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.
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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