New Ecommerce Tools: August 7, 2024

This installment of our weekly rundown of new tools for ecommerce merchants includes AI-powered sourcing, promotional sales, error detection, loyalty programs, Sponsored Brand campaigns, embedded payments, and retail media platforms.

Got an ecommerce product release? Email releases@practicalecommerce.com.

New Tools for Merchants: August 7, 2024

Alibaba launches AI-powered B2B sourcing platform. Alibaba has launched an AI-powered conversational sourcing platform. Designed for B2B ecommerce, the platform synthesizes information, interprets sourcing needs using natural language processing, matches buyers with products and suppliers, and provides advanced features for sourcing decisions. Per Alibaba, the tool tackles the inefficiencies of conventional search methodologies and can even predict sourcing requirements and provide suggestions.

Amazon invites sellers to submit deals for its upcoming Labor Day sale. The Amazon sale will run from August 26 through September 3, 2024, and sellers are invited to offer deals to participate in the event. To submit a deal, sellers should go to Advertising > Deals > Create a new deal > choose a qualified ASIN > Select. Choose the week of August 26, configure deal details in the next step, and click “Submit deal.”

Etsy launches Insider, its first buyer membership program. In mid-September, Etsy will launch a closed beta version to select buyers in the U.S. Special benefits include free domestic shipping, first access to special discounts and select merchandise, and more. The program comes at no cost to the Etsy seller community. Benefits, including free shipping, will be funded by Etsy and through the membership fee.

Mercari opens access to Japan marketplace and launches its first physical store. Mercari, an online marketplace to shop and sell new and preloved items, has announced “Mercari x Japan,” a new product that will open up direct access to inventory from millions of sellers on its Japanese marketplace. U.S. shoppers can now explore Mercari x Japan and browse rare and hard-to-find items directly from Japan. Additionally, Mercari is opening its first physical retail store, in Los Angeles.

Error detection platform Noibu partners with BigCommerce. Noibu, a provider of website error detection and resolution, has partnered with BigCommerce. According to Noibu, with the addition of its platform, BigCommerce is positioned to ensure smoother website performance and enhanced customer experiences. BigCommerce customers can now integrate Noibu through the BigCommerce App Marketplace. The partnership features a one-click integration, enabling BigCommerce customers to connect an online store easily with Noibu’s error monitoring platform.

Flaunt launches AI-enabled loyalty offering for Shopify merchants. Flaunt has launched the first service-as-software loyalty offering for Shopify merchants to retain customers and implement loyalty programs. Flaunt leverages AI to enhance and expedite its loyalty management services, such as analyzing social and user-generated content, customer feedback, and generating personalized offers.

Retailer John Lewis launches media platform. John Lewis, the U.K.-based retail brand, has announced new retail media capabilities on JohnLewis.com. The move will allow brands to create and manage their own campaigns, including banner ads and sponsored product listings, measuring the impact of initiatives down to individual products and search terms. The options have been delivered in partnership with Epsilon, the advertising and marketing technology subsidiary of Publicis Groupe.

Amazon introduces 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 without a pre-existing brand store. The Sponsored Brands “Grow brand impression share” campaign goal allows advertisers to utilize a new landing page option in the “Product collection” ad format. By selecting at least three products to advertise, sellers will lead shoppers from the top of the search to a brand landing page containing those items.

Salesforce acquires POS provider PredictSpring. Salesforce has agreed to acquire PredictSpring, a point-of-sale cloud software vendor. PredictSpring will enable Salesforce to provide a unified omnichannel platform spanning digital and physical channels. In addition to Cloud POS, PredictSpring’s store solutions include Clienteling, 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. Paymob, a financial services platform in the Middle East and North Africa, has expanded its partnership with Shopify by launching embedded card and wallet payments for merchants in the MENA region. Paymob has also introduced digital merchant onboarding to enable fast, seamless setup of ecommerce stores on Shopify.

Duda integrates with Square, expanding payment options for ecommerce websites. Duda, a website builder for digital agencies and SaaS companies, has announced that its native ecommerce solution now integrates with Square. Digital agencies and SaaS companies can now add Square to their clients’ websites, offering more quick and direct payment options within the Duda website-building platform. Duda users can transform basic websites into full-service transactional platforms, enabling transactions beyond traditional retail, including the sale of digital products, tickets, and gift vouchers.