In this weekly update on new tools for ecommerce sellers, we’ll cover AI-powered sourcing, promotional selling, error detection, loyalty programs, sponsored brand campaigns, embedded payments, retail media platforms, and more.
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New Tools for Sellers: August 7, 2024
Alibaba Launches AI-Powered B2B Procurement Platform. Alibaba We have launched an AI-powered conversational sourcing platform. B2B e-commerceThe platform consolidates information and uses natural language processing to interpret sourcing needs, match buyers with products and suppliers, and provide advanced capabilities for sourcing decisions. Alibaba says the tool addresses the inefficiencies of traditional search methods and can even predict and suggest sourcing requirements.
Amazon is inviting sellers to submit deals for its upcoming Labor Day sale. Amazon The sale will be held From August 26 to September 3, 2024, the seller Propose a deal to participate in the event. To submit a deal, sellers must Ads > Deals > Create a new deal > Select the ASIN that meets your criteria > SelectSelect the week of August 26th, set up your deal details in the next step, and click “Submit Deal.”
Etsy has launched its first membership program for buyers, Insider. In mid-September, Etsy will launch a closed beta for select buyers in the U.S. Perks include: Free domestic shippingspecial discounts, early access to select items, and more. The program is free to Etsy’s seller community, and benefits like free shipping are funded by Etsy and membership dues.
Mercari begins accessing the Japanese market and opens its first physical store. Mercarian online marketplace for shopping and selling New and Usedannounced Mercari x Japan, a new product that gives shoppers direct access to inventory from millions of sellers on its Japanese marketplace. Shoppers in the U.S. can explore Mercari x Japan and browse rare, hard-to-find products directly from Japan. Additionally, Mercari will open its first brick-and-mortar store in Los Angeles.
Error detection platform Noibu partners with BigCommerce. Noiveis a website error detection and resolution provider. Big CommerceAccording to Noibu, with the addition of its platform, BigCommerce is well positioned to ensure smoother website performance and enhanced customer experience. BigCommerce customers can now integrate Noibu through the BigCommerce App Marketplace. The partnership enables a one-click integration, making it easy for BigCommerce customers to connect their online stores to Noibu’s error monitoring platform.
Flaunt has launched an AI-enabled loyalty service for Shopify merchants. Flaunt Launches first service-as-software royalty service Shopify Retailers retain customers, Loyalty ProgramFlaunt is using AI to enhance and accelerate its loyalty management services, including analyzing social and user-generated content, customer feedback, and generating personalized offers.
Retailer John Lewis has launched a media platform. John LewisThe UK-based retail brand has launched a new Retail Media Features on JohnLewis.com. The move enables brands to create and manage their own campaigns, including banner ads and sponsored product listings, and measure the impact of their efforts down to individual products and search terms. The option is being offered in partnership with Epsilon, an advertising and marketing technology subsidiary of Publicis Groupe.
Amazon has introduced a landing page option for Sponsored Brands campaigns. Amazon has launched a feature in Sponsored Brands that allows advertisers to create customized landing pages featuring at least three selected products, even if they don’t have an existing brand store. Sponsored Brands’ “Increase Brand Impression Share” campaign objective gives advertisers new landing page options for the “Product Collection” ad format. By selecting at least three products to advertise, merchants can drive shoppers from the top of search to a brand landing page that contains those products.
Salesforce acquires point-of-sale provider PredictSpring. Salesforce agreed to the acquisition Prediction SpringPredictSpring is a POS cloud software vendor. PredictSpring enables Salesforce to deliver a unified omnichannel platform that spans digital and physical channels. In addition to cloud POS, PredictSpring’s in-store solutions include client ring, endless aisle, store fulfillment, and store operations capabilities to streamline and personalize the shopping experience across physical and digital touchpoints.
Paymob and Shopify launch embedded payments in MENA. Paymobis a Middle East and North Africa financial services platform. Shopify Paymob has introduced built-in card and wallet payments for merchants in the MENA region, as well as digital merchant onboarding for a quick and seamless setup of e-commerce stores on Shopify.
Duda integrates with Square to expand payment options for e-commerce websites. DudaA website builder for digital agencies and SaaS companies, the company has launched a native e-commerce solution squareDigital agencies and SaaS companies can add Square to their clients’ websites to make payments faster and more convenient. Direct payment options Within Duda’s website building platform, Duda users can transform basic websites into full-service trading platforms, enabling them to transact beyond traditional retail, e.g. Digital Productstickets, gift certificates, etc.