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.

Empire partners with Instacart and Uber Eats, expanding online offerings. 250 stores will be available on the apps in Ontario. Expansion plans include adding more locations across Canada, boosting Empire’s online reach.

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.

Uber Eats' $950M acquisition of Foodpanda in Taiwan faces delays as the FTC waits for application materials. Consumer groups and unions raise concerns over potential monopolies and impacts on worker rights.

Lieferando now delivers pharmacy items in 18 German cities. Partnering with GetCURE, it offers over 500 over-the-counter medicines and cosmetics. The service follows successful partnerships in the UK, Spain, and the USA.

The AICPDF has asked the CCI to investigate Swiggy, Blinkit, and Zepto for predatory pricing. Traditional retailers fear that these quick commerce giants are offering discounts that threaten their survival. The sector is set to exceed $6B in annual sales.

Prosus expects $400M e-commerce profit this fiscal year, up from $38M in 2024. CEO Bloisi eyes more Indian IPOs after Swiggy’s $1.25B filing. In April-Sept, adjusted EBIT tripled compared to all of 2024.

Several Polish universities, including those in Krakow and Poznan, cut ties with Shein following student protests over ethical concerns. Shein’s plan to open showrooms in 5 cities, part of a promotional tour, faces strong backlash. The decision impacts Shein's presence in Poland, where its app has over 6M users.

Zomato will raise $1B ahead of Swiggy's $1.4B IPO, shifting the market. This move may help Zomato reduce foreign ownership below 50%, making Blinkit more flexible with its inventory model. Swiggy’s IPO is expected next month.

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.

ABOUT YOU and Netflix launch the "NETFLIX COLLECTION" on Oct 28, 2024, exclusively on ABOUT YOU. Inspired by popular Netflix series, the first drop offers two limited pieces priced between $42-$73. A larger collection is planned for December.

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.

Shein debuts its first credit card in partnership with Stori. Backed by Mastercard, it targets Mexico's market, offering 250 welcome points and double points on Shein purchases. The card aims for financial inclusion with a 99% approval rate.

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.

Shein launched 'Shein Exchange' in Germany, following its earlier launches in France and UK. The platform allows consumers to buy and sell used Shein items. More than 4.2M new US customers joined in 2023.

Vinted, a second-hand marketplace, raised €340M through a secondary share sale, now valued at €5B. Led by TPG, other investors include Hedosophia, Invus, and more. Founded in 2008, Vinted expanded into electronics and aims for global growth.

Bauhaus is launching its online marketplace in mid-2025, focusing on the DIY market in Germany. Sellers must be German-registered, managing their own shipping. The platform, powered by Mirakl, will initially be separate from physical stores.

Alibaba has settled a class-action lawsuit for $433.5M in the U.S. The suit accused it of monopolistic practices. Filed in 2020, the case focused on misleading statements that allegedly impacted investors. A federal judge must approve the settlement.

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.

Alibaba predicts double-digit sales growth for Singles' Day in Hong Kong, supported by a $142M promotion offering free shipping on Taobao orders. The three-month initiative launched on October 1, targeting key categories like electronics and fashion.

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.

Alibaba, led by Jack Ma, is reportedly in talks to buy AC Milan from Silvio Berlusconi. Despite the speculation, Alibaba and Fininvest remain silent. Ma's group includes key Chinese brands like Taobao and Aliplay.

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.

Data comes from Statista’s Consumer Insights survey, analyzing global trends in second-hand clothing purchases across various countries to understand preferences in sustainable fashion.

Commissioned by Rithum, "The State of 3P Commerce" report by Wakefield Research surveyed 550 retailer and brand executives in the US, UK, and Germany to understand growth opportunities in 3P e-commerce.

Ecommert’s September 2024 report, based on ECDB data, highlights global eCommerce growth of 6.8% and analyzes trends in the U.S., China, the UK, and Germany.

Zepto, India’s quick-commerce startup, is set to raise $100M from local investors, marking its third funding round in six months. The investment, led by Motilal Oswal, maintains its $5B valuation. Zepto has raised over $1B recently.

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.

Accel is set to invest $30M-$40M in India’s Truemeds at a $330M valuation. The 6-year-old online pharmacy disrupts medicine delivery by offering affordable generic alternatives to costly branded drugs. Amid industry upheaval, Truemeds’ digital platform targets chronic patients in remote areas, providing online consultations and delivery. Rivals like PharmEasy have seen valuations fall, from $5.6B to below $600M.

autone has raised $17M in a Series A funding led by General Catalyst. The platform uses AI to optimize inventory management, helping retailers reduce inventory by 55% and increase sales by 30%. The funding will accelerate its US and European expansion, aiming to make inventory decisions more accurate and sustainable. Existing investors like Speedinvest, YCombinator, and business angels from LVMH and Moncler reinvested. autone works with 50 global brands and is positioning itself to tackle mid-market retail complexities by integrating data-driven insights and predictive analytics.

Uber is in early discussions to acquire Expedia for $20B, marking a strategic shift beyond car travel and food delivery. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who led Expedia from 2005 to 2017, may return to his travel roots. Expedia’s stock surged 5% on the news.

DHL Express introduces its Label-Free service for returns. Available in over 50 countries, this eco-friendly solution allows consumers to return packages using a QR code, removing the need for printed labels. The service targets industries like fashion and technology.

Alibaba’s international arm has launched a new version of its AI-powered translation tool, which it claims is superior to Google and ChatGPT. With 500K merchants using it across 15 languages, the tool is set to help sellers increase international sales.

General Motors is converting OnStar into an e-commerce platform. It will offer Super Cruise plans, auto insurance, SiriusXM, and accessories. This shift aims to streamline shopping for services with a responsive, flexible system.

Alibaba's 2024 Singles' Day will see $4.3B in perks for both consumers and merchants. Over 300K brands will participate on Tmall, and SMEs will benefit from $13B in cross-platform traffic and marketing subsidies.

Storfund is deepening its collaboration with Mangopay to provide sellers with an embedded wallet solution. This partnership enhances cash flow, offering faster payments and better currency conversion across 50 marketplaces globally, including Amazon.

Starting soon, canceling subscriptions like Amazon Prime or streaming services will be as simple as signing up. The FTC's new "click-to-cancel" rule is designed to eliminate obstacles, going into effect 180 days after publication.

Square introduced a new Orders Platform in Q3 2024 to help U.S. sellers. The platform offers flexible options like pre-authorization, bar tabs, and subscriptions. This shift aims to improve business operations and customer experiences.

Apple Pay celebrates 10 years with new features in iOS 18. Users can redeem rewards from Discover cards and use Klarna's flexible payments. Installment loans are available with Affirm in the US and Monzo in the UK, expanding payment flexibility.

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.

Serve Robotics has introduced its third-gen robots for Uber Eats. These bots are faster, carry 15% more, and run for six more hours daily. The company plans to roll out 250 units in L.A. by Q1 2025, aiming for $60M–$80M in revenue.

Wolt, a Finnish tech company owned by DoorDash, is set to acquire Tazz from eMAG. The deal, expected to finalize in a few months, will help Wolt expand in Romania. Tazz, operating in 35 cities, will transition under the Wolt brand.

Glovo introduces social features in its app, enabling users to share restaurant picks, follow friends for food recommendations, and interact with restaurateurs. CEO Oscar Pierre says 35% of users struggle to decide what to order.

Just Eat Takeaway reported a 6% drop in orders in Q3, totaling 211.1M. The U.S. saw an 11% decline despite Amazon deals. Gross transaction value reached $6.7B, below expectations. Management maintains forecasts for 2024, eyeing new sectors.

Delivery Hero has outpaced Just Eat Takeaway in 2024. Analyst Benjamin Kohnke predicts a 60% upside for Delivery Hero in the next 12 months, while Just Eat will only see a 17% rise. With a focus on profitability, Delivery Hero is positioned for continued growth.

Uber Eats users can now create shareable lists of their favorite meals. Food influencers like Sam Roby are joining the fun, curating lists for Uber Eats. This is the latest in a series of changes, including fresh produce delivery and driverless cars.

DocMorris' dmr Advertising teams up with LiveRamp to enhance its retail media network. The partnership focuses on using first-party data to boost targeted ad campaigns. New tools will improve ad measurement across social media and ensure data privacy.

The Ministry of Labor opposes Uber Eats’ $9B foodpanda acquisition, announced in May. The Ministry informed Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission that worker rights issues, including pay, must be addressed first. The deal is currently under review, pending submission of key documents by both companies.

eBay is investing $1.2M into its Circular Fashion Fund to support startups that promote sustainability. The fund provides financing, mentorship, and networking. Launched in 2022, it now covers the U.S., Germany, Australia, and the U.K.