Instacart and AWG amplify their alliance, integrating AI smart carts into 2,300+ member stores. These carts revolutionize shopping with instant item recognition and seamless checkouts.

Instacart unveils a developer platform allowing integration into apps and websites, enhancing grocery shopping from recipe discovery to delivery. Partners include New York Times Cooking and GE Appliances' smart tech.

After navigating bankruptcy, Buybuy Baby, previously under Bed Bath & Beyond, is carving out a niche against giants like Amazon with its expertly curated baby products and omnichannel approach, offering a mix of digital and physical shopping experiences.

Amazon's Just Walk Out technology, once a symbol of AI's retail prowess, is taking a backseat at Amazon Fresh stores in favor of Dash Carts. A blend of tech and manual checks, involving a 1,000-strong team in India, didn't quite match the AI dream.

Amazon halts its new low-inventory fee for April 2024, creating a "transition period" to help sellers adjust. This comes amid widespread concern and an FTC probe into how these fees affect Amazon's merchant community.

TikTok Shop, alongside Shein and Temu, is reshaping US retail, leveraging influencer marketing and its social platform's reach. A recent "Earnest Analytics Case Study" delves into TikTok Shop's customer base, offering fresh insights.

Kidsy, a Chicago-based e-commerce venture, has been on a roll since its beta phase ended in September 2023, swiftly hitting $1M in annualized revenue by January 2024. Founders Shraysi Tandon and Sinan Sari, leveraging their backgrounds, secured an oversubscribed $1M in pre-seed funding, showcasing a promising journey ahead.

On March 19, 2024, CIRRO Fulfillment announced its integration with Shopify, enhancing logistics for e-commerce businesses. Hong Li highlights the commitment to innovative, client-focused solutions.

Pandion, initiated by Amazon Air's founder, secures a hefty $41.5M in Series B, aiming for a significant scale-up. With experts from Amazon to FedEx on board, it's set to disrupt e-commerce delivery.

Shopify's plugin developer Saara exposed sensitive shopper data from over 1.8K stores, with 7.6M orders leaked since February 21st. Despite the leak, Saara's CEO claims the data was secure.

With an additional $2.75bn, Amazon's investment in AI startup Anthropic reaches $4bn. This move signals Amazon's commitment to leading in the generative AI space, aiming to revolutionize customer experiences.

In a strategic move on March 18, 2024, Bolt and Checkout.com announced an exclusive partnership aiming to revolutionize ecommerce. Checkout.com will now power Bolt's one-click checkout, promising a seamless shopping experience for 80M+ US shoppers.

Airbnb's entry into the SaaS market could revolutionize property management, making the connection process for rentals significantly more efficient. Christopher Nulty mentions Airbnb's goal to explore beyond cities, indicating a strategic market expansion.

Instacart's new Developer Platform offers a public API, enabling apps like WeightWatchers and NYT Cooking to offer seamless grocery shopping experiences. Features like same-day delivery from 85,000 stores and access to a vast item catalog promise to revolutionize how we plan meals and shop.

DoorDash opens its Accelerator for Local Restaurants program to foodservice operators in D.C. and Minneapolis, offering tailored programming, partnerships, and a $5,000 grant to foster community connection and revenue growth.

Amazon Pharmacy introduces same-day prescription deliveries in New York and Los Angeles, marking a significant expansion of its services. Launched in 2020, this move aims to bring convenience and speed to the pharmacy sector, with plans to reach more cities by year's end.

StockX's strategic move in acquiring Scout, an inventory management expert, is a game-changer. CEO Scott Cutler announces plans for enhanced customer experiences, including free Scout tech for top sellers.

Walmart is upping its game by targeting the luxury market, revamping 800+ stores with upscale products and a modern look. The move includes high-end fashion and specialty foods, aimed at attracting consumers with deeper pockets.

Web3 fashion startup mmERCH bags a whopping 6.4M in seed funding, led by Liberty City Ventures. Founder Colby Mugrabi promises "neo-couture" collections, melding AI and blockchain for unique fashion pieces. Debut in April.

Nvidia's collaboration with Hippocratic AI to introduce generative AI nurses offering real-time medical advice over video calls for just $9 an hour aims to address healthcare accessibility and efficiency. The move has sparked discussions about the impact on the nursing profession amidst existing shortages and strikes.

The FTC slams major retailers like Walmart and Kroger for using the pandemic as a pretext to jack up prices, impacting consumers and competition. The investigation, touching on giants such as Amazon and Tyson Foods, highlights the struggle of smaller grocers against these "power buyers."

With a forecasted 20% revenue boost in 2024, Meta's Amazon collab is poised to morph social media into a bustling e-marketplace. Imagine checking out with Amazon without leaving Facebook or Instagram!

Wayfair's tiny Birch Lane stores in Florida serve as a mini lab, setting the stage for a big reveal: the May opening of its Chicago flagship. Kate Gulliver shares insights on this strategic move, from tech trials to customer insights.

Chick-fil-A's innovative stride into mobile-only dining starts in NYC on March 21. This tech-forward spot on the Upper East Side will cater exclusively to online and app orders, marking a significant shift in dining trends post-pandemic.

Target's new express self-checkout lanes limit shoppers to 10 items, promising to cut waiting times in half. Managers now flexibly adjust lane availability to meet customer flow, alongside enhanced cashier training for a smoother checkout experience.

Walmart's partnership with Instacart for same-day delivery in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Tulsa heats up the competition with Amazon. The alliance enhances Instacart's $14B worth and Walmart's extensive product range delivery.

DoorDash’s new drone delivery service, in collaboration with Wing, begins at Wendy's in Christianburg, VA. Residents within 2.5 miles of the 2355 N. Franklin St. location can enjoy aerially-delivered square beef sandwiches.

TikTok, despite the shadow of a potential US ban, pitches innovative ad formats at Shoptalk. With Video Shopping Ads and a focus on e-commerce, it's doubling down on retail, boasting a ROAS that eclipses traditional TV and online rivals.

Shein shifts gears amidst US regulatory hurdles, launching a 'supply chain-as-a-service' for third-party brands. This pivot aims to leverage its made-to-order model, ensuring small-scale launches and testing of new products, thus maintaining efficiency and sustainability.

TikTok's Steam Engine Hits a Lull 🚂

Temu Dips in Cold Feb, Amazon in the Chill Lane ❄️

Reddit's leap into the IPO sphere is not just about numbers; it's about community. With plans to raise up to $748M by selling 22M shares priced between $31-$34, 8% of these shares are earmarked for users based on karma. 2023 saw revenue hit $804M, up 21% from 2022, signaling robust growth and a closer bond with its user base.

In a groundbreaking move, Big Sur AI has nabbed a cool $6.9M to bring AI magic to e-commerce, with their AI Sales Agent proving a game-changer. Boosting sales by a whopping 4x, it's clear that online shopping just got smarter.

Elliott, known for its ambitious investment strategies, hits a brick wall with Currys, as its £742M bid gets the cold shoulder. With the door now closed on immediate advances, Elliott's pursuit comes to a standstill, affecting Currys' stock negatively.

Prescient AI's innovative AI platform promises eCommerce brands like Good American and Eight Sleep a revolutionary way to optimize ad spend, boasting significant ROAS increases and revenue growth. With $10M Series A funding, it's on a hiring spree to expand its already impactful team.

After launching MakerPlace in November 2023, Michaels steps up its game by introducing in-store selling pilots across the US, strengthening its position against Etsy. CEO Ashley Buchanan's vision for a "one-stop shop" for handmade sellers and customers begins to materialize with new campaigns and expanded ecommerce.

Allbirds, amid a turnaround, announces a CEO change and store closures, aiming for revival. As Joe Vernachio steps up, the brand eyes growth despite a nearly 15% revenue drop in 2023, and shares below 75 cents from a $26 high.

Wayfair's "Welcome to the Wayborhood" campaign shakes up the brand with a new logo, jingle, and celebrity partners. As it gears up to unveil its first physical store in Illinois this spring, Wayfair is also diving into a $250,000 Instagram contest and a unique Pinterest Creator Tour.

Instacart's dive into sales data reveals the unique shopping habits of U.S. states. Arizona loves booze delivery, Colorado orders dry mouth relief and frozen burritos, and Michigan surprises with orders for ice cream scoopers and kettlebells.

DoorDash's AI innovation, SafeChat+, is set to tackle verbal abuse in chats by detecting offensive language in real-time. With capabilities to analyze over 1,400 messages per minute in multiple languages, SafeChat+ empowers users and delivery personnel with immediate response options.

Vestiaire Collective, the go-to for pre-loved luxury, unveils its 'Parlez-Vous Vestiaire Collective?' campaign. Created with Accompany Creative, it highlights its French roots, diverse inventory, and commitment to sustainability. The campaign aims to enhance U.S. brand awareness amidst the rising trend of sustainable fashion.

Depop sellers have been experiencing payment delays due to a technical issue, with reports of payments being pushed back daily without explanation. The issue, linked to Depop's automated payout system, has been resolved, with Depop apologizing and promising swift payouts.

Temu's US seller onboard strategy sparks intrigue, revealing all are Chinese with US stock. This dual fulfilment model, akin to Amazon's but with a unique twist, bridges continents while aiming to slash shipping impacts. Is this the future of ecommerce?

Amazon's Big Spring Sale, running from March 20-25, marks a strategic shift to include all shoppers. The sale promises up to 50% off on beauty, sports, and more, challenging rivals and courting cautious consumers in a slow growth market.

Amazon is on a magical AI spree, now letting sellers create product pages by simply pasting a link. With AI's help, what once took hours, now is a matter of seconds, says Mary Beth Westmoreland. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility—or Amazon might sue.

Walmart Commerce Technologies rolls out Route Optimization, an AI logistics tool previously used internally, now available to all. With this, they've slashed 30M miles and 94M pounds of CO², showcasing the tech's massive impact.

Klaviyo's new AI tool transforms digital marketing with spellbinding features for smarter customer engagement and revenue growth.

GoDaddy Airo™ promises $4K+ savings and 300hrs for small businesses. A new era of AI-driven operations starts, with only 26% currently on board.

Instacart and DoorDash team up with regional grocers like Canseco's Market & Rouses Markets for an ecommerce sprint. The digital age welcomes groceries with open arms.

StockX leaps into AR with a shopping app for Apple Vision Pro, offering 3D sneaker models and immersive experiences. Say goodbye to traditional shopping!