🌀Alibaba to launch Tmall across Europe

🛒Mass merchants

• Amazon is testing the use of AI to generate product review summaries. Deep dive → CNBC | Insider

• Amazon is reportedly preparing to launch its own NFT marketplace focused on offering digital collectibles linked to physical goods delivered to customers’ doorsteps. The initial launch (April 24th) was postponed for undisclosed reasons. Deep dive → Cripco @ Medium

• Onbuy is building its competitive advantage by becoming a Merchant of Record and providing shoppers and sellers with an extensive range of payment options based on a partnership with Nuvei. Deep dive → eSeller365

• eBay launches a beta AI plug-in that allows sellers to automatically generate text for their item descriptions based on product attributes to cut down on the time and effort required to list items. Deep dive → Retail Brew

• eBay officially expands its Authenticity Guarantee service for streetwear. The authentication service now includes six categories (sneakers, watches, jewelry, handbags, and trading cards) in the US. Deep dive → HypeBeast

👗Fashion

• Vinted after entering Romania in May, is strengthening its e-commerce delivery partnerships by signing deals with Inpost and Cargus. Deep dive → dlahandlu | trans.info | Cargus

• SHEIN marketplace expands beyond fashion to appliances (e.g., portable washing machines), smart home (e.g., remote-controlled lighting), and home DIY products (e.g., bathroom and kitchen fixtures and wallpaper). Deep dive → Fashion network | Yahoo Finance

• Nike added a sixth partner (Pro:Direct Sport) to its “connected” program, through which it quietly creates the future marketplace of sport. All members get member-exclusive products, experiences, and connected inventory, and Nike gets data and direct customer relationships across marketplace channels. Deep dive → RetailGazette

• Zalando after exiting secondhand fashion platform, Zircle, in November 2022, Zalando is getting back into the circularity game. “The Art of Remade” clothes collection is created based on inventory that was not sold for more than two seasons. Deep dive → Yahoo Finance

• Zalando introduced a new virtual fitting room that allows consumers to see how jeans will fit them on a 3D virtual avatar before they decide to purchase. The virtual fitting room experience allows consumers to create a 3D avatar by entering their height, weight, and gender. Deep dive → SourcingJournal

• Sainsbury's aims at building a new online marketplace for high-street fashion brands. The UK’s second-biggest supermarket chain has been pitching to clothing brands the idea of selling on its website and in up to 60 of its larger stores. Deep dive → The times

🍔Food

• Uber adds groceries and over-the-counter medical items to its Uber Health service. Uber plans to work with health plans and providers to prescribe food as medicine, following Instacart which in March 2023 launched a digital tool for doctors to prescribe food like they prescribe medication. Deep dive → Business Insider | Fast Company

• Uber offers advertisers the opportunity to reach its customers with long-form video messaging, along with visuals across its Uber, Uber Eats and Drizly platforms. Deep dive → Chain Store Age

• Uber to cease food delivery in Italy, exit Israel. Deep dive → Reuters

• Grubhub struggles to gain market share from competitors and lays off 15% of its corporate workforce, or about 400 employees. Deep dive → CNBC

• Glovo courier in Poland boldly claims to earn EUR 7.5K monthly by making approximately 80 deliveries daily. Deep dive → Boop

📦Other

• Uber to bring Uber Carshare to Boston and Toronto in the coming months. Uber Carshare, launched in Australia, allows people to borrow a nearby car for hours (or days) or rent their own cars for cash. Deep dive → Entrepreneur | USA Today

• Etsy continues to test search inserts in Sellers' Photos. The label "related searches" is being tested at the top of the product photo. Deep dive → EcommerceBytes

• Airbnb aims to attract large short-term landlords. The real-estate program, launched in the U.S. in November 2022 with about 175 buildings in 25 markets, now has 260 properties in 40 markets. Deep dive → WSJ | Airbnb

• Airbnb launches a total price display to address hidden fees and increase affordability. Deep dive → Beststocks

• Mediamarkt to launch subscriptions for electronic device repairs, regardless of where they were bought. The subscription potenitally to be a part of the marketplace that is currently live in Germany, Austria, and Spain. Marketplace roll-out is planned in the near future in at least 2 other countries. Deep dive → Stadt bremerhaven