September eCom Wrap-Up - All You Need To Know

Hey there! 👋

September just ended, and it’s brought a LOT of eCom news - we’re here to give you the gist, including:

TikTok’s Search Ads Campaign 👀 

Google’s New AI Tools for Buyers & Sellers 🤖 

FedEx Opening fdx access to ALL U.S. Customers 🫢 

Walmart’s New Resale & Logistics Expansions 💹 

Meta Connect 2024 Ⓜ️

…and a few more hot topics, plus a bonus freebie BFCM toolkit you can’t miss out on 😉 

Let’s get into it 🔥

1. TikTok Launches Search Ads Campaign 👁️‍🗨️ 

Search Ads Campaign lets advertisers display their ads when users search for specific keywords on TikTok.

Here’s a visual from eMarketer, showing the stats on topics searched across the most popular so-called “Search Engines” for products as of recent:

Based on TikTok's internal tests, brands that use search ads WITH in-feed ads experience an average conversion rate boost of 20%, and 18% of users who first see an in-feed ad but don’t convert instantly will eventually complete their purchase after seeing the related search ad.

It just makes sense — why not improve the very top of the funnel, right where the interest & exploration begins for the customer? 🧠

A feature like this is something this Gen-Z kid who “growth hacked” to $10M on TikTok wish he had 😂

2. Google’s New AI Tools for Buyers & Sellers 🤖 

Google just released a ton of useful AI features that can make selling easier for us, merchants & for our customers — the most useful tool in my opinion is the new product trend insights, here’s what that looks like:

In Google’s own words, it lets you jump to viral moments & helps you make better decisions when it comes to inventory, and updating product descriptions to match more what your customers could be looking for 👀

Another two tools they added are conversational queries in the Merchant center — this lets you turn a user’s request into a custom report that can show their own performance data (you can skip building custom reports when you need something specific).

On the buyer's side, Google also added an easier way to visually search for products with Google Lens, a way to compare products across sites, and search your own history with AI.

They’re just making things much easier for both merchants & sellers, ain’t that awesome? 😁

Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Ecommerce & Unicorns! Subscribe now:

3. FedEx Opens fdx Access To All U.S. Customers🤳🏼

Yup, FedEx’ new digital platform is trying to strengthen the connections with online retailers and optimize supply chains.

The CEO, Raj Subramaniam, mentioned that Z Supply (a women’s fashion brand) seen a boost in sales since using fdx.

Here’s what the platform promises:

1️⃣ ShopRunner Member Network — a way to connect with high-value customers

2️⃣ Share Estimated Delivery Dates and time window updates throughout the shopping experience, like on product pages, in-cart and checkout — this promises higher conversion rates & transparency.

3️⃣ See Shipments In Real-Time with FedEx Surround

Quite a lot to live up to, and as of fdx’s launch this fall, real-time network insights in order management systems & creating custom post-purchase experiences will be live already 🔥

4. Walmart’s New Resale & Logistics Expansions 📦️ 

During Walmart’s “Let’s Grow!” seller summit, the company announced a ton of exciting features that “will” make selling easier for us, merchants.

The coolest expansions I saw were:

1️⃣ Resold At Walmart — 3rd-party sellers can now offer used items from many categories like luxury fashion (this one’s pretty interesting), sporting goods, collectibles & electronics.

2️⃣ Multi-Channel Fulfillment — merchants can now fulfill orders from ANY eCom website through Walmart’s Supply Chain. They promise to fulfill orders & manage returns in unbranded packaging with fast shipping rates (claimed to be 15% lower than the competition 🫢)

3️⃣ Walmart LocalFinds — a new program offering shoppers a way to find your goods locally, and then have them delivered with their last-mile delivery network.

4️⃣ Collector Shop — a shop that lets merchants offer pre-orders for product drops, including releases exclusive to just Walmart. Eligible sellers can get 0% commission fees till the 31st of October on categories like action figures, comic books, dolls, sports collectibles, and trading cards.

5. Meta Connect 2024 ♾️ 

You can’t run away from AI — Meta just announced a little bit too much again 😅 

Of the cooler stuff, they’ve revealed their Orion AR Glasses that look suspiciously close to designer glasses, but with features like holographic displays & AI built-in:

Meta also announced a cheaper Quest 3S VR Headset, priced at only $299.99, and a Reminders feature to the already beloved Ray-Ban glasses.

And here’s a controversial feature they’re adding — your face to your IG & FB feeds. Soon your feeds will include AI-generated content based on your current interests or trends with your own face in made-up scenarios.

This is ACTUALLY scary. Who asked for this, Meta? Imagine just scrolling and seeing your face in some dance challenge 😨 

More Hot Topics in eCom 🔥 

America might revise the de minimis rule.

WordPress has serious beef with WP Engine.

Klarna’s CEO STILL wants to replace 1800 employees with AI

DoorDash enters eCommerce with their own platform

Your Freebie 🎁 

As a thank you for reading to the very end — here’s your free BFCM toolkit by none other than Klaviyo.

P.S — This toolkit pairs great with our 3-Minute BFCM Guide 😉

🎧 ECORN Radio This Week:

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Daniil from ECORN