Juphy’s Weekly E-Commerce News Express – 11-15 November 2024
Ceyda Duz
This episode dives into the key trends shaping this year’s holiday season. From Amazon’s bold move with Amazon Haul to compete with ultra-low-cost marketplaces to the growing appeal of Small Business Saturday, plus exciting new product updates from Amazon, Brizy, and CapCut. Stay ahead of the curve with the latest insights on e-commerce, retail, and the innovations driving the industry forward.
Amazon Haul: A Bold Move into the Ultra-Low-Cost Shopping Market
As the holiday shopping season begins, Amazon is launching a new feature called “Amazon Haul” to meet the growing demand for affordable products. Still, in its beta phase, Amazon Haul offers items priced at $20 or less, with most under $10. This new section directly competes with low-cost marketplaces like Temu, which has gained popularity among bargain hunters.
A New Shopping Experience
Amazon Haul is different from the usual Amazon shopping experience. The design is inspired by social media, featuring fun, engaging elements like “crazy” deals and emojis. Products are marked as “best selling” instead of using the usual star ratings, creating a more playful, discovery-focused shopping experience.
Timing Is Everything
The timing of this launch is strategic. According to a recent Salesforce survey, over half of U.S. shoppers have purchased from marketplaces like Temu, and many plan to continue doing so during the holidays. Amazon’s strong reputation for reliable delivery and customer service gives it a competitive advantage. The “shipped by Amazon” badge and A-to-Z guarantee help ensure that customers can trust the products they buy.
Delivery Times and Discounts
Although delivery times for Haul items may be longer than typical Amazon Prime speeds, the app reassures customers that most orders will arrive within a week. Plus, Amazon is encouraging larger orders by offering discounts on purchases over $50 and $75, which could help increase sales.
Will Amazon Haul Last?
While it’s still unclear whether Amazon Haul will have a lasting impact on the ultra-low-cost market, this move shows that Amazon is ready to compete in this growing category. With affordability being a top priority for shoppers, Amazon Haul may offer the right combination of value and trust to attract new customers from global competitors.
The Appeal of Small Business Saturday: A More Personalized Shopping Experience
For many, the chaos of Black Friday – packed stores, long lines, and the rush for discounts – can feel more stressful than exciting. This year, an increasing number of consumers are opting for a more relaxed shopping experience on Small Business Saturday. Instead of racing through crowded aisles, they’re discovering the benefits of supporting small businesses, which offer a slower, more thoughtful shopping experience.
A Customer-Specific Approach
One key reason shoppers are turning to small businesses is their ability to offer curated, high-quality products. Unlike large retailers that stock a wide range of items with broad appeal, small businesses often focus on products tailored to their customer’s specific needs. This personalized approach means shoppers can find items that reflect better craftsmanship and higher quality, even if it means paying a little extra. For many consumers, the value of a durable, well-made product is worth the investment.
Environmental Factors Matter
Another important factor driving consumers to shop small is sustainability. As concerns about the environment grow, many shoppers are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and small businesses are often at the forefront of this movement. These businesses tend to keep their supply chains local and prioritize eco-friendly products, offering a sense of satisfaction for those who want their purchases to align with their environmental values. On Small Business Saturday, many shoppers are drawn to the opportunity to make conscious, guilt-free purchases that support both the planet and local economies.
The Value of Personalized Customer Service
While large retailers may offer great deals, they often fall short when it comes to customer service, especially after the sale. Small businesses, on the other hand, pride themselves on their ability to connect with customers and provide responsive service. Whether it’s helping with product setup or addressing post-purchase concerns, small businesses excel at making customers feel valued and heard. This level of personalized attention is something shoppers are willing to pay for, knowing that it results in a better overall experience.
A Great Shopping Process
For many, shopping isn’t just about the purchase; it’s about the experience itself. Small Business Saturday offers a stress-free alternative to the frenzy of Black Friday, with fewer crowds, more thoughtful interactions, and a calmer atmosphere. Customers can take their time browsing unique offerings without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. The experience of discovering new products in a more intimate, personalized environment is increasingly attractive to shoppers who want to enjoy the process, not just get to the checkout line.
Choosing to shop small isn’t about missing out on deals; it’s about making intentional purchases in a way that prioritizes quality, service, and sustainability. As consumers seek more meaningful shopping experiences, Small Business Saturday offers a perfect opportunity to start the holiday season on a more mindful note. By supporting small businesses, shoppers can enjoy a slower pace, discover unique products, and feel good about their purchases.
Amazon’s Virtual Holiday Shop: A 3D Gift-Buying Experience
Amazon has unveiled its new Virtual Holiday Shop, offering an immersive 3D shopping experience just in time for the holiday season. Through this interactive virtual store, shoppers can explore Amazon’s top holiday gift selections, from stocking stuffers to premium items, all enhanced with holiday music, animations, and a guided gift search. Customers can browse and select items to add directly to their carts for a seamless checkout experience. This unique setup allows shoppers to navigate curated gift collections in a dynamic, festive atmosphere, bringing a new level of convenience and holiday cheer to online shopping.
Brizy Unveils No-Code Page Builder for Shopify
Brizy, known for its intuitive website-building tools, has introduced a landing page builder tailored for Shopify merchants. This tool allows users to create custom pages, product showcases, and promotional content using a simple drag-and-drop interface—no coding needed. Shopify users can try Brizy’s free plan for a limited time and access over 90 ready-made templates, along with advanced features like countdowns, pop-ups, and alert bars.
CapCut’s Commerce Pro for E-Commerce Video Content Creation
CapCut, the video editing app from ByteDance, has launched Commerce Pro, a platform designed to help e-commerce sellers and creators easily produce and expand ad content. This new tool uses AI to turn a product URL directly into promotional videos, complete with links to products. The platform also features AI presenters for product demos and explainer videos, and virtual models to showcase try-ons and product images, enhancing content creation for e-commerce marketing.
Juphy AI: Your Holiday Shopping Assistant
As the holiday season approaches, consumer expectations for a personalized and smooth shopping experience become even more critical. To capture your customers’ hearts and loyalty, it’s essential to offer a shopping journey that feels magical, attentive, and memorable – one that keeps them coming back for more. While creating such experiences is easier in physical stores, online retailers often struggle to match that level of personalization. But with Juphy AI, powered by ChatGPT and designed specifically for Shopify, you can easily deliver that exceptional experience – even during the busiest times of the year. As a ‘Built for Shopify’ badged solution, Juphy AI integrates seamlessly into your Shopify dashboard, allowing you to manage everything from one place without needing to switch between platforms. What makes Juphy AI stand out? It crafts tailored shopping experiences by recommending products based on individual customer preferences and browsing behavior – delivering personalized service 24/7, without ever tiring. This means you can focus on other aspects of your business while Juphy AI increases sales and keeps your customers happy. Ready to elevate your holiday shopping experience? Try Juphy AI now: apps.shopify.com/juphy
Key Takeaways
‘Amazon Haul’: Amazon is introducing “Amazon Haul” to offer products priced mostly under $10, competing with budget-friendly marketplaces like Temu. This new section is designed for playful shopping, featuring “best selling” tags and fun, social media-inspired layouts.
The Appeal of Small Business Saturday: With Black Friday crowds and chaos, many consumers are opting for the personalized, relaxed experience of Small Business Saturday. Small businesses offer high-quality, curated products, sustainable practices, and a customer-first approach, creating a thoughtful shopping experience.
Amazon’s Virtual Holiday Shop: Amazon has launched a 3D Virtual Holiday Shop, offering an interactive way to browse holiday gift selections. Shoppers can navigate through themed collections with holiday music, animations, and a guided gift search, bringing added cheer to online shopping.
Brizy’s Page Builder for Shopify: Brizy has released a new no-code landing page builder for Shopify merchants. The drag-and-drop tool lets users create customized store pages, product showcases, and promotional content without any coding. With 90+ templates and features, Brizy’s builder offers Shopify sellers an easy way to boost their store visuals and engagement.
CapCut’s Commerce Pro: CapCut has introduced Commerce Pro, a platform for e-commerce video content creation. This tool uses AI to transform product links into promotional videos and even offers AI presenters for demos. With virtual models and try-ons, CapCut Commerce Pro is designed to help brands create effective ad content and boost engagement.