New Ecommerce Tools: February 20, 2025

This week’s rundown of new products and services for ecommerce merchants includes updates on AI-powered agents, wholesale management, fraud prevention, marketplace advertising, influencers, and social commerce.

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

New Tools for Merchants

Wholesale platform Joor launches matchmaking tool for brands and retailers. Joor, a wholesale management platform for the fashion sector, has introduced Joor Discover to streamline the matchmaking process between brands and retailers. According to Joor, by leveraging proprietary data and a network of authenticated retailers, the tool offers a more efficient and targeted approach to wholesale expansion. Joor Discover allows brands to search and filter through its retailer directory to identify potential partners.

Joor

Meta will show rival classified ad providers on Marketplace. Meta will allow rival classified ad service providers to post listings of their ads on Facebook Marketplace. Calling it the Facebook Marketplace Partner Program, Meta said the scheme is a response to a recent antitrust decision by the European Commission. Meta also said it tested the program in Germany, France, and the United States with eBay last month.

Trustfull launches AI-powered Domain Intelligence domain agents. Trustfull, a provider of identity intelligence for fraud prevention, has launched Domain Intelligence, a suite of AI agents designed to automate “know your business” checks and merchant verification with online due diligence. Domain Intelligence’s AI agents perform a website analysis and checks on social media, business platforms, and marketplaces to confirm active commercial operations. Additional insights include reviews, digital advertising activity, business photos, and data from online sources to verify the company’s legitimacy.

Hightouch raises $80 million for AI-powered marketing tools. Hightouch has raised $80 million for its platform to allow sales, marketing, and customer service teams to synchronize data warehouses and other locations, along with AI agents. Sapphire Ventures led the funding round with NVC, Amplify Ventures, ICONIQ Growth, Bain Capital Ventures, and Y Combinator. The funding will additionally advance Hightouch’s technology, business development, and hiring.

Hightouch

Sprout Social launches rebranded influencer marketing platform. Sprout Social, a social media management platform, has launched its rebranded influencer marketing portal, called Sprout Social Influencer Marketing, formerly Tagger Media. Influencer Marketing is designed to make discovering influencers and executing campaigns more efficient and intuitive. Sprout Social says Influencer Marketing equips brands with AI-powered insights and advanced analytics to help identify the right influencers, build authentic partnerships, and maximize campaign performance.

Commerce platform MarketLeap raises $8 million. MarketLeap, a platform to simplify and scale direct-to-consumer ecommerce, has announced an $8 million Series A funding round led by Smedvig Ventures, with participation from Expon Capital and Motier Ventures. MarketLeap offers customers a platform that uses AI-powered automation to navigate the complexities of marketplace operations and backend management. MarketLeap says the funding will facilitate more automation across multiple functions and enhance analytics capabilities.

Swap and Signifyd partner to empower brands with global commerce. Swap, an ecommerce tool that consolidates global operations, has announced a strategic partnership with Signifyd, a provider of fraud and abuse prevention. According to the companies, merchants can scale internationally by streamlining cross-border logistics and compliance through Swap and mitigating fraud risk through Signifyd. Signifyd’s AI-powered fraud detection protects checkout conversion by approving more legitimate transactions while blocking fraudulent ones.

Signifyd

Locafy introduces Localizer to boost local search visibility. Locafy, a provider of location-based digital marketing capabilities, has launched Localizer to help businesses improve their online visibility and rank higher in local search results. According to Locafy, Localizer distributes across more than 120 platforms, deploys optimized landing pages, optimizes Google Business Profiles, applies search optimization technology to boost local pack rankings, and produces content to target key search intent categories.

Wyrld lands €1 million for social commerce with content creators and influencers. Hamburg-based startup Wyrld has secured €1.0 million ($1.04 million) in pre-seed funding to launch a social commerce platform and blend traditional ecommerce with the creator economy. Wyrld says it offers content creators and brands a direct way to market and sell products while it handles logistics and customer support. Set to launch this year, Wyrld is being tested by influencers and select brands.

Gupshup launches AI Agents for businesses. Gupshup, a conversational AI platform, has launched its AI Agent Library, a suite of pre-built and customizable AI agents. Gupshup says its AI agents can handle inbound queries and outbound notifications, reminders, and alerts. The agents leverage large-language models to engage in natural language conversations with the user. The agents integrate with relevant backend tools, such as catalogs, CRMs, ticketing systems, and calendars.

Gupshup

New Ecommerce Tools: February 13, 2025

We publish a rundown each week of new products from companies offering services to ecommerce merchants. This installment includes updates on Amazon offers, product displays, subscriptions, cross-border sales, Meta campaigns, fraud prevention, recommerce, headless commerce, and packaging.

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

New Tools for Merchants

Amazon tests product offerings from other brands’ sites. Amazon is testing a shopping experience that shows select products in its search results even if it doesn’t sell them. Shoppers can click the link and purchase directly from the external brand’s website. The experience is live for select U.S. customers in Amazon Shopping‘s iOS and Android apps.

Amazon’s referral to external brands.

Simon partners with Shopify to help ecommerce brands enter brick-and-mortar retail. Mall owner Simon has partnered with Shopify and physical retail platform Leap to help ecommerce brands launch or expand into brick-and-mortar. The three companies will offer tools to help digital brands quickly open new stores across Simon’s real estate portfolio and at other locations. The partnership continues Simon’s efforts to support the brands in its malls and shopping centers adapt to changing consumer behaviors.

Meta introduces Advantage+ AI features for marketing campaigns. To help businesses maximize performance with AI, Meta is testing a streamlined Advantage+ campaign setup, wherein marketers will no longer need to choose between a manual and an Advantage+ shopping campaign. Meta is also rolling out Advantage+ lead campaigns, allowing advertisers to apply AI-powered automation to find quality leads. Meta is additionally expanding “opportunity score,” a tool to improve performance by offering recommendations and AI optimizations.

Cloudinary extends the product platform with 3D. Cloudinary, an image and video platform, has launched Cloudinary 3D to assist ecommerce brands in showcasing products. With Cloudinary 3D, a single model powers visual asset variations, enabling businesses to create interactive 3D images, augmented reality, and photorealistic packshots. Cloudinary 3D says it simplifies and accelerates the creation of immersive experiences, eliminating the need for expensive photo shoots and customization.

Cloudinary

TikTok tests a subscription model for Shop. TikTok is testing a feature that allows shoppers to purchase goods on Shop via a subscription. The tool encourages users to make repeat purchases of items in exchange for a discount. Sellers can lock-in recurring revenue in return. The feature is not yet available to all sellers. TikTok Shop offers a variety of features for sellers, including logistics and fulfillment services and a dedicated app.

Rakuten Rakuma expands into the U.S. with cross-border sales on eBay. Rakuten Rakuma, an online flea market of new and used goods, has announced a full-scale launch of cross-border sales on eBay US, to begin later this month. The initiative, called the Rakuma Overseas Omakase Plan, is open to applications from Rakuma Official Shop owners. Expanding customer channels for Rakuma Official Shops and promoting merchants’ international sales, the initiative currently hosts over 30 shops on eBay.

Loop and Global-e partner on cross-border returns. Loop, a returns platform for Shopify sellers, has partnered with direct-to-consumer ecommerce platform Global-e. The collaboration enables merchants to consolidate returns management into a single system. According to the companies, by handling duties, taxes, and other cross-border operations, the partnership ensures compliance, reduces administrative burdens, and unlocks revenue opportunities in global markets.

Global-e

Yuno launches Mastercard Payment Passkey Service for LatAm merchants. Yuno, a global payments orchestrator, is launching Mastercard Payment Passkey Service across Latin America, enabling merchants in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to streamline online checkout processes, enhance fraud protection, and reduce cart abandonment rates. Mastercard Payment Passkey Service boosts the security and convenience of online transactions by using device-based biometrics, such as fingerprints and facial recognition already available on smartphones, to authenticate purchases. This replaces traditional authentication methods, such as one-time passwords.

ReturnPro launches a returns platform for SMBs. ReturnPro, a returns management and reverse logistics platform, has launched ReturnPro for small and medium-sized ecommerce businesses. ReturnPro for SMBs provides multiple features to streamline returns, including integration with marketplace accounts for consistent returns experiences across platforms; capabilities to offer “Keep It” services, instant exchanges, store credit incentives, and customer profiles; tools to automate returns, prevent fraud, and manage costs; and real-time returns visibility, warehousing solutions, and recommerce services.

MikMak announces ecommerce platform innovations and API enhancements. MikMak, an ecommerce enablement and analytics platform for multichannel brands, has updated its APIs. The MikMak Insights API integrates with existing data sources in real time. The MikMak Headless Commerce API enables brands to build custom shoppable websites powered by MikMak’s retail network, inventory data, and sales attribution.

Ranpak partners with Rabot to expand AI-powered packaging solutions. Ranpak, a provider of sustainable paper-based packaging and automation for ecommerce and industrial supply chains, has partnered with Rabot, an AI platform to streamline the packing process with visibility into warehouse operations. Rabot utilizes an AI camera system to collect and analyze data at manual pack stations, providing actionable insights to help businesses optimize packing workflows, reduce material waste, and improve quality.

Ranpak

New Ecommerce Tools: February 6, 2025

We publish a rundown each week of new products from companies offering services to ecommerce merchants. This installment includes updates on AI agents, product pages, marketing models, point-of-sales solutions, payment platforms, and conversational commerce.

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

New Tools for Merchants

Palona AI launches a platform for AI sales agents. Palona has released its suite of AI tools to accelerate the growth of direct-to-consumer and other consumer-facing businesses. The company also announced $10 million in seed funding from investors, including UpHonest Capital, Fusion Fund, Maynard Webb, NEO Investment Partners, and others. Palona’s mission is to give customers AI they can trust with key parts of any business: their brand, customer relationships, and sales.

Palona AI

Google launches an open-source marketing mix model. Google has launched Meridian, an open-source marketing mix model available to all marketers and data scientists. Google has also introduced a partner program with over 20 certified measurement partners. Meridian analyzes campaign results based on a business’s key performance indicators, such as sales, website visits, profit, and conversions.

Poshmark marketplace debuts Smart List AI. Poshmark, a fashion resale marketplace, has unveiled Smart List AI to streamline the listing process with the power of generative AI. According to Poshmark, Smart List AI acts as a co-pilot for sellers. It uses artificial intelligence to generate listing details across any category and department from a single photo. The AI also automates the creation of key listing elements such as title, description, and category.

Paymob partners with Woo to help MENA merchants. Paymob, a financial services provider in the Middle East and North Africa, has partnered with Woo, the open-source ecommerce platform. Using Paymob, WooCommerce merchants can integrate over 50 global and local payment methods, including  Apple Pay, Google Pay, and regional alternatives. According to Paymob, the integration aims to simplify the checkout process by providing a secure and seamless experience with embedded 3D Secure and PCI compliance.

Paymob

Qeen.ai raises $10 million to provide AI agents for ecommerce businesses. Qeen.ai, a provider of AI tools for ecommerce, has raised $10 million in funding, ​​led by Prosus Ventures, with participation from existing investors, including Wamda Capital, 10x Founders, and Dara Holdings. Qeen.ai develops AI agents that autonomously execute tasks and optimize outcomes based on observed user behavior. Ecommerce businesses can leverage Qeen.ai’s agents to carry out functions such as content creation, marketing, and conversational sales.

Vengo AI partners with AppSumo to launch an AI sales platform. Vengo AI, a platform for customizable AI sales agents, is now a featured partner on the AppSumo marketplace. Vengo AI says it enables businesses to create AI sales agents that reflect their unique voice and branding, available 24/7 through text and voice. Businesses can add Vengo AI to any website or platform to capture and track customer data.

Alloy.ai and CloudPaths partner on supply chain planning for consumer products. Alloy.ai, a data integration and retail analytics platform for consumer brands, has joined forces with CloudPaths, a SAP partner, to offer supply chain planning, guidance, and implementation. According to the companies, the partnership enables consumer product businesses to transform their supply chain and planning by combining CloudPaths’ SAP expertise with Alloy’s real-time data integration platform.

Alloy.ai

Kepler launches AI-powered tools for ecommerce product pages. Kepler, a digital marketing agency, has launched PDP+ for ecommerce product pages. Kipler’s AI engine optimizes product-page content, identifying high-performing keywords, restructuring titles for better discoverability, and prioritizing product features based on consumer search patterns. Kepler’s AI-powered engine elevates basic product photography, turning standard background shots into immersive imagery and video. A team of brand and creative experts crafts and reviews the enhancements, Kepler says.

Bookshop.org launches an ebook platform for indie bookstores. Bookshop.org, a site promoting independent bookstores, has launched a platform enabling independent bookstores to sell ebooks. According to Bookshop.org, the digital books initiative enables local bookstores to sell digital products and retain 100% of the profits. The platform, available through Bookshop.org, launches with 3 million ebooks.

Moniepoint tests a POS that manages inventory. Moniepoint, a digital payment company, is testing a point-of-sale service that combines payment and transaction processing with inventory management. Following its acquisition of Grocel, a provider of inventory management tools, Moniepoint has integrated Grocle’s features into its POS terminals. Moniepoint’s new integrated POS will manage the combination of business processes and record keeping.

Gallabox raises $3.5 million for AI-driven business on WhatsApp. Gallabox, a no-code conversational commerce platform, has raised $3.5 million to address how businesses leverage WhatsApp for marketing and sales. The seed round was led by Fuse, with participation from existing investors Prime Venture Partners and Neon Fund. Gallabox says its platform for WhatsApp automation enables businesses to create AI chatbots for lead qualification, deploy drip marketing campaigns, and manage team collaboration through shared inboxes.

Gallabox

New Ecommerce Tools: January 30, 2025

Every week we publish a list of new products from companies offering services to ecommerce merchants. This installment includes updates on automated marketing, social commerce, product reviews, AI-powered shopping agents, value-added tax, drone deliveries, and more.

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

New Tools for Merchants

TikTok Shop U.K. introduces automated ad campaigns for sellers. TikTok Shop U.K. has launched GMV Max, an AI-powered campaign management tool that maximizes sellers’ gross merchandise value. Available for products and live shopping sessions, GMV Max automates campaign creation — audience targeting, bidding, creative — to optimize results. Sellers can choose a performance target.

TikTok Shop: GMV Max

Wix partners with YouTube on social shopping. Wix has integrated with YouTube Shopping, enabling merchants to sell products directly through the video platform. Merchants can display their products in a store format directly on their YouTube profiles and tag products in videos, live streams, and shorts. Merchants can track performance using YouTube’s analytics tools. Product details such as descriptions and images automatically sync between Wix and YouTube.

Test Squared connects sellers with product testers. Test Squared has launched its platform to help sellers generate product reviews quickly and ethically. The platform connects businesses with verified product testers to gather authentic feedback, offering sellers a way to build trust and increase product visibility while ensuring compliance with review regulations.

OpenAI introduces Operator with shopping agents. OpenAI has released Operator⁠, an agent that can perform online tasks, including shopping. Using its own browser, Operator can interact with a web page by typing, clicking, scrolling, and executing browser tasks such as filling out forms and ordering groceries. As part of the release, OpenAI is collaborating with companies such as DoorDash, Instacart, OpenTable, Priceline, StubHub, Thumbtack, and Uber.

OpenAI Operator

Amazon Ads launches Brand+ to leverage shopping, browsing, streaming. Amazon Ads is launching Brand+, which combines data from shopping, browsing, and streaming across the company’s total footprint. The data-powered offering seeks to predict consumers looking for a brand’s product or service within the next three months. Marketers can use Brand+ to deliver messages on (i) video streaming platforms such as Prime Video and Twitch, (ii) video publishers such as BuzzFeed and Fox, and (iii) the streaming marketplace with Fire TV.

Meta introduces ads in Threads. Businesses can extend their existing Meta ad campaigns to Threads by checking a box in Ads Manager. During early testing, ads in the Threads feed will be images that appear between content in the Threads home feed for a small percentage of users. Meta will also give users control over the ads they see.

Klaviyo to be the preferred marketing solution for WooCommerce. Klaviyo, a marketing automation platform, has been named the preferred marketing automation partner for the WooCommerce WordPress plugin. Klaviyo says more than 15,000 brands use its WooCommerce integration to gather and unify real-time data. The consolidated data allows brands to create and manage personalized omnichannel marketing campaigns, streamline product reviews, and improve performance through actionable insights.

Klaviyo

Amazon unveils location of first drone delivery in the U.K. In 2023, Amazon announced plans to launch drone deliveries in the U.K. It has now identified the northern city of Darlington as the location of the first planned U.K. Prime Air drone delivery. Amazon will seek permission to build flight operations facilities at the site and apply for authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority to fly drones in the airspace.

eBay U.K. helps sellers with value-added tax. eBay U.K. is running a trial program to help merchants manage value-added tax. Merchants who sell goods in any E.U. country or the U.K. may be required to collect and remit VAT on sales. The eBay trial program enables sellers to automatically download VAT invoices while providing buyers with accessible VAT receipts — all from the view order details page.

PriceSpider launches an API to customize ecommerce shopping and analytics. PriceSpider, a provider of omnichannel selling tools, has launched API Accelerate Suite, featuring two integrations, Custom Commerce and Data Share. Custom Commerce enables brands to access PriceSpider’s omnichannel data to power personalized user experiences across brand-owned media. Data Share provides access to PriceSpider’s data, powered by Snowflake, to track product performance, shopper engagement, and sales.

Ad management platform Shirofune integrates LinkedIn Ads. Shirofune, a Japan-based advertising automation tool, has integrated with LinkedIn Ads. The integration allows advertisers to manage LinkedIn campaigns alongside other ad platforms, including Google, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Pinterest, TikTok, X, BigCommerce, and Shopify. Shirofune’s AI-powered platform automates budget allocation and bid adjustments on LinkedIn. It also features enhanced targeting capabilities with automated audience segmentation and performance tracking.

Shirofune

Plain-English Guide to Shopify Liquid

Liquid is Shopify’s template engine that brings backend store data to the public-facing front-end. Merchants who understand Liquid can unlock new store customizations without needing a developer.

In this article, I will explain the basics.

Liquid is a bridge between a store’s content and how it’s displayed. The template resides in a file with the .liquid suffix for every page or section. Hence main-product.liquid contains the product template.

The product template resides in main-product.liquid. Click image to enlarge.

Shopify organizes files based on what they do. For example, the “sections” folder contains files defining entire parts of a site, such as headers or a product gallery. The “snippets” folder applies to smaller components, such as buttons or a specific design element.

Snippets can reside in section folders. A merchant could create a custom button in a snippet file and include it in the section folder, for example. To place “snippet_name.liquid” inside “main-product.liquid,” I would position my cursor at the right point in the product file and add {% render ‘snippet_name’ %}.

Syntax

Liquid functions with defined terms and phrases — a syntax.

Variables

Variables are the representation of dynamic information. For example, {{ product.title }} dynamically displays the title of the product. Note how Liquid uses double curly braces ( {{ }} ) to pull the variable information.

Objects

Objects are collections of data. Examples include product, collection, and customer.

• product holds all the information about a specific product, such as title, ID, description, and price. To display a product’s price, create a variable {{ product.price }} where product is the object and price is the property. Shopify publishes a list of all product object properties.

• collection represents a group of products, such as a category. Pull information from the collection object for every product assigned to it or for assigned information such as title, description, and product count. Here’s Shopify’s list of collection properties.

• customer contains info about the logged-in user, such as name, email address, physical address, marketing consent, and order preferences. Here are all customer properties.

Tags

Tags add logic to Liquid code via two main types, “control flow” and “iteration.”

Control-flow tags drive logic, such as if/else statements.

{% if product.available %}
This product is in stock!
{% else %}
Sorry, this product is out of stock.
{% endif %}

Iteration tags repeat actions, such as looping through products in a collection.

{% for product in collection.products %}
{{ product.title }}
{% endfor %}

Filters

Filters transform the data Liquid retrieves. For example:

• {{ product.title | upcase }} displays the product title in uppercase letters.
• {{ product.price | times: 1.2 }} increases the price by 20%.

Custom Message Example

Here’s a real-life example. Imagine you want to display a custom message on your product pages under the title when an item is in stock or out of stock.

Here’s how to do it.

1. In the Shopify admin, navigate to Online Store > Themes > Actions (left button with dots …) > Edit Code.
2. Find and open the main-product.liquid file from the sections folder.
3. Search {%- when ‘title’ -%} using (Ctrl + F) to locate the title.

Position the cursor under the closing /div and add:

{% if product.available %}
This product is available! Get it while stocks last!
{% else %}
Sorry, this product is currently out of stock.
{% endif %}

Add a custom message when an item is in stock or out of stock. Click image to enlarge.

Save and preview. Save your changes and preview the store. In this example, shoppers will see a green message when an item is in stock and a red message when out of stock.

The message “Sorry, the product is currently out of stock” appears in red. Click image to enlarge.

Getting Started

Experimenting and testing is the best way to learn.

• Back up your theme. Always duplicate your theme before changing it. Click Actions > Duplicate in the Themes section of the admin.
• Use Preview mode. Shopify allows previews of changes before taking them live.
• Start small. Begin with minor changes.

For more on Liquid, see:

New Ecommerce Tools: January 23, 2025

Every week we publish a rundown of new products from companies offering services to ecommerce merchants. This installment includes updates on generative AI search, website builders, fulfillment, marketing platforms, reverse logistics, mobile payments, cross-border ecommerce, and click-to-cancel requirements.

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

New Tools for Merchants

Perplexity releases Sonar API with real-time AI search. AI search engine Perplexity has launched Sonar and Sonar Pro API, enabling developers to integrate Perplexity’s generative search capabilities with real-time information and citations. Sonar API is the base version, which is cheaper and quicker and includes citations and the ability to customize sources. Sonar Pro API can handle in-depth, multi-step queries with added extensibility, such as double the number of citations per search, more nuanced searches, and follow-up questions.

Sonar API by Perplexity

Wix and Worldline partner to expand ecommerce payments in Europe and Asia. Website builder Wix has partnered with payment provider Worldline in select Europe and Asia Pacific countries. New and existing Worldline customers can access Wix’s platform to build and manage an online store. Wix users can leverage Worldline’s local payment processing services and distribution networks.

Amazon launches portal to help FBA sellers with reimbursable opportunities. Amazon has launched an “Inventory Defect and Reimbursement” portal to streamline seller operations and provide transparency into Fulfillment by Amazon’s defects practices. Sellers can manage inventory defects and reimbursements within warehouse lost, warehouse damage, and customer returns — all through the IDR portal. Sellers get visibility into defects and their status, detailed information for each defect, a view of defects from multiple reports and policy checks, and insights into defect frequency and the resolution rationale.

Veho launches premium economy delivery service. Veho, a technology company operating alternative U.S. delivery platforms, has launched a Premium Economy service for parcel delivery in five days or less. Veho says Premium Economy will provide a cost-effective alternative to USPS and UPS services and is well suited for consumer brands shipping lightweight parcels, subscription brands shipping non-perishable goods, and third-party logistics providers.

Veho

Omnisend adds reporting functionality to its ecommerce marketing platform. Ecommerce email and SMS platform Omnisend has launched upgraded reporting functionality, allowing merchants to analyze emails, SMS, and push notifications in one reporting platform for any date range. Businesses can now compare the performance of each channel with full data history, comparisons of each channel’s revenue, and control over sales attribution to different channels.

DHL Supply Chain acquires reverse logistics platform. DHL Supply Chain, part of logistics provider DHL Group, has acquired Inmar Supply Chain Solutions, a division of Inmar Intelligence and a returns solutions provider for the retail ecommerce industry. The acquisition will result in 14 return centers joining DHL Supply Chain, expanding the company’s North American footprint, which currently stands at over 520 warehouses. DHL Supply Chain will strengthen its returns capabilities to include product remarketing, recall management, and supply chain performance analytics.

Swap and Avalara partner on cross-border commerce. Swap, an ecommerce logistics platform, has partnered with Avalara, a provider of tax compliance automation software. Swap and Avalara will collaborate to enable cross-border compliance for brands selling on marketplaces and platforms. According to Swap, the integrated offering reduces cross-border complexity and compliance risk and ensures timely payments of duties, taxes, and fees.

Swap

Amazon launches a suite of foundational models. Amazon has launched Nova, a suite of foundation models to help businesses leverage artificial intelligence. By tapping into a company’s data sources, Amazon Nova can deliver tailored insights, recommendations, and more. Nova features natural language understanding, integration with popular business apps, price performance, and enterprise-grade security features. Use cases include customer support, content generation, data analysis, and personalized product or service recommendations.

Deluxe launches mobile app dlxPAY for merchants. Deluxe, a payments and data company, has launched dlxPAY, a mobile app to enhance the payment experience for merchants and partners. dlxPAY offers merchants a suite of features to streamline payment processing, including real-time transaction management, advanced security, and customizable notifications. Additionally, the app integrates with Ingenico’s Moby 5500 card reader device, adding flexibility for businesses that require mobile payment solutions, including contactless and Europay, Mastercard, and Visa chip card acceptance.

Cloudways hosting launches AI-powered diagnostic solutions for SMBs. Cloudways, part of DigitalOcean Holdings, is launching Cloudways Copilot, a suite of AI services that bring intelligent managed hosting to small- and medium-sized businesses. Cloudways Copilot empowers digital businesses to address website-related problems by automatically detecting, diagnosing, and supporting the resolution in real time. The rollout of AI-powered issue diagnostics is the first phase of the Cloudways Copilot launch.

Chargebee subscription management helps with click-to-cancel requirements. Chargebee, a subscription management platform, has announced that its Retention feature helps businesses meet the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s new click-to-cancel requirements. The FTC now mandates a straightforward cancellation process for consumers, targeting subscription services that use features such as automatic renewals or free-to-pay conversions. Chargebee Retention helps businesses comply with the new requirements and provides insights into why customers leave.

Chargebee

Squarespace’s Tools Aid Ecommerce Novices

New ecommerce entrepreneurs are not typically software engineers or graphic designers. Many online stores therefore look alike, since founders, as skilled as they are, rely on basic templates.

Content management systems and ecommerce platforms provide flexible and customizable theme options, but most require development or design expertise.

Some platforms — Shopify and others — allow users who can write code to manipulate themes to a single pixel. Conversely, exceptional site design tools such as Webflow don’t require code but still have a steep learning curve with complex Figma- or Photoshop-like interfaces.

Squarespace

Entrepreneurs may not think of Squarespace when opening an online shop, but I recently worked with the platform and concluded two helpful features — Blueprint AI and the grid-based editor — make it a “just right” solution for founders with limited products who want much visual control.

Blueprint AI

Squarespace launched Blueprint AI last year to assist merchants in building a semi-custom website. The AI guides the user through a series of questions, designing the website as it goes.

The process is interactive, real-time, and editable, generating an attractive and branded site.

Squarespace offers templates and a guided design option called Blueprint AI.

Here is a glimpse into the process.

First, Blueprint AI wants to know the name of the business and its personality. I called this example “Latin Quote Art Shop” and chose the brand personality as “Bold,” one of seven options.

• Professional
• Playful
• Sophisticated
• Friendly
• Bold
• Quirky
• Innovative

Next, I selected sections for the home page and chose each layout. My Latin quotes example will have an introduction and a product area, among other sections.

Users can add pages during the guided Blueprint AI design or later.

It is easy to add pages after Blueprint AI builds its initial design. For example, I could add a “shop” page containing the product catalog and pages for “about” and “contact.”

Blueprint AI offers a limited selection of color palettes organized with labels from the brand personality. This step was disappointing given the capabilities of generative AI, which could easily provide more colors and even suggest them based on text descriptions.

The color palette is limited but easy to use.

Next, I selected a font from a tiny list, confirming again that Blueprint AI is a guided tool, not generative.

The tool, however, becomes part of the Squarespace editor. For example, Blueprint AI surmised my Latin Quotes Art Shop offered art supplies because it recommended the headline “Unleash your inner artist.” But the shop’s purpose was to sell wall art featuring Latin quotes.

Once in the editor, a user can prompt Blueprint AI to generate text.

I then prompted, “Write a blurb about the Latin Quote Art Shop, which sells framed wall art that features famous Latin quotes like “Aut viam inveniam aut faciam” and nine iterations. The AI eventually produced “Let words inspire.”

Squarespace editor

The second impressive feature was the Squarespace editor. In 2020, Squarespace updated the tool and released the Fluid Engine component.

Fluid Engine has many options for colors and layouts, but its grid system might be the most helpful.

A user can select, drag, and resize any element or section of a page and have it “snap” to the grid. The resulting layout will automatically fit desktop and mobile layouts, precisely positioned.

The underlying design grid is simple and useful.

I routinely work in multiple ecommerce platforms — Shopify, WordPress, Ghost, Wix, others. The Squarespace editor is among the best.

The Squarespace editor produces layouts that are both unique and conventional.

Just Right

In short, Squarespace may be a “just right” fit for ecommerce startups needing a lot of visual control for a limited product catalog. The platform’s AI tool and snap-in-place grid are much easier than code-based theme modifiers or complicated editors.

New Ecommerce Tools: January 16, 2025

Every week we publish a rundown of new products from companies offering services to ecommerce merchants. This installment includes updates on cross-border selling, online advertising, generative AI, post-purchase tools, and B2B and B2C platforms.

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

New Tools for Merchants

Passport acquires Brand Access for localized cross-border selling. Passport, an international ecommerce solutions provider, has acquired Brand Access, a market leader in localized cross-border selling for direct-to-consumer brands. The acquisition will help merchants unlock their global potential by integrating locally managed services such as in-country logistics and marketplace management in key regions, including Canada, the U.K., and the E.U.

Passport

eBay to acquire Caramel for online automotive transactions. eBay has agreed to acquire Caramel, an online automotive transaction provider. According to eBay, Caramel’s platform provides a secure digital transaction experience to handle vehicle sales (including paperwork, ownership transfer, financing, and transportation) on Caramel’s site or app, through an independent dealer, or via marketplace and auction partners.

Microsoft Advertising launches tools for retailers. Microsoft Advertising has released two tools for retailers: “Curate for Commerce” and “Sponsored Promotions by Brands.” Curate for Commerce enables retailers to monetize first-party data to increase revenue for their commerce media program and provide shoppers with targeted ads from partners. Sponsored Promotions by Brands helps companies engage shoppers across Microsoft Edge, Bing, and retail partners’ websites, creating personalized, data-driven experiences.

BigCommerce updates Catalyst for one-click storefront. BigCommerce has announced updates to Catalyst, its storefront technology. With one click from the control panel, marketers can now launch and design a store that comes optimized out of the box. Catalyst is integrated with core BigCommerce functionality, including customizable checkouts, APIs, core catalog and inventory management, multi-storefront capabilities, and B2B functionality.

BigCommerce Catalyst

Salesforce unveils AI solutions for retail. Salesforce has launched two AI-powered services for retailers: “Agentforce for Retail” and “Retail Cloud with Modern POS.” Agentforce for Retail includes a library of pre-built skills to create AI agents that automate time-consuming tasks, such as order management and appointment scheduling, and to deploy rapid shopper personalization at scale. Retail Cloud with Modern POS combines online and offline shopping data together onto a single platform.

Algolia introduces Shopping Guides, a generative AI tool. Algolia, an AI search and discovery platform, has launched Shopping Guides, a content generation tool to assist shoppers on B2C and B2B ecommerce websites. Shopping Guides uses generative AI to create informative and comparison-based articles, providing shoppers with insights throughout their shopping journey.

Commercetools introduces InStore for unified omnichannel commerce. Commercetools, a developer of composable commerce applications, has launched Commercetools InStore, an application that brings its capabilities into physical stores. With this addition, Commercetools lets enterprise retailers deliver seamless, consistent shopping experiences across online and offline channels, managing pricing, promotions, products, carts, and orders in one place. For existing Commercetools customers, InStore removes the need for redundant integrations, enabling real-time inventory updates, cross-channel workflows, and personalized in-store experiences.

Commercetools

ParcelLab launches post-purchase Copilot and AI Email Editor. ParcelLab, a post-purchase experience platform, has launched Copilot and AI Email Editor to manage and personalize post-purchase journeys. Copilot is an AI assistant that helps teams optimize customer communications and touchpoints and identify and improve operations, providing real-time insights. ParcelLab’s AI Email Editor automates and personalizes email communications in over 160 languages.

Genesy AI raises €5 million to build AI agents for B2B sales. Genesy, a platform of AI-powered sales agents that autonomously identify and engage potential B2B customers, has closed a €5 million ($5.2 million) seed round led by Samaipata, a pan-European venture capital firm focused on early-stage digital businesses. Genesy’s mission is to transform B2B sales processes using AI sales agents. Genesy will use the proceeds to expand its team and enter markets such as the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, and The Netherlands.

Amazon Ads brings generative AI to Marketing Cloud. Amazon Ads has announced a structured-query-language (SQL) generator for Marketing Cloud, a generative AI that helps advertisers develop insights from Marketing Cloud signals. According to Amazon, the new capability provides a natural language interface through which advertisers can generate SQL queries for their desired audience use case and then build custom audiences for Amazon Ads campaigns across the entire marketing funnel, including streaming TV, audio, and digital channels.

Amazon Ads

New Ecommerce Tools: January 9, 2025

Every week we publish a list of new products from companies offering services to ecommerce merchants. This installment includes updates on marketplaces, supply chain platforms, shipping, returns, cross-border payments, and AI-generated product videos.

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

New Tools for Merchants

TalkShopLive introduces TSL Shoppettes for product videos. TalkShopLive, a video commerce platform, has introduced TSL Shoppettes, short-form shoppable videos for social commerce. TSL Shoppettes enable merchants to schedule up to 90-second vertical videos featuring one to five items each. The videos allow consumers on Meta platforms to purchase products with a simple “Shop” comment, triggering direct links to buy via Instagram DMs or Facebook Messenger.

TalkShopLive

Meta tests eBay listings in Facebook Marketplace. Meta is launching a test for Facebook users in Germany, France, and the U.S. to browse eBay listings directly on its Marketplace and complete the transaction on eBay. Meta is conducting the trial as it seeks to resolve European Union charges leveled last year of anti-competitive behavior. E.U. antitrust regulators accused Meta of illegally shutting out competitors by tying Marketplace to its social network.

USPS offers new same-day and next-day services for volume sellers. The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to offer same-day and next-day services, but with limitations. USPS Ground Advantage Next Day Priority will offer competitive pricing to meet the needs of businesses with threshold daily shipping volumes of 10 pieces at 10 pounds or less. It’s also offering same-day and next-day deliveries through USPS Connect.

Poshmark partners with Loop to transform missed returns into resales.. Poshmark, a fashion resale marketplace, and Loop, an operations platform for Shopify brands, are partnering to transform missed returns into resale opportunities. The partnership addresses a common consumer pain point: missing a return window or attempting to return a final sale item. Available to U.S. shoppers across Loop’s network of merchants, the new service allows consumers to resell non-returnable items on Poshmark while creating new revenue streams for the merchants.

Poshmark

Avataar releases a tool for creating AI-generated product videos. Avataar, a generative AI-powered content platform, has released Velocity, a tool that creates low-cost product videos from a link. The company’s optional API can integrate with merchants’ platforms to create product videos automatically.

Supply chain platform Tecsys launches an order management connector for Shopify. Tecsys, a provider of supply chain management tools, has announced the availability of its OrderDynamics OMS connector for Shopify to help merchants streamline fulfillment. The OrderDynamics connector integrates with Shopify stores, providing real-time inventory updates across fulfillment centers, warehouses, and stores. Participating brands have up-to-date stock data, preventing overselling and stockouts and allowing for more accurate and timely deliveries.

Later acquires social influencer app Mavely. Later, a platform for influencer marketing and social media management, announced its acquisition of Mavely, which helps brands monetize content. According to Later, the $250 million acquisition accelerates its ability to deliver full-funnel impact and measurable ROI for marketers while enabling creators to maximize their earnings through social commerce. Later’s AI predictive analytics will leverage first-party performance data from Mavely’s network of more than 120,000 creators.

Later

FedEx launches cross-border ecommerce in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. FedEx has launched FedEx International Connect Plus, a shipping service for packages weighing up to 20 kg, in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. FICP offers full tracking visibility for merchants and customers. The service includes notifications to recipients and the ability to choose delivery location, date, and time, including weekends and evenings, via FedEx Delivery Manager.

StoryStream unveils AI-powered video commerce solutions. StoryStream, a provider of AI-driven social shopping and ecommerce content, has launched an AI-powered video commerce platform. According to StoryStream, the platform empowers brands and retailers with immersive storytelling, shoppable videos, and live commerce for personalized and dynamic shopping experiences.

WordPress.com launches Studio Sync for local development. WordPress.com, the website building and hosting platform by Automattic, has released Studio Sync, a tool that synchronizes the hosting platform with Studio, its free and open-source WordPress development app. With Studio Sync, merchants keep local Studio sites connected to WordPress.com.

Briskpe launches a unified platform for cross-border payments. Briskpe, an international payments provider, has introduced a unified cross-border platform integrating account-to-account transfers and card collections powered by PayU and PayPal. Per Briskpe, the platform enables exporters, service providers, and marketplace sellers to manage international transactions efficiently. Briskpe charges a flat 1% fee on account-to-account transactions. The platform supports six major currencies: British pounds, euros, and dollars from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Singapore.

Briskpe