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Glass Introduces AI-First G-Commerce Platform Redefining Government Procurement

Glass, a Silicon Valley-based GovTech company, has introduced the next generation of its G-Commerce platform, designed to revolutionize how government agencies purchase products, services, and software. This new platform aims to modernize the traditionally fragmented government procurement processes by utilizing AI and automation, thus accelerating purchasing workflows.

Unlike traditional procurement platforms, G-Commerce moves beyond mimicking consumer e-commerce models that require buyers to manually search for and validate purchases. Instead, it integrates intelligence and automation throughout the entire procurement lifecycle. The AI-first platform supports government buyers by providing guided, decision-ready recommendations while ensuring full compliance with government regulations.

Through the Intelligent Guided Buying feature, government buyers can simply describe their requirements—such as budget limits, delivery timelines, and policy mandates—and G-Commerce’s AI delivers tailored product recommendations. This approach eliminates manual searches or navigating static product catalogs, enabling agencies to process purchases more efficiently and confidently.

Seamless Access to Orders, Shipments, and Financial Documents

G-Commerce also provides real-time, conversational access to order status, shipment tracking, and purchase history. Buyers can instantly retrieve past or current order details without needing to log into multiple systems or sift through emails. Additionally, the platform’s Automated Financial Document Retrieval feature allows procurement and finance teams to instantly access invoices and payment records using plain language commands.

One of the most notable features of G-Commerce is its AI-powered Vendor and Compliance Insights. This tool automatically analyzes vendor credentials such as minority-owned status, SAM registration, insurance coverage, and past performance, enabling government agencies to make confident procurement decisions without manual reviews.

“A Ground-Up Restructuring of Government E-Commerce”

Gerardo Mateo, G-Commerce’s Product Manager and COO, explained, “From a technical standpoint, this represents a ground-up re-architecture of government e-commerce. We built G-Commerce with government constraints directly integrated into the system, including compliance validation, vendor verification, financial records, and policy enforcement. Instead of forcing agencies to adapt to consumer-style marketplaces, the platform reasons over procurement rules, validates eligibility in real-time, and adapts workflows to reflect how public agencies actually operate.”

Platform Delivers Over 6 Million Products to Government Agencies

Since its launch, G-Commerce has processed over $8 million in government purchases and delivered more than 6 million products to public agencies. The platform has directed over $4.6 million to small businesses, many of which received their first-ever government orders through the platform. With 18,110 government users and partnerships with 124 government agencies, G-Commerce offers a comprehensive procurement ecosystem connected to 8.5 million products, including access to an additional 5 million punch-out products.

G-Commerce enables purchases in critical categories such as IT peripherals, industrial equipment, office supplies, chemical products, construction materials, safety equipment, cleaning supplies, software, and licenses. The platform also ensures seamless access to mandatory sources and preferred programs, allowing purchases from AbilityOne vendors, small businesses, Made in the USA products, veteran-owned businesses, green and sustainable suppliers, disadvantaged businesses, women-owned businesses, and HUBZone-certified vendors.

AI-Powered Layer for Software Procurement and Easy Integration

G-Commerce not only supports physical goods but also offers an AI-powered layer for acquiring software, recognizing it as a foundational element of modern government operations. Additionally, the platform expands access to Glass’s SaaS G-Commerce offering, enabling agencies to adopt the platform more seamlessly and integrate it into existing workflows.

G-Commerce has already been successfully implemented in local governments, including the City of Santa Monica and the City of South San Francisco, with early access now available for broader usage.

Setting a New Standard in Government Procurement

With the launch of its AI-powered G-Commerce platform, Glass is setting a new standard for public sector procurement. By transforming complexity into clarity, compliance into confidence, and purchasing into a strategic advantage, G-Commerce makes government procurement processes faster, smarter, and more transparent. As governments continue modernizing their operations, this new platform offers agencies the opportunity to make smarter purchases, process transactions more quickly, and maximize public resources effectively.

Consumers are Using AI Tools for Product Research

Google Unveils Universal Commerce Protocol to Power AI Shopping

At the National Retail Federation’s Big Show in New York, Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveiled the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP), an open standard that allows AI agents from ChatGPT, Claude, or other platforms to access product catalogs, check real-time inventory, and process transactions through a single integration point.

“UCP is a Common Language”

Google Ads and Commerce Vice President Vidhya Srinivasan said, “Think about all the various steps in your own shopping journey. For an agent transaction to work, the systems governing each of these steps must align, communicate with each other, and be able to act on your behalf. UCP is a common language. It bridges agent experiences with consumer services on one side and business backend systems on the other, enabling them to work seamlessly together.”

UCP Developed with Major E-Commerce Platforms

UCP was developed in collaboration with Shopify, Etsy, Wayfair, Target, and Walmart. It is supported by more than 20 companies, including Home Depot, Best Buy, Macy’s, Mastercard, Visa, and PayPal. The protocol works with existing industry standards such as Agent2Agent (A2A), Model Context Protocol (MCP), and Google’s Agent Payments Protocol (AP2).

Srinivasan stated, “Having a standardized way to scale these things is crucial, so everyone can be prepared for all the various steps to happen. It offers flexibility, as businesses can pick and choose what they want to use.”

$5 Trillion Expected in Agent Commerce Market

According to McKinsey, retail analysts project that by 2026, one-quarter of shoppers will use AI-powered chatbots, and the agent commerce market is expected to reach between $3 trillion and $5 trillion by 2030.

UCP will soon introduce a new payment feature in Google’s AI Mode and Gemini app, enabling users to complete purchases without leaving the conversation. Initially, the system will use Google Pay with saved payment and shipping details, with PayPal support coming later. Retailers will retain the ability to customize offers, provide loyalty enrollment, and suggest complementary products.

Google also introduced a feature called “Business Agent,” which creates branded virtual sales associates within Google Search results. Lowe’s, Michaels, Poshmark, and Reebok are early adopters. Srinivasan said, “This is designed to address the newer consumer behavior, which has shifted toward more conversational commerce. We want retailers to connect with users on our platforms using their own voice.”

Google processed 90 trillion tokens in December 2025, up from 8.3 trillion in December 2024—an 11% increase year over year. The Shopping Graph now contains 50 billion product listings, with over 2 billion items updated every hour.

Google Competes with Amazon and Microsoft

This launch places Google in direct competition with Amazon, which has been testing similar AI shopping features via Alexa, and Microsoft, which recently unveiled its Copilot Checkout feature.

Despite the infrastructure push, consumer adoption still lags. A ChannelEngine study found that only 17% of shoppers feel comfortable allowing AI to complete a purchase, although many already use AI to research products.

The bigger question is whether retailers will adopt yet another protocol in an already fragmented e-commerce landscape, or if Google’s scale and reach will make this protocol the standard that finally sticks. For now, the fact that Walmart, Shopify, and major payment processors are already on board suggests this might be different.

Digital Frontier Trade Develops in China-Russia Border City of Hunchun

Located in the northeast of China’s Jilin Province, Hunchun is rapidly becoming a key hub for digital frontier trade between China and Russia. Known for traditional border trade, Hunchun is now adopting digital technologies to facilitate the movement of goods and provide a new avenue for international commerce.

At the Hunchun Comprehensive Bonded Zone, digital frontier trade is taking shape. Parcels destined for international delivery move swiftly along conveyor belts, where labels are affixed, packages are sorted, and trucks are loaded in a seamless operation. These goods, coming from China, are transported through a “digital channel” to households in Russia.

According to Li Jinhai, head of e-commerce business at Hunchun Comprehensive Bonded Zone Administration, the logistics system has been designed to handle the increasing flow of goods bound for Russia. “When Russian consumers place orders on e-commerce platforms, goods from all over China converge in Hunchun. After customs clearance, they are shipped directly to cross-border e-commerce warehouses,” he said. This efficient network ensures that “Made in China” products reach Russian consumers faster than ever before.

Digital Frontier Trade Volume Reaches 1.24 Billion Dollars

From January to October 2025, the digital frontier trade, including cross-border e-commerce imports and exports, in Hunchun Comprehensive Bonded Zone totaled 8.73 billion yuan (approximately 1.24 billion U.S. dollars). This marks an impressive year-on-year increase of 90.1%, solidifying the region’s role as a new engine for local foreign trade growth.

A New Digital Era for E-commerce

Hunchun’s success is also reflected in the Northeast Asia Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park. Among its key features is the Northeast Asia International Shopping Mall. The first two floors of the building showcase affordable daily goods from Russia, South Korea, and Mongolia, while the upper floors house spacious offices for various businesses.

Yan Yuchen, general manager of an e-commerce company operating stores on major Russian platforms such as Ozon and Wildberries, emphasized the importance of customer service in their success. “We source small appliances, coffee makers, consumer electronics, and emerging products like 3D printers from China, and sell them directly to Russian customers,” Yan said. As of December 2025, the company processes approximately 3,000 orders monthly, with annual revenue exceeding 20 million yuan.

Customer satisfaction is one of the key factors in their success. “Beijing time is five hours ahead of Moscow. To ensure seamless service, we have staff available around the clock to respond to messages, even during nighttime,” Yan noted, adding that express shipping now delivers most Russian orders within 9 to 13 days.

Chinese Products Reach Global Consumers and Russian Goods Enter China

Russian consumers are increasingly shopping on platforms like AliExpress and Ozon for a wide range of products, from electronics to clothing. As Chinese products reach global markets, Russian specialties such as scallops, cod, squid, soybean oil, and milk powder are also finding their way into Chinese households. Hunchun-based Jidian International Trade is facilitating the online purchase and local processing of Russian goods, benefiting both Chinese consumers and Russian suppliers.

“Through this online platform, residents in border areas can jointly select and purchase Russian goods, which are then processed locally,” explained Zhu Yang, general manager of Jidian International Trade, highlighting the impact of the digital frontier trade service.

Expansion of the Digital Frontier Trade Network

Jilin Province has implemented a series of measures that have accelerated the international spread of Chinese parcels. In Hunchun, Cainiao has established a dedicated logistics line to Russia, ensuring rapid delivery for packages under 31 kg to most regions across the country. Additionally, cross-border e-commerce road transport has created “direct corridors” linking Hunchun with Vladivostok and Moscow, further facilitating the process.

In Changchun, the capital city of Jilin, a specialized customs channel for cross-border e-commerce exports has significantly streamlined the declaration, review, and clearance processes for small-batch shipments. In 2024, the province’s cross-border e-commerce B2B direct exports surged by 207.8% year-on-year, with over 200 new cross-border e-commerce enterprises established.

A Bright Future for Digital Frontier Trade

The growth of digital frontier trade between China and Russia, as exemplified by Hunchun, signifies a major shift in cross-border commerce. These digital corridors are not only facilitating faster and more efficient trade but also creating new opportunities for both countries. As digital infrastructure continues to improve, these trade routes will become vital bridges for promoting higher-quality economic development and shared prosperity.

Red Markets, Digital Frontiers: Clicking Under Communism

Consumers are Using AI Tools for Product Research

According to ChannelEngine’s “Marketplace Shopping Behavior Report” for 2026, AI tools are influencing how consumers research products, but online marketplaces still remain the primary starting point for many shoppers. However, there is a noticeable shift toward a multichannel shopping experience, as consumers spread their product research across multiple channels, including search engines, social platforms, and AI assistants.

AI Tools Gaining Popularity in Product Research

Based on survey data from 4,500 online marketplace shoppers in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, ChannelEngine’s report revealed that 58% of consumers are now using AI tools to assist with product research. This marks a significant shift as AI assistants have become an essential research companion for many shoppers. However, despite the growing use of AI in product discovery, only 17% of consumers stated they felt comfortable completing a purchase via AI. For most consumers, AI continues to be a research assistant rather than a purchasing tool.

Marketplace Usage Declined, But Still Dominates Product Discovery

Despite the increasing use of AI and social platforms, marketplaces still remain the most common starting point for product discovery, with 37% of consumers beginning their shopping journey there. This represents a 10% decline from the previous year, when 47% of shoppers started their journey on marketplaces. The shift towards a more diverse shopping experience shows that consumers are increasingly using multiple tools to guide their purchase decisions.

According to the report, 53% of consumers stated they compare the same product across multiple marketplaces. This behavior aligns with the trend of using multiple channels for product research, indicating that consumers browse an average of three platforms before making a purchase.

Social Proof and Free Shipping Impact Shopping Decisions

Trust remains a critical factor in the purchasing process, as 60% of consumers hesitate to buy a product if it lacks reviews. The importance of social proof is evident, as many consumers lose trust in a product without customer feedback, making reviews a necessity rather than a luxury.

When it comes to the final purchasing decision, free shipping still plays a significant role, with 91% of consumers considering it an important factor. Along with free shipping, delivery speed, product availability, and reliability are also major factors in consumer decisions. While sustainability is important for some, it is a lower priority for 65%, indicating that environmental concerns have not yet become a major factor in purchasing decisions.

AI Tools Will Continue to Play a Role in Product Research

As online shopping evolves, businesses will need to adapt to the changing landscape. While AI tools and social media platforms become increasingly integrated into the shopping journey, marketplaces continue to be the starting point for product discovery. Understanding how consumers navigate between channels and which factors influence their purchasing decisions will be key to staying competitive in the increasingly complex e-commerce environment.

The rise of AI as a product research tool, combined with the continued importance of reviews and free shipping, highlights the significance of building trust and providing convenience in online retail. The future of e-commerce lies in the ability to seamlessly integrate these various touchpoints and offer a personalized shopping experience.

Retailers Must Rethink E-Commerce for an Algorithm-First Future

WORLDEF Growth Network Expands Business Network

The next-generation business network initiative established within the global e-commerce and media platform WORLDEF, WORLDEF Growth Network (WGN), introduced its new group. At the launch, key players in the digital trade ecosystem gathered. WORLDEF CEO Ömer Nart stated, “The savanna of the business world is now the whole world. Our competitors are no longer in the building next door, but on the other side of the ocean. It is no longer about survival; it is about managing this massive global ecosystem.” WGN aims to establish a relationship system that generates commercial results and connects it with global networks starting from the MENA region.

The launch of the WGN MAGMA Group took place with a special event at the Wyndham Grand Istanbul Levent Hotel. The members of the WGN MAGMA Group attended the launch. During the event, membership certificates and membership documents were distributed to the group members. WGN plans to launch new groups in the coming days.

Ömer Nart: The Savanna of the Business World is Now the Whole World

In his speech at the event, WORLDEF CEO Ömer Nart said, “Today, we are gathered here not just for the opening of a network platform, but to redefine how we do business on a global scale.” He continued:

“Today, we are in 2026, and the savanna of the business world is now the whole world. The sun rises not only in Istanbul every morning, but also in Dubai, London, and New York on the same day. Our competitors are no longer just in the building next door, but at the other end of the ocean, just a screen away. In this relentless speed of the business world, running alone is no longer enough. It is no longer about survival; it is about managing this enormous global ecosystem.”

Ömer Nart stated, “Our goal at WGN is clear: From Istanbul to Dubai, from Riyadh to Rotterdam, from Baku to Berlin, no matter where in the world; we will open all doors to our members. With this network, we combine the strength of the lion with the agility of the gazelle.”

Burak Aykurt: We Bring the Right People Together at the Right Time in the Right Place

Burak Aykurt, Chairman of the WGN MAGMA Group Board, emphasized that WGN is not a traditional business club, association, or networking organization. He stated, “WORLDEF Growth Network is a business community made up of people who do not just know each other by business cards, but respect each other’s business, time, and reputation. At WGN, instead of asking who we can sell something to, we ask, ‘How can I help you?’ Because we know that in today’s business world, the most scarce resource is not money; it is trust and time.”

Burak Aykurt also noted that volunteering is essential in WORLDEF Growth Network, saying, “Volunteering means wanting to contribute, wanting to create value, and saying, ‘I am here because I believe in it.’ That’s why no one in WGN is just a spectator. Everyone is somehow part of the game. We are doing something difficult; we are bringing the right people together at the right time in the right place. The purpose of WGN is not just to get business, but the right business comes from the right relationships. We have a very clear long-term goal: To be one of Türkiye’s most trusted and qualified business communities.”

Aykurt concluded, “WGN will not be a place that everyone can enter one day. But everyone who enters will feel one thing: ‘I’m glad I’m here.’ Because we are building strong partnerships, not fast crowds.”

Serkan Çakır, Chairman of the WGN MAGMA Group Mentorship Committee, said, “Our task here is to ensure that the members can express themselves and their business needs much more clearly. We also aim to ensure that connections do not remain superficial and contribute to making this network a structure that truly generates business.”

What is WORLDEF Growth Network?

WORLDEF Growth Network aims to create an ecosystem where its members actively shape the digital economy by establishing sustainable connections. WGN, a structure that brings together professionals from the world of e-commerce and retail technologies under one roof, stands out with its disciplined organizational model, innovative approach, and people-oriented vision. WGN not only aims to increase its members’ business volume but also to help them grow as part of a community that will add value to each other.

Relationships in WORLDEF Growth Network are developed not only through referrals but also with mutual trust and a mutual benefit mindset. Success within the community is built on the ecosystem’s foundation as collective power. With the vision of creating a digital trade network based on trust in the MENA region, WGN aims to connect this with global networks starting from the MENA region.

WORLDEF Growth Network Launch Event Marks a New Chapter

Record E-Commerce Spending During the Holiday Season: $257.8 Billion

Adobe released online shopping data for the 2025 holiday season, covering the period from November 1 to December 31, 2025. Based on Adobe Analytics data, the analysis provides the most comprehensive view of U.S. e-commerce. The analysis examined over 1 trillion visits, 100 million SKUs, and 18 product categories. Adobe Analytics is reliably used by the majority of the top 100 internet retailers in the U.S. to provide, measure, and personalize online shopping experiences.

Record Online Shopping During the Holiday Season, Supported by a Strong Cyber Week

Here are Adobe’s standout holiday season data:

  • Online consumers spent $257.8 billion online from November 1 to December 31.
  • This figure represents a 6.8% increase year-over-year and sets a new e-commerce record.
  • For 25 days, consumers spent more than $4 billion in a single day. This number was 18 days in 2024.
  • Mobile shopping hit a milestone this season, with the majority of online transactions (56.4%) taking place through smartphones. This was up from 54.5% in 2024.
  • Mobile shopping peaked on Christmas Day (December 25), accounting for 66.5% of online sales (vs. 65% in 2024).
  • Thanksgiving Day (November 27) followed, with a 61.6% mobile share (vs. 59.3% in 2024).
  • This season, strong Cyber Week (the five days from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday) helped break online spending records, with a total of $44.2 billion spent, a 7.7% increase year-over-year.
  • Cyber Monday remained the biggest e-commerce day of the season (and year), with $14.25 billion in online spending, up 7.1% year-over-year.
  • Cyber Monday growth was outpaced by Black Friday ($11.8 billion, up 9.1% year-over-year), as consumers embraced earlier deals.
  • On Thanksgiving Day, consumers spent $6.4 billion online, marking a 5.3% increase year-over-year.

Competitive Discounts Encouraged Consumers to Buy Higher-Ticket Items

Strong discounts this season drove resilient consumer demand online. Shoppers found great deals in electronics, where discounts peaked at 30.9% off the listed price (vs. 30.1% in 2024), toys at 29.6% (vs. 28%), apparel at 25.1% (vs. 23.2%), TVs at 24.3% (vs. 24.2%), computers at 23.4% (vs. 22.8%), sporting goods at 20.3% (vs. 19.5%), appliances at 20.2% (vs. 19.2%), and furniture at 18.8% (vs. 19%).

This holiday season, discounts also drove consumers to purchase higher-ticket items in categories like electronics, sporting goods, and appliances, contributing to e-commerce growth. This season, the share of units sold for the most expensive goods increased by 20% compared to the rest of the year. By category, this figure was up 56% in electronics, 55% in sporting goods, 38% in appliances, 34% in personal care products, and 29% in tools.

Categories Driving E-Commerce Growth

Of the $257.8 billion spent online this holiday season, more than half (54%) was driven by three categories:

  • Electronics ($59.8 billion, up 8.2% year-over-year)
  • Apparel ($49.0 billion, up 7.4% year-over-year)
  • Furniture ($31.1 billion, up 6.6% year-over-year).

Other categories with notable growth this season included:

  • Cosmetics ($8.4 billion, up 9.3% year-over-year)
  • Groceries ($23.7 billion, up 10.2% year-over-year)
  • Sporting goods ($8.4 billion, up 7.7% year-over-year)
  • Toys ($8.8 billion, up 7.8% year-over-year).

Generative AI Reshaped the Online Shopping Journey

Generative AI-powered chat services and browsers became an integral tool for consumers to find deals and research products. This season, traffic to retail sites from generative AI tools (shoppers clicking a link to a retail site) increased by 693.4% compared to the previous year. On Cyber Monday, AI traffic to U.S. retail sites increased by 670%. While the user base remains modest, this increase shows the value AI can deliver as a shopping assistant. These services were most used in categories including video games, toys, appliances, electronics, and personal care products.

Record $11.8 billion in Black Friday Online Spending in the US

The Era of Duty-Free Shopping in Türkiye Officially Ends: 30 Euro Exemption Removed

The 30 Euro customs exemption applied to foreign purchases in Türkiye has been removed with a Presidential Decree published in the Official Gazette. The regulation, which came into effect with Decree No. 10813 on January 6, 2026, has caused significant changes, especially in individual e-commerce shopping.

According to the decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a 30% customs duty will be applied to products purchased from European Union countries, while products purchased from other countries will be subject to a 60% duty. If the products fall under the scope of the Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV), an additional fixed tax of 20% will be levied. As a result, the duty to be paid on products imported from abroad has significantly increased.

Previously Reduced 30 Euro Limit Has Been Completely Removed

As a reminder, in 2024, the customs exemption limit was reduced from 150 Euros to 30 Euros. Following this, the limit was further reduced to approximately 27 Euros after including shipping costs. With the latest decree, this limit has been entirely removed. The new regulation now applies customs procedures and taxes to all products ordered from abroad.

Additional Taxes for Products Covered by Special Consumption Tax

The new regulation introduces additional tax obligations for certain products. If products fall into a category subject to the Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV), an additional 20% fixed tax will be applied to those products. This will particularly increase costs for technological products, luxury consumer goods, and certain health products.

A Challenging Process Begins for Consumers Shopping from Abroad

With this change, importing low-priced products from abroad will no longer be as economical as before. For purchases made from foreign e-commerce sites, consumers will not only pay for the product cost but also be subject to customs duties and customs declaration service fees. As a result, consumers, particularly those making low-budget purchases, are expected to face significant cost increases.

Effective Date and Future Expectations

The new regulation will come into effect on February 6, 2026. Orders placed before this date will be processed according to the existing rules. However, from the specified date onwards, new tax and declaration rules will apply to all purchases from abroad. This change in customs processes will fundamentally alter individual shopping habits and reshape the economic impact of foreign purchases.

E-commerce Startup Stord Acquires AI-Powered Fulfillment Platform Shipwire

Fast-growing e-commerce logistics startup Stord announced the acquisition of Shipwire, an AI-powered fulfillment platform from CEVA Logistics. The deal, completed on January 1, marks Stord’s seventh acquisition, further strengthening its position in the e-commerce logistics space while expanding its network and capabilities.

The acquisition adds 12 new locations and approximately 60 new employees to Stor d’s logistics operations. With the addition of Shipwire’s technology and customer base, Stord aims to enhance its infrastructure and operational efficiency, providing a significant competitive advantage against e-commerce giants such as Amazon.

Stord Gains New Large and Mid-Market Customers

Founded by former Thiel Fellow Sean Henry, Sto rd has been expanding its logistics network to help small businesses lower shipping costs and speed up deliveries. The acquisition of Shipwire brings Stord one step closer to its goal of offering a comprehensive solution to businesses operating on e-commerce platforms.

Shipwire, an AI-powered fulfillment platform, automates processes such as inventory management, order routing, and shipping for e-commerce companies. With this acquisition, Sto rd not only gains the platform itself but also a significant number of new large and mid-market customers.

Sto rd CEO Sean Henry highlighted the potential of the integration, stating, “This is a great network, great customers, a great team—bringing them onto our technology and our combined scale is fantastic. And with that scale, our flywheel will speed up.”

Additionally, this acquisition provides Sto rd with AI-powered internal tools for planning, execution, and routing, which are expected to further improve efficiency and accelerate operations.

Stord to Leverage CEVA’s Vast Network

In 2022, Stord raised $200 million at a $1.5 billion valuation and operates in a highly competitive market providing logistics and fulfillment services. Competitors include companies like ShipBob, Flexport’s Deliverr, Cart.com, and Shipmonk. Demand for logistics and fulfillment services continues to grow as more businesses open storefronts on multiple platforms and consumers increasingly shop online.

This deal also holds strategic importance, as it gives Stord the opportunity to leverage CEVA’s vast network, which spans 120 million square feet across 170 countries. This partnership could allow Stord to expand its global reach and provide more robust logistics solutions to e-commerce businesses worldwide.

While Amazon has long been a dominant player in the e-commerce logistics space, offering multi-channel fulfillment for businesses, Stor d’s strategy focuses on helping smaller merchants compete by reducing costs and improving delivery speed. As the e-commerce sector continues to grow, companies like Stord that offer flexible and scalable logistics solutions are expected to play a significant role in meeting the rising demand for third-party fulfillment services.

Seventh Acquisition in Stord’s Growth Strategy

This acquisition is part of Stor d’s broader strategy to expand its infrastructure and strengthen its competitive position against Amazon and other large players. By acquiring Shipwire, Sto rd has added another critical piece to its rapidly growing logistics network, positioning itself as a strong player in the logistics and fulfillment sector.

As Stord continues to scale its operations, the company is expected to pursue additional acquisitions to complement its technology and infrastructure, further positioning itself as a formidable competitor to the dominant e-commerce giants in logistics.

The EU Renewed Dispute Resolution Rules by Ending the Central ODR Platform

The new EU directives replaced the 2013 regulations, which belonged to a period when digital commerce in Europe was much smaller and less complex. EU lawmakers stated that the revision reflected complaint-handling methods already used in practice and aimed to increase effectiveness, accessibility, and legal predictability for both consumers and businesses.

End of the EU ODR Platform

Within the scope of the revised framework, the EU-wide Online Dispute Resolution platform was abolished. In practice, the platform had failed to deliver the expected impact. While consumers had difficulty finding and using the platform, many sellers disengaged from the process. EU institutions concluded that a centralized, one-size-fits-all model did not align with the different legal systems and complaint-handling practices among member states.

Instead, the directive placed greater emphasis on national and sector-specific ADR bodies already known to consumers and businesses. Member states were required to actively organize and designate ADR mechanisms in sectors with a high number of consumer complaints, such as e-commerce, travel, and digital services. This shift reflected a broader policy preference toward strengthening local structures rather than maintaining a single European gateway.

The revised rules also clarified the responsibilities and standards of ADR bodies. It was emphasized that national and sector-specific mechanisms must meet criteria of independence, transparency, effectiveness, and accessibility. The aim was to ensure that consumers had realistic and reliable alternatives before resorting to court proceedings, while also establishing consistent procedural expectations for businesses.

New Obligations for Online Retailers

Although online sellers were no longer required to refer consumers to the now-discontinued European ODR platform, they retained their obligation to inform consumers about available ADR options. This information was reorganized to be provided on a country-by-country and sector-by-sector basis, reflecting the new, more fragmented structure.

For e-commerce companies operating in multiple EU markets, this change created additional complexity in terms of compliance. Retailers were required to identify the relevant ADR bodies in each member state where they sold goods and to ensure that the information provided to consumers was accurate and up to date. The EU acknowledged that this approach increased the administrative burden, while arguing that it better reflected real-world dispute resolution practices.

The directive also introduced new procedural obligations aimed at strengthening enforcement. If an ADR body contacted an online seller regarding a consumer complaint, the seller was required to respond within 20 working days. Failure to respond within this period would be considered a refusal to cooperate and could lead to sanctions under national legislation.

These obligations would apply not only to EU-based sellers but also to non-EU businesses selling to European consumers. EU policymakers stated that this regulation addressed a long-standing enforcement gap in digital trade by creating a stronger legal incentive for cross-border sellers to participate in dispute resolution processes.

Implementation Timeline

The directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union at the end of 2025 and was expected to enter into force on 19 January 2026. From that date, member states would be required to begin the process of transposing the new rules into national legislation.

EU officials stated that this process would take several years due to the need to adapt national consumer protection frameworks and to establish or update sector-specific ADR bodies. For this reason, the revised rules were expected to be applied in practice from 2028.

By replacing the central ODR platform with a network consisting of national and sector-specific mechanisms, the European Union demonstrated a shift toward more practical and enforceable consumer protection tools. It was assessed that the success of the new framework would largely depend on how effectively member states implemented the rules and to what extent businesses complied with the new procedural obligations.

Eight European Countries Call for Action Against Chinese E-Commerce Platforms

Asos Launched a Returns Transparency Tool for Customers in the United Kingdom

Asos announced that it had launched a new returns transparency tool in the United Kingdom that provides customers with clearer information on how their return behavior affects potential fees. The feature, planned to go live on 6 January, became the latest step taken in response to criticism of the return fees the company introduced last year.

The online-only fashion retailer stated that the new tool aimed to provide customers with greater visibility and predictability. Asos positioned this update as part of a broader effort to strike a balance between the customer experience and the rising costs associated with high return volumes.

How Return Fees Are Applied Will Be Clarified

Asos had introduced a return fee in 2024 for customers classified as having a high return rate. Under this policy, customers who kept less than 40 British pounds’ worth of items from their original order were charged a return fee of 3.95 pounds. However, at the time, the lack of a public explanation regarding how individual return rates were calculated led to confusion and dissatisfaction among users.

With the new transparency tool, Asos provided a clearer framework on how these thresholds operated. Customers using the Asos app were now able to see their individual return rates directly in their accounts. While customers with a return rate below 70 percent continued to benefit from free returns, fees applied once this level was exceeded.

According to the updated structure, customers with return rates above 70 percent were charged a return fee of 3.95 pounds. When the return rate exceeded 80 percent, an additional restocking fee of 3.95 pounds was also applied. Asos stated that these thresholds aimed to encourage more conscious shopping and to preserve free returns for the vast majority of customers.

Asos Offered In-App Guidance for Returns

The new feature was not limited to displaying return rates; it also offered in-app guidance to help customers avoid charges. Asos stated that the system included safer shopping recommendations, such as carefully reviewing size charts, product descriptions, and user reviews.

The app also displayed alerts when customers’ return rates approached chargeable thresholds. In this way, it aimed to prevent users from encountering unexpected fees after completing a return. Asos emphasized that this tool allowed customers to monitor and manage their return behavior in real time.

The company considered this step a response to customer feedback and acknowledged that transparency was critical to maintaining trust in policies aimed at controlling costs. Industry experts pointed out that return costs had become a significant pressure factor, particularly for online fashion retailers.

“Asos Is Committed to Preserving Free Returns Wherever Possible”

Asos stated that the transparency initiative was aligned with broader sustainability and cost management objectives. High return rates, particularly in the fashion sector, led to issues such as increased transportation emissions, labor costs, and waste volumes. The fact that returned items could not always be resold at full price further intensified this pressure.

Ben Blake, Executive Vice President for Customer and Commercial at Asos, emphasized the company’s commitment to preserving free returns wherever possible. Blake said, “We are committed to continuing to offer free returns to all customers in all core markets; however, we want to do so in a sustainable way. By showing customers their return rates, we provide them with greater visibility and control, while also offering tips to help them shop with confidence.”

Blake also added that the aim was not to penalize customers, but to encourage more informed purchasing decisions and reduce unnecessary returns. According to Asos, the majority of customers continued to benefit from free returns under the current system.

Part of a Broader Industry Trend

This move by Asos paralleled the reassessment of long-standing free returns policies in the e-commerce and fashion sectors. Rising fulfillment costs, high return volumes, and sustainability concerns had led many retailers to introduce fees or stricter conditions, particularly for frequent returners.

Rather than further tightening the rules, Asos tested a middle-ground approach by offering a transparency tool. The company aimed to maintain customer loyalty while responding to increasing cost pressures.

It had not yet become clear whether the new feature would reduce complaints or significantly change customer behavior. However, the move highlighted the growing importance of clear and transparent communication as retailers reshaped long-established e-commerce practices in a more cost-focused environment.

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