eBay’s Enhancements, Walmart vs. Google, and More News
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Hey there, folks! Are you ready for this week’s News Digest? It’s going to be a good one. Last week, we had a chat about Amazon’s FBA expansion, and this week we’re focusing on eBay’s enhancements and Walmart’s innovations. So grab your drink of choice, and sit back for the next few minutes with your favorite eCommerce news of the week.
Today’s news is 1585 words.
eBay’s Enhancements
eBay has introduced a significant enhancement to its platform by allowing sellers to automate Offers to Buyers for multiple items, as announced last Friday.
This feature enables sellers to send discounted offers to buyers who have either shown interest in an item by watching it or have left an item in their shopping cart for five days without completing the purchase.
Specifically, sellers can offer a minimum discount of 5% on items priced up to $200, with the flexibility to propose offers for higher-priced items at lower discounts. This automation aims to streamline the process for sellers, particularly those with extensive inventories, by removing the need to manually initiate each offer.
The new automation capability is part of eBay’s effort to simplify sales processes for its store subscribers.
Recognizing the potential of Offers to Buyers to enhance sales but also acknowledging the time-consuming nature of manually managing these offers, eBay has developed a system that allows for the bulk manual and automatic sending of offers for single and multiple listings.
Sellers can now define criteria for their listings, set offer terms, and let eBay automatically send offers to eligible buyers interested in listings that match these criteria. This system includes provisions for any new listings created, with the ability to specify the duration of automatic offers up to a maximum of 150 days.
However, eBay notes certain caveats with this new feature, especially regarding listings promoted through Promoted Listings. Sellers should be aware that advertising fees may still apply to interested buyers attracted via promoted ads.
What does it mean for eCommerce sellers?
This update is a strategic move by eBay to boost sales activity on its platform by making it easier for sellers to engage with potential buyers through targeted offers, ultimately enhancing the buying and selling experience on the marketplace.
MORE: eBay prohibited items: What not to sell
Big Retailer News
Is Walmart’s Innovation a Cause for Concern at Google?
Walmart is at the forefront of integrating generative AI into its search functions, with ambitions to transform into a one-stop shop for event planning needs, ranging from Super Bowl festivities to Valentine’s Day gatherings.
In a conversation with analysts following the company’s February earnings report, CEO Doug McMillon highlighted the enhanced search capabilities powered by generative AI within the app, aiming to provide customers with a more efficient, solution-oriented search experience.
The retailer’s push into AI-driven search is part of a larger effort to redefine its role in the tech and retail sectors. It is potentially challenging the primacy of traditional search engines like Google by offering an all-encompassing, AI-enhanced alternative for event planning and shopping.
And what does Walmart have to say about the integration?
“Creating great customer and member experiences is our top priority, and gen AI powered search makes online shopping even more intuitive and convenient. A single query for a themed party can serve up relevant, cross-category recommendations, replacing the need for individual searches for each and every item. This can be a significant time saver which leads to a more positive experience.” said a Walmart spokesperson.
What we should note:
The way we use search engines, wading through endless results to find what we need, is ready for a change. With more information out there than ever, it’s becoming harder to find the good stuff among the not-so-good. Meanwhile, companies like Google rely on ads from these searches for their income.
What does it mean for eCommerce sellers?
For eCommerce sellers, the shift towards integrating generative AI into search functionalities, as demonstrated by Walmart, signals a new era of online retailing. This development means sellers have the opportunity to leverage AI-driven platforms to offer a more seamless and intuitive shopping experience for their customers.
By adopting similar technologies, sellers can enhance their ability to meet customer needs through more personalized and efficient search results, potentially increasing sales and customer loyalty.
MORE: How to sell on Walmart in 2024
Allianz Trade Program
Allianz, nestled in Munich, is diving headfirst into the digital commerce ocean with its latest offering, Allianz Trade pay, specifically designed for the business-to-business (B2B) arena.
The new collection of services is a game-changer, promising to smooth out the bumps in B2B transactions by providing a safety net against fraud, easy digital onboarding, instant financing, and insurance coverage.
It’s Allianz’s way of saying, “We’ve got your back,” ensuring businesses can trust who they’re dealing with, thanks to a vast database covering over 83 million companies worldwide.
Behind the scenes, François Burtin, Allianz Trade’s eCommerce guru, shares their grand vision: Allianz Trade pay is here to take care of everything from verifying business identities to handling the payment process itself.
With Allianz’s global footprint, stretching over 50 countries and powered by a dedicated team of 5,700, they’re not just talking big; they’re playing big, aiming to energize the B2B eCommerce sector with their expertise and services.
What really brings Allianz Trade pay to life is the excitement from the team behind it, who see this opportunity as a catalyst for growth in B2B eCommerce.
They’re ready to tackle the shifting sands of trade, armed with the world’s top-notch trade credit insurance and a clear mission to lead the industry toward a brighter, more connected future.
Allianz Trade pay isn’t just a set of services; it’s a new chapter in eCommerce, bringing simplicity, security, and competitive edge to businesses eager to explore the digital marketplace with confidence.
What does it mean for eCommerce sellers?
This suite of services means that sellers can now engage in B2B transactions with a heightened sense of security and efficiency. With protections against fraud, streamlined onboarding processes, access to instant financing, and robust trade credit insurance, sellers will have the equipment to navigate the digital commerce landscape more confidently than ever before.
MORE: Multichannel management software and tools
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- Amazon’s virtual health assistance. Becker’s Hospital Review
- Amazon’s progress in workplace safety. Chain Store Age
International Retailer News
eCommerce Seller’s Email Problems
Recent research by EasyDMARC has revealed a concerning trend among eCommerce retailers, with approximately a quarter potentially facing a drop in email deliverability. This is due to a lack of compliance with new email authentication measures introduced by Yahoo and Google in February 2024.
The study examined the top 1,000 global eCommerce retailers, finding that only 75.4% have implemented a Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) policy. Such policies are crucial for safe email delivery, preventing cyber threats, and supporting revenue growth.
With Yahoo Mail and Google Gmail setting new standards for bulk email senders, including the adoption of the DMARC protocol, the aim is to reduce phishing and spoofing activities.
Emails that fail to comply with these standards are at risk of getting discarded or marked as spam, impacting eCommerce retailers who haven’t updated their email security measures.
As Yahoo notes, the full impact of these measures might still be unfolding, offering businesses a brief period to align with DMARC standards to avoid diminished email deliverability and the associated losses in customer trust and sales.
What does it mean for eCommerce sellers?
This change emphasizes the significant role of email in marketing and communication strategies, with potential adverse effects on customer engagement and sales.
For eCommerce sellers, this means that failing to comply with these new authentication standards could lead to a significant decrease in the effectiveness of email marketing campaigns, directly impacting their ability to reach customers and drive revenue.
MORE: How to handle eBay chargeback
Alibaba’s Entertainment Industry Investment
Alibaba Group Holding has announced a substantial investment of at least 5 billion Hong Kong dollars (around $640 million) in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry over the next five years.
The initiative aims to strengthen the creation of movies and additional visual media. Alibaba made its announcement at the beginning of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (Filmart), highlighting its dedication to improving:
- film production,
- television dramas,
- visual arts,
- and human resources development, including scholarships for film studies students.
With a portfolio that includes Alibaba Pictures and the prominent video streaming service Youku Tudou, Alibaba aims to enrich its entertainment offerings through this significant financial commitment.
Investing in Hong Kong’s entertainment sector allows Alibaba to build on its existing assets and improve the diversity and quality of its content library. The strategy seeks to enhance Alibaba’s position in the entertainment sector by offering a wider variety of premium content.
What does it mean for eCommerce sellers?
For eCommerce sellers, this strategy suggests a more vibrant ecosystem where content and commerce intersect more fluidly. A richer content library and more engaged audiences could lead to increased opportunities for product placements, branded content, and direct sales through Alibaba’s platforms.
Sellers might find new avenues for marketing and selling their products, especially if they can align with the themes, stories, or popularity of the content produced as a result of this investment.
Also in the News
Webinars
For everyone
Various dates: Amazon advertising’s global webinar program continues with 20+ webinars scheduled, covering Amazon Prime Day preparation, sponsored products, sponsored brands, reporting, optimization, and other tips.
Learn more: Amazon.
For US sellers
March 25: The 15-minute breakdown. Learn more: Tinuiti
For UK sellers
Various dates: Amazon advertising’s global webinar program continues with 20+ webinars scheduled, covering Amazon Prime Day preparation, sponsored products, sponsored brands, reporting, optimization, and other tips.
Learn more: Amazon.
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