The merged entity would create a regional tech giant second only to Sea Limited, the owner of Shopee, South-East Asia’s dominant ecommerce platform. Yet politics could stand in the way of a deal https://t.co/v9lirHty6c ...

Includes a New Loyalty Program and Elevated Digital Shopping ExperienceNEW YORK, July 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Ascend Wellness Holdings, Inc. ("AWH" or "Ascend") (CSE: AAWH.U) (OTCQX: AAWH), a multi-state, vertically integrated cannabis operator, today announced the launch of its completely reimagined eCommerce platform. Designed to bring Ascend to the cutting edge of eCommerce and loyalty, this new ecosystem will deliver an improved customer experience including an all new, fully revamped loyalty program, t ...

Christopher Knight Home and Purple Innovation Lead a Lineup of Top Companies Showcasing New Collaborations and Product InnovationsEL MONTE, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GigaCloud Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: GCT) (“GigaCloud” or the “Company”), a pioneer of global end-to-end B2B ecommerce technology solutions for large parcel merchandise, today announced its participation in the upcoming Las Vegas Market, held from July 27 to 31 at the World Market Center. From its showroom at A610, the Company wil ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q1 2026 was $6.4 million, essentially flat compared to the prior period [21] - Product sales decreased to $4.7 million from $5.3 million last year, while franchise and royalty fees increased to $1.7 million from $1.1 million [21] - Total product and retail gross profit improved to $300,000 from a negative $300,000, driven by pricing adjustments and operational efficiencies [22] - Costs and expenses decreased to $6.5 million from $8 million last year, primarily due to lower G&A costs [22] - Net loss was $300,000 or negative $0.04 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.7 million or negative $0.26 per share [22] - EBITDA for the quarter was $2 million, compared to a negative $1.4 million last year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company waived all freight charges for franchisees to drive volume and improve product freshness [7] - A flat monthly fee program for freight delivery was implemented to encourage more frequent store orders [7] - The adoption of the new POS system accelerated, enhancing visibility into operations and decision-making [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company opened a new store in Charleston, South Carolina, featuring a refreshed brand identity [11] - Construction is expected to begin shortly on a new location in Downtown Chicago, targeting an opening ahead of the holiday season [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on stabilizing the business and transitioning from a rebuilding mode to an execution mode [5] - A new consumer packaging and e-commerce platform are set to launch, aimed at enhancing brand presentation and online conversions [17] - The company is actively building a development pipeline for new units while seeking capable franchise operators [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the progress made in operational improvements and the potential for continued margin improvement [20] - The company believes it is in a better position to execute its strategy than in many years, with a focus on generating profit and returning to growth [20] Other Important Information - The company hired a new VP of operations with significant experience in manufacturing and logistics [10] - The refreshed website will include a section for new franchisees, making it more intuitive for potential operators [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: What early indicators are being watched to evaluate the impact of waived freight charges? - Management noted that order frequency has improved, encouraging franchisees to order more frequently [25] Question: What processes or decisions are expected to change with stabilized ERP data? - Management highlighted that the ERP data provides insights into manufacturing efficiencies and profitability, which will inform decision-making across departments [26] Question: How does the online strategy differ with the upcoming e-commerce relaunch? - Management emphasized the improved user interface and contemporary design of the new website, expecting positive results from the refresh [27][28] Question: What operational levers are expected to drive continued EBITDA expansion? - Management attributed positive EBITDA to improved pricing, SG&A discipline, and factory efficiencies, expecting these to continue [29] Question: What are the capital needs for expansion and improvements? - Management indicated that discussions regarding capital needs are ongoing, with no immediate plans to raise capital [35][36] Question: How is the growth strategy for new franchisees being developed? - Management stated that existing franchisees are prioritized for expansion, and new franchisees are being sourced through a network of referrals [43]

Investment Rating - The report maintains a positive outlook on the eCommerce industry, highlighting several "Buy" rated stocks as secular winners, including Amazon.com (AMZN), JD.com (JD), Coupang (CPNG), Sea Ltd. (SE), MercadoLibre (MELI), Zalando (ZAL), and Eternal (ETEA) [7]. Core Insights - Global eCommerce sales are projected to grow at a +6% CAGR from 2025 to 2030, reaching approximately $6.4 trillion by 2030, driven by modest increases in online penetration rates and significant growth in regions with lower current penetration [5][16]. - The report identifies the Food and Beverage category as a key driver of eCommerce growth, with expectations of a +10% CAGR in this segment from 2025 to 2030 [33]. - The eCommerce market is expected to continue consolidating, with the largest platforms gaining market share, particularly in the global ex-China market where the top five platforms accounted for 50% of total online sales in 2024 [38]. Summary by Sections Global eCommerce Opportunity - The report estimates global eCommerce sales at $4.3 trillion in 2024, growing to $4.7 trillion in 2025, with a long-term growth forecast of +6% CAGR through 2030 [16]. - Global eCommerce penetration is expected to rise from 23% in 2025 to 26% by 2030, indicating a gradual shift towards online shopping [16]. Economic Outlook - The report anticipates a slowdown in global real GDP growth in 2025, particularly in the US and Asia, which may impact eCommerce sales [10]. - Tariffs and the evolving global trade environment are highlighted as significant risk factors for the industry [10]. Valuation Insights - Current global eCommerce valuation multiples are below long-term averages, reflecting a slower growth profile, although growth-adjusted multiples remain at historical norms [10]. - The report includes a refreshed DCF-based intrinsic value framework for GMV-based platforms [10]. Regional Insights - The report emphasizes that regions with lower online penetration, such as India, Latin America, and ASEAN, present the highest growth potential for eCommerce [10][16]. - In the US, eCommerce sales are projected to grow to nearly $1.7 trillion by 2030, with an average annual increase in online penetration of 70 basis points [50]. Market Dynamics - The report notes that the largest eCommerce platforms are capturing a majority of incremental sales, driven by competitive advantages such as low prices and fast delivery [100]. - Essential product categories are outperforming discretionary categories, with platforms focused on staples seeing stronger growth [100].

Core Insights - The report titled "Saudi Arabia Cards and Payments: Opportunities and Risks to 2029" provides a comprehensive analysis of the Saudi cards and payments industry, focusing on market trends, performance indicators, and competitive landscape [1][2][3]. Market Overview - The report covers current and forecast values for various markets within the Saudi cards and payments industry, including debit, credit, and charge cards [6]. - It includes detailed insights into payment instruments such as cash, card, credit transfer, direct debits, and cheques, along with an overview of alternative payment instruments [6]. - The competitive landscape is analyzed, detailing market shares of issuers and schemes [2][4]. Payment Instruments - The report provides a thorough analysis of payment instruments, highlighting the growth of contactless payments driven by the mada POS-supporting NFC payments and the introduction of Apple Pay's Express Transit mode for public transport [7]. - The adoption of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) solutions is increasing, with significant funding raised by BNPL firms like Tabby, which secured SAR 600 million ($160 million) in February 2025 [7]. Ecommerce Payments - The report discusses the government's initiatives to support ecommerce growth, including the organization of E-commerce Week by the General Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Monsha'at) to promote ecommerce among entrepreneurs [7]. Regulatory Environment - Detailed regulatory policies and recent changes in the regulatory structure governing the Saudi cards and payments industry are covered, providing insights into the market drivers and regulations [3][6].

Core Insights - Order.co has appointed Larry Robinett as Head of Workday Accounts & Alliances to enhance strategic partnerships and increase the adoption of its Workday Built integration [1][3] Company Overview - Order.co is a leading B2B Ecommerce platform that simplifies business buying by integrating online shopping with purchase order and accounts payable automation [6] - The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in New York City, having raised $70 million in funding from notable investors [7][8] Leadership Background - Larry Robinett brings over 20 years of experience in enterprise software and strategic alliances, particularly within the Workday ecosystem, previously serving as Vice President of Sales and Partner Alliances at Ascend Software [2][4] Integration Benefits - The Workday Built integration allows customers to streamline procurement processes, enhancing control, efficiency, and cost savings [3][4] - Customers can utilize Integrated Search to purchase items from approved suppliers directly within the Workday portal, which simplifies the requisition process and reduces manual data entry [4][5] Customer Impact - Companies like WeWork and Hugo Boss have leveraged Order.co to centralize purchase-to-pay workflows, achieving an average savings of 5% on products [7] - The integration has been praised for saving time, effort, and money, as noted by Kyle Ingerman, Finance Transformations Senior Manager at WeWork [5] Workday Partnership - Order.co is recognized as a Workday Select Partner, collaborating closely with Workday to develop an embedded B2B Ecommerce experience within the Workday platform [4]

Core Insights - Descartes Systems Group announced that Walking Comfort is utilizing Descartes Sellercloud™ to enhance ecommerce growth by centralizing and synchronizing product listings, inventory, orders, and fulfillment across various online sales channels [1][2] Company Overview - Walking Comfort is a Utah-based retailer specializing in footwear, including running shoes, slippers, sandals, and accessories like insoles. The company was founded in 2008 and operates two brick-and-mortar locations with a workforce of 35 employees [4] Product and Service Details - Descartes Sellercloud is a cloud-based ecommerce platform designed for small and mid-market retailers, distributors, wholesalers, and manufacturers. It centralizes the management of catalog, inventory, orders, purchasing, fulfillment, and shipping, featuring over 350 integrations with various marketplaces and logistics partners [2][3] - The platform has enabled Walking Comfort to save hundreds of hours weekly by automating data consolidation across sales channels, reducing shipping costs by over 55%, and allowing for dropshipping directly from retail locations when convenient [2] Operational Benefits - The use of Descartes Sellercloud has allowed Walking Comfort to reduce operational complexity by updating inventory and orders in real-time, preventing underselling and overselling, and maintaining compliance with marketplace requirements [3]

20 June 2025 | 12:28AM HKT Navigating China Internet 2025 618 festival overall highlights; 5 key observations; converging GMV growth amongst main platforms We estimate the China eCommerce industry concluded the 2025 618 shopping festival at around 10-11% gross GMV growth (before returns), on the back of 15% parcel volume growth over May 12 - Jun 15 (GSe based on MOT data, adjusted under SPB definition, a moderation vs. Apr/May at 19%/17%). We highlight 5 key observations on this year's 618 festival as below ...

Core Insights - Coinbase has launched a stablecoin payments stack aimed at eCommerce platforms, facilitating quicker market entry for payment service providers and marketplaces [2][3] - The solution, Coinbase Payments, is designed to simplify the integration of stablecoin payments by abstracting blockchain complexities, enabling businesses to offer crypto-native payments without needing specialized teams [3] Group 1: Market Demand and Adoption - Over half of the Fortune 500 companies are building on blockchain technology, and one-third of small businesses are already utilizing cryptocurrency [2] - Shopify has begun allowing merchants to accept USDC stablecoins, indicating a growing trend among eCommerce platforms to adopt stablecoin payments [4] Group 2: Challenges and Considerations - Despite increasing demand, stablecoin payments face challenges such as fragmented tooling and a lack of production-ready infrastructure, which have hindered broader adoption [3] - The complexities of using stablecoins for consumer payments at checkout present challenges, as there are no standardized dispute resolution processes compared to traditional card networks [6] Group 3: Consumer Perspective - Consumers may view holding stablecoins in digital wallets similarly to prepaid or gift cards, which could limit their appeal compared to credit cards that offer rewards and reversible transactions [7][8]