New Ecommerce Tools: October 10, 2024

This installment of our weekly rundown of new products for ecommerce merchants includes tools for visual search, AI, payments, shipping, warehouse management, and automated marketing campaigns.

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New Tools for Merchants

Google Lens introduces new features, including shopping ads. Google has updated Lens, its visual search tool, to include shopping ads alongside the visual results. Users will also see a results page displaying key product information, such as reviews, price comparisons, and available purchasing options. Additionally, users can now use Lens to search by taking a video or asking a question by voice.

eBay U.K. removes selling fees. eBay U.K. has removed fees for private sellers across all categories except motors. Private sellers will no longer pay final value fees or regulatory operating fees. Also, sellers can quickly list items with AI-generated descriptions and photo-enhancing tools and offer simple and local delivery options. Starting mid-October, eBay Balance will enable sellers to use earnings to shop on eBay, promote listings, purchase labels, or withdraw cash.

Vizit raises $25 million for a visual AI platform. Vizit, a provider of visual AI software for brands and retailers, has announced a $25 million funding round led by Industry Ventures. The proceeds will accelerate Vizit’s mission to transform how brands connect with audiences via visual content. By leveraging AI models that develop human preferences, Vizit’s technology helps to deliver personalized content.

Tink launches Merchant Information for transaction visibility. Tink, an open-banking platform from Visa, has launched Merchant Information to give consumers a more detailed overview of their transactions. Merchant Information, a service within Tink’s Consumer Engagement offering, means banking app transactions are shown with a clear brand name, logo, location, and merchant contact details, helping consumers recognize transactions. Merchant Information will complement Tink’s existing data enrichment capabilities, including categorization, recurring transaction prediction, and CO2 emissions.

ShipEngine integrates with QuickBooks Online. ShipEngine, a shipping API from Auctane, has announced an integration with Intuit QuickBooks for customers in the U.S. The integration enables QuickBooks Online customers to access ShipEngine’s QuickBooks Online Shipping Manager to generate, purchase, and print discounted shipping labels. Businesses can sync customer addresses directly from invoices into their shipping details, print labels, and manage it within one unified platform.

Etsy to host Holiday Pop-Up in New York City. Etsy is starting the holiday season with Holiday Pop-Up, an immersive shopping experience in New York City’s West Village for one weekend only. Launching in late October, the Etsy Holiday Pop-Up will offer consumers the chance to shop original gifts, get a first look at holiday trends, and discover interactive gifting installations. It will also feature giveaways, holiday gift guides from celebrity partners, and the reveal of the 2024 Etsy Design Award winners.

Pallet raises $18 million to reinvent logistics software. Pallet, a transportation and warehouse management platform, has announced an $18 million funding round led by Bain Capital Ventures. Pallet’s platform is a unified, AI-powered transportation management, warehouse management, and accounting and billing system. Pallet will use the funds to grow its team, expand operations, and invest in new enterprise product capabilities.

OroCommerce introduces AI for B2B commerce. OroCommerce, a B2B-focused commerce platform, has introduced AI SmartAgent and AI SmartOrder. The tools are designed for B2B commerce, streamlining interactions and automating order processing. SmartAgent empowers buyers to navigate the catalog, review account details, request quotes, and place orders, all through a conversational interface. SmartOrder eliminates manual work and potential errors, automatically converting offline purchase orders into digital, seamlessly integrating them into a workflow.

DoorDash introduces a commerce platform for merchants. DoorDash, a food delivery and ordering platform, has launched a suite of products to help merchants manage and grow their businesses. The DoorDash Commerce Platform consists of five core products: Drive On-Demand, Online Ordering, Phone Ordering, Tableside Order & Pay, and Customer Support Solutions. In addition, the new platform allows merchants to create their own branded iOS or Android mobile apps. DoorDash has also updated its Business Manager app.

Pinterest releases AI and automation campaign features for advertisers. Pinterest has unveiled the Performance+ suite, a collection of AI and lower-funnel ad products. Advertisers now have the option to use Performance+ campaigns for consideration, conversions, or catalog sales objectives. Advertisers can create product images at scale through generative AI, converting flat color backgrounds into lifestyle imagery. Additionally, Pinterest has enhanced its search and home feeds with personalized promotions and deals ads modules.

Amazon launches new visual search features. Amazon now shows descriptive image suggestions while shoppers are typing a search query. Shoppers can add text to any image they upload to Amazon Lens, tap “More Like This” on product image search results to find similar products, and watch product videos within the search results without clicking.