eCommerce Roundup March 2024

Welcome back!?

The eCommerce industry is under constant upgrade! Have you heard about Rufus, Amazon’s AI project, shaking things up in the ecommerce landscape? Or the fact that over 73% of today’s generation is eco-conscious and is actually willing to shell out an extra 10% for sustainable products, or how statistical data has proven that tablet users make more purchases from their devices every month? Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be, as we bring you the latest updates of the month so you can stay atop all things eCommerce! Let’s dive in!

Platform Updates

1. Adobe Commerce 2.4.6 Security Release Is Here

Adobe Commerce 2.4.6-p4 is a minor security release by Adobe Commerce that addresses security issues from previous releases. Two major enhancements seen in this release are:

• Non-generated Cache Keys: In this release, the non-generated cache keys include prefixes that are different from the ones automatically generated. The change in format offers improved protection against security threats.
• Block Cache Key Restrictions: Non-generated cache keys are now restricted to letters, digits, hyphens, and underscores. This helps prevent the attack by malicious code. In addition, Adobe Commerce has now imposed a limit on the number of coupon codes that can be automatically generated. The default is set to a maximum of 250,000.

2. Shopify Flow Rolls Out New Fulfillment Tasks and Flow

Shopify has released three new functionalities to Flow.

• Move fulfillment order: This action can help relocate a fulfillment to a new location within your network. This is particularly useful when items within an order are stocked at another location. You can test this by building a workflow from scratch and using the Move large fulfillment orders to another location” template.

In this example workflow, a fulfillment order is moved after a fulfillment request is rejected by a fulfillment service.

• Mark fulfillment order as fulfilled: This action is triggered when a new order is placed. This essentially tells Shopify that all items of a specific order are ready to go. You can use the Fulfill a digital item in order template to mark the entire order as complete (Not individual items!).

In this example workflow, when a fulfillment order is moved to a new location, then a fulfillment is created for the fulfillment order.

In this example workflow, when an order is created, then a fulfillment is created for all fulfillment orders.

• Fulfillment order merged: This kickstarts your workflows whenever multiple fulfillment orders are merged into one. With this trigger, you can easily automate tasks that have to be performed once orders are fulfilled.?

In this example workflow, an internal email is sent when a fulfillment order is merged.

3. Unleash Your Creativity: Adobe Express Mobile Beta Is Here!

The Adobe Express Mobile App is currently undergoing beta testing. Here’s a sneak-peek into its upcoming features before the official release. The beta version offers access to generative AI tools such as Adobe Sensei, enabling users to create stunning visuals by simply describing their ideas. It’s a free trial, so users get access to premium features such as background removal, exclusive Adobe Stock content, and more!

As the app boasts seamless, one-click editing capabilities and social media optimization features, it is important to be mindful of potential bugs, incomplete functionalities typical in test versions, and compatibility with devices since its beta.

Check out this tutorial to learn more about Adobe Express:?

Install the new Adobe Express app in beta from the Google Play store.To know more,click here

4. Adobe Unveils: AI-Powered Text-to-Texture in Substance 3D Workflows

Adobe recently announced a huge advancement in? 3D content creation by merging their Firefly AI with Substance 3D, a popular suite known for rendering textures and environments for 3D projects. Here’s what the merger brings-

• Faster Creation: Firefly can be used to create various textures and backgrounds quickly and easily based on simple text descriptions. This streamlines the creative process and saves time!
• Enhanced Creativity: Users can create innovative projects with AI generated options. This paves the way to new visual concepts!
• Improved efficiency: Firefly helps automate repetitive tasks like creating basic textures, enabling artists to focus on more complex tasks.
• High quality: The AI is trained on real world textures, ensuring that the generated results look realistic and attractive.
• The integration marks a significant step toward advanced 3D content creation, giving users more creative freedom and speed.

5. The Future of Color: Where Creativity Meets AI with Generative Recolor

Adobe Illustrator rolled out a new AI powered feature called the Generative Recolor.

It offers:

• AI-Powered Recoloring: It uses Adobe Sensei to automatically create different colour options for your vector graphics based on various text descriptions, themes, preferred colour schemes, etc.
• Effortless exploration: This tool can be used to generate multiple colour schemes for your artwork within seconds! This allows you to experiment with different colour palettes for your project.
• Time-saver: Rather than manually adjusting colours, generative recolor suggests options, allowing you to focus on other design aspects.

It is important to remember that Adobe’s Generative Recolor is in beta and it works exclusively with vector graphics, so there are bound to be bugs and other limitations.

Industry Updates

1. Stability AI Launches New Stable Video 3D with View Synthesis and 3D Generation from Single Images

Stable Video 3D is a new model by stability AI that makes high quality 3D content creation easier. It can generate videos showing objects from various angles and viewpoints and also create 3D models from single images. The model comes in two versions; therefore, it ensures better quality and consistency based on the requirements.? The model is available for non-commercial use and offers commercial memberships for extra features. The model comes in handy for making 3D assets for gaming, eCommerce, and creating immersive 360-degree videos too. Stable Video 3D helps streamline content creation processes and save time!

2. Microsoft Grants Free Access to AI-Powered Copilot with GPT-4 Turbo

Microsoft recently upgraded Copilot, its AI coding assistant, by providing users, including those on free tier, access to the enhanced GPT-4 turbo model. With this upgrade, all users can now make use of faster code generation features, enhanced responsiveness, improved long-form task management, etc.?

But, pro users have an added advantage as they can easily switch between models to suit their needs and get early access to future upgrades.

3. Get Ready to Stream! X Launches Official TV App

X, formerly Twitter, is set to launch an app for smart TVs. It aims to compete with other video streaming apps by providing space for long-form video content on smart TVs. Sources suggest that the app will be first available on Amazon Fire OS and Samsung Tizen OS, with potential expansion to other platforms in due time.

The app focuses on video content similar to youtube and is said to have an interface resembling YouTube too, for ease of use. The exact launch date is yet to be confirmed.

4. Listen Up! ChatGPT Now Reads Aloud On-the-Go

ChatGPT recently introduced a “Read Aloud”? feature for its users that is available on both web and mobile devices. This feature is beneficial for users who prefer listening to information on the go! On the web version, users can click on the speaker icon below the responses, while for the mobile version, tapping and holding the text activates this feature. Playback controls are available too. Enable users to listen, pause, rewind or fast-forward the narration at their own pace.?

Upcoming Events

1. Meet Magento Romania 2024

Meet Magento Romania, an Adobe Commerce based conference, offers attendees with valuable learning opportunities through sessions led by industry experts on using Adobe Commerce for online stores. Additionally, participants get to network with fellow Adobe Commerce users, developers, and solution providers.

Date: 22nd April

Location: The Grand Hotel Italia, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Register: https://ro.meet-magento.com/

2. Retail Summit 2024 UAE

The Retail Summit 2024 UAE, is a premier event for retail industry executives. With over 750 attendees, it brings together world-class speakers, interactive sessions and networking opportunities. Key themes include AI, Brick & Mortar, Macroeconomics, Supply chain, sustainability, etc.

Date: 23rd-24th April 2024

Location: Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, UAE

Register: https://www.theretailsummit.com/

3. IREC 2024

India’s largest New Commerce Show is set to be held in April. The premier event will house retailers, eCommerce leaders, stakeholders, etc. The attendees can learn about the evolving retail landscape in India, covering topics like omnichannel strategies, the future of e-commerce, technology’s role in retail etc. Date: 29-30 April 2024

Location: Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel, Bengaluru, India

Register: https://www.irec.asia/?

4. DX3 2024

DX3 Canada, the largest Retail, Marketing, and Metaverse Event in Canada. The event features the Retail Summit, Marketing Innovation Summit, and DX3 Talks, offering industry insights, innovative marketing strategies, and discussions on the future of retail and marketing.

Date: 9-10 April 2024

Location: Metro Toronto Convention Centre

Register: https://www.dx3canada.com/?