Starting Nov 14, 2024, Google Maps lets users search for local products easily, making holiday shopping simpler. Customers can now find nearby stores with available items, alongside checking travel disruptions and delays.

Etsy's CEO Josh Silverman emphasizes AI's role as key to growth. Etsy now has 7M sellers and 90M buyers. AI helps improve search and product handling. Silverman acknowledges mixed feelings from sellers but affirms the commitment to artists.

Pinterest has launched over 1,000 shoppable Gift Guides to ease holiday shopping. Celebrities like Em the Nutritionist and Ayamé have collaborated on these guides. Users can save gift ideas with a new wishlist feature, while Pinterest curates personalized suggestions.

Encore, co-founded by Alex Ruber and Parth Chopra, uses AI to simplify your thrifting experience. With 50K searches each month and growing at 26%, it’s revolutionizing the $73B U.S. secondhand market expected to double by 2028.

As of November 11, 2024, Starbucks customers in the U.S. and Canada can now order delivery via the Starbucks app. This feature enhances customer convenience and reflects double-digit growth in U.S. delivery demand.

On November 14, 2024, Farfetch's investors reject claims to dismiss a $2.4B securities fraud lawsuit. The plaintiffs allege misleading information by executives led to Farfetch's financial downfall and a plummet in stock value.

Amazon's Haul aims to compete with Temu and Shein by offering low-cost goods, but its AI-generated product photos have led to bizarre listings. Critics argue the launch undermines Amazon's quality standards and faces regulatory risks.

Amazon’s Virtual Holiday Shop, powered by 3D technology, offers 300+ top gifts and toys. With brands like Beats, LEGO, and Coach, interactive features enhance the experience. AI guides and festive themes simplify holiday shopping.

Recovery.com, a mental health and addiction treatment marketplace, has secured $5M from investor Jason Krantz, totaling $15M in his support. The funds will scale Recovery.com’s team and expand its offerings, aiming to improve access to mental health resources and grow its user base across the U.S. With a 2,013% growth rate over three years, the company already features 15,000 treatment providers. Its Yelp-like review platform offers comparisons and user reviews, aiding informed treatment choices for addiction and mental health care.

Flash, founded by ex-Flipkart exec, launches in the U.S., allowing users to track purchases, manage spending, and earn rewards. With over $291.6B spent online in Q2, the U.S. is a lucrative market. Flash is free but offers a $49/year premium plan with features like AI spam protection and a dedicated shopping inbox. Founded in 2022, Flash has over 1M users in India. Expansion will continue with a global version planned for 2025, backed by upcoming funding.

Pinstripe, launched in June, lets NYC sellers have both a digital storefront and a retail option. Sellers bring items to local stores, where staff handle transactions, and the app uses AI to simplify offers. Sellers keep 70% of revenue, while Pinstripe and store partners take 20% and 10%, respectively. Founders Sam Blumenthal and Taro Tomiya say it solves issues like no-try purchases on other platforms. Additionally, it offers next-day delivery for $10, but only in-store buyers can request refunds.

In a new holiday campaign, TikTok Shop partners with Venmo to offer exclusive discounts for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, U.S. shoppers can get up to $35 off by paying with Venmo. TikTok Shop's holiday event, "Brand Palooza," will run Nov. 13–27, with major brands offering special discounts. This campaign underscores TikTok Shop’s community-centered approach, which aims to support small brands and creators. Recent data shows its impact: over 5M banned products and 30K revoked permissions in its latest safety report.

GoDaddy launched a Website Builder API to empower third-party platforms like Tailor Brands with new website-building capabilities. With this API, partners can offer GoDaddy's features to users without extensive development. Small businesses gain access to AI-driven tools and marketing insights, bringing affordable, high-quality websites within reach of many.

Carvana has sold its 2 millionth car since 2013, marking rapid growth for the e-commerce auto retailer. Carvana reported a 34% year-over-year increase in Q3 sales, moving 108.6K cars. Its growth follows challenges in the used-car market and was boosted by its acquisition of 56 auction sites for $2.2B in 2022. Carvana now offers same-day delivery in 16 states and services over 300 markets, aiming to expand its infrastructure for faster sales and delivery nationwide.

Demand for 8-ft TVs is surging, with screen sizes up 10x over last year. Lower prices and tech advancements push Best Buy and Samsung to expand XXL screen offerings. Average prices have fallen to $3.1K from $6.7K, making them a tempting holiday splurge. Some screens start at $2K but go up to $25K. Industry leaders say these TVs transform home entertainment, yet require large spaces and careful delivery planning.

Mozilla Foundation, known for Firefox, cut 30% of its workforce to shift its focus. Two key departments, advocacy and global programs, were dropped in a restructuring that aims to enhance impact amid tech challenges. Executive director Nabiha Syed, new to the role since February, explained that these changes allow Mozilla to sharpen its mission for an equitable online world. Mozilla says advocacy will continue across other areas.

Shopify's Finance suite centralizes tools for merchants, combining Balance, Capital, Credit, Tax, and Bill Pay into a single dashboard. With higher APY rewards, cash-back options, and new repayment flexibility, merchants can access up to $2M in capital. Shopify's user-friendly solutions ease tax compliance, loan access, and cash management, helping businesses stay focused on growth without traditional banking limits.

DoorDash saw an 18% rise in orders in Q3, hitting its first profit since 2020. The company’s new partnership with Lyft, announced Oct. 30, will provide benefits for users of both services. DoorDash expects the holiday season to boost demand further, aiming for a profitable Q4.

DoorDash is making a strong push into local grocery delivery. Recent partnerships added over 30 stores to its platform, including Kowalski's in Minnesota and Wegmans in five states. Vice President Fuad Hannon says supporting small grocers has been “a core focus area.” With over 7M customers using the app for groceries and 15K locations now accepting SNAP payments, DoorDash aims to make grocery shopping easier and more accessible for underserved communities. The company says nearly 90% of grocery customers are new to the app.

Instacart’s electronic shelf labels, or ESLs, are now live in Aldi, Gelson’s, and Hornbacher’s. These stores added Instacart's pick-to-light software to improve item-finding and accuracy, Instacart said Thursday. Instacart also plans to expand this tech to their Caper Carts, aiming to boost convenience further.

StockX co-founder Greg Schwartz will become CEO on Jan. 1, 2025, replacing Scott Cutler, who exits amid challenges in sneaker resale. Schwartz aims to refocus on global growth and innovation as the company partners with Walmart and diversifies its offerings. The resale market struggles as sneaker oversupply lowers prices, a trend that’s hurting other resale categories too.

eBay’s new App Performance Insights tool is now available for iOS and Android. It allows sellers to track listing views, impressions, and click-through rates in real time. Users can access detailed traffic sources and optimize listings directly from the app. This tool, designed to assist high-volume and niche sellers alike, offers crucial metrics to improve sales and efficiency.

Amazon and Google sued Bigboostup.com, a fake review website, on Oct 28, 2024. The site allegedly sold fake reviews targeting Amazon and Google platforms. Amazon’s legal actions follow its crackdown in 2023 when it blocked 250M fake reviews globally and took action against 150 review brokers. Claire O'Donnell, Amazon's director of Trust & Store Integrity, says the joint lawsuit strengthens customer protection efforts. Both lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts, aiming to halt deceptive review practices in e-commerce.

Amazon starts drone delivery in Phoenix’s West Valley, offering one-hour delivery for over 50,000 items. The MK30 drone, quieter and rain-resistant, will operate in daylight and favorable weather. The rollout adds to Amazon's Texas operations, while the U.K. and Italy launches are expected by year-end.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Grubhub partners with Amazon Key for delivery access in restricted buildings. Nearly 1M deliveries completed with the system, reducing team calls by 50% and order cancellations by 22%. Integration started in 2022, scaling nationwide by 2024.

Walmart will offer prescription delivery in the U.S. by early 2025. Available in 49 states, the service promises delivery in 30 minutes, reaching over 86% of households. Walmart+ members get it for free; others pay $9.95 per order.

Poshmark reverses a fee structure change after sellers reported a sales drop. The new fee plan had a 5.99% fee for both buyers and sellers, but sellers saw a decline in purchases. Original fees return on October 24, with rebates offered.

Mike Jeffries, ex-CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, and partner Matthew Smith face charges of sex-trafficking. They allegedly coerced men into sexual acts using wealth and influence. A New York court granted Jeffries a $10M bond, while Smith remains detained.

Amazon has eliminated plastic air pillows from its global packaging. As of October 2024, all North American shipments now use 100% recycled paper fillers. The change aligns with a broader shift to reduce plastic by 17% in 2022 and 9% in 2023.

Amazon now offers Prime members a 10 cents/gallon discount at 7,000 BP, Amoco, and AM/PM stations. Members must enroll in Earnify for access. This comes four years after Walmart+ introduced similar gas perks. EV charging savings will follow in 2025.

Amazon is testing a new feature that highlights seller ratings in product search results. This aims to help shoppers make informed decisions by seeing seller credibility directly. With 60% of units sold by third-party sellers, the change could reshape shopping habits.

Amazon is launching a new budget store to compete with Temu and Shein. The store will sell items like $20 sofas and $8 jewelry. Products ship from China, taking 9-11 days. Fulfillment fees for sellers are lower than Amazon’s main platform.

Storfund has launched its Daily Advance solution with TikTok Shop in the US, offering quicker payouts to sellers. Sellers can now access cash as soon as goods are shipped, halving cash cycles from 14 to 7 days. This partnership aims to enhance seller growth and improve the cash flow of high-growth ecommerce businesses.