eCommerce Roundup February 2024

Ecommerce is a volatile industry, what’s new today becomes obsolete tomorrow. In this edition of the roundup, your one stop shop for all things ecommerce, we bring game-changing platform updates, the latest rollouts in the industry, upcoming events and more. Here’s what’s new!

PLATFORM UPDATES

1. Adobe rolls out new AI assistant in Acrobat

The new AI Assistant (beta) in Acrobat is a powerful tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to help you work more efficiently with PDF documents. It enhances PDF workflows by providing features such as generating summaries, answering questions, and formatting information for easy sharing. This beta version available for Acrobat Standard and Pro Individual and Teams subscription plans in English, with plans for expansion to Reader desktop and additional languages. The AI Assistant aims to boost productivity, improve comprehension of complex documents, and facilitate enhanced communication through formatted reports.?

2. Adobe Express and TikTok’s Creative Assistant Integrate for the First Time!

Adobe Express has collaborated with TikTok, integrating TikTok’s Creative Assistant directly into its platform. This unique integration enables creators and businesses to utilize TikTok’s Creative Assistant functionalities seamlessly within Adobe Express. Users can now brainstorm, create, and generate TikTok content entirely within Adobe Express, streamlining the workflow and enhancing content ideation.

?The Creative Assistant suggests trending sounds, effects, and hashtags, making TikTok content creation more accessible to a wider audience, including those without extensive video editing experience.

3. Winter ’24 Edition: Shopify Strengthens its Core with 100+ Updates

Shopify recently released its Winter ’24 Edition, a collection of over 100 updates aimed at strengthening the core functionalities of their platform. These updates focus on four key areas crucial for merchants’ success: conversion, channels, marketing, and operations. Here are some highlights from each area:

Conversion

Improved product merchandising: This includes a significant increase in the variant limit per product (from 100 to 2,000), allowing businesses with complex catalogs to showcase more variations. Additionally, they introduced “combined listings” for products with multiple variations, letting customers purchase any variation from a single page.

Faster checkout: A new, streamlined one-page checkout design reduces buyer completion time by an average of 4 seconds. Additionally, Shopify expanded the checkout’s customizability with new APIs and apps, allowing merchants to add features like upsells and loyalty programs.

Channels

AI-powered semantic search: This new search functionality helps customers find relevant products even if their search terms don’t perfectly match product names or descriptions.

Marketing

Shopify Collabs: This new tool allows businesses to partner with influencers and creators to promote their products through social media campaigns.

Operations

Improved fulfillment: Integrations with third-party logistics providers are enhanced, making it easier for merchants to manage shipping and fulfillment.

QuickBooks Desktop POS migration: This simplifies the process for businesses transitioning from their existing point-of-sale systems to Shopify POS.

4. 2024 Adobe Experience Maker Awards Finalists Announced

Each year, the Adobe Experience Maker Awards honor exceptional innovators and visionaries leveraging Adobe Experience Cloud tools to redefine customer experience standards.The finalists for this year have been announced. They are recognized for innovation, personalized experiences, and measurable business growth. The specific categories haven’t been mentioned, but previous editions have recognized individuals like “Experience Maker Executive of the Year” and companies in categories like “The Transformer” and “The Conductor” etc. Winners will be revealed at an exclusive gala during Adobe Summit in Las Vegas on March 25, 2024.

To know the winners: Click Here

5. Create and manage localized online stores for specific markets with Shopify

The new features of Shopify empower merchants with the ability to tailor storefronts to regional preferences, display prices in multiple currencies, translate content, and accept alternative payment methods. This offers greater flexibility and control for merchants to adapt their online stores to international markets, potentially boosting conversion rates and sales. It’s important to note that Shopify does not directly launch or manage these stores. Merchants are responsible for setting up and executing the strategy using the tools provided by Shopify.

INDUSTRY UPDATES

1. The Future of Video Creation: Sora

Sora, developed by OpenAI, is a revolutionary tool enabling the generation of videos directly from text descriptions. This revolutionary AI model transforms your detailed text descriptions into short, high-quality video clips. It can handle surprising complexity, including camera movements, character expressions, and even interactions between multiple characters.

Applications span marketing, education, and entertainment. While not yet available to the public, it’s undergoing beta testing with select groups to gather feedback and further refine its capabilities. Potential benefits include increased efficiency in video creation, enhanced accessibility for individuals without filming or editing expertise, and the stimulation of creativity by generating innovative video concepts. Click here to learn more about the technical report

2. Openlane Leverages AI to Transform the B2B Used Vehicle Marketplace

Openlane, a leading B2B marketplace for used vehicles, is shaking up the industry by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline and enhance the buying and selling process. This innovative approach aims to increase both transparency and efficiency for dealerships looking to trade used cars. One key innovation is Visual Boost AI that analyzes vehicle photos, pinpointing any exterior damage with clear visual markers. Furthermore, they also leverage AI to automate vehicle valuations. By factoring in market trends, historical data, and vehicle specifics, AI delivers accurate and efficient valuations, ensuring fair pricing for both buyers and sellers.

3. Amazon Unleashes New AI Powered Shopping Assistant- Rufus

Amazon has unveiled Rufus, an innovative AI-powered shopping assistant designed to revolutionize the online shopping experience. Leveraging vast datasets from Amazon’s product catalog, customer reviews, and the broader web, Rufus is equipped to answer a range of customer queries, from product features to stock availability. With a personalized touch, the assistant can recommend products based on browsing history, past purchases, and search terms, helping users in discovering new items or finding the perfect fit.?

Rufus also excels at product comparisons, analyzing features, specifications, and user reviews to assist shoppers in making informed decisions. Currently in beta testing, Rufus is accessible only to a select group of users, offering a glimpse into the future of AI-driven shopping assistance.?

4. Meta Announces New Text Formatting Options for WhatsApp

Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has introduced new text formatting options for the messaging app. Users can now utilize features such as bold, italics, strikethrough, monospace, bulleted and numbered lists, block quotes, and inline code to enhance their messages. These tools aim to improve clarity and readability, allowing users to structure messages for better visual presentation. The update aligns WhatsApp with other messaging platforms, providing a consistent user experience for those familiar with similar formatting tools.

UPCOMING EVENTS

1. Internet eCommerce Summit 2024

Codilar and fulfillmenttools are joining forces at the Internet Commerce Summit (ICS) MENA 2024.This premier eCommerce event will focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, offering insights into e-commerce challenges, solutions, networking opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge trends. Attendees will gain valuable insights from diverse sessions, engaging speakers, and interactive elements like live Q&A and exhibition booths showcasing the latest trends and technologies. Date: March 1st Location: JW Marriott Hotel, Marina, Dubai Register now : Click Here

2. LEAP 2024

LEAP 2024, in Saudi Arabia, is a global event for tech professionals. Focused on future technologies, it showcases innovations across industries in the MENA region. With 1,700+ exhibitors, 800+ speakers, and networking opportunities, it targets tech corporations, startups, and venture capitalists. The event explores emerging tech like AI, blockchain, IoT, and robotics, offering insights into their impact on life and business. Date: March 4th to 7th Location: Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center, Saudi Arabia Register now : https://onegiantleap.com/

3. Oman eCommerce Conference

OEC Chapter II, the Oman eCommerce Conference, focuses on digital transformation in the Middle East. Organized by Inovexic and the Ministry of Commerce, it connects businesses, showcases cutting-edge solutions, and provides networking opportunities. The event caters to businesses of all sizes in e-commerce, professionals seeking insights, and those interested in Middle East e-commerce challenges and opportunities. Date: To be announced Location: Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre Register now : https://oecfuture.com/

4. Adobe Summit 2024

Adobe Summit 2024 is a premier event for professionals using Adobe Experience Cloud, featuring keynotes, diverse sessions, training, hands-on labs, networking, an exhibition area, exclusive previews, and a Summit Bash. Tailored for marketing, creative professionals, business leaders, and Adobe Experience Cloud enthusiasts, attendees gain benefits like staying informed on industry trends, enhancing skills, networking, discovering innovations, and gaining inspiration from industry leaders. Date: March 25-28 Location: Las Vegas and is available virtually for select sessions Register now : https://summit.adobe.com/na/?