Branded and Heyday, two leading Amazon aggregators, plan to merge into a new entity named Essor, with an expected annual revenue of $400M. The merger reflects the contraction in the industry that once thrived on $16B in investments.

Shift has launched a logistics driver marketplace to serve enterprise clients like IKEA. The service aims to reduce last-mile delivery costs using proprietary tech. This follows the acquisition of Tuffnells and a $6.8M funding round led by Fuel Ventures.

Coolblue, the largest Dutch electronics retailer, plans to invest $161M in expanding its operations in Germany. CEO Pieter Zwart sells 7.5% of his shares to HAL to fund the initiative. 36 stores and 9 delivery depots are planned.

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.

JPMorgan suggested a mega merger of Just Eat, Delivery Hero, and iFood. Just Eat's CEO joked about the idea on X, referencing the proposed name, JustiFoodHero. The combined companies would create a giant in the food delivery sector.

Instacart's Daniel Danker shares their vision for the future of grocery shopping, centered around AI personalization. New features like personal planograms and digital flyers aim to make grocery shopping more tailored and cost-effective.

Meituan's revenue for Q2 reached $11.6B, exceeding expectations and marking an impressive rise from $9.5B last year. Despite China's slow economic recovery, the company benefited from delivering low-cost products. Profit margins also grew, doubling from 8.7% to 16.9%.

Amazon Fresh has added four new supermarkets, including its first Northern California location. The new stores in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania offer advanced shopping tech and local products, bringing the chain close to 50 locations nationwide.

Zapp is expanding in London after the exit of rivals like Getir. It has added new stores and is hiring for 20 senior roles. Zapp focuses on premium customers, offering luxury items with an average order value of $50. The company aims for further growth in London.

Delivery Hero shares jumped 10% following news of its plan to IPO Talabat on the Dubai Financial Market. CEO Niklas Ostberg says this move aims to attract local investors. Talabat operates in key Middle East countries and is a major revenue driver.

Delivery Hero cut its net loss to $798.6M in H1 2024, down from $855.4M last year. Revenues rose to $6.1B, with 6.3% GMV growth. The company projects FY 2024 revenue growth of 18%-21% and plans to list talabat in Dubai in Q4 2024.

Amazon launched a grocery delivery subscription for $9.99/month, giving Prime members unlimited delivery on orders over $35. An annual plan at $99.99 offers two months free. EBT users get a $4.99/month rate. This benefit covers over 3,500 U.S. cities.

Uber Eats is launching robotic deliveries with Coco in L.A. Coco will deliver from hundreds of local merchants starting this week, with plans to expand. The partnership aligns with Uber's aim for sustainable delivery methods and broader U.S. expansion.

ThredUp and Vestiaire Collective join American Circular Textiles in petitioning to end double taxation on secondhand apparel. The move aims to promote sustainability, make resale more appealing, and support the growing circular economy.

The Platform Group outperformed its 2023 financial forecast. GMV increased to €705M, beating the predicted €700M. Net sales reached €440.8M, slightly above forecast. Adjusted EBITDA improved to €22.6M, while net income reached €26.9M.

Revolve, a leader in fashion e-commerce, is now investing in physical stores, starting with Aspen. This move responds to changing consumer behaviors and aims to revitalize growth. Investors are watching closely as the company shifts to a hybrid model.

Asos may be ending free returns for some customers in the UK. An email update hinted at changes to the returns policy, similar to a move made in the US last year where a $4.99 fee was introduced. The potential change targets "serial refunders".

Vinted, the popular second-hand platform, adds a new electronics category to its app, offering users the ability to buy and sell items like VR headsets, e-readers, and accessories. In 2023, Vinted reported its first profit of $19.2M.

Shein's emissions increased by 45% to 16.7M metric tons of CO2e in 2023. The rise is linked to its ultra-fast fashion production model, which produces up to 100K pieces per day. Meanwhile, reports reveal child labor issues in its supply chain.

The Breuninger family is exploring a sale of their department store group, valued at $2.7B. Interest has been expressed by 31 entities, including retail groups and private equity investors. Initial bids are expected by late October.

UPS has seen a major volume increase, driven by Shein and Temu, with each providing 900K packages daily in July 2023. While this has helped carriers recover from a slump, it also brings profitability challenges as carriers offer low rates.

Shein discovered two instances of child labor between Q1 and Q3 2023 in supplier audits. The company, known for fast fashion, suspended the involved manufacturers and enforced stricter rules. No cases were found in Q4 2023.

Alibaba finished a three-year regulatory rectification after being fined $2.6B for monopolistic practices in 2021. The completion led to a 3% rise in its shares. China's SAMR guided the process, ensuring Alibaba's compliance with antitrust laws.

Fruugo appoints ex-Amazon director Fergal Gara as COO, leveraging his retail expertise to drive global growth. Gara brings deep experience from Amazon, Sony, and Asda to guide Fruugo's strategy in 2024 and beyond.

Bol.com has raised its free shipping minimum from €20 to €25, citing rising costs and inflation. This is the first increase in over ten years. The company hopes customers will consolidate orders to reduce shipping movements.

JD.com’s international division improves shipping services for customers in the US, Japan, and Singapore, reducing costs by up to 50%. Free delivery is now available for qualifying orders, boosting its appeal to global Chinese consumers.

eBay UK's new policy reduces free private seller listings from 1,000 to 300 monthly, starting October 1st. A fixed 3% international fee will apply to all regions, and cash on collection payments will be removed for increased security.

ECDB has analyzed data from a survey by Deloitte and the National Retail Federation (NRF) to shed some light on shifting consumer behaviors in back-to-school shopping, emphasizing changes in timing, shopping channels, and perceived benefits.

Walmart unveiled three major additions at its 2024 Seller Summit. These include Premium Beauty with 20+ brands, a new pre-owned marketplace with 5M items, and a collectibles category with 0% commission fees until Oct. 31.

PDD Holdings suffered a $55B market value loss after reporting weaker-than-expected revenue and warning about challenges in China's e-commerce. Shares fell 28%. Executives cited competition and economic woes, raising concerns among investors.

eBay DE has introduced a new feature allowing sellers to link their DHL business accounts for automated return labels. This service lets sellers use their own negotiated DHL rates, improving efficiency and the buyer experience.

Emarketer published data from May 2024 research conducted by Basis Technologies and GWI. This data is crucial as the 2024 holiday season approaches.

Shein’s third Sustainability Report, reveals how its EvoluSHEIN strategy is progressing. The report offers some data on the company's sustainability goals and challenges. Below is a selection of interesting data points that Shein shared so that you can decide for yourself if Shein's Sustainability journey is fact or fiction.

Creatopy, an AI-driven ad creation startup from Romania, has raised $10M in Series A funding, led by 3VC and Point Nine. The platform, used by 5,000 brands and agencies, is focused on scaling and automating ad production. The company sees itself as a key player against competitors like Canva.

Fresha, a London-based beauty platform, raised €27.8M in venture debt from J.P. Morgan. This funding will enhance their AI and machine learning capabilities, fueling global expansion and helping beauty professionals offer tailored services.

Revenew, a fintech startup by Checkout.com alumni, raised $4.5M led by Fika Ventures. The funding will enhance its tools for managing payments and improving profitability for digital platforms like Uber and Airbnb, boosting their growth.

Tilt, a UK-based live-shopping app, raised $18M in Series A funding, led by Balderton Capital. The app, founded by ex-Revolut employees, has gained 500K users since launching. Tilt focuses on real-time fashion sales, aiming to tap into the Gen Z market.

Bookbot, an online second-hand book marketplace, secured $4.3M from Genesis Growth Equity Fund and Miton. The funds will help expand in the DACH region. Founded by the Gazdoš brothers, Bookbot aims to double its sales to $26M by 2024.

The Rounds, known for sustainable delivery in reusable packaging, secured $24M in Series B. The funding will support product development, hiring, and expanding to new U.S. markets. It added features like flexible delivery and one-time purchases.

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.