Here is a list of product releases and updates for mid-December from companies that offer services to online merchants. There are updates on shipping, repeat purchasing, marketing services, cross-border selling, live-stream video, and public relations tools.
Got an ecommerce product release? Email releases@practicalecommerce.com.
Ecommerce Product Releases
UPS expands international Express services. UPS announced expansion across 40 countries of its UPS Worldwide Express and UPS Worldwide Express Plus — part of the UPS international suite of shipping services that guarantees delivery targets for urgent shipments. The latest expansion offers morning or midday service for time-sensitive shipments. UPS Express services are now available to businesses across 140 countries and territories, reaching the top 20 countries (by gross domestic product) with morning delivery.
UPS
eBay launches “Buy Again” button. eBay announced an all-new feature called Buy Again. When buyers go to their purchases page on iOS or to the eBay hamburger menu on Android, they can scroll through a list of their purchases to see a “Buy Again” button, to quickly repurchase that item from the same seller. If the item is not available from the same seller, shoppers can use the “Buy Similar” button. eBay’s search algorithms will then surface similar inventory, using the purchase title. Buyers will see the same product sold by a different seller, the same product in a different variant, or a similar product.
Retina launches Shopify integration for ecommerce companies. Retina, an artificial intelligence and predictive analytics company, has launched an augmented reality platform for Shopify merchants. Retina Go is a free tool powered by customer data science, letting merchants build on the rudimentary Shopify customer data reporting, to move the business towards a product-market fit. Businesses can download Retina Go through the Shopify App Store to access predictive analytics on customer lifetime value trends within their company and ad campaigns that target lookalikes of the best customers.
Cision releases “Choose Your Own PR Adventure” game. Cision, a public relations and media company, has released “Choose Your Own PR Adventure,” a game on Cision.com. The game gives players common PR scenarios to navigate, including creating a successful pitch from start to finish, finding the right influencer, managing leaked news, generating a report on PR performance, and understanding your competitors. Users can choose to experience the game via three career options: PR Manager, Chief Marketing Officer, or Digital Marketer.
Cision’s Choose Your Own PR Adventure.”
Portal from Facebook adds new content and features. Facebook’s AI-powered video-calling devices has announced new content and features. Log in to Portal with your WhatsApp account to make video calls and access features even if you don’t have a Facebook account. Connect with your co-workers when you’re working from home, providing a simple and secure way for people to communicate, collaborate, and connect at work using familiar Facebook features such as chat, video calling, and groups. Live-stream from Portal directly to your Facebook profile via Facebook Live. Open the Facebook Live app and let Smart Camera be the cinematographer for your special events. Facebook has also added access to content from streaming partners on Portal TV.
Craigslist launches app for iPhone. More than 20 years after the launch of the Craigslist platform and 11 years after the launch of Apple’s App Store, Craigslist has finally created an app for iOS. Users can buy and sell items or services, save favorite postings and searches, set alerts, and post, edit, and renew listings.
Flow raises $37 million to simplify international ecommerce. Flow, a cross-border ecommerce platform for brands and retailers, has announced $37 million in funding from New Enterprise Associates, American Express Ventures, and Latitude Ventures. With the funding, Flow plans to expand its product offerings and development, invest in current and new customers, increase the company’s staffing, and expand in the U.S. and Europe. Statista predicts that total global ecommerce sales will reach $6.5 trillion by 2023, with cross-border purchases projected to account for 22 percent of the total. Flow’s platform provides merchants with control and flexibility to create localized ecommerce experiences.
Flow
Brex launches ecommerce marketing agency directory. Brex, a financial technology company that helps companies scale, has launched an agency partner program with a directory to help its customers find outsourced marketing services. The directory adds to Brex’s offerings for online brands, which includes interest-free financing and discounts on services, such as Amazon Web Services, Google and Snapchat ads, and digital marketing software Klaviyo. Partner services offer advertising, social media, branding, search engine marketing, media strategy, content creation, systems integration, and ecommerce development.
TrueCommerce acquires B2B solution provider Netalogue. Ecommerce platform TrueCommerce has acquired Netalogue Technologies, a U.K. provider of B2B ecommerce services. The acquisition complements the TrueCommerce portfolio by providing a strategic technology service that strengthens its commerce network throughout Europe.
TrueCommerce
