R|T: The Retail Times – Shop locally, worry globally

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Lightspeed shows strong growth YoY, but revenues flat after COVID-19 quarter (BETAKIT)

The startup’s total revenue grew to $36.2 million in Q1 2021, a 51 percent increase year-over-year.


Hypotenuse AI wants to take the strain out of copywriting for e-commerce (TECHCRUNCH)

What Hypotenuse’s AI is able to do — generate thousands of specifically detailed, appropriately styled product descriptions within “seconds” — has only been possible in very recent years, per Wong.


The ‘shop local’ message is everywhere, but it’s tough resisting deals during a pandemic (CBC)

Will nervous consumers be able to make decisions based on anything other than price?


While venture funding stays consistent, BC startup deal count sees Q1 decline (BETAKIT)

Venture funding in British Columbia reached $246 million over 50 deals in the first quarter of 2020, according to Hockeystick’s latest ecosystem report.


DoorDash launches new online convenience store DashMart (RETAILDIVE)

On DashMart, customers can buy around 2,000 grocery products, household essentials, convenience and restaurant offerings, according to CNBC.


As restaurants move to the cloud, something is missing (WIRED)

Thousands of eateries are closing amid the pandemic. Delivery specialists are popping up, but some observers worry about a loss of culture and community.


Lightspeed launches new SMB loan offering with payments giant Stripe (BETAKIT)

Lightspeed POS is launching Lightspeed Capital, a new offering that provides loans to help US-based merchants invest in their business growth.


Former NASA scientist, serial entrepreneur buy up Pier 1, Modell’s and other iconic brands (NBC)

“We see this as a once in a lifetime opportunity. We just hunt for deals,” said one of the company’s co-founders.


TouchBistro acquires TableUp to launch new loyalty solution for restaurants (BETAKIT)

Toronto-based TouchBistro has acquired TableUp, a Boston-based startup that provides loyalty and marketing solutions for the restaurant industry.


Caitlin Hotchkiss

Caitlin Hotchkiss

Content coordinator, social media smartypants, wordsmith, Human Workflow™. Exists primarily on coffee, cat pictures, German dance metal, and pro wrestling. I will fight for your right to the Oxford comma.

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