Today's Ecommerce Pulse
Updated 54m agoAmazon automation emerges as a semi‑passive income model for 2026
Amazon automation can generate profitable, semi‑passive income in 2026, but success hinges on disciplined execution and seasoned oversight. Modern automation relies on advanced software for research, pricing, inventory, and ad optimization, while strategic decisions remain human‑driven.
Also developing:
By the numbers: MakeMyTrip to acquire majority stake in Flamingo Transworld
News•Jan 29, 2026
TrueLayer and Stripe Tap Into Finnish E-Commerce with Kustom Checkout Deal
TrueLayer and Stripe have extended their Pay by Bank service to Finland by embedding it in Kustom’s checkout platform. The rollout instantly equips more than 24,000 Kustom merchants with a direct‑bank payment option that eliminates card details. Finland’s high online‑banking penetration means the feature reaches virtually the entire population, promising higher conversion rates. The move deepens the existing TrueLayer‑Stripe partnership, which already covers the UK, France and Germany.
By The Fintech Times
Podcast•Jan 29, 2026•14 min
Why the Future of Financial Fraud Prevention Is Passwordless
In this episode, Dr. Adam Lowe of CompoSecure/Arculus and fraud analyst Suzanne Sando discuss the surge in AI‑driven financial fraud and why traditional passwords are no longer sufficient. They highlight how retailers like eBay and Amazon are moving to password‑less...
By PaymentsJournal
News•Jan 29, 2026
The Fraud Visibility Gap Created by Agentic Shopping
Agentic shopping leverages AI‑driven assistants to automate the checkout process, eliminating the manual steps that traditionally generate rich behavioral data. By bypassing page‑level interactions, these autonomous flows erase signals such as mouse movement, dwell time, and device fingerprinting that fraud...
By E-Commerce Times
News•Jan 29, 2026
Shoppers Want to Feel Seen and Understood, Suggests New Tesco Media Report
Tesco Media’s third annual "We Know the Nation 2026" report reveals British shoppers are seeking community and shared values, moving beyond pure transactions. With roughly 80% of UK households holding a Clubcard, the data shows event‑driven sales spikes—such as scones...
By InternetRetailing
News•Jan 29, 2026
ACH B2B Volume Hits 8.1 Billion Payments
ACH network B2B payments climbed to 8.1 billion in 2025, a 9.9% increase from 2024. Overall ACH volume reached 35.2 billion payments, valued at $93 trillion, while Same‑Day ACH surged 16.7% to 1.4 billion transactions. Healthcare claim payments rose 7.3% to 548 million, underscoring broader...
By PYMNTS
News•Jan 29, 2026
Most Consumers Can Identify AI Videos
According to Animoto’s 2026 State of Video Report, 83% of consumers say they can identify AI‑generated videos, and they perceive such content as diminishing brand trust. The study found that robotic gestures, unnatural voices, and lack of emotional tone are...
By Retail Customer Experience
News•Jan 29, 2026
Philip Pich, Founder of Passive Digital Asset, on Why Cash-Flowing Digital Businesses Are Emerging as a Serious Alternative Asset Class
Investor Philip Pich argues cash‑flowing digital businesses are emerging as a serious alternative asset class. These eCommerce brands generate recurring revenue, offer transparent data, and require less capital than traditional private‑equity deals. Pich emphasizes applying M&A rigor—structured deals, earn‑outs, and...
By TechBullion
News•Jan 29, 2026
Particular Audience Introduces Modular Retail Media Solutions to Cut Costs and Accelerate Innovation for RMNs
Particular Audience unveiled a Modular Retail Media (MRM) suite comprising 13 interoperable modules that can be added to existing retail media networks without replacing legacy adtech. The AI‑driven components, ranging from semantic search to automated product bundles, promise higher‑margin ad...
By MarTech Series
News•Jan 29, 2026
Shenzhen Shares Product Details, Technology Vision
At NRF 2026, Shenzhen’s sales director Tiffany Tian unveiled a suite of technology solutions aimed at modernizing retail and restaurant experiences. The portfolio includes AI‑powered kiosks, modular hardware, and immersive AR/VR tools designed for the North American market. Tian highlighted...
By Retail Customer Experience
Blog•Jan 29, 2026
Best Attentive Alternatives And Competitors To Consider In 2026
The episode breaks down Attentive’s niche in SMS and RCS automation and why its demo‑only, custom‑priced model suits mid‑size to large brands. It then surveys 11 alternatives, highlighting Omnisend as the top all‑round ecommerce choice with global SMS, email, and...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Jan 29, 2026
Palm Payments: Promise and Reality
Palm‑based biometric payment systems have moved from prototype labs to a handful of pilot sites, offering users the ability to authorize transactions by placing their hand on a dedicated scanner. While the technology promises faster checkout and enhanced fraud protection,...
By PaySpace Magazine
News•Jan 29, 2026
EBay Advertising Launches 2026 UK Marketing Trends Calendar
eBay Advertising has unveiled its 2026 UK Marketing Trends Calendar, a data‑driven guide that maps seasonal moments, micro‑trends and high‑intent shopping periods across the year. The calendar, built on eBay UK marketplace data, highlights demand spikes such as a 76%...
By ChannelX (formerly Tamebay)
News•Jan 29, 2026
Co-Op Appoints Former Lidl CEO to Board
The Co-operative Group has appointed former Lidl UK chief executive Ronny Gottschlich as an independent non‑executive director, effective 29 January. Gottschlich, who now runs Heunadel Retail Advisory, brings extensive discount‑retail and European market experience to the member‑owned retailer. The move is...
By Retail Gazette
News•Jan 29, 2026
H&M Lifts Profits Despite Slower Sales Growth
Swedish retailer H&M posted a 6% rise in operating profit to £1.38 bn for the year to 30 Nov 2025, while net sales held steady at roughly £17.1 bn. The profit boost stemmed from tighter cost control, a 12% drop in inventory and a...
By Retail Gazette
News•Jan 29, 2026
Why Russian Gamers Are Using International Skin Marketplaces
Russian gamers are increasingly turning to international skin marketplaces because these platforms circumvent banking restrictions, offer stable cryptocurrency payments, and provide localized Russian-language support. Sophisticated pricing engines deliver 7‑8% higher returns than domestic sites, while transparent fee structures and rapid...
By TechBullion
Blog•Jan 29, 2026
What Helped Wild Rye Land 100+ Retailers and Raise $1 Million
In this episode, founder Cassie Abel discusses how Wild Rye transformed the outdoor apparel market by designing high‑performance gear specifically for women and embedding purpose into every decision, from sustainability certifications to social advocacy. She shares how building long‑term, trust‑based...
By eCommerce Fastlane
Blog•Jan 29, 2026
Instagram Verification Cost in 2026: What Brands Should Know
The episode breaks down Instagram verification in 2026, explaining the two badge options—free verification for notable accounts and the paid Meta Verified subscription that any eligible user can purchase. It details pricing tiers, from $11.99/month for individuals to up to...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Jan 29, 2026
M&S Named UK’s Top Brand for Fourth Year in a Row
Marks & Spencer has been crowned the United Kingdom’s strongest brand for the fourth consecutive year, achieving a YouGov BrandIndex score of 52.7, well ahead of runner‑up Ikea’s 45.6. The ranking, derived from more than six million consumer interviews across...
By Retail Gazette
News•Jan 29, 2026
Boomers Have More Patience Than Gen Z With Healthcare Payments Frictions
A PYMNTS Intelligence study reveals a stark generational divide in digital healthcare. While 33% of Gen Z patients report their latest visit was virtual, only 5% of baby boomers did. Payment friction is the biggest hurdle for younger users, with...
By PYMNTS
Social•Jan 29, 2026
Authenticity Beats High Production Value Every Time
I spent $20k on a brand photoshoot with models and studios. Competitor shot iPhone videos in their bedroom. Their content got 4x more engagement. Production value doesn't matter. Authenticity does. Test everything.
By Kamil Sattar
News•Jan 29, 2026
Ocado Partner Sobeys to Close Alberta Warehouse
Ocado Group announced that its Canadian partner Sobeys will shut the Calgary customer fulfilment centre, citing slower‑than‑expected e‑commerce growth in Alberta. The closure will shave roughly £7 million from Ocado's FY26 fee revenue, but the company expects an £18 million compensation payment...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 29, 2026
Naked Wines Peak Trading in Line with Guidance
UK online wine retailer Naked Wines reported that its peak‑season trading through the 13 weeks to 29 December 2025 was in line with internal guidance. Revenue fell 19 % year‑on‑year on a constant‑currency basis as the company sharpened its focus on a...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 29, 2026
Lululemon to Open First Birmingham Store
Lululemon announced its first UK store in the Midlands, opening a 5,700‑square‑foot location at Birmingham’s Bullring. The flagship will carry the brand’s full activewear range for women and men, spanning yoga, running, tennis, golf and more. Lululemon plans to embed...
By The Retail Bulletin
News•Jan 29, 2026
Liquidations, Rents and the ‘Disappointment Gap’ Holding Back Kiwi Retail
New Zealand’s retail sector entered 2026 amid a wave of closures, with 61 stores shutting in just ten days, including the high‑profile liquidation of ANCZ’s Miniso, Yoyoso and Acecco brands. The collapse follows weak 2025 Christmas sales, rising rent costs...
By Inside Retail Australia
News•Jan 29, 2026
AS Beauty CEO Joey Shamah on Shuttering CoverFX and Mally Beauty (for Now), Plus Warning Signs a Brand Is Going...
AS Beauty, led by former e.l.f. CEO Joey Shamah, announced the temporary shutdown of its CoverFX and Mally Beauty lines. The move follows a wave of closures in the beauty sector, including the bankruptcy filing of Pat McGrath Labs, and reflects mounting...
By Glossy
News•Jan 29, 2026
Fashion Briefing: Why the New India-EU Trade Deal Will ‘Undoubtedly’ Have Big Benefits for the Fashion Industry
The European Union and India are finalising a historic trade agreement that will slash tariffs on almost all goods, including textiles, jewelry and leather, effectively eliminating duties on 97% of EU exports to India and 99.5% of Indian exports to...
By Glossy
News•Jan 29, 2026
Follett Is Making a Bigger Push Into Private-Label Merch at Its College Bookstores
Follett Higher Education, which runs roughly 1,000 college bookstores, is accelerating its private‑label strategy. The company launched the Cameron J performance‑apparel line, now in 190 locations and already generating millions in sales, while its earlier Campus United brand has posted...
By Modern Retail
News•Jan 29, 2026
Popflex’s Cassey Ho Is Taking Dupes of Her Viral Skort and Turning Them Into DIY Fashion Kits
Popflex founder Cassey Ho launched the Upcycle Project, offering DIY dress kits made from duplicated Pirouette Skort fabrics. The kits, designed by independent up‑cyclers Kiana Bonollo and Tracy Garcia, let customers deconstruct and redesign the material, with profits benefiting the...
By Modern Retail
News•Jan 29, 2026
Locus Robotics and Radial Surpass 25 Million Picks Milestone
Locus Robotics announced that its partnership with e‑commerce platform Radial has exceeded 25 million picks at Radial’s Shepherdsville fulfillment center. The site now runs 87 LocusBots daily, swelling to 104 robots during peak periods, and has quadrupled throughput without expanding its...
By Robotics & Automation News
Blog•Jan 29, 2026
Shopify SEO Migration: How To Preserve Organic Traffic
In this Trustpilot episode, the host walks listeners through the SEO challenges of migrating an e‑commerce site to Shopify and offers a step‑by‑step checklist to safeguard organic traffic. Key pitfalls highlighted include missing redirects, altering title tags, changing internal link...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Jan 29, 2026
Cassava Technologies and AXON Networks Partner to Launch Operator-as-a-Service Platform Across Africa
Cassava Technologies and AXON Networks have announced a joint venture to launch an Operator‑as‑a‑Service (OaaS) platform across Africa. The cloud‑native solution will enable telecom operators and new entrants to provision network services without heavy infrastructure investment. Targeting more than 30...
By PaySpace Magazine
News•Jan 29, 2026
LendingClub Says 60% of LevelUp Checking Customers Are Also Borrowers
LendingClub posted a 40% YoY jump in Q4 loan originations to $2.6 billion, driven by strong uptake of its LevelUp savings and checking products. LevelUp checking accounts now have 60% of new users who are existing personal‑loan borrowers, and total deposits...
By PYMNTS
Blog•Jan 29, 2026
Wunderkind + Klaviyo: Turning Anonymous Traffic Into Our Next Growth Chapter
In this episode, the hosts announce Wunderkind’s integration into the Klaviyo App Marketplace, turning the former competitor into a strategic partner. The discussion explains how Wunderkind’s real‑time identity resolution and AI‑driven decisioning layer can be embedded directly within Klaviyo’s email...
By eCommerce Fastlane
News•Jan 28, 2026
Dynamic Interchange Takes Card Pricing Beyond Static Tables
Dynamic interchange is replacing static rate tables, with Visa’s Commercial Enhanced Data Program (CEDP) tying fees to real‑time transaction data. Verified commercial card transactions receive a 10‑15 basis‑point reduction, while unverified ones can incur up to a 75‑basis‑point surcharge. The...
By PYMNTS
Social•Jan 28, 2026
Master Depth, Volume, Live to Boost Followers
Depth Volume Live The DVL discipline will change the outcomes so many of you strive to …. Depth - so many of you want more followers and sales but don’t reply To a single dm or comment .. from 2007-2011 I...
By GaryVee
News•Jan 28, 2026
Starbucks Says Digital Platforms Are Key Piece of Turnaround Strategy
Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol said digital platforms are central to the company’s turnaround, emphasizing the progress of the "Back to Starbucks" plan. In Q1 FY2026, global comparable store sales rose 4%, with U.S. comparable transactions up 3%—the first increase in...
By PYMNTS
News•Jan 28, 2026
How Did Yves Saint Laurent Build a Long-Term Retail Strategy?
Yves Saint Laurent built a durable retail strategy by pioneering owned boutiques that separated ready‑to‑wear from haute couture, giving the brand direct control over pricing, presentation, and customer experience. The 1999 acquisition by the Gucci Group (now Kering) introduced corporate discipline,...
By Retail Insider Canada
News•Jan 28, 2026
Credibly Snags New Patent to Scale SMB Financing Platform
Credibly announced a newly issued patent that embeds AI deep into its SMB financing platform, automating affordability evaluation, offer structuring, and complex underwriting workflows at scale. The patent bolsters the company’s intellectual‑property portfolio and signals a shift from experimental add‑ons...
By PYMNTS
News•Jan 28, 2026
Silicon Valley Wades Into a Trade Spat with South Korea
Coupang, South Korea’s e‑commerce powerhouse with $35 bn in sales, suffered a massive data breach that has escalated into a diplomatic dispute. U.S. officials, backed by allies in the Trump administration, are pressing for tighter security controls on the firm’s handling...
By The Economist » Business
News•Jan 28, 2026
Mastercard Launches Accreditation Program for UK FinTech Sponsors
Mastercard has launched the “BIN Sponsor Plus” accreditation framework to streamline market entry for UK fintech startups. The program connects fintechs with a vetted network of banks that can provide rapid card‑program launches while meeting heightened due‑diligence and training standards....
By PYMNTS
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
UPS Cuts 30,000 Jobs as It Winds Down Amazon Partnership
UPS announced a plan to eliminate 30,000 operational positions through attrition and voluntary buyouts as it phases out its partnership with Amazon. The carrier will shutter 24 facilities in the first half of 2026 and accelerate automation initiatives, targeting roughly...
By Shopifreaks
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
How Shopify Merchants Can Scale Meta and Google Ads While Maintaining High ROAS
The episode outlines a practical playbook for Shopify merchants handling 100‑3,000 orders monthly to scale Meta and Google ads while preserving high ROAS. It emphasizes limiting budget hikes to 5‑15% every two weeks, using evergreen campaign structures, consolidating product variants,...
By eCommerce Fastlane
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
How To Use the 12-Week Year to Select the Right Goals
In this episode the host explains how to use the 12‑Week Year framework to pick the few high‑leverage goals that truly move you toward your vision. By starting with a three‑year vision, defining 2‑3 critical streams, uncovering the biggest obstacles,...
By eCommerce Fastlane
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
Best Brands on TikTok: Tips To Optimize Your Brand Presence
In this episode Esther Vogelfanger breaks down TikTok marketing, highlighting why the platform’s authentic, short‑form video format and booming TikTok Shop make it a powerhouse for brand growth. She showcases six standout brands—Fenty Beauty, GymShark, The Washington Post, Olipop, HOKA,...
By eCommerce Fastlane
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
Gmail Enters The Gemini Era: What Actually Changes For Email Marketers?
The episode breaks down Gmail’s new Gemini‑powered AI features and explains why they don’t upend email marketing fundamentals. While AI‑driven priority ranking and summarization will surface low‑engagement messages faster, the core rule remains: send clear, relevant emails with a single...
By eCommerce Fastlane
Social•Jan 28, 2026
AI Ended Dropshipping; Human Strategy Wins 2026
AI just Killed Dropshipping... Here's What's Replacing it Today Watch here 👉 https://t.co/ZExaWfvw02 AI has turned dropshipping into a race of copycats. In this video, I explain how automation is pushing beginners into competing on the same products, killing stores before...
By Kamil Sattar
Social•Jan 28, 2026
ChatGPT Could Power Universal Price Comparisons via Shopify Catalog
I saw a Q&A that mentioned @Shopify's Catalog MCP provides a "List of shops selling the product with specific prices" along with a Universal Product ID. Does that mean a shopper could use chatgpt for easy price comparison shopping across...
By Kurt Elster
Podcast•Jan 28, 2026•13 min
Nvidia's Game-Changing Weather Model
In this episode, Jamie and Jaeden explore the latest breakthroughs in AI-driven weather forecasting, spotlighting Nvidia's new weather model that delivers markedly higher accuracy. They discuss how businesses, especially e‑commerce platforms, can harness these predictions to anticipate demand spikes tied...
By In Machines We Trust
Social•Jan 28, 2026
Upgrade to a 5‑Email Welcome Series for Real Conversions
Most brands build a 3-email welcome series and never touch it again. Here's the 5-email flow that actually converts: https://t.co/mDwary7P4f
By Chase Dimond
Blog•Jan 28, 2026
Email Marketing Trends To Watch in 2026
The episode outlines seven key email‑marketing trends shaping 2026, from built‑in AI tools that draft copy and suggest send times, to smarter behavior‑driven automation, deeper personalization using first‑party data, and interactive, mobile‑first designs. It highlights how small businesses can leverage...
By eCommerce Fastlane