Learn about Amazon’s partnership with TikTok, PayPal Fastlane and Ace Hardware’s new store model. Plus, read the latest mid-year supply chain report and about the expansion of Walmart’s ocean shipping service.
In this week’s news, find out about Amazon’s in-app shopping partnerships with TikTok and Pinterest, how Walmart is reaching Gen Z shoppers and what supply chain expert Lisa Anderson says about the supply chain. Plus, learn how Ace Hardware is looking to create an experiential shopping experience and more. Visit our blog every week for a roundup of the latest commerce news.
Amazon teams up with TikTok and Pinterest for in-app shopping
Amazon has launched new partnerships with TikTok1 and Pinterest,2 allowing users to shop select Amazon products directly within these social media platforms. The integration enables customers to browse and purchase items through Amazon ads without leaving TikTok or Pinterest, offering a seamless shopping experience. Users can link their TikTok or Pinterest accounts to Amazon for a quick setup, gaining access to real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates and product details.
Amazon highlighted the convenience of this new in-app shopping feature, noting that while it's available for select products, not all Amazon items can be purchased this way. The initiative is part of Amazon's broader strategy to enhance its digital presence and reach younger audiences.
Experts, however, warn of potential risks. Julian Reis, CEO of SuperOrdinary, highlighted concerns about Amazon's reliance on TikTok, pointing out that changes in TikTok’s algorithms or popularity could negatively impact Amazon’s brand. On the other hand, Michael Zakkour, founder of 5 New Digital, praised the move as a step towards "Immersive Commerce," allowing Amazon to expand its reach and gather valuable consumer data without building its own social platform.
PayPal Fastlane is now available to all U.S. merchants
"Fastlane by PayPal," a new feature aimed at speeding up guest checkout, is now available to all U.S. businesses ahead of the holiday season.3 Fastlane allows consumers to complete purchases in as little as one click, enhancing the guest checkout experience that remains a preference for many shoppers. "Fastlane by PayPal significantly reduces the time consumers spend using guest checkout – making for a more seamless checkout experience," said Alex Chriss, President and CEO of PayPal.
Early tests show promising results, with merchants like Black Forest Decor seeing a conversion increase from 74% to 86% and a reduction in checkout time to just two minutes. BigCommerce, the first ecommerce platform to integrate Fastlane, reported that guest shoppers using the feature convert more than 80% of the time, a 50% improvement over non-Fastlane users.
Fastlane is now available through PayPal Complete Payments and PayPal Braintree, with integrations accessible on platforms like Adobe Commerce and Salesforce Commerce Cloud. The feature is designed to help merchants reduce checkout time and increase sales, offering a quick, simple integration process.
Walmart launches ‘Dorm Your Way’ campaign, targeting Gen Z shoppers
Walmart has launched "Walmart Realm: Your Dorm Your Way," an immersive shopping experience targeting college students ahead of the back-to-school season.5 Developed in collaboration with virtual reality tech company Emperia, this is Walmart's second venture with the platform, following its initial May debut. The experience allows students to explore and shop five virtual dorm rooms, each inspired by social trends like Sanrio, Y2K and LoFi, with mini-games and content from Walmart’s creators integrated into each room.
“Walmart Realm truly is the next iteration of adaptive retail. We’re placing our bets on immersive commerce & helping define the future of online shopping for retail,” said Justin Breton, Walmart’s Director of Brand Experiences and Strategic Partnerships.
The initiative reflects Walmart’s ongoing push into the metaverse to engage younger shoppers, a strategy that has included previous ventures on platforms like Roblox. While these efforts offer new opportunities for engagement, they have also faced scrutiny, particularly concerning privacy issues for younger users. Despite these challenges, Walmart continues to innovate in the virtual commerce space, aiming to shorten the distance between inspiration and purchase for its customers.
Ace Hardware unveils a new experiential store model at Chicago convention
Ace Hardware, the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperative, introduced its innovative "ELEVATE3 Ace" store concept at its 100-year anniversary convention in Chicago.6 The new experiential store model, set to roll out over the next five years with a $1 billion investment, looks to revolutionize the customer experience and boost store growth.
“Elevate Ace is not just a new store format; it’s our vision to become famous for four things in the neighborhoods we serve: Paint, Power, Backyards & Barbecue, and Home Preservation,” said John Venhuizen, Ace Hardware President and CEO. The model focuses on premium brand showrooms, enhanced customer service and immersive retail designs, including outdoor spaces for live demonstrations.
The ELEVATE3 Ace concept was showcased in a 13,000-square-foot model store at the convention, garnering positive feedback from the 17,600 attendees. The new store format will launch in select locations this year, with broader implementation starting in January 2025. This initiative underscores Ace Hardware’s commitment to community engagement and setting new standards in the retail hardware industry.
Walmart expands Cross-Border Ocean Shipping Service to all marketplace sellers
Walmart has announced that its Cross Border (WCB) ocean shipping solution is now available to all Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) sellers following a successful pilot program.7 The service, which facilitates the transportation of goods from China to Walmart’s U.S. fulfillment centers, is designed to enhance convenience, speed and reliability for sellers on the Walmart Marketplace.
“Our pilot exceeded our expectations in terms of feedback and volumes, and we are excited to let the world know that Walmart Cross Border is ready to help all Walmart Fulfillment Services ecommerce sellers grow their business,” said Scott Humanek, Senior Director of Walmart’s Global Inbound Program, in the LinkedIn Post.
The WCB service offers a port-to-door, full container load freight service available exclusively to WFS sellers sourcing or manufacturing goods in China. Shipments are handled through major Chinese ports, including Yantian, Shanghai and Ningbo, and are directly transported to Walmart’s U.S. fulfillment centers.
Supply chain expert Lisa Anderson releases mid-year report on future supply chain strategies
Lisa Anderson, President of LMA Consulting Group Inc., has released her latest mid-year special report, FutureScape: Crafting Tomorrow's Supply Chain Today.8 The report provides key insights into strategic shifts and innovations poised to shape the future of supply chain management.
"As businesses navigate a landscape marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), the need for bold, resilient and innovative strategies has never been greater," says Anderson. The report addresses critical areas, including global supply chain disruptions, high-skilled talent scarcity, advanced technologies' transformative power and the importance of resilient, adaptive and regionally focused supply chains.
Anderson emphasizes that the report is designed to help companies not only survive but thrive by preparing for tomorrow's supply chain challenges today. FutureScape offers actionable strategies for businesses to secure a leading position in their industry.
