⚖️ Shopify Faces Legal Trouble Over Data Privacy

💥Hey hustlers, big moves this week!

Shopify is facing a massive data privacy class action after a court ruling. Meanwhile, Mastercard’s CEO is seeing no slowdown in consumer spending, even amid economic concerns. POS systems are evolving with mobile wallets. Plus, Amazon and Walmart battle for the hybrid shopper.

Let’s dive in! 🚀

ECOMMERCE NEWS

🛡️ Shopify Faces Data Privacy Class Action After Court Ruling

A U.S. court says Shopify can be sued in California for alleged unauthorized tracking shaking up how online platforms face legal risks.

California resident Brandon Briskin claims Shopify installed tracking software on his iPhone without consent and sold his personal data to other retailers. Shopify argued it should only face lawsuits in Delaware, New York, or Canada, but the full 9th Circuit Court ruled otherwise in a decisive 10-1 vote.

🔍 Key Highlights:

• 30 states and Washington, D.C. supported the plaintiff’s side

• Shopify says the ruling makes online businesses vulnerable everywhere

• The case could expand how courts assert jurisdiction over tech companies

While legal challenges mount, Shopify is thriving commercially. It reported 31% Q4 2024 revenue growth, and now controls over 12% of the U.S. eCommerce market, with rapid expansion in Europe and Japan. Leadership remains optimistic about 2025 despite growing regulatory scrutiny.

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ECOMMERCE AI

🤖 Salesforce Powers Up Consumer Goods With Agentforce AI

AI agents are going mainstream and Salesforce is helping consumer goods brands automate and scale faster than ever.

Salesforce’s new Agentforce for Consumer Goods equips brands with AI agents across sales, account management, retail execution, and customer service. These digital assistants complete tasks independently, freeing up human teams to focus on strategic work.

💼 What's changing:

• 32% of consumer goods brands have fully integrated generative AI

• Agents automate lead nurturing, account health monitoring, retail visits, and customer service

• Companies like Saks, SharkNinja, and RNDC are already using Agentforce to boost productivity

As tariffs, labor shortages, and supply chain disruptions hit harder, brands need resilience. Agentforce reduces operational costs, improves sales coaching, streamlines account management, and delivers faster customer support, all without sacrificing personalization.

ECOMMERCE NEWS

💳 Mastercard Sees Strong Spending, Doubles Down on AI Innovation

Despite the headlines, Mastercard says consumers are still spending and it’s leaning into AI to stay ahead.

At the Semafor World Economy Summit, Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach said real-time data from its network showed a 1.4% rise in March consumer spending, even as sentiment surveys suggest caution. “The empowered consumer still sticks to what they want to do,” he said.

💥 What’s changing:

• Mastercard refuted rumors of losing Apple Pay processing to Visa

• It’s using generative AI for "agentic commerce" — smart agents that manage rewards, bookings, and purchases

• The company plans to phase out card numbers and passwords by 2030, moving to tokenization and biometrics

Mastercard’s massive investments in cybersecurity and AI are paying off, aiming to save $120 billion in fraud by 2030.

DIGITAL PAYMENTS

🛒 Earnings Season Highlights POS Evolution Beyond the Register

Commerce is no longer tied to the checkout counter. Handheld and mobile-first payment options are redefining in-store shopping.

As consumers mix physical and digital experiences, merchants are rethinking how and where payments happen. 71% of shoppers say the in-store experience is still essential, but now they want the flexibility to pay anywhere on the premises, from aisles to tables.

🚀 What’s changing:

• Devices like smartphones and tablets are now mobile points of sale

• Embedded financing and BNPL options are increasingly built into checkout

• Companies are driving innovation with new tech and expansion

Toast and Square are pushing into new verticals, blending smaller form factor devices with smarter inventory, customer management, and faster checkout, bringing us closer to a future where checkout can happen anywhere, anytime.

ECOMMERCE NEWS

🛍️ Amazon and Walmart Battle for the Hybrid Shopper

Loyalty is no longer about brand, today’s consumers chase value, convenience, and seamless experiences.

Inflation, tariffs, and economic headwinds aren't slowing Amazon and Walmart’s race for dominance. Both retailers are pivoting fast, investing billions in logistics, AI, and reimagined store formats to win the “multi-subscriber” shopper — consumers who increasingly hold both Amazon Prime and Walmart+ memberships.

📈 Key moves:

• Walmart plans to cover 95% of U.S. households with next- or same-day delivery

• Amazon is opening 80 new logistics facilities with heavy investment in robotics and AI

• Walmart’s “Store of the Future” remodels modernize over 650 stores for omnichannel shopping

Both giants are navigating supply chain challenges, tariffs, and inflation by doubling down on tech and infrastructure. While the road ahead is bumpy, consumers stand to benefit from faster, smarter, and more flexible shopping experiences than ever before.

Signing off,

The Merchant @CartHustle