E-Commerce News & Trends

ShopsBUY.com Acquires Brazilian Tech Firm, Doubling Its Engineering Capacity

Global e-commerce player ShopsBUY.com, with a rapidly growing footprint in Brazil, has announced the acquisition of a Brazilian e-commerce technology company—effectively doubling the size of its engineering team. This strategic move signals the platform’s ambition to accelerate innovation, build deeper personalization into its services, and reduce dependence on third-party software.

The integration of the acquired firm brings a wealth of technical expertise and local know-how, allowing ShopsBUY to scale its backend systems more flexibly. By bringing development capabilities in-house, the company is better positioned to optimize platform performance, speed up feature delivery, and craft a more agile user experience tailored to the Brazilian market and beyond.

Building a Stronger, More Autonomous Tech Backbone

With this acquisition, ShopsBUY is taking control of its tech stack—moving away from externally sourced modules and toward a unified, proprietary architecture. This shift not only accelerates time-to-market for new features but also gives the company greater agility in responding to user trends, operational needs, and competitive pressures.

A company spokesperson highlighted the strategic advantage: “This acquisition allows us to move faster, personalize user experiences more deeply, and build the future of commerce on our own terms.” By embedding technical muscle closer to its core operations, ShopsBUY is signaling its intent to push innovation at a foundational level.

For Brazilian customers, this development could result in smoother browsing, faster checkout flows, and a more intuitive, locally relevant interface. On the global front, a stronger engineering foundation positions ShopsBUY to experiment with emerging technologies—such as AI-powered personalization, advanced logistics coordination, or seamless omnichannel experiences—with greater control and efficiency.

As ShopsBUY continues to establish itself in a highly competitive e-commerce landscape, this move underscores a broader trend among digital-first platforms: scaling technical infrastructure in-house to own the full customer journey, increase flexibility, and unlock sustained innovation.

Rakuten Embeds ‘Brain Twin’ AI Across Its Ecosystem to Deliver Omotenashi-Level Service

Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten is revolutionizing its digital landscape with the rollout of an advanced “agentic AI” platform—branded as its “Brain Twin”—designed to unify and enhance user experiences across services like shopping, fintech, travel, telecom, and entertainment. Built to intuit needs and act proactively, this AI system aims to redefine service through true personalization.

Scheduled to debut on the Rakuten Ichiba marketplace this autumn, the Brain Twin will allow customers to interact naturally—via voice, image, or text—to find products, refine searches, and explore services tailored to their behaviors and purchase history. For example, a shopper could snap or submit a photo of a pair of pants, and the AI would recommend similar items in the desired price range without a single keyword search. It anticipates preferences, learns from interactions, and becomes smarter with each user touchpoint.

Empowering Small Merchants While Elevating User Experiences

Beyond improving customer journeys, this AI platform offers a suite of tools that support small and medium-sized businesses. The beta tools currently available include chat-based assistants for handling customer inquiries, AI-driven image editors for professional product visuals, and AI analysis tools that distill sales data into actionable insights. These services help sellers manage operations more efficiently even with limited technical resources.

Rakuten’s agentic AI architecture combines its own language models—deeply tuned for Japanese context—with optimized third-party AI systems, striking a balance between cultural fluency and computational efficiency. By enabling intuitive, multimodal interactions and protecting user and merchant trust, Rakuten positions the Brain Twin as more than a digital assistant—it’s a personalized, intelligent gateway into a seamless ecosystem.

Jumia Technologies Reports Strong Q4 Earnings and Raises 2025 Guidance

Jumia Technologies AG has announced its Q4 2025 earnings, showcasing significant growth and strategic advancements. The Africa-based e-commerce platform reported a 23.1% increase in revenue, reaching $44.9 million compared to $36.47 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Despite this revenue growth, the company reported a loss of $0.11 per share, aligning with analysts’ expectations.

Positive Outlook for 2025 and Strategic Adjustments

In response to these results, Jumia has revised its 2025 guidance upwards. The company anticipates physical goods orders to grow between 25% and 30% year-over-year, up from the previous forecast of 20% to 25%. Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) is now expected to increase by 15% to 20%, compared to the earlier projection of 10% to 15%. Additionally, the forecasted loss before income tax has been narrowed to a range of $45 million to $50 million, an improvement from the previous estimate of $50 million to $55 million.

These optimistic projections are attributed to Jumia’s strategic initiatives, including the reduction of non-core markets and headcount, streamlining fulfillment operations, and focusing on high-margin categories. While the company continues to face challenges such as currency devaluations and political instability in certain African markets, its efforts to enhance operational efficiency have shown promising results.

Investors have responded positively to the announcement, with Jumia’s stock experiencing a notable uptick following the release of the earnings report. The company’s improved financial performance and revised guidance indicate a potential path toward profitability, reinforcing investor confidence in Jumia’s long-term growth prospects

JD.com Expands to Open Five Discount Stores in China

JD.com has announced its expansion into the competitive e-commerce market by opening five discount supermarkets in Hebei and Jiangsu provinces. These stores will target budget-conscious shoppers by offering a wide range of products at discounted prices. The first store, located in Zhuozhou, will cover an area of 5,000 square meters and offer a variety of products, from cleaning items to chocolates, with prices set below market levels.

Transformation in Retail with New Discount Stores

This launch is part of JD.com’s strategy to boost sluggish consumer spending and attract customers seeking budget-friendly shopping options. The company had previously opened two smaller-format discount stores in Beijing in 2024. JD.com’s move shows that it plans to expand not only in online retail but also in physical retail. The company’s entry into physical stores is seen as a significant step in gaining a larger share of the retail market, especially among younger consumers whose shopping habits are increasingly shaped by digital platforms. JD.com aims to enhance the shopping experience with a customer-centric approach, integrating in-store layout and services with its digital platforms. This model seeks to merge traditional retail with online shopping experiences, offering consumers a seamless digital and physical experience.

JD.com has also made strides in the international market by acquiring Germany-based Ceconomy for 2.2 billion euros to boost its global presence. Moreover, this expansion signals a major shift in China’s retail sector, with industry giants adjusting their strategies in response to changing consumer demands and increasing competition. JD.com’s strategy is seen as a pivotal moment in the evolution of China’s retail market, signaling its growing influence in both local and international markets.

Genetic AI Revolutionizes Online Checkout: A 2025 Shift in Internet Shopping

As of 2025, Genetic Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) technology is dramatically transforming the online shopping experience, particularly in the payment process. This seismic shift is bringing significant changes for both consumers and retailers alike.

The Role of Gen AI in Payment Processes

Gen AI analyzes user shopping habits and preferences, making the payment process faster and more personalized. The technology streamlines tasks such as automatically filling shopping carts, managing payment information securely, and speeding up transaction approvals. As a result, the shopping experience becomes more seamless and efficient.

Moreover, with the integration of Gen AI, fraud detection and prevention during payment processes are becoming more effective. By analyzing shopping behaviors, AI can detect suspicious transactions, enhancing security.

Retailers are using Gen AI to enhance the customer experience, improving inventory management, pricing strategies, and customer service. This, in turn, leads to more efficient operations and higher customer satisfaction.

The integration of Gen AI into the checkout process is shaping the future of online shopping. Consumers benefit from a faster, more secure, and personalized shopping experience, while retailers gain a competitive advantage. These advancements are seen as a key step in the evolution of digital commerce.

Countries Most Obsessed with Online Shopping: 2025

Online shopping has become a rapidly growing sector worldwide in 2025. According to data from CEOWORLD magazine, the countries with the highest online shopping spending are leading the global trend of digital commerce. In 2025, online shopping will continue to be a significant part of retail sales growth.

Countries with the Highest Online Shopping Spending

The United States holds the largest share of online shopping, accounting for 47.54% of its retail spending on digital platforms. This figure highlights how large e-commerce has become as a sector. China follows closely with 45.72%, benefiting from its vast population and digital infrastructure that contribute to the growth of online shopping. Japan ranks third with 40.11%, while other Asian countries also contribute significantly to the online shopping market.

India, Hong Kong, and South Korea are also noteworthy for their strong online shopping participation. These countries have seen substantial growth in e-commerce, driven by technological advancements and increasing internet usage. In India, the growing interest of the younger population in digital shopping plays a major role in the expansion of e-commerce.

Globally, online shopping has evolved from just a shopping method into a lifestyle. With the impact of digitalization, these countries are shaping the future of commerce and making online shopping culture even more widespread. This trend suggests that emerging markets, including developing countries, will also have a growing share in online shopping in the future.

Amazon’s Exit from Google Shopping Ads Triggers Major Shift in MENA Digital Advertising

In a surprising move, Amazon recently pulled out of Google Shopping Ads across several key global markets, leading to ripple effects in the MENA region’s retail media and e-commerce ecosystems. The abrupt withdrawal, which took place almost overnight, has caused a significant reshuffling in ad auctions, cost dynamics, and brand strategies across digital platforms.

Previously holding a dominant share of Google Shopping impressions, Amazon’s sudden disappearance has left a vacuum that many regional brands are now racing to fill. This shift is more than a temporary disruption—it signals a possible long-term strategic realignment by one of the world’s largest e-commerce players. While Amazon has yet to release an official statement, industry experts speculate the move may be aimed at driving more product discovery within its own ecosystem, bypassing third-party platforms entirely.

Opportunities Emerge as CPC Drops and Impressions Shift in MENA Market

With Amazon out of the auction landscape, cost-per-click (CPC) rates have noticeably dropped—some estimates suggest decreases of 20% to 40% in certain categories. As a result, other retailers are seeing increased visibility and higher impression shares without significantly raising their ad spend. This presents a rare opportunity for both regional giants and agile local brands to gain market presence at a lower cost.

Many marketers in the MENA region view this as a turning point. The exit has encouraged brands to rethink their paid media strategies, diversify their acquisition channels, and invest more in first-party data. It also highlights a broader trend in digital commerce: the growing tension between platform dependency and brand autonomy.

In a region where consumers are increasingly beginning their shopping journeys directly on retailer platforms rather than search engines, Amazon’s strategy might be ahead of the curve. Whether this signals a wider move away from Google’s advertising infrastructure remains to be seen—but one thing is clear: the digital advertising landscape in MENA is entering a new, unpredictable phase.

E-Commerce App Installs Decline While Sessions Rise: Mobile Shopping Faces a Challenging Phase

The first half of 2025 has presented a mixed picture for the global e-commerce sector on mobile platforms. According to Adjust’s “Shopping App Insights Report: 2025 Edition,” e-commerce app installs dropped by 14% globally compared to the previous year, while user sessions rose by 2%. These contrasting figures suggest that acquiring new users is becoming increasingly difficult, yet engagement among existing users continues to grow.

The report predicts that global e-commerce spending will reach $6.42 trillion by the end of 2025, with around $2.5 trillion of that expected to come from mobile commerce. Despite this significant potential, the decline in app installs indicates that the industry is struggling to fully capitalize on mobile growth. For e-commerce brands, this underscores the importance of improving user retention and creating long-term engagement.

LATAM and APAC Show Strong Growth, While North America and Europe Decline

Looking at regional trends, Latin America (LATAM) stands out as a rising star in mobile e-commerce. App installs in LATAM increased by 18%, while user sessions surged by an impressive 27%. This growth highlights the region’s rapid digital adoption and untapped market potential.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region also recorded steady growth, with installs up by 13% and sessions increasing by 2%. In contrast, mature markets like North America and Europe faced declines. In North America, app installs dropped by 15% and sessions by 5%, while Europe and the MENA region saw similar downward trends.

These findings suggest that e-commerce businesses must reassess their regional strategies and focus more on high-growth markets to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.

Shein and Temu Rapidly Gain Ground in South Africa’s Fashion Market

Chinese e-commerce giants Shein and Temu are experiencing remarkable growth in South Africa’s fashion sector. Together, these platforms reached total sales of 7.3 billion rand (approximately $405 million) in 2024, capturing 3.6% of the market and strengthening their strong presence in the region.

Rising E-Commerce in South Africa

Shein entered the South African market in 2020, followed by Temu in 2024, and both have grown rapidly since. Their aggressive pricing strategies and effective marketing efforts have allowed them to surpass traditional local and international retailers. This shift caused local retailers’ market share to decrease from 75.3% in 2011 to 74% in 2024.

Shein holds a significant 28% share in the online women’s apparel segment and dominates 37.1% of the overall e-commerce fashion market. Meanwhile, international brands such as H&M, Zara, and Cotton On maintain a combined market share of only 3.4%.

The rapid growth is driven by strong consumer appeal through competitive pricing and fast delivery services. However, after the South African government ended the “de minimis” tax exemption last year, these companies faced partial reductions in cost advantages. Local retailers have reported resulting price increases and a rise in customer complaints.

In conclusion, the rise of Shein and Temu in South Africa is reshaping the local retail market, underscoring the growing importance of digital transformation and innovative business models.

Shopify Forecasts Quarterly Revenue Above Estimates Amid Strong Demand

Canada-based e-commerce platform Shopify has announced quarterly revenue guidance that exceeds market expectations for the third quarter. Despite ongoing trade policy uncertainties in the U.S., the company continues to grow, driven by robust demand from merchants and AI-powered platform enhancements.

AI Innovations Drive Shopify’s Growth

Shopify forecasts revenue growth in the mid-to-high 20% range year-over-year for the July-September period, surpassing analysts’ average estimate of 21.54%. In its second-quarter earnings, the company reported a 31% annual revenue increase to $2.68 billion, beating the market’s $2.55 billion consensus. Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) also rose significantly to $87.84 billion compared to the same period last year.

The company continues to attract new sellers by providing AI-powered tools that simplify store setup, product promotion, and sales data analysis. Shopify noted that the end of the U.S. “de minimis” exemption on low-cost imports from China would impact only about 1% of its overall business, with minimal effect on total transaction volumes.

These strong financial results reaffirm Shopify’s leading position in the e-commerce sector and its growth potential. The company’s innovative solutions powered by artificial intelligence help merchants optimize operations and maintain competitive advantages in a rapidly evolving market.