Did you know that this Tuesday, October 22nd, is International Stuttering Awareness Day? 🌍

In this week’s newsletter, we’re diving into the latest eCommerce holiday trends that can help you navigate the upcoming season successfully:

• Apple Launches AI Features: Discover how Apple's new AI tools are set to revolutionize retail and enhance the shopping experience.

• Mastercard Expands U.S. Installment Payments: Learn about Mastercard's move to provide more flexible payment options for consumers and its impact on shopping behavior.

• Forget Cyber Monday: Get insights on evolving consumer habits and strategies to maximize your sales potential during the holiday rush.

• Embracing eCommerce Tech for the Future: Explore how leading companies are leveraging technology and generative AI to reshape customer interactions and sales strategies.

• Shopify Targets Larger E-Commerce Players: Understand Shopify's shift to attract bigger clients in a competitive market against Salesforce.

Let’s get started!

ECOMMERCE AI

Apple Launches AI Features: A Game-Changer for Retail

Apple’s recent launch of artificial intelligence features on October 28 is more than an upgrade to Siri. Experts believe it could reshape how we shop online and in stores, challenging the notion that Apple has fallen behind in the AI race.

“Apple may be late to the AI surge compared to Google and Amazon,” said Steven Athwal, CEO of The Big Phone Store. “But Apple has focused on privacy, security, and user experience.”

Key Features of Apple Intelligence:

• Summarizes long email threads and prioritizes urgent messages.

• Transcribes and summarizes phone calls and voice recordings.

• Performs natural language searches of photos and videos.

• The new Writing Tools let users adjust tone and style across apps.

Retail Impact: “Apple isn’t just upgrading Siri — it’s redefining the retail experience,” said Kaveh Vahdat, founder of AI marketing firm RiseOpp. Imagine entering an Apple Store and receiving personalized offers directly to your iPhone.

Privacy Controls: Craig Federighi emphasized a new approach extending iPhone privacy into the cloud. This may enhance security and fraud prevention by analyzing transaction patterns with FaceID.

Looking Ahead: Features will roll out in phases, starting with U.S. English support and integrating ChatGPT in December, potentially introducing millions of users to generative AI for the first time.

SPONSORED BY OMNISEND

Black Friday without Panic Thursday

As exciting as Black Friday is, the problem is that everyone is doing it.

But don’t worry — Omnisend has a cheat sheet so you can stand out on the big occasion. It includes:

1. A checklist on what to do (including the important business of when to drink coffee) 

2. What emails to create

3. When to start your promotions

4. Real examples of texts that actually get read

5. [Another important point about why you should check it out]

Download the Omnisend BFCM cheat sheet here, print the checklist, and prepare one step at a time. 

ECOMMERCE DIGITAL PAYMENTS

Mastercard Expands U.S. Installment Payments to More Digital Points of Sale

Mastercard is expanding its U.S. Installments program to more digital shopping spots! This means merchants, payment processors, and digital wallets can now offer installment plans for eligible credit cards from participating issuers.

• Seema Chibber, Mastercard’s Executive VP, noted that consumer interest in installments has been rising as digital payment options grow.

• This expansion lets issuers link their offers to various payment channels while merchants can provide access to pre-approved deals through a user-friendly platform.

• Consumers can now spread out payments for larger purchases, whether it’s for travel or shopping.

A recent report revealed some interesting stats:

• 50% of consumers would consider switching to merchants that offer installment plans tied to their existing credit cards.

• 33% would choose credit card installments for high-value purchases.

Merchants also see the benefits, with over 70% preferring customers use their existing credit cards for installments. Plus, 57% believe customers might switch to competitors offering these plans.

For more insights, check out the full reports!

ECOMMERCE CYBERMONDAY

Forget Cyber Monday: Evolving Habits Reshape Holiday Spending

As the holiday season approaches, consumer shopping habits are shifting, prompting retailers to prepare for a blockbuster fourth quarter. The Black Friday to Cyber Monday (BFCM) weekend is projected to surpass $75 billion in U.S. retail sales, with a 5% year-over-year growth forecasted by Bain & Company.

Key Insights:

• Shopping Timeline: With a later Thanksgiving, 55% of consumers plan to do most of their shopping in November, boosting Black Friday sales.

• Supply Concerns: Ongoing port strikes may push consumers to shop earlier to secure desired gifts.

Retailers must focus on personalization to engage consumers effectively. A PYMNTS report shows 71% of shoppers are interested in personalized offers.

To capitalize on the anticipated demand during BFCM, retailers need to:

• Be operationally prepared: Staff and stock to meet spikes in demand.

• Build profitable baskets: Create strategies around deal items to maximize conversions.

As eCommerce is expected to grow between 7% and 9%, retailers must optimize inventory and enhance in-store experiences to meet evolving consumer expectations.

ECOMMERCE AI TRENDS

Embracing eCommerce Tech for the Future

Leading companies are embracing technology to reshape the e-commerce landscape, as highlighted by recent McKinsey research. Generative AI has captured attention, but a broader wave of tech-driven innovation is transforming customer interactions and sales strategies.

Key Insights:

• Integrated Ecosystems: E-commerce now relies on interconnected capabilities, enhancing productivity, profitability, and customer experience.

• Investment Trends: While many companies are cautious, leaders prioritize tech investments, particularly in generative AI. Nearly 20% of leaders rank it as their top focus, compared to less than 5% among laggards.

• In-house Talent: Successful companies are building internal teams instead of relying on external vendors, ensuring rapid innovation.

• Technology as Strategy: Leaders are investing in robust technology infrastructure to gain a competitive edge, with almost 20% planning substantial investments in e-commerce tech.

• Customer Understanding through AI: Effective customer insights depend on AI, enabling leaders to navigate complex shopping journeys and adapt to evolving standards.

The future of e-commerce lies in integrating technology, empowering teams, and leveraging data-driven insights to enhance customer experiences. Companies must adapt to this next-gen landscape to thrive in a rapidly changing market.

ECOMMERCE TRENDS

Shopify Targets Larger E-Commerce Players Amid Salesforce Competition

In a significant shift, Shopify Inc. is moving beyond its roots as the go-to platform for small businesses, now aiming to capture a share of the e-commerce market dominated by Salesforce Inc. The Canadian company claims to have attracted hundreds of Salesforce clients, including Toys R Us and Casper.

Key Points:

• Competitive Pricing: Shopify promotes lower prices than Salesforce, with Chief Operating Officer Kaz Nejatian humorously noting the costs associated with enterprise software.

• Enhanced Features: Salesforce counters that its platform offers advanced customer service and better traffic management. Luke Ball, Salesforce’s senior VP, emphasized that narrowing the use case often results in misleading price comparisons.

By targeting larger retailers, Shopify hopes to reignite growth after the post-pandemic e-commerce boom. The company’s flexible platform now supports unlimited product listings and selling on various marketplaces, appealing to bigger clients.

Signing off,

The Merchant @CartHustle