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Ritual’s Ray Reddy on how to scale when everything breaks (BETAKIT)
“The myth to be disproven is that we can’t build big, global companies in Toronto.”
DMS Recommends: Things your video marketing strategy must include (DIGITALMAINSTREET)
“One of the most popular and interesting strategies today is video marketing. These videos should be, but not necessarily, focused on your services and products. But they can also place and promote content relevant for your business through the medium of short or long form videos.”
This cashierless store uses AI and body language to catch shoplifters (THESTAR)
Standard Market is the latest entry in the emerging fray of retail automation, where companies are throwing cameras, sensors and machine learning into grocery stores to replace the checkout line.
Amazon’s new small-business product ‘feels like a trap,’ says Shopify’s CEO (VOX)
Tobi Lütke thinks giving your business data to Amazon might not be a good idea.
ALDI expands online grocery delivery to all US stores (PYMNTS)
The German supermarket company will use its partnership with Instacart to roll out the service to 75 major markets, including San Diego, New York City, Miami, Raleigh and Minneapolis.
Luxury fashion marketplace Farfetch closes at $28.45, up 42% on its first day of trading on NYSE (TECHCRUNCH)
Farfetch was an early mover in the area of building e-commerce marketplaces specifically catering to the luxury fashion and other luxury goods industries.
Why Shopify thinks augmented reality is the future of online retail (FINANCIALPOST)
Apple smartphones with iOS 12 can create a digital simulation of what a product will look like, right in your home. No more too-big items to return.
TaskRabbit kicks off Canadian expansion (TECHCRUNCH)
The on-demand network that connects people with “taskers,” or others willing to do their household chores or errands for a fee, is kicking off its Canadian expansion in the greater Toronto area before rolling out in Vancouver in October and Montreal sometime in 2019.
Instagram launches new shopping features (CNBC)
Instagram announced two new updates to its app on Monday, making it easier for users to purchase items featured by businesses and influencers. Users will be able to click links to purchase items from stories and from the explore tab.
Zumper raises $46M more to take on Zillow and the rest with its apartment rental platform (TECHCRUNCH)
This Series C was led by media giant Axel Springer and growth-stage investor Stereo Capital, with participation also from previous investors Dawn Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (KPCB), Breyer Capital, Scott Cook, Goodwater Capital and xfund.
Bread raises $60 million to challenge store brand credit cards (FORTUNE)
New York-based Bread builds financing offers into the websites of retailers, ensuring customers can view a range of pay-over-time options without leaving the site. The company claims its service has boosted retailers top-line sales by an average of 15 percent.
Amazon reportedly eyes opening up to 3,000 cashier-free Amazon Go stores by 2021 (GEEKWIRE)
To get to that huge number in just two to three years would require Amazon to drastically up its expansion pace.
Delivery startup Postmates raises $300 million, joins Unicorn club (FORTUNE)
The funding was led by Tiger Global.