Amazon Fresh is Amazon’s hybrid grocery store that offers online shopping, local pick-up, and physical stores. Customers can shop from a wide selection of brands and enjoy perks such as discount and convenient checkout options. While the company has faced challenges in capturing the grocery market, it continues to make improvements to enhance the Amazon Fresh experience.
An 8-foot pumpkin Halloween decoration named Lewis has gone viral on TikTok, causing it to sell out at Target. The TikTok videos of Lewis have reached over 20 million views. Despite being officially named the 8′ Light and Sound Pumpkin Halloween Ghoul, users have affectionately named him Lewis-o-Lantern. Manufactured by Hyde & EEK! Boutique, the decoration comes with a hefty price tag of $180. Lewis has become a sensation, even receiving love from The Smashing Pumpkins band. However, he is currently out of stock on Target’s website.
The rise of content-based e-retailing platforms such as Douyin and Kuaishou has disrupted the traditional e-commerce model. These platforms create emotional connections between users and influencers through interesting content. Users buy products for engagement and fun, even if they don’t necessarily need them. Douyin has quickly gained popularity and achieved a gross merchandise value (GMV) of 1.2 trillion RMB by 2022. Traditional platforms like Alibaba and JD.com are experiencing declining GMV. As users spend more time on content-based platforms, the time spent on traditional e-commerce platforms decreases. The success of content-based platforms relies on influencers who become product ambassadors and generate direct revenues. By leveraging AI, platforms can increase commission and advertising revenues by providing personalized content. However, content-based platforms must evolve further to manage the relationship between influencers and followers. The rise of these platforms may lead to stricter regulation, but it also presents opportunities for U.S. e-commerce platforms to embrace this new model.