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.

Expedia's new Travel Shops feature over 100 shoppable stores curated by influencers and brands. This exclusive launch, involving names like Jaime Camil and Virgil Van Dijk, offers users a way to book travel experiences directly from social media. By 2025, more creators can join, aligning with a growing trend in social commerce seen on platforms like TikTok.

Etsy launched Etsy Insider with free shipping, aiming to increase growth. New features like Gift Mode and improved search tools are designed to boost sales, app usage, and customer loyalty.

TD has launched TD eCommerce Solutions, an all-in-one platform powered by BigCommerce. It allows Canadian small businesses to easily set up online stores. The platform includes web design tools, payment solutions, SEO, and same-day deposits.

SupplyX, launched by the Otto Group on September 13th, aims to optimize global supply chain management. With roots in Otto Group Logistics GmbH, it promises enhanced customer-centric services in e-commerce, freight forwarding, and supply chain resilience.

B&Q, part of Kingfisher Group, achieved 40% marketplace participation on diy.com in H1 2024. With 1.5M products and £157M in GMV, the platform saw a 78% YoY growth. Kingfisher's broader strategy includes rapid marketplace expansion in Iberia and France.

DHL eCommerce and Poste Italiane have launched Locker Italia, a network of 10,000 parcel lockers across Italy. The initiative, announced on September 16, 2024, aims to offer convenient, provider-agnostic parcel delivery for shippers and customers nationwide.

Back Market held a press conference in Paris, announcing a partnership with Sony and plans to enter the U.S. market. The company, which has sold 30M refurbished devices, also introduced a new premium tier and AI-based shopping tools.

Google overturned a $1.6B fine from the EU's General Court, disputing a 2019 ruling on its digital ad practices. The court annulled the fine, citing errors in the European Commission's assessment of Google's contracts. The decision comes amidst broader regulatory scrutiny of Google’s business across the globe.

The CMA provisionally ruled that Google abused its dominant ad market position since 2015. This could lead to fines up to 10% of Google’s global turnover. Google disagrees, saying the claims misinterpret the ad tech sector.

Walmart teams up with Parafin, a US fintech, to provide sellers with easy access to capital through its Marketplace Capital program. Parafin has already extended over $8B in financing across platforms.

Amazon has expanded its AI-powered assistant, Rufus, to the UK, offering customers a new way to shop. Initially rolled out to select users, Rufus answers questions, compares products, and enhances shopping experiences.

Taobao’s AI-powered English version hit Singapore on Sept. 10, boosting it to the top of Apple’s App Store. The app caters to non-Chinese users, with AI translations improving access, despite some flaws in currency display.

GLS Germany partners with hey circle to offer reusable shipping options. By using hey circle’s durable packaging, companies reduce up to 76% CO2 emissions and 94% waste. Costs are comparable to single-use boxes, making it an eco-friendly switch.

AliExpress, currently 3rd in South Korea's e-commerce race, aims to capture over 50% of the market within 3-5 years. Through new marketing, a logistics center, and a no-commission policy, they hope to attract 17M users by 2028.

The EPA has approved rules in Southern California allowing communities to sue warehouses for truck emissions. These warehouses are linked to a 20% rise in nitrogen dioxide levels. Non-compliance rates are high, with 1,400 out of 2,000 warehouses failing to meet standards.

Migros approves a multi-year budget for Galaxus to expand its European operations until 2029. With a focus on Germany, Galaxus plans to build on its success, already serving 2.5M customers and generating $286M in sales.

Australia plans to set a minimum age of 14-16 for social media use, aiming to reduce social harm. This could make it one of the first countries to enforce such a rule. Critics argue it may drive youth into riskier, unregulated platforms.

Ochama expanded its pickup point network in Paris to streamline fulfillment, responding to a 172% year-on-year order growth in France from Jan-Aug 2024. Offering faster delivery and a broader product range, the move improves shopping for French customers.

ChannelEngine’s Vendor Hub introduces a Recovery Management solution aimed at helping Amazon Vendors reclaim 3.5% of their unpaid revenue, amounting to millions in lost profits due to shortages and pricing discrepancies. The tool, part of a larger suite designed for operational efficiency, automates the recovery process and enhances order and catalog management. New features like Sales Analytics and Digital Shelf Monitoring are also in the pipeline, set to launch later this year.

TikTok introduces a new AI-powered tool that lets users create a digital version of their own voice for voice-overs. Developed by parent company ByteDance, this feature is part of a broader AI push. The tool could save time and effort in content creation.

UPS will apply a $0.50 per-pound surcharge to imports from China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Other countries like Japan and Australia will see a $0.25 fee per pound. The move is meant to offset rising shipping costs, especially with the surge in e-commerce from sites like Temu and Shein.

Qoo10 has let go of over 80% of its workforce in Singapore. 90 of the 110 employees were laid off, leaving only senior management to run day-to-day operations. This comes after financial trouble in Qoo10’s South Korean branch, raising questions about the company’s future.

Alibaba announced it will start accepting Tencent's WeChat Pay on its e-commerce platforms, Taobao and Tmall. This breaks the "walled garden" payment rivalry between Alipay and WeChat Pay. The move comes after JD.com and Pinduoduo already allowed WeChat Pay.