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Shopify officially launches Tap & Chip Reader, retail products (BETAKIT)
Shopify officially launched a new retail kit in the US, finally bringing to market its Tap & Chip Reader, as well as a Dock for the reader, and retail Stand for iPads.
Mejuri raises $23M Series B to serve women buying jewelry for themselves (TECHCRUNCH)
Based in Toronto and Buenos Aires, four-year-old Mejuri designs, makes and sells jewelry directly to women primarily online in addition to two offline showrooms, bypassing middle-person costs.
AI monitoring store shelves at new Walmart lab (CBC)
The new retail store uses thousands of cameras and sensors to manage the store more efficiently.
Endy competitor Casper officially launches made-in-Canada products (BETAKIT)
New York-based e-commerce company Casper is opening its first Canadian headquarters, and officially producing made-in-Canada mattresses, putting it in more direct competition with Endy.
Amazon is pushing for one-day Prime shipping(TECHCRUNCH)
The move has been a Holy Grail for the company, which has already pushed parcel services and its own fulfillment centers to their seeming limits with the promise of a two-day turn around.
Vue.ai raises $17 million for AI-driven retail products (VENTUREBEAT)
It brings its total raised to $27.5 million, the bulk of which CEO and Mad Street Den cofounder Ashwini Asokan aid will be used to expand its workforce and acquire new clients.
Mobile parking payments app HonkMobile expands to US (BETAKIT)
Toronto-based HonkMobile, a provider of on-demand mobile payments for parking, has announced an expansion across the United States in partnership with international parking operator Secure Parking USA.
Selina raises $100 million for its millennial-focused lodging (SKIFT)
Selina runs a network of 46 properties in a dozen Latin American countries and Portugal. It offers private and shared accommodation with coworking facilities, cafes, wellness, and local experiences.
Grocery delivery startup Honestbee is running out of money and trying to sell (TECHCRUNCH)
Honestbee, the online grocery delivery service in Asia, is nearly out of money and trying to offload its business.
Prime Unicorn Index: The RealReal set to hit unicorn status with latest funding (RETAILDIVE)
If all authorized shares are issued, The RealReal, an online retailer for authenticated luxury consignment, will join several startups as of late to achieve unicorn status.
Squarespace acquires appointment scheduling platform Acuity Scheduling
(ZDNET)
The acquisition comes as Squarespace puts more focus on offering professional services for independent workers and small businesses.