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Lightspeed prices IPO at $16 per share, raises $240 million CAD (BETAKIT)
The Montreal-based company had initially targeted a $200 million CAD IPO.
Meal Delivery Startup Munchery Files for Bankruptcy (FORTUNE)
The company owes $28.5 million in secured debt to lenders and $6 million in unsecured debt (half of it is to 230 vendors and suppliers and the other half is to thousands of former customers who are holding unfulfilled gift cards).
Personalized wine? This Milwaukee company just raised $8.5 million to prove it’s the future (TECHCRUNCH)
Bright Cellars’ funding was led by Revolution Ventures, with participation from CSA Partners.
Moneris adds Lightspeed Restaurant to its menu of iPad POS solutions(BETAKIT)
Moneris called this announcement part of an “evolving partnership” with Lightspeed.
Four Retail Tech Expectations For 2019 (FORBES)
Whether an established retailer is looking to reinvent itself and stay ahead of consumers’ demands or a new brand is looking to score buyers’ attention away from their traditional favorites, winning companies will leverage technology at all levels of their organization to gain mindshare with customers. Here’s what’s in store for retail in 2019.
Alibaba.com pairs with Office Depot in first major U.S. tie-up(BLOOMBERG)
Alibaba.com will create a new online destination to access the business supplies distributor’s network and build out its offering to small businesses in the U.S. The new partnership will allow the small businesses to link with Alibaba.com’s global network of over 150,000 suppliers, offering next-day delivery.
Sea is raising up to $1.5B for its Shopee e-commerce business in Southeast Asia (TECHCRUNCH)
Sea claims to be the largest e-commerce firm in “Greater Southeast Asia.”
Are You an Amazon or an Apple Family? (NYTIMES)
Home innovations like smart microwaves and toilets could lock us into a digital caste system.
Hooch moves beyond subscription drinks, with rewards for travel, dining and more (TECHCRUNCH)
He noted that while most loyalty programs reward you for using a specific card or for shopping with a specific company, Hooch has partnered with more than 250,000 merchants (including Marriott hotels, TAO restaurants, Starbucks, Uber and Amazon).