Amazon launches 30-minute delivery across the U.S.
Amazon says its new ultra-fast delivery option brings groceries, household essentials, and other items to customers’ doors in 30 minutes.
e-commerce
Amazon hits sellers with ‘fuel surcharge’ as Iran war roils global energy markets
The e-commerce giant called the surcharge “temporary” but couldn’t give a date for when the policy would be retired.
Meta turns to AI to make shopping easier on Instagram and Facebook
Meta is using generative AI to provide more product and brand information to consumers when they’re shopping in its apps.
Shopify is preparing for AI shopping agents to change everything, exec says
Shopify is preparing for an ecommerce transformation via AI shopping agents, says president Harley Finklestein.
Quince hits $10B valuation with giant $500M round led by Iconiq
E-commerce company Quince has raised another massive round, less than a year after its previous raise.
Amazon expands a program that lets customers shop from other retailers’ sites
The changes allow more merchants to participate in Amazon’s Shop Direct program, which sends Amazon customers to other retailers’ websites.
Study shows Instacart may be charging some shoppers 20% more for the same product
The delivery app has claimed that price testing is part of a longstanding practice in retail sales.
ChatGPT referrals to retailers’ apps increased 28% year-over-year, says report
ChatGPT referrals to retailers’ apps were up on Black Friday year-over-year, with Walmart and Amazon benefitting the most.
Amazon’s AI chatbot Rufus drove sales on Black Friday
On Black Friday, Amazon sessions that resulted in a sale were up 100% in the U.S. when the AI chatbot Rufus was used. They only increased by 20% when Rufus wasn’t used.
Onton raises $7.5M to expand its AI-powered shopping site beyond furniture
Onton, which change its name from Deft, is giving users an infinite canvas with AI-powered image generation to nudge them towards making quicker purchase decisions