Hey there! Welcome to CartHustle, the ecommerce newsletter that's as good as the 'cha-ching' sound of a cash register.

Your order this week:

• eCommerce tool of the week 🪛

• JD, Alibaba and more slash iPhone 15 prices 🍎

• Dell is working to reclaim its eCommerce crown 💻

• Shein's debut offline pop-Up inside key rival's store 💃

• Walmart’s Web3 Accelerator Program🏬

• The Rounds: profitable, sustainable last-mile logistics 🧺

• eCommerce Book of the Week 📚

eCommerce Tool of the Week

(not a sponsor just a tool we like)

Tidio is a powerful, all-in-one customer service platform that levels up your customer support and helps to generate more sales. An easily accessible live chat widget makes your business available 24/7, while AI-powered chatbots engage your customers in real-time, so you can sell more.

Chinese eCommerce sites slash prices on iPhone 15 to boost sales

In a bid to stimulate demand for Apple's iPhone 15, major Chinese e-commerce platforms such as JD.com, Pinduoduo, and Alibaba's Taobao are offering significant discounts, with some models available at prices up to 1,501 yuan ($205.14) below the official retail figures.

This markdown comes as the iPhone 15's sales performance in China has fallen short of its predecessor, with a 4.5% decrease compared to the iPhone 14, according to Counterpoint Research.

While Apple has occasionally allowed partners in China to offer discounts to enhance sales, Chinese e-commerce platforms have engaged in an intense "value for money" competition, aligning with the belt-tightening trend in a slowing economy. These discounts are set to play a vital role in the upcoming Singles Day shopping festival.

For instance, JD.com is selling the 512 GB iPhone 15 for 7,498 yuan, a substantial 1,501 yuan less than Apple's official price of 8,999 yuan. Pinduoduo is providing the 128 GB iPhone 15 Plus at 6,098 yuan, 900 yuan less than Apple's retail price of 6,999 yuan. Alibaba's Taobao is offering the 512 GB iPhone 15 Pro Max for 10,698 yuan, well below Apple's in-store price of 11,999 yuan.

Apple, Pinduoduo, and Alibaba have not yet issued official comments on these discounts.

These markdowns were initially reported by the Economic Observer weekly newspaper on Monday.

Dell is working to reclaim its eCommerce crown

In the latest episode of Brave Commerce, Chris Cowger, Senior Vice President of Global E-commerce and Online Experience at Dell, joins hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter to discuss leadership and turnaround strategies.

Cowger's return to Dell is attributed to the company's talented professionals and its collaborative environment. He outlines a three-step process for effective turnarounds: identifying a clear problem statement, ensuring team members understand their roles in solving it, and summarizing the solution in a concise manner.

Cowger emphasizes the value of a robust business management system, highlighting the need for regular meetings, reviews, and accountability to maintain focus and deliver results. He also shares insights into Dell's transformation, including its reentry into the consumer electronics market and efforts to regain its position as a top e-commerce player.

The conversation touches on Dell's response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on how the company's diverse product offerings and adaptability were advantageous. Customer needs evolved post-pandemic, with increased demand for high-quality peripherals and accessories.

Key takeaways from the discussion include the importance of aligning on the right problem statement, simplifying complex strategies, and meeting changing customer demands with premium solutions. Listen to the full episode here.

Shein's debut offline pop-Up inside key rival's store

Online fashion giant Shein has partnered with US retailer Forever 21 for a four-day pop-up store in California's Ontario Mills mall.

Shein, often compared with fast fashion firms like Forever 21, aims to appeal to a broader demographic by partnering with an established brick-and-mortar retailer. This type of partnership can help create a seamless omnichannel shopping experience that caters to both online and in-store customers.

In August, Shein acquired a third of shares in Sparc Group, which operates Forever 21, making it a minority shareholder in Shein. This move allows Shein to use Forever 21's physical store space for pop-ups, allowing customers to try products before they buy.

While e-commerce is dominant, physical stores can offer the tactile experience and reassurance that online-only retailers may lack. Shein is known for its low prices but has faced controversies over labor practices in its supply chain. Despite these issues, its popularity continues to rise, with more than 1,000 shoppers attending the Ontario Mills pop-up. Read more.

Walmart and Outlier Ventures Unveil Web3 Accelerator Program

Walmart's incubation arm, Store Nº8, has teamed up with Outlier Ventures to launch Store Nº8 Base Camp, a web3 accelerator program.

This 12-week virtual incubator program unveiled its first cohort of five startups, focusing on web3 marketing, advertising, and payment technology. These startups, hailing from the U.S., Italy, Poland, and the UK, aim to revolutionize the retail industry by embracing decentralized commerce.

Store Nº8 Base Camp is all about exploring immersive virtual worlds' growth and potential to redefine commerce. Walmart envisions using web3 to connect virtual and physical life, providing unique shopping experiences for customers.

The program's protocol-agnostic approach means startups are working across various blockchains. Each project received a $200,000 stipend from Synergis Capital and advisory support from KPMG U.S. Walmart's Store Nº8 network offers access to expertise across retail, marketing, media, gaming, and web3.

In a bearish crypto market, the program and other accelerators are looking forward to refining their core propositions and gaining market traction. This inaugural cohort comprises innovative startups, each addressing different facets of web3 and decentralized commerce. Read more.

The Rounds: profitable, sustainable last-mile logistics

Philadelphia's The Rounds is challenging the norms of last-mile logistics by proving that it can be efficient, profitable, and eco-friendly.

The company, serving Philadelphia, D.C., Miami, and Atlanta, offers customers access to over 650 products, a significant increase from just a year ago. These range from household essentials to local goods, delivered in reusable bags and containers, reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainability.

Since its $38 million Series A funding round last year, The Rounds has not only saved 375,000 pounds of packaging waste but has also seen its revenue grow sixfold. The company boasts an impressive delivery rate of 15 to 18 deliveries per hour, making it an efficient choice for customers.

While not the cheapest option, The Rounds offers products at market prices, without markups. Its long-term vision includes the development of a "psychic home manager" to predict and minimize customer inventory waste, potentially integrating AI.

Despite challenges, The Rounds is committed to proving that highly efficient, sustainable e-commerce can be both profitable and environmentally friendly. With a lean team of fewer than 50 people, including full-time delivery staff, the company is determined to pave the way for a greener future in last-mile logistics.

eCommerce Book of the Week

Ecommerce Evolved: The Essential Playbook To Build, Grow & Scale A Successful Ecommerce Business

Ecommerce Evolved contains a simple, repeatable, and proven formula to help you build, grow and scale a wildly profitable ecommerce business in today’s competitive market.

You will find zero theory inside this book. Tanner Larsson has distilled years of research and practical in-the-trenches ecommerce experience into a hard hitting ecommerce blueprint.

GET THE BOOK ON AMAZON

Signing off,

The Merchant @CartHustle