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Bunz launches rewards program, calls it a cryptocurrency (BETAKIT)
Toronto-based Bunz has launched a digital points rewards currency called BTZ. The announcement has been met with some scrutiny.
DMS Recommends: Toronto’s Digital Main Street Program to Expand Across Ontario (DMS)
Digital Main Street is expanding across Ontario thanks to a partnership with the Province of Ontario and the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association.
Marketing platform Punchh raises $20M Series B to give brick-and-mortar retailers better data analytics(TECHCRUNCH)
Founded in 2010 as an online loyalty card service, Punchh has since grown into a marketing platform serving more than 115 restaurant chains, including Pizza Hut and Quiznos.
China’s e-commerce startup Pinduoduo said to raise over $1b from Sequoia, Tencent(DEALSTREETASIA)
PDD has become one of the fastest-growing startups in China by creating a sort of Facebook-Groupon mashup, where people spot deals on fruit, clothes or toilet paper and then recruit their friends to buy at a discount.
Walmart is in advanced talks to acquire Amazon’s India rival Flipkart — but it may have to strike a deal with eBay first (VOX)
eBay last year invested around $500 million in Flipkart, taking a 5 percent stake in the business and handing over its eBay India operation in the process.
Amazon finally opens up Prime Wardrobe to more customers(TECHCRUNCH)
In the year since the original announcement, Stitch Fix has IPO’d and Gwynnie Bee launched a subscription clothing box platform for other retailers, which has been adopted by Anne Taylor and New York & Company. It’s time for Amazon to step up, too.
Why Hubba CEO Ben Zifkin thinks there are 25 potential billion dollar tech companies in Toronto(LINKEDIN)
In this wide-ranging conversation with NEO’s Julia Kassam, Zifkin explains why he thinks his company is not the only one prepping to be Toronto’s next big thing.
How tech companies are backing the future of retail through AR, AI, and Drones (PYMNTS)
Here’s how Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Apple and Facebook are investing in R&D — and ushering in the next generation of retail technology.
Ryan Poissant named COO of Nudge Rewards (BETAKIT)
While at MaRS, Poissant was an advisor to Nudge Rewards and worked closely with the founding team for over five years.
Retail’s adapt-or-die moment: How artificial intelligence is reshaping commerce (CBINSIGHTS)
Traditional and new-school retailers alike are using AI and robotics to automate various parts of the retail chain, from manufacturing to last-mile delivery.
Amazon taking on Venmo; A tech firm or a retail firm? (RETAILTECHNEWS)
Amazon is working on a person-to-person payment capability that could be used in combination with its Alexa virtual assistant.
