Zalando rolls out its AI-powered assistant to 25 markets, offering local language support. Trend Spotter adds Amsterdam, London, Warsaw, and Zurich to help customers discover emerging styles in 10 European fashion capitals.

eBay’s AI-powered Magical Bulk Listing Tool speeds up product listings by auto-filling titles and categories using images. Starting with sports trading cards, eBay plans to expand to other categories soon.

Amazon introduced 5 new visual tools for faster and more precise product searches. The company now allows text and image integration, showcases similar items, and highlights product videos, making searches 70% faster globally.

Phacet raised $4.4M in seed funding on Sept. 23, 2024. The Paris-based startup aims to enhance AI adoption in SMEs across various sectors. Founder Nicolas Marchais says this will bridge the gap between AI models and SMEs' needs, making AI accessible and effective for small businesses.

HubSpot unveils its new AI, Breeze, at INBOUND 2024, featuring Copilot, four Breeze Agents, and over 200 product updates. HubSpot also introduces agent.ai, a professional network for AI agents, with 47K users and 1,700 builders signed up.

Checkout.com and Slope partner to boost US enterprise payments. Slope’s $252M-funded platform offers "Pay Later" and "Pay Now" options, while Checkout.com provides global processing capabilities. Their collaboration aims to optimize payment performance and improve cash flow management, helping merchants thrive in the digital economy.

ShipStation's new Google Merchant Center integration leverages Google’s Content API to offer accurate, location-based delivery predictions. This boosts online shopping experiences by increasing visibility, ranking, and customer satisfaction for ShipStation users.

FedEx launched its fdx platform, now available to U.S. businesses. fdx leverages FedEx’s vast data network to optimize customer journeys and boost conversion rates. Since its initial announcement in January 2024, brands like Z Supply have already seen revenue increases by 6.33% and a 1.34% lift in mobile conversions.

Meta now lets businesses use AI chatbots on WhatsApp and Messenger for ad-embedded customer interactions, helping to increase sales. Despite Meta’s claim of improved engagement, many customers prefer human agents over AI chatbots.

DoorDash introduces the DoorDash Commerce Platform, offering merchants tools to manage and grow their businesses across in-store and online channels. The platform includes features like branded mobile apps, AI-powered phone ordering, and a revamped Business Manager App.

Mondelēz introduces a new AI-powered platform to boost global marketing and tap into consumer trends. The platform, developed with Accenture and Publicis Groupe, aims to speed up content creation, personalize messages, and drive innovation.

Ferovinum, founded by Mitchel Fowler in Australia’s Hunter Valley, has secured $23.2M for global expansion. The platform helps wine makers by transforming their inventory into a “just-in-time asset,” providing £114M in working capital. With growing interest, it’s also attracting significant investment, including from Notion Capital. The company is now supporting major distilleries and sparkling wine producers across the U.K.

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.

Instacart has upgraded its FoodStorm order management system with new features, boosting visibility and flexibility for retailers and customers. With holiday sales approaching, these updates aim to streamline ordering, improve inventory management, and maximize sales.

Blinkit is testing 10-minute returns for fashion items, addressing a major challenge in online fashion shopping. Zepto offers a 72-hour return window for damaged items. With fashion returns at 25-30%, these quick commerce firms aim to solve a pressing issue.

Volt and Farfetch announced a new partnership on Sept. 18, 2024. Farfetch customers in the U.K., Germany, and Netherlands can now make real-time payments directly from their bank accounts. The integration enhances the shopping experience by eliminating chargebacks and reducing fraud risks.

Amazon introduces Project Amelia, an AI assistant for sellers, starting in the U.S. The tool helps sellers manage and grow their businesses by answering questions about sales metrics and customer traffic. Available now in beta.

Shopsense AI teamed up with Paramount at the 2024 VMAs to let viewers shop for affordable dupes of their favorite artists' outfits. The AI can identify similar items from over 1,000 retailers, offering both style and budget options.

Alibaba has invested $20M in Greek-owned Connectly.ai. The startup uses AI assistants to enhance communication between retailers and customers on platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger. With this funding, Connectly.ai plans to expand globally.

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.

Deliveroo has launched its new global brand platform, ‘Now Just Got Even Better,’ showcasing its expanded services in the UAE. The campaign highlights how Deliveroo now delivers more than food – from groceries to pet items – transforming any moment.

Depop launched an AI tool that generates a complete listing from a single photo. The new feature adds item details like brand and color automatically. Depop's AI integration aims to boost second-hand shopping efficiency.

Amazon launches a pilot project in Frankfurt, Germany, using trams to transport packages across the city. The goods are carried by electric vans to a tram, then moved to cargo bikes for final delivery. This fits Amazon's green logistics push.

Amazon launches a new “Refund Without Return” solution for U.S. FBA sellers, allowing refunds without the need to return items. Sellers can enable this, with restrictions on item eligibility and customer abuse safeguards in place.

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.

Reboxed's new platform, ReboxedOS, empowers brands to scale resale and recycling programs. Founded in 2019, the London startup helps retailers like Three Mobile, aiming to rehome 100M devices and promote sustainability.

Google expanded its AI-powered virtual try-on tool to include dresses, supporting brands like Boden and Sandro. Dresses are more complex than tops, so Google developed new technology to provide lifelike, detailed virtual experiences.

Shopify teams up with Roblox to let brands sell real items in-game, reaching 80M users. The pilot will launch in 2025, offering new opportunities for brands and creators. Roblox is popular among youth, despite past concerns over safety.

Mercado Libre founder Marcos Galperín announced a $75M investment to build a new logistics center in Buenos Aires, creating 2,300 jobs. President Javier Milei praised Galperín’s contribution to Argentina's economic growth during his visit.

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.

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%.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DoorDash now offers an in-app appeal process for deactivated gig workers. The new feature allows workers to appeal directly via the Dasher app with real-time status updates. The goal is to resolve cases within a few days, addressing concerns about fairness and income disruption.

Waitrose launched its first 'delivery hatch' on August 21 at Finchley Road, extending delivery hours via Deliveroo and Uber Eats. This innovation helps manage demand and attracts new customers. The grocer plans to open 100 new convenience shops.

Grubhub has expanded its Campus Dining to over 360 schools, reaching 500K new students. The company now serves 4.5M students. With the addition of delivery robots and Just Walk Out technology, the service is growing faster than ever.

Instacart unveiled new money-saving features, including fee-free next-day deliveries for orders over $10 and personalized digital circulars highlighting discounted items. These initiatives aim to make online grocery shopping more affordable.

Tingit, a Lithuanian startup, has raised $545K to expand its fashion repair marketplace. Currently available only in Lithuania, Tingit plans to scale across Europe. The service simplifies repairs with an app-based video upload process.

Amazon is experimenting with removing star ratings from its search results page. This test affects only a few products and requires consumers to visit the product page to see ratings. The change may impact how customers shop and interact with the site.

Amazon has launched its Free Same-Day Delivery service in Sydney, covering 90% of the city's population. Prime members can now get over a million items delivered on the same day if ordered by noon. The service is available on orders over A$49.

Photon Health, founded in 2021, is challenging the $700B U.S. prescription drug industry. The startup allows patients to shop for prescriptions like they shop online. With over 70K monthly prescriptions, they've raised $16M to take on industry giants.

StockX co-founder Josh Luber has launched Ghostwrite, a toy company focused on limited edition collectibles. Backed by notable investors like Michael Rubin and Mark Wahlberg, the company aims to replicate the success seen in sneakers and trading cards.

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.

Asos has introduced Nibble, an AI chatbot that lets shoppers haggle on prices. Some users reported discounts of up to 40%. This move follows Asos' ongoing commitment to AI, including a new 3-year deal with Microsoft signed earlier this month.