Weekly Round Off With HTE 🎉

Hello readers,

Get ready for the ultimate weekly round-up of ecommerce DTC news and trends! It's time to dive into the juiciest industry gossip and savor every sip of excitement.

So kick back, relax, and let us serve you the wildest stories and freshest insights. This Sunday, we're turning up the heat and transforming your day into an epic celebration of all things ecommerce.

Grab your party hats and get ready to ride the wave of excitement with HTE's unmissable news roundup! Let's make this Sunday one for the books!

🚀 Amazon, eBay, and Walmart Compete for Supremacy in the US Ecommerce Marketplace

🥇Unleash the Power of Turmeric: Discover the Extraordinary Journey of Our 15-Year Quest

🤖 Social Media's AI Revolution: Transforming User Experiences and Advertising Strategies

🔝 Social Media Takes a Leap Forward with AI: Revolutionizing Engagement and Advertising

🌈 Pride Month Shines Through Amidst Opposition

💰 TikTok's Rising Popularity Threatens YouTube as Users Spend More Time on the Short-Form Video Platform

📺 Meta Unveils Revolutionary Approach: EU Users Can Download Apps Directly through Facebook Ads

🛍️ TikTok Rumored to Expand E-commerce Presence, Launching Online Retail Store in the U.S.

🎬 Netflix Revamps Ad Strategy with Episodic Ads; Meta Challenges Twitter with Threads; Shopify Launches Collabs Network for Partnerships

Amazon, eBay, and Walmart Compete for Supremacy in the US Ecommerce Marketplace

In the US ecommerce marketplace, three major players - Amazon, eBay, and Walmart - compete fiercely for supremacy. Let's examine their strategies, achievements, and growth potential as they vie for the top spot.

Amazon, the unrivaled trailblazer, leads the pack with a forecasted $277.91 billion in US sales this year, capturing a remarkable 65.0% of the company's total retail ecommerce sales. Known for convenience and retail media opportunities, Amazon faces increasing competition and price sensitivity.

eBay, another major player, has experienced fluctuations in performance. With an estimated $35.41 billion in US marketplace sales this year, it has declined by over $4 billion in the past two years. eBay stands out as a unique third-party marketplace, focusing on enhancing its luxury business and leveraging eBay Ads as a top retail media network. However, it faces challenges with a shrinking user base and limitations of its consumer-to-consumer model.

Walmart, a tenacious contender, steadily pursues its rivals. With projected US marketplace sales of $8.57 billion this year, it shows a remarkable growth rate of 12.6%. Walmart has emulated Amazon's marketplace model, improved its website, and incentivized more sellers to join. However, it still captures only 2.2% of total US retail marketplace sales compared to Amazon's dominant 72.4%.

Each player possesses unique strengths, faces distinct challenges, and employs different strategies in this competitive market. Amazon stands as the reigning champion, eBay seeks to regain its former glory, and Walmart maintains a swift pursuit of its rivals. Only time will reveal the ultimate victor in this thrilling race for ecommerce supremacy.

Unleash the Power of Turmeric: Discover the Extraordinary Journey of Our 15-Year Quest

Once upon a time, a brand emerged that understood the power of nature's treasures: The Turmeric Co. With 15 years of research, they harnessed the potential of turmeric root. Their formula consisted of 35 grams of raw turmeric, extracted with care to preserve its purity and potency. They added black pepper extract, increasing turmeric's bioavailability by 2,000%.

To optimize absorption, they included Flax Oil. This brand's story is one of dedication, knowledge, and commitment to quality. With their transformative turmeric elixir, they invite you to embrace the power of nature. Sip on their golden elixir and discover the remarkable benefits of their meticulously crafted formula. This is not just a brand; it's a testament to the wonders achieved when science, passion, and nature intertwine.

Social Media's AI Revolution: Transforming User Experiences and Advertising Strategies

Social media platforms are embracing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize user experiences and advertising strategies. Meta (formerly Facebook) leads the way with its advanced AI tools, including Lattice, an advertising technology that predicts ad performance using AI models. Meta also offers generative AI tools for ad copy and image generation. Snapchat introduced My AI, a chatbot that suggests activities and offers assistance, although concerns about privacy and parental controls have arisen.

Instagram is testing AI features for creating stickers and developing an AI chatbot with multiple personalities. LinkedIn utilizes AI for content discovery and profile optimization, recommending skill-matching articles and providing writing prompts. TikTok is testing an AI chatbot, Tako, for video recommendations and experimenting with AI-generated profile images.

These developments showcase how AI enhances user engagement and personalized experiences on social media platforms. Responsible implementation and addressing privacy concerns are crucial as AI continues to shape the future of social media, enriching user experiences and enabling businesses to thrive.

Pride Month Shines Through Amidst Opposition

Support for Pride Month remains strong despite opposition to pro-LGBTQ+ marketing strategies. According to a survey by InterPride, nearly 78% of US Pride organizers reported increased or steady corporate sponsorships compared to the previous year. Kohl's demonstrated its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community by offering Pride-themed products and donating $100,000 to the Trevor Project. Delta Air Lines launched a Pride exhibit to celebrate inclusivity, while Levi's unveiled a Pride collection and committed to donating $100,000 to Outright International. However, the LGBTQ+ community faces significant opposition, with over 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills enacted in 2023. Bud Light faced backlash and declining sales after backtracking on its support for LGBTQ+ issues, emphasizing the importance of consistency. Adidas received criticism for its marketing of a Pride swimwear collection, highlighting the need for clear messaging and thoughtful representation. As the LGBTQ+ community grows in influence, corporate support becomes crucial. Brands must stand by their commitments to maintain consumer confidence. In an era of rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, maintaining an authentic and consistent stance is imperative for inclusive brands.

TikTok's Rising Popularity Threatens YouTube as Users Spend More Time on the Short-Form Video Platform

TikTok is giving YouTube a run for its money as it surpasses the average daily usage among U.S. users by a slim margin. Users now spend an average of 47 minutes on TikTok compared to 46 minutes on YouTube. This surge in popularity has attracted both viewers and content creators. However, as TikTok continues its growth trajectory, concerns about its advertising effectiveness and brand safety measures have emerged.

Brand safety is crucial in today's digital landscape, with 80% of respondents expecting ads to avoid harmful content. TikTok, with its immense reach and anticipated ad expenditure of 1.77 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2023, must address these concerns.

TikTok has introduced various tiers of brand safety solutions. Notably, its recommendation systems act as a safety filter, ensuring content adheres to eligibility-for-recommendation policies before appearing on the 'For You' Page (FYP). Videos under scrutiny or suspected of artificially inflating engagement may not meet the recommendation criteria, prioritizing user safety and a positive experience.

TikTok's commitment to brand safety extends across advertiser categories. The platform aims to create a secure environment where video ads can run alongside safe and suitable content. Pre-bid solution OpenSlate employs machine learning to categorize and assess content suitability, while post-bid solution Zefr scrutinizes content after campaigns, aligning with all 44 GARM Brand Safety and Suitability standards.

To access these brand safety tools, advertisers can explore ad formats like Brand Auction, Reach & Frequency, and Brand Premium In-Feed. TikTok continues to enhance its in-app safety tools, ensuring adherence to guidelines, brand alignment, and proactive measures.

While TikTok challenges YouTube's dominance, its focus on brand safety and suitability is crucial for maintaining advertiser confidence and protecting brand reputation in an increasingly connected world.

Meta Unveils Revolutionary Approach: EU Users Can Download Apps Directly through Facebook Ads

Meta (formerly Facebook) is set to challenge tech giants Google and Apple with its plan to allow direct app downloads through Facebook ads in the European Union (EU). This audacious move aligns with the upcoming Digital Markets Act (DMA), which mandates opening up mobile platforms to alternative app downloading methods.

The pilot program will start with select Android app developers, aiming to streamline the app downloading process and increase conversion rates for ads. Meta plans to waive revenue cuts from in-app transactions initially and enable developers to use their preferred billing systems. While Google has yet to respond, Meta's endeavor could have global implications beyond the EU, transforming app distribution and user experiences.

Microsoft also seeks to launch an alternative app store for games in Europe next year, intensifying competition among industry giants. This shift in the app distribution landscape challenges existing norms, promotes openness and accessibility, and promises benefits like streamlined downloads, increased choice, and tailored experiences for users.

Developers can leverage Facebook's reach, engagement, and higher conversion rates for improved visibility and monetization. This transformation represents a seismic shift in power dynamics, embracing innovation, fairness, and user empowerment.

TikTok Rumored to Expand E-commerce Presence, Launching Online Retail Store in the U.S.

TikTok is preparing to launch an online retail store in the U.S. to expand its e-commerce presence. The store will offer a variety of products under the TikTok brand, including toys and kitchen gadgets.

The success of the "Trendy Beat" shopping feature in the U.K. hints at its potential arrival in the U.S. TikTok aims to significantly grow its e-commerce sales to $20 billion by 2023, posing a potential challenge to Amazon due to TikTok Shop's lower fulfillment and selling fees.

Netflix Revamps Ad Strategy with Episodic Ads; Meta Challenges Twitter with Threads; Shopify Launches Collabs Network for Partnerships

Netflix is revamping its advertising strategy to attract more marketers by exploring personalized and tailored campaign capabilities, including the introduction of "episodic" ads. The company is reportedly planning to end its partnership with Microsoft, which currently provides programmatic advertising technology, by 2024. Netflix aims to develop its own infrastructure, granting greater creative control over its advertising technology and appealing to brands already interested in the platform.

In a bid to challenge Twitter's dominance, Meta (formerly Facebook) is launching Threads, a new app connected to Instagram. Threads offers a similar interface and features to Twitter, such as reposting, liking, and the option to limit post replies. Twitter has experienced a decline in advertiser engagement and user-friendly changes following Elon Musk's involvement, leading to users leaving the platform.

Threads joins other Twitter alternatives like Mastodon and BlueSky, which have seen an increase in user numbers. However, the launch of Threads in the EU has been ruled out by the Irish Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) due to concerns about data collection practices.