R|T: The Retail Times – Shopify’s eye on Amazon

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Sampler receives $1 million from CIBC Innovation Banking(BETAKIT)

The debt capital comes six months after Sampler’s $3 million Series A, which included investors like BDC’s Women in Tech Fund, Factory LLC, and StandUp Ventures.


DoorDash reveals details of its new tipping model(TECHCRUNCH)

Most crucially, as CEO Tony Xu put it in a blog post, “Every dollar customers tip will be an extra dollar in their Dasher’s pocket.”


Walmart Canada goes nationwide with Instacart delivery(SUPERMARKETNEWS)

Walmart Canada has expanded Instacart same-day online grocery delivery to nearly 200 stores across the country.


Microloan startup Tala raises $110 million in new funding(FORBES)

The new funding values Tala at nearly $800 million, according to an investor. Tala has raised more than $200 million in equity investment to date.


Nudge Rewards raises $12 million CAD(BETAKIT)

Nudge Rewards stated that this capital will help scale its go-to-market capacity and “drive innovation in employee experience management.”


Men’s personal care startup Huron raises $1M(TECHCRUNCH)

Huron founder and CEO Matt Mullenax is hoping to build a big business around body wash.


ThredUP raises $175M to dress you up in what your friends got rid of(CRUNCHBASE)

Online consignment startup ThredUP raised $175 million in a new round of funding led by Park West Asset Management and Irving Investors, the company announced Wednesday.


Drop closes $58 million CAD Series B with eyes on accelerated growth, going public(BETAKIT)

“The traditional reward industry is quite archaic. Whether it’s Airmiles in Canada, or Aeroplan, or Scene, consumers often have to carry around a physical card, they have to swipe it at the retail point of sale, [and] redemption is a pain.”


Target’s same-day pickup and delivery services growing at double the rate of 2018(TECHCRUNCH)

What’s notable about the same-day sales is that they’re bringing in guests to Target who had never before placed digital orders with the retailer.


Amazon joins Walmart in saying Tesla solar panel caught fire(BLOOMBERG)

Amazon.com Inc. said a June 2018 blaze on the roof of one of its warehouses in Redlands, California, involved a solar panel system that Tesla’s SolarCity division had installed.


Now bigger than eBay, Shopify sets its sights on Amazon(FT)

Tobi Lütke, the Shopify chief executive, prefers his employees to refrain from checking the ecommerce company’s share price too often.


Sphero has acquired littleBits(TECHCRUNCH)

Sphero and littleBits have long been kindred spirits in the world of entertaining STEM toys, and soon they’ll be one and the same.


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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