Today's Ecommerce Pulse
Updated 2h agoAmazon automation emerges as a semi‑passive income model for seasoned investors
Amazon automation can generate profitable, semi‑passive income in 2026, but success hinges on disciplined execution and seasoned oversight. The model relies on advanced software for research, pricing, inventory and ad optimization, while investors now demand transparent reporting, compliance and sustainability.
Also developing:
News•Feb 4, 2026
Ulta Spotlights 6 Female Athletes with New Beauty Roster, Strengthens Support for Women’s Sports
Ulta Beauty has introduced its inaugural Ulta Beauty Roster, partnering with six high‑profile female athletes across emerging and established sports. The roster is supported by a Roster for Change grant program aimed at reducing the dropout rate of girls in sports through equipment, transportation, and facility upgrades. Ulta will also release digital trading cards that showcase each athlete’s personal strengths alongside curated beauty products. The initiative blends beauty branding with athletic empowerment to reach new consumer segments.
By Retail TouchPoints
News•Feb 4, 2026
The Global Wallet War: Who Will Own the Customer?
Digital wallets have evolved from simple payment tools into comprehensive consumer interfaces that combine payments, identity, loyalty, and credit. Big Tech, banks, and fintechs are racing to own this hub, each leveraging distinct strengths—device ecosystems, trust, and agility. Ownership of...
By Payments Cards & Mobile
News•Feb 4, 2026
Mastercard Offers Agentic AI Tools
Mastercard announced it will roll out a new suite of agentic AI tools for business customers in the second quarter of 2026. The platform lets firms build, test and deploy AI‑powered agents to enhance security, payments processing and customer‑experience functions....
By Payments Dive
News•Feb 4, 2026
Six Retailers Investing in Bricks-and-Mortar in 2026
Six UK retailers are accelerating physical‑store investment in 2026, marking a clear swing back to bricks‑and‑mortar. Co‑op will launch 18 new or reopened stores in the first quarter, while clothing brand Seasalt is adding locations in market towns and eyeing...
By Retail Gazette
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
How To Excel at SEO for Niche Markets
The episode breaks down how niche businesses can leverage SEO to attract highly targeted, high‑intent traffic by focusing on long‑tail keywords and deep, authoritative content. It outlines the benefits of niche SEO—faster rankings, stronger brand authority, and a defensible market...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Feb 4, 2026
PayMore Continues Rapid Expansion with Plans for 96 New Stores in 2026
PayMore announced plans to open 96 new stores in 2026, expanding its footprint across the United States and Canada at an average rate of eight locations per month. The chain more than doubled its store count in 2025, rising from...
By Retail TouchPoints
News•Feb 4, 2026
Walmart Readies Cross-Border Shipping Program for Sellers
Walmart is set to roll out Walmart Exports, a cross‑border shipping service for sellers using its Walmart Fulfillment Services, in early 2026. The program will initially ship eligible U.S.‑based inventory to customers in Mexico and Canada, with automatic enrollment for...
By Retail Dive
News•Feb 4, 2026
American Golf Acquired by Peter Jones and His Investment Group
Peter Jones and his investment group have acquired American Golf from private‑equity owner Endless. The specialist retailer, which generates £135 million in annual revenue and employs over 1,000 staff, operates more than 80 stores across the UK and Ireland alongside a...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Feb 4, 2026
The Payment Facilitator Model as a Growth Strategy for ISVs
The episode explores how the payment facilitator (PayFac) model is becoming a key growth engine for independent software vendors (ISVs) amid the rise of SaaS, AI, and embedded finance. It highlights the superior merchant experience PayFacs deliver—simplified onboarding, ongoing risk...
By PaymentsJournal
Social•Feb 4, 2026
Turn a Simple Shopify Pain Into a Sellable App
Renata Raya (@reraya) built a profitable Shopify app called GoRecover and sold it on @acquiredotcom. She was running a Shopify agency in Mexico City and kept seeing the same issue. Customers abandoned carts and email recovery wasn’t working. Most merchants were...
By Andrew Gazdecki
News•Feb 4, 2026
Google Ad Network Invalid Clicks Report: Fraud vs Accidental
Mike Ryan examined over 550 million ecommerce clicks from Q4 2025 using Google’s new “general invalid clicks” metric. He found the Google Display Network (GDN) registers the highest invalid‑click rate—nearly one in five clicks—though most are accidental. In contrast, the Search Partner...
By Search Engine Roundtable
News•Feb 4, 2026
Love Island Live Shopping Event via eBay Live with Toni & Cacherel
eBay is launching a one‑day live shopping event on Friday 13 February at 3 PM GMT, streaming on eBay Live and hosted by Love Island All Stars winners Toni Laites and Cacherel Mercer. The showcase will sell the exact pre‑loved designer pieces...
By ChannelX (formerly Tamebay)
News•Feb 4, 2026
PROFILE: How Beer52 Built a Community‑driven Craft Beer Empire
Beer52, launched in 2013, has become the UK’s leading craft‑beer subscription club, amassing over 200,000 members and earning a spot among the Sunday Times 100 fastest‑growing companies. For £27 a month, subscribers receive eight curated beers, snacks and the Ferment...
By InternetRetailing
News•Feb 4, 2026
Crypto Going Mainstream Among US Merchants
According to a PayPal and National Cryptocurrency Association survey, 39% of U.S. merchants now accept cryptocurrency at checkout, and 84% anticipate it becoming commonplace within five years. Customer demand is a primary driver, with 88% of merchants reporting inquiries about...
By Retail Customer Experience
News•Feb 4, 2026
Prolisto Officially Launches Prolisto Lite, a Free AI-Powered Web App for Creating eBay Listings From Product Photos
Prolisto has launched Prolisto Lite, a free AI‑powered web app that creates eBay listings from a single product photo. The Image‑to‑Listing engine generates a search‑optimized title, detailed description and item specifics without relying on barcodes or catalog data. It supports...
By MarTech Series
News•Feb 4, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Group Raises Full Year Sales Guidance
Watches of Switzerland Group lifted its full‑year sales guidance to 9‑11% in constant currency after a robust third quarter, with demand for luxury watches outpacing supply in both the UK and US. The company highlighted broad‑based growth across categories and...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Feb 4, 2026
Marketing Email Campaigns Reflected Tariffs, TikTok Trends in 2025
Omnisend’s 2025 analysis shows that three‑quarters of marketing email campaigns referenced tariffs or broader trade‑policy news, underscoring how supply‑chain costs dominate brand messaging. Thirteen percent of those emails highlighted “Made in USA” to reassure shoppers about product origin and pricing...
By Retail Customer Experience
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
Shopify Chargeback Dos and Don’ts | Eastside Co
The episode breaks down Shopify chargebacks, explaining their causes—fraud, shipping issues, inaccurate listings, and refund disputes—and why they matter financially and reputationally. It walks listeners through Shopify’s built‑in dispute workflow and highlights the platform’s fee‑refund policy when merchants win a...
By eCommerce Fastlane
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
What Is an Integrated Campaign? 2026 Guide for E-Commerce
In this episode, host Loieto Tugas and guest William Gasner break down what an integrated campaign is and why it’s essential for e‑commerce brands in 2026. They explain the 4 Cs—Coherent, Consistent, Continuous, Complementary—and outline the key steps: clear goals, a...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Feb 4, 2026
OfferUp Scammers Are Out in Force: Here’s What You Should Know
OfferUp, the 15‑year‑old U.S. marketplace that processes more than 30 million transactions each year, is grappling with a surge of fraud schemes. Scammers routinely steer buyers and sellers toward off‑platform payment methods such as Zelle, Venmo, gift‑card codes, or cash‑app transfers,...
By WeLiveSecurity
News•Feb 4, 2026
Watch: Waitrose Launches Sci-Fi TV Ads
Waitrose has unveiled a new television campaign titled “The Gastronaut,” created by Wonderhood Studios. The sci‑fi ad follows an astronaut who abandons space‑fuel meals for a home‑cooked prawn linguine, underscoring the brand’s “food lovers” ethos. The spot is sound‑tracked by...
By Retail Gazette
News•Feb 4, 2026
Same-Day Pay Becomes a Hiring Edge as Paycheck Gaps Bite
Instant, same‑day pay is emerging as a competitive advantage in talent acquisition as workers grow intolerant of traditional payroll delays. The lag between work completion and wage access forces many to rely on high‑APR credit, effectively eroding 20‑30 % of earnings....
By PYMNTS
News•Feb 4, 2026
Pay Flexibility Rises as More Workers Earn Variable Income
A PYMNTS Intelligence study shows 66% of U.S. consumers still live paycheck to paycheck, with 42% doing so out of necessity. Income volatility is rising as six‑in‑ten Americans now earn their primary income from hourly wages, gig platforms, or contracts,...
By PYMNTS
News•Feb 4, 2026
Billing Shifts From Back-Office Chore to Customer Loyalty Test
Paymentus CEO Dushyant Sharma argues billing is evolving from a back‑office cost to a loyalty driver. Over the past five years, tech innovations have turned billing and payments into a value‑generating function, enabling hyper‑personalized engagement and reducing service costs. Intelligent...
By PYMNTS
News•Feb 4, 2026
M&S Leads Valentine’s Day Dining Spend, Says Research
Marks & Spencer leads Valentine’s Day dining spend, according to Vypr research, with 15% of shoppers choosing its ingredients and 18% planning dine‑in deals, edging out Tesco. The study, based on 1,900 UK consumers, shows only 65% intend to celebrate,...
By Retail Gazette
Social•Feb 4, 2026
Market Ignores Your Risk Tolerance—Test Everything
I lost $9k testing a supplement everyone said was 'over-regulated.' Now doing $50k/month. I spent $18k on a 'safe' home goods product. Shut it down in 6 weeks. The market doesn't care about your risk tolerance. Test everything.
By Kamil Sattar
News•Feb 4, 2026
Stake Launches Clothing Brand Stake Supply
Australian fintech platform Stake has entered the apparel market with Stake Supply, its first clothing and accessories label. The debut collection, called Drop 1, offers eight minimalist‑styled items ranging from apparel to a basketball, all sold online. Stake’s senior brand designer...
By Inside Retail Australia
Podcast•Feb 4, 2026•46 min
E690 | Sacha Michaud, Glovo: Scaling a Hyper-Competitive Marketplace (and Knowing when to Exit)
In this episode, former race‑horse jockey turned Glovo co‑founder Sacha Michaud walks through the operator playbook that powered Glovo’s rapid rise and disciplined exits. He explains how the company launched its MVP in 2.5 months, scaled internationally with a launch‑team...
By The European VC (EUVC)
News•Feb 4, 2026
E-Commerce Fraud Set to More Than Double to $131 Billion by 2030
Juniper Research projects global e‑commerce fraud to surge from $56 billion in 2025 to $131 billion by 2030, a 133 % increase. The spike is largely driven by "friendly fraud," which now accounts for the majority of chargeback disputes. Existing merchant defenses are...
By PaySpace Magazine
News•Feb 4, 2026
Omnichannel Grocery: How Connected Retail Experiences Can Unlock Value Across Customer Touchpoints
Instacart is positioning its end‑to‑end platform as the backbone of omnichannel grocery, arguing that the hybrid shopper is now the default. The company claims a 30‑35% lift in customer lifetime value when retailers fully integrate digital and physical experiences. Its...
By Retail Gazette
News•Feb 4, 2026
Co-Op Price-Match Ad Banned After Aldi Complaint
The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) issued three rulings on Co‑op’s price‑match campaign that compared its "Everyday Essentials" to Aldi. While two complaints – about the overall clarity of the claim and the completeness of the product list – were...
By Retail Gazette
News•Feb 4, 2026
When Shoppers Become the Audience: How Retail Theatre Is Rewriting the Store
Retail theatre is shifting stores from pure transaction hubs to staged experiences, where staff act as cast and purchases become props. In Melbourne, the MC Takeaway pop‑up replaces food with plush collectibles, turning a simple order into a nostalgic performance....
By Inside Retail Australia
News•Feb 4, 2026
The Social Outfit CEO on Building Commercial Success Through an Ethical Model
The Social Outfit, a Sydney‑based fashion brand that blends charity, retail and manufacturing, employs refugee and migrant women while operating its own workroom and stores. CEO Amy Low is adding commercial systems—cash handling, sourcing, inventory controls—to a model that has...
By Inside Retail Australia
News•Feb 4, 2026
Aldi Invests £22 Million in Price Cuts
Aldi has committed £22 million to slash prices on hundreds of items, ranging from fresh produce to household essentials. The discounts include staples such as red lentils, porridge sachets and organic oats, as well as meat and cheese products. By lowering...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Feb 4, 2026
AI-Powered Fragrance Company Osmo Raises $70 Million in Series B Funding
AI‑driven fragrance startup Osmo announced a $70 million Series B round, led by Two Sigma Ventures and backed by Alumni Ventures and Patrick Collison. The capital will fund a move to a new manufacturing hub in New Jersey and the addition of three...
By Glossy
News•Feb 4, 2026
Puma Is Fueling Engagement and Community Feedback with an AI Platform Centered on Co-Creation
Puma relaunched its AI Creator platform in January, inviting fans to co‑design the Olympique de Marseille 2027‑28 third kit. The contest attracted over 35,000 unique users, who spent an average of eight minutes each, produced five designs per participant and...
By Glossy
News•Feb 4, 2026
Plustek eScan Scanner Speeds Auto Dealership's Digital Transformation.
Plustek’s eScan document scanner is accelerating the digital transformation of Lynch Family auto dealerships. The hardware’s plug‑and‑play design eliminated the need for employee training, while built‑in remote management cut IT installation and support costs. Integrated directly with the dealership’s Docuware...
By Retail Customer Experience
News•Feb 4, 2026
The Modern Retail Marketing Summit Heads to Huntington Beach This April
The Modern Retail Marketing Summit will convene top brand and retailer marketers in Huntington Beach from April 20‑22, spotlighting how companies are navigating rapid shifts in SEO, influencer, and AI-driven channels. Speakers include ThredUp’s SVP Kristen Brophy, Thrive Market’s CMO Amina Pasha, PacSun’s CMO...
By Modern Retail
News•Feb 4, 2026
Goodwill Plans 100 New Stores for 2026 After Hitting Record Revenue in 2025
Goodwill Industries posted a record $7 billion in revenue for 2025, its strongest performance in 125 years, and processed roughly 300 million store transactions. Its online platform, ShopGoodwill.com, achieved $450 million in gross merchandise value, underscoring digital growth. To capitalize on rising thrift...
By Modern Retail
News•Feb 4, 2026
Fitigues Is Back After Its Founders Reclaim the ‘90s Casual Brand
Fitigues, the iconic 1990s casualwear label, has returned after founders Steve and Andi Rosenstein reclaimed its intellectual property from Sycamore Partners. The duo opened a new flagship store in Scottsdale’s luxury shopping center and added a location at Newport Beach’s...
By Modern Retail
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
The Beginning of the End for Amazon’s USPS Advantage?
The episode examines USPS’s new bidding platform that opens its 18,000+ delivery units to all shippers, ending Amazon’s long‑standing exclusive access to last‑mile delivery. It explains how flexible, zip‑code‑level pricing and customized service agreements could lower costs and give mid‑size...
By EcomCrew
News•Feb 4, 2026
Why Retail’s AI Revolution Depends on Greater Network Resilience
Retail is rapidly evolving into an AI‑driven ecosystem, with technologies like computer‑vision loss prevention, dynamic pricing and personalized promotions relying on constant connectivity. Stores now operate as distributed data centers, where any network interruption instantly halts revenue and degrades the...
By Total Retail
News•Feb 4, 2026
Plug Raises $20 Million Series A
Plug Technologies, a marketplace for buying and selling electric vehicles, announced a $20 million Series A round led by Lightspeed. The round also included participation from Galvanize and existing backers Autotech Ventures, Leap Forward Ventures, and Renn Global. Since its launch in...
By VC News Daily
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
What Is a UX Competitive Analysis & How To Conduct One
The episode explains what a UX competitive analysis is and why it matters for conversion rates, focusing on how users complete key tasks on rival sites. It walks listeners through a six‑step process—identifying direct and indirect competitors, comparing features, mapping...
By eCommerce Fastlane
Blog•Feb 4, 2026
Agentic Commerce: Consumer Readiness Research
In this episode Alanya Hammond breaks down new research on "agentic" AI shopping, revealing that two‑thirds of North American and UK consumers have already tried or are open to AI assistants, and pinpointing the journey stages where AI adds the...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Feb 3, 2026
Truist Launches AI-Enabled Platform to Automate Corporate Receivables
Truist Financial unveiled an AI‑enabled receivables platform that automates payment‑to‑invoice matching for corporate clients. Leveraging machine learning and business rules, the solution scans checks and electronic payments, extracts remittance data, and integrates with ERP systems for straight‑through processing. The platform...
By PYMNTS
News•Feb 3, 2026
How to Turn Packaging Into a Revenue Driver (Not Just Another Cost)
Packaging is no longer a hidden expense but a strategic growth lever. By treating packaging like a marketing asset, brands can boost conversion rates, lower customer acquisition costs, and increase average order value. Real‑world tests—such as a beauty brand’s $1.00...
By Total Retail
News•Feb 3, 2026
Amazon Prime Sets Same- and Next-Day Delivery Record in 2025
Amazon reported that it delivered over 13 billion items with same- or next-day Prime service in 2025, a 44 percent increase from the previous year. U.S. shipments alone grew more than 30% to 8 billion items, with groceries accounting for over half of...
By Digital Commerce 360
News•Feb 3, 2026
BuildDirect Expand Its U.S. Marketplace Footprint
BuildDirect.com Technologies Inc. completed the acquisition of Greyne Custom Wood’s operating assets for $450,000 in cash on February 1. The deal brings Greyne’s $6 million FY2025 sales, U.S. inventory, and marketplace fulfillment capabilities into BuildDirect’s platform. BuildDirect expects about $405,000 in...
By Digital Commerce 360
News•Feb 3, 2026
Spotify to Use Checkout.com’s Global Acquiring Services
Spotify announced a partnership with Checkout.com to power its global payment infrastructure, leveraging the fintech’s Intelligent Acceptance, network tokenization, and authentication services. The arrangement will cover more than 180 countries, supporting Spotify’s 700 million monthly active users and 280 million paying subscribers....
By PYMNTS