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Indigo Fair raises $12 million to help independent retailers source products from creators (BETAKIT)
The company says its has connected over 500 makers with almost 17,000 retailers.
DMS Recommends: Wired Canadians… why businesses must change to meet expectations (DMS)
Ever wonder what Canadians expect from your business? Wonder no more, my friend! Microsoft, in partnership with YouGov, commissioned market research to uncover what consumers around the world (including Canada) expect from businesses when buying goods and services.
Proven wants to sell AI distilled custom skincare (TECHCRUNCH)
Proven’s core idea is to see whether deep learning and machine learning algorithms can distill useful information from millions of online testimonials for skincare products.
Apple Pay used by estimated 127M users globally, but analyst claims only 16 percent of iPhones used for payments (APPLE)
Apple Pay is continuing to grow year-over-year, according to research by Loup Ventures, but while the adoption rate for Apple Pay by its users has reportedly jumped, it is claimed the mobile payments service is still being used by a relatively small proportion of iPhone users.
Amazon has quietly launched an exclusive line of over-the-counter health products (CNBC)
Technically, the company doesn’t own these products, which are produced by private-label manufacturer Perrigo, but it does put Amazon in a position to squeeze other retailers.
Walmart launches a new home shopping site for furniture and home décor (TECHCRUNCH)
Unlike Walmart’s typical shopping experience, the new site will also use editorial-style imagery and will include design tips written by in-house staff.
Retail marketing startup Shping launches $46 million ICO after raising millions in its pre-sale (SMARTCOMPANY)
Shping offers a blockchain-based solution for consumers and marketers, allowing shoppers to scan products’ barcodes to gain insights about their’ origin, nutritional information, and ingredients.
CanCon Podcast Ep. 105: Shopify’s e-cannabis solution (BETAKIT)
E-cannabis is coming to Ontario. Shopify has your hookup.
Retailers and restaurants turn to Apple hardware to improve in-store sales (ITWORLDCANADA)
If you had to bet on the next move of an entrepreneur that’s coming fresh off building up a successful e-commerce business, you probably wouldn’t put money on building a startup that wants to transform the bricks and mortar retail experience. But if your bet was on Well.ca founder Ali Asaria, then you’d be wrong.
Grofers in talks to raise up to $65 million at 40% less valuation
(MINT)
Online grocery startup Grofers’ round is being led by existing investor Japan’s Softbank Group with participation from Tiger Global Management.
All you need to know about ecommerce giant: Ebay.com (16BEST)
eBay founder Pierre Omidyar launched an e-commerce company back in 1995 with the goal of creating an online marketplace that will connect buyers and sellers. The company was then known as AuctionWeb, and the first item that was sold there was a broken laser pointer.