The Retail Times is a weekly newsletter covering retail tech news from Canada and around the globe.
Subscribe to R|T using the form at the bottom of this page to ensure you don’t miss out on the most important retail tech news every week!
Shopify purchases 10,000 tonnes of carbon removal from Carbon Engineering (BETAKIT)
The purchase of carbon removal is being made through Shopify’s Sustainability Fund, which launched in 2019.
Gig workers group opposes Uber’s new pitch to provinces, say it lacks fair pay (TORONTO STAR)
Gig workers and employment lawyers say Uber’s new proposal allows the company to continue to avoid treating its couriers and drivers fairly and to keep them in a state of precarity.
With Shopify, small businesses strike back at Amazon (WALL STREET JOURNAL)
The pandemic forced countless merchants to move to e-commerce; now they want control over their relationships with customers.
How Snapchat’s AR capabilities are boosting its commerce efforts (MODERN RETAIL)
Over the last year, despite the high-profile coverage given to its rival TikTok, Snapchat has undergone a revitalization.
Heyday AI raises $6.5 million CAD seed extension to bring its chatbot software to more retailers (BETAKIT)
Heyday AI, a retail tech startup based in Montréal, has extended its seed round by $6.5 million CAD ($5.1 million USD).
Amazon site in Brampton, Ont., must close and all employees self-isolate, health officials order (CBC)
An Amazon Canada facility in Brampton, Ont., has been effectively shut down and all employees ordered to self-isolate for two weeks amid an ongoing outbreak of COVID-19.
Japan Post, Rakuten tie-up in digital delivery, cashless pay (AP NEWS)
Japan’s postal system is investing 150 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in an 8% stake in the e-commerce venture Rakuten to strengthen a partnership in deliveries, FinTech and other areas.
Lightspeed to acquire Vend for $350 million (BETAKIT)
Lightspeed POS is set to acquire Vend, a retail management software company based in New Zealand, for approximately $350 million USD.
Deliveroo launches London IPO after business surges in 2020 (REUTERS)
The initial public offering (IPO) is expected to value Deliveroo at more than $7 billion, based on a private funding round it completed in January, and will be one of the largest London listings in several years.
Walmart’s early pay app falls flat as some staff leave (BNN BLOOMBERG)
Walmart’s mixed results illustrate the complexity of offering perks across a U.S. workforce of 1.5 million.
Emerge Commerce closes $11.9 million in first tranche of private placement (BETAKIT)
Toronto-based Emerge Commerce, which owns and operates e-commerce brands, has closed $11.9 million in the first tranche of a private placement.
