for dental offices. Full rollout planned for 2025.

Shein and Temu may see minimal impact from the White House's proposed de minimis changes, thanks to their diversified supply chains. Smaller businesses, however, could face higher costs and complicated customs processes.

Checkout.com reports crypto is less than 4% of its volume, focusing on e-commerce and fintech. The company saw 40% growth last year, with valuation now at $9.35B. It recently launched new products and plans to expand into Brazil and Canada.

Online retailer Galaxus starts building its largest logistics center in Neuenburg am Rhein. 1,000 new jobs will be created by summer 2025 to support its growing operations in Switzerland and Germany.

WP Engine filed a lawsuit against Automattic and Matt Mullenweg, accusing them of extortion and abuse. The conflict stems from trademark disputes and contributions to the WordPress project. WP Engine claims Mullenweg's actions could harm the WordPress community and its business.

German retailer Kik pushes forward with its digital expansion by launching a new online store in Czechia. This follows a successful start in the Netherlands. Kik plans to link its online and offline presence, aiming for 5K stores across Europe.

HubSpot unveils its new AI, Breeze, at INBOUND 2024, featuring Copilot, four Breeze Agents, and over 200 product updates. HubSpot also introduces agent.ai, a professional network for AI agents, with 47K users and 1,700 builders signed up.

Checkout.com and Slope partner to boost US enterprise payments. Slope’s $252M-funded platform offers "Pay Later" and "Pay Now" options, while Checkout.com provides global processing capabilities. Their collaboration aims to optimize payment performance and improve cash flow management, helping merchants thrive in the digital economy.

ShipStation's new Google Merchant Center integration leverages Google’s Content API to offer accurate, location-based delivery predictions. This boosts online shopping experiences by increasing visibility, ranking, and customer satisfaction for ShipStation users.

TikTok Shop launches its For You Days sales event in the UK, running from September 23rd to 30th. Shoppers can enjoy up to 50% off on trending brands like Made by Mitchell, Free Soul, and Sweaty Betty through LIVE shopping sessions led by top creators.

FedEx launched its fdx platform, now available to U.S. businesses. fdx leverages FedEx’s vast data network to optimize customer journeys and boost conversion rates. Since its initial announcement in January 2024, brands like Z Supply have already seen revenue increases by 6.33% and a 1.34% lift in mobile conversions.

Meta now lets businesses use AI chatbots on WhatsApp and Messenger for ad-embedded customer interactions, helping to increase sales. Despite Meta’s claim of improved engagement, many customers prefer human agents over AI chatbots.

RedKangaroo, an e-commerce platform, rewards customers for promoting its brands on social media by offering discounts, cashback, and brand-specific vouchers. Shoppers can earn rewards by sharing posts on Instagram, TikTok, and X. Founded in 2022, RedKangaroo sells beauty, pet care, and home goods at discounted prices.

Migros is in the middle of a major restructuring, leading to the closure of several online stores. The Café Royal online shop will close on September 25, 2024. Other closures include SportX, which will cease operations by February 2025, and Bike World by March 2025.