Twice monthly I publish a rundown of new releases and collaborations from companies that offer services to online merchants. This installment includes updates on social commerce, fulfillment systems, cross-border selling, and managing sales on the go.
Bazaarvoice launches Influenster app to collect user-generated content at scale. Bazaarvoice has announced the launch of its Influenster app, which matches shoppers with brands seeking honest feedback on their products through authentic reviews, photos, and videos. With a personalized in-app feed, members can discover brands and products that excite them and learn more through the experiences shared by others on the platform. Brands can segment and target audiences via first-party data to drive word-of-mouth marketing.
Ecommerce Product Releases
Pinterest releases API for shopping and product tagging for pins. Pinterest has introduced several new features to help retailers sell on the platform. These include API for shopping, product tagging for pins, video in catalog, and a Shop tab on business profiles. Product tagging on pins allows merchants to make their lifestyle pins shoppable. By enabling video in a product catalog, merchants can display products from multiple angles. With the new Shop tab on business profiles, merchants can display shoppable products. And the new API for shopping allows merchants to sell products at scale.
FedEx and eBay team up to boost APAC businesses through new ecommerce offerings. FedEx has announced a new alliance with eBay, where sellers in the Asia Pacific region can sign up for a FedEx account and access the company’s ecommerce delivery service options at competitive rates. Through this collaboration, eBay sellers can provide customers with a premium delivery experience from FedEx, including discount rates on FedEx Express, enhanced shipping capabilities for cross-border ecommerce, and direct contact with FedEx for pickups and billing questions, as well as shipping forms, delivery supplies, and more.
TikTok tests a dedicated Shop feed. According to TechCrunch, TikTok is testing a dedicated Shop feed tab that highlights products for users to browse and purchase. The Shop tab serves as a hub for products being sold in TikTok Shop, which enables merchants and creators to showcase and sell products directly on TikTok. The Shop feed tab includes a search bar and shopping categories, such as beauty, women’s wear, electronics, accessories, and more. The Shop tab also includes free shipping on select purchases, a cart icon on the top right, and a menu on the bottom for orders, messages, and vouchers. TikTok is testing the tab in Indonesia.
Auctane introduces ShipEngine to U.K. merchants. Auctane, a developer of shipping and fulfillment software, has announced the launch of ShipEngine, a multichannel, multi-carrier API platform, to the U.K. market. ShipEngine is a standalone API that equips retailers, ecommerce technology platform providers, and third-party logistics companies with the ability to implement shipping functionality quickly. Businesses can import orders, calculate rates across the leading carriers, validate addresses, process and track shipments, and manage returns. ShipEngine will launch in France and Germany this year.
Bazaarvoice’s Influenster app.
Pinterest: Product tagging on pins
ShipBob: Merchant Plus
Etsy launches an app to help sellers run their businesses. Etsy has launched an app to make it easier for sellers to run their businesses on the go. With the new Etsy Seller app, merchants can easily check order statuses and get important insights at a glance, add photos and listing videos directly from their mobile device, and access order details when messaging a buyer. Additional features include the ability to respond, purchase, and print shipping labels; manage inventory; and access detailed insights about a shop’s performance. The original Sell on Etsy app will be available through the end of the year.
Got an ecommerce product release? Email releases@practicalecommerce.com.
USPS simplifies package shipping options. The U.S. Postal Service has filed with the Postal Regulatory Commission for certain classification changes designed to enhance and expand the First-Class Package Service (FCPS) product. The changes will simplify three of the USPS ground shipping options into one and are in keeping with the USPS’s Delivering for America 10-year plan to achieve financial stability and service excellence.
FedEx
ShipBob announces proprietary warehouse management software. ShipBob, a fulfillment platform, has announced the launch of Merchant Plus, a standalone warehouse management system for U.S.-based merchants. The system includes access to ShipBob’s carrier infrastructure, support team, fulfillment experts, and tools to run a supply chain while utilizing ShipBob’s network of warehouses across the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Canada.
