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Someone just tried to return a digital download.

eCommerce is wild. One minute you're optimizing funnels, the next you're explaining to a customer that "instant delivery" doesn't mean you'll hand-deliver it.

Anyway, we’ve got insights that do deliver. No tracking number needed.

ECOMMERCE ADVERTISING

🤖 Google Rolls Out AI Max to Revolutionize Search Ads

Google launches its highly anticipated AI Max for Search, introducing keywordless targeting and advanced AI features to revolutionize how advertisers reach their audience. The rollout, announced at Google Marketing Live 2025, marks a significant shift in digital advertising strategy.

First spotted as "Search Max" in March 2025, the feature has evolved with updated branding and functionality, promising to transform campaign management through sophisticated AI-powered bidding.

📊 Key Features:

• Keywordless targeting system for broader reach

• AI-powered bidding for smarter automation

• Precise audience targeting through advanced AI

• Streamlined campaign management interface

As Google pushes deeper into AI-driven advertising, the introduction of AI Max signals a fundamental shift in how brands connect with their audience, potentially making traditional keyword-based campaigns obsolete.

FREE RESOURCE BY CARTHUSTLE

Prepare your online store for the 2025 compliance deadline

Starting June 2025, your eCommerce site must comply with the new EU Accessibility Act or risk legal and financial consequences.

We’ve created a free, easy-to-follow checklist to help you audit your store and stay compliant with confidence.

✅ Covers design, checkout, mobile, WCAG 2.1, and more

✅ Tailored for online retailers

✅ Zero fluff, 100% action

👉 Grab the free checklist here

DIGITAL PAYMENTS

💳 One-Third of SMB Shoppers Still Manually Enter Payment Data

New studies reveal a significant digital gap in small business payments, with more than one-third of customers manually entering payment information when shopping with SMBs. The comprehensive report, surveying 18,468 consumers and 3,464 merchants across eight countries, highlights critical challenges in digital adoption.

The 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index shows SMBs facing a substantial "digital-first deficit" despite growing consumer preference for seamless digital experiences.

📊 Study Findings:

• SMBs are 4x more likely to operate in physical-only channels

• Online SMBs average 1.9 digital channels vs 2.6 for large merchants

• 52.7% partner with third-party payment platforms

• Payment processing errors occur twice as often with SMBs

As digital commerce evolves, SMBs must bridge the technology gap through strategic partnerships and unified commerce solutions, or risk falling further behind larger competitors in the race for customer loyalty.

ECOMMERCE NEWS

🌐 Five Industries Face Digital Transformation Amid Tariff Shifts

New U.S. tariffs have triggered a major shift in global trade, dropping China imports to historic lows while driving a $346.8B surge from alternative suppliers.

This reshaping of supply chains is forcing industries to radically rethink their digital strategy.

Companies must urgently upgrade their digital infrastructure as slow websites alone cost businesses $2.6 billion in lost sales annually.

📋 Industry Impact:

• Domestic manufacturers see opportunity but need trust-building websites

• Alternative suppliers from India and Vietnam require stronger digital presence

• DTC brands must show transparent pricing and sourcing

• Logistics firms face increasing demand for digital service clarity

• B2B marketplaces need verified reviews and real-time availability data

As tariffs redraw global trade maps, companies that invest in digital readiness and transparency will capture market share, while those clinging to outdated web practices risk falling behind in the 2025 digital economy.

ECOMMERCE AI

🤖 Walmart Unveils Ambitious Agentic AI Strategy

Walmart's Chief Technology Officer Hari Vasudev reveals the retail giant's comprehensive plan for agentic AI, preparing for a future where AI agents will autonomously shop for consumers. The announcement signals a fundamental shift in how products will be discovered and purchased.

The world's largest retailer is developing robot shoppers that will interact with robot sellers, requiring new approaches to marketing, infrastructure, and customer engagement.

🔧 Strategic Elements:

• AI-powered shopping assistant with deep personalization

• Trend-to-Product AI spots trends 18 weeks faster

• Customer Support Assistant automates mundane tasks

• New agent-specific SEO and advertising strategies

As Walmart positions itself for an era of autonomous shopping, the company is building a foundation where AI agents will transform everything from product discovery to purchase decisions, while carefully managing risks through human oversight.

ECOMMERCE TRENDS

🛍️ Physical Stores Still Dominate Beauty and Health Shopping

New research reveals that 37% of consumers prefer physical stores for beauty products, making it the leading in-store category. The comprehensive study of 2,628 consumers shows brick-and-mortar remains resilient despite eCommerce growth.

While online shopping averages $131.66 per transaction compared to $78.50 in-store, physical locations see 2.7 times more traffic overall, highlighting the enduring appeal of traditional retail.

📊 Key Findings:

• Beauty and health lead in-store purchases at 37%

• Clothing and accessories follow at 24% of store visits

• Gen Z shows strong preference for in-store furniture (15%) and appliance (13%) shopping

• Digital wallets double adoption to 10% for in-store payments

As payment preferences evolve and shopping channels multiply, physical stores remain crucial touchpoints, especially for categories where personal experience and immediate gratification drive purchase decisions.

NEWSLETTER TLDR;

WEEKLY ROUND UP

AI & SEARCH: Google unleashes AI Max, eliminating traditional keywords and transforming search advertising. Early adopters report significant conversion boosts. If you're still manually optimizing keywords, time to adapt or get left behind.*

PAYMENT TECH: New study reveals 33% of SMB customers still manually enter payment data, highlighting a major digital gap. For small businesses, streamlined checkout isn't just convenience, it's survival in 2025.

GLOBAL COMMERCE: Major tariff shifts force five key industries to revamp digital strategies. With China imports dropping, businesses rush to upgrade digital infrastructure as slow websites cost $2.6B annually in lost sales.

AGENTIC AI: Walmart bets big on autonomous shopping with AI agents that can interact with robot sellers. The future of retail might be machines talking to machines with humans just along for the ride.

RETAIL REALITY: Despite the digital surge, physical stores still rule beauty and health purchases, with 37% of shoppers preferring in-store experiences. Proof that some things just need the human touch.

*Worth noting: The race between human-led and AI-powered marketing is heating up, with traditional roles facing disruption. Stay adaptable or risk obsolescence

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Signing off,

The Merchant @CartHustle