November 17, 2023

The road to Thanksgiving is paved with big news...

There

With Black Friday/Cyber Monday on the horizon, it’s no surprise that this week was an exciting one for E-commerce sellers. Here are the stories you shouldn’t miss….

Meta and Amazon join forces to shake up the industry, making it easier than ever for users to hit the "buy" button.
Major retailers are dropping their free return policies, a move to help them prune expenses in an uncertain economic climate.
BigCommerce shares its Q3 numbers and announces a new B2B invoicing portal.
How to hit the ground running with sponsored brand ads on Amazon.

The Amazon Corner

Huge News for Sellers: Meta Partners with Amazon to Simplify Conversions

This is a big deal: Meta and Amazon just rolled out a new feature that's sure to shake up the E-commerce landscape. US-based shoppers can now link their Facebook and Instagram accounts with Amazon, allowing them to buy products they see in their feeds within each respective app. Co-founder and co-CEO of Disruptive Digital, Maurice Rahmey, calls this new integration "the most significant ad product of the year."

When users of Meta products click on ads, they'll now be brought to an in-app storefront linked to their Prime accounts, meaning they won't have to enter payment details. This seamless experience will improve ad targeting (thanks to shared data between Amazon and Meta), boost conversion rates, and allow for enhanced ad personalization (including real-time pricing and shipping estimates).

Read the full story here...

Worth Returning? Major Retailers Walk Back Free Return Policies

Think twice before sending that package back: A report from retail tech company Narvar notes that roughly 40% of retailers are charging return fees this year (up 31% from 2022). By one estimate, processing returns can cost merchants up to 39% of the original purchase price, so it should come as no surprise that businesses are starting to rethink their policies — especially in an uncertain economic climate.

While this move will no doubt prove divisive among consumers, one analyst is choosing to look on the bright side; Jessica Ramírez of Jane Hali and Associates argues that dropping free return policies will make it easier for retailers to meet their environmental goals. Among the major brands that have implemented return fees are Abercrombie & Fitch, H&M, Kohl's, T.J. Maxx, and Zara.

More of this story here...

The Results Are In: BigCommerce Shares Q3 Numbers and Announces Updates

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Photo Credit: BigCommerce

What's next for BigCommerce? Open SaaS platform BigCommerce raked in $78 million in its third quarter, up 8% year over year. Notably, the tech company recently rolled out a new B2B invoice portal that allows suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers to integrate invoice payments into a centralized system. CEO Brent Bellm calls the new portal an "enterprise-grade, out-of-the-box invoice payment experience."

Moving into Q4, BigCommerce expects total revenues between $79.8 and 83.8 million, while non-GAAP operating income is expected to fall between $1.1 and $4.1 million. While Bellm made note of a "tight business spending environment," BigCommerce seems primed to take on the challenge.

This Week's Featured Article

Quick Guide: The Difference Between Amazon's Sponsored Products, Brands, and Display Ads

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Here's what you need to know: Amazon works hard to make it easy for sellers to advertise their products on the platform, but with so many options at your disposal, it can be difficult to know which one is right for your business. In this tutorial, we'll break down how sponsored brand ads work and give you some quick tips to help you get the most bang for your buck with Amazon ads.....

A Little More

QUICK TIP

Try this. To boost engagement, gamify your next campaign with customer questionnaires, polls, or surveys.

FUN FACT

By the year 2040, an estimated 95% of all purchases will be made online.

LISTEN UP

Going global is becoming increasingly important for businesses looking to expand beyond their local markets. On this 110th episode of The E-Comm Show, Andrew Maff interviews Alex Yancher, co-founder and CEO of Passport Shipping — a revolutionary shipping platform that helps businesses start selling internationally.

In this episode, Tim will talk about the challenges and opportunities that come with selling cross-border, how to pick the right international markets, and what you need to know about Amazon and Shopify fulfillment services. Don't miss this episode if you want to learn more about going global!

Watch the full episode below, or visit TheEcommShow.com for more.

The-E-Comm-Show-Episode-110-Alex-Yancher

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