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.

Shopify has expanded its partnership with YouTube. Eligible U.S. merchants can now join the YouTube Shopping affiliate program. Creators can tag products in videos from thousands of new brands. This collaboration empowers businesses and creators.

Trouva, an online marketplace, has left many of its 650 boutique partners unpaid for over a month, despite promises of swift payment resolution. Trouva's acquisition by Fy! and a pending funding round are cited as reasons for the delays.

Mavely, the "Everyday Influencer" platform, achieved $675M in GMV, up 175% from last year. It supports micro- and nano-influencers, offering commissions from brands like Adidas and Macy’s. Over $37M has been paid out to influencers since 2019.

Ikea is piloting a secondhand marketplace called Ikea Preowned in Madrid and Oslo. Users can sell their old Ikea furniture and choose to be paid via bank transfer or an Ikea gift card with a 15% bonus. The trial ends in December 2024.

Similarweb has launched a new Rank Tracker feature that helps marketers and SEO professionals identify which keywords trigger Google's AI Overview. This AI-generated summary at the top of search results could change user behavior and search strategies. According to Baruch Toledano, VP at Similarweb, the tool is available for all SEO subscription tiers.

BigCommerce launched new tools like AI-powered product recommendations and B2B features, aiming to help brands globally. Updates include an enhanced visual editor, local payment options, and quicker checkout to boost sales by up to 200%.

Uber fined $310M for mishandling European drivers' data, including taxi licenses and medical records. The fine follows last year's $10M penalty and was sparked by a complaint from 170 French drivers. Uber plans to appeal the decision.

GoDaddy's new AI-driven Digital Marketing tools help small businesses manage SEO, social media, and email marketing. With tools like Airo Assistant and a unified inbox, entrepreneurs can efficiently attract customers and grow their business.

🔍 Etsy has introduced a new Search Visibility Page for sellers. This tool gives personalized recommendations to improve product listings in Etsy's search results, including tips on images, return policies, and shipping costs.

Decathlon will invest $108M in India over 5 years, adding 80 new stores to its existing 110. The brand aims to increase local production to 85% by 2026, enhancing its Indian market presence and manufacturing capabilities.

Pivotree has announced a new partnership with Shopify, effective August 9, 2024, aiming to optimize digital commerce for large global brands. The collaboration will help businesses reduce costs, improve customer experiences, and drive growth.

China's auto parts exports have surged due to the rise of cross-border e-commerce, with key products like bumpers and headlights seeing exponential growth. With US online penetration at 16%, the market has ample room for further expansion.

Yodel unveils new collection services for SMEs, offering tailored solutions for businesses sending over or under 50 parcels weekly. Following a 200% rise in C2C volumes, Yodel supports the growing £7B resale market in the UK.

Shopify and YouTube expand their partnership, allowing eligible Shopify sellers in the U.S. to join YouTube's affiliate program. Merchants can now leverage creators to promote products, boosting visibility and sales through social commerce.

SportsShoes launched a new composable website on BigCommerce after a £2.5M overhaul. The site increased conversion rates by 19% and average order value by 10%. It uses Next.js and Prismic.io CMS for a seamless customer experience.

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal warns of e-commerce disruption, citing Amazon's $715M loss as evidence of predatory pricing. With e-commerce doubling every four years, concerns rise over the future of small retailers.

Klarna has launched new balance and cashback features in 12 countries, including the US, on August 15, 2024. These features allow users to store money in a Klarna account and earn up to 10% cashback at participating retailers, strengthening Klarna's position in everyday spending.

Ceconomy, MediaMarkt's parent, saw sales rise 6.6% to €4.92B ($5.4B). The European Football Championship led to a spike in TV sales, while e-commerce grew 10.9% to €1B ($1.1B). Retail media revenues also doubled, contributing to strong profits.

Flexport and Passport team up to provide a streamlined DDP option for North American brands shipping globally. This new partnership enhances the global reach of Flexport's clients, enabling them to sell in 180+ countries.

JD.com’s Q2 profit jumped 92% to $1.7B, driven by efficient operations amid intense price wars. Revenue edged up 1.2% to $40.3B. The trade-in program and 618 sales event also boosted online retail in a sluggish economy.

China's e-commerce and courier sectors have reached a new milestone with 100 billion deliveries in 2024, driven by rapid online sales growth. However, fierce competition has squeezed profits for delivery firms, even as parcel volume and return rates soar.

Klarna has introduced balance accounts and cashback rewards, launching in 12 countries across Europe and the US. Customers can now store money in a Klarna account, earn cashback up to 10%, and manage multiple payments with ease.

The FTC has finalized a rule prohibiting fake reviews, including those generated by AI. The rule, effective 60 days after its Federal Register publication, targets deceptive practices like fake endorsements, AI-made reviews, and review censorship. Violations could result in fines up to $51,744 per incident.

PayPal introduced a new package tracking service in Germany on August 14, 2024. This service lets merchants synchronize shipping statuses automatically with PayPal, saving time, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction. Merchants can now offer real-time shipping updates, reducing customer inquiries by up to 80%. The service is free for German retailers and available via PayPal Checkout.

Ikea has signed a 3-year deal with Australia Post to deliver 250K parcels yearly, covering 65% of Ikea’s online sales. The partnership starts in October and supports Ikea's sustainability goals with electric vehicle deliveries.

A new report reveals Etsy profits from at least 44 stores in illegal Israeli settlements. The report highlights stores in Ariel and Maale Adumim, emphasizing Etsy's complicity in alleged war crimes. Etsy could face legal challenges for violating anti-money laundering laws, especially in Ireland. Human rights organizations demand immediate action from Etsy, accusing it of aiding in the apartheid system against Palestinians.

Jumia seeks to raise $100M via share sales as its stock drops to $4.90. CEO Dufay aims to expand logistics and invest in technology to grow the 2M customer base and improve liquidity. The e-commerce platform faces currency challenges in key markets.