Bogus online reviews targeted by regulators with new, proposed bans
The Federal Trade Commission proposed a new rule Friday that would ban paying for reviews, suppressing honest reviews, selling fake social media engagement and more.
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Simon turns to Chicago partner to bring online stores to malls
The Indianapolis-based shopping mall giant is getting a leg up on the emerging trend of online-only retailers moving into brick-and-mortar stores, a strategy analysts say could net the company a big payoff as it looks to develop new tenants.
Q&A with Zach Garrett on his startup Liftify
The startup works with companies across North America to help them build stronger reputations by increasing online reviews from customers, which leads to a rise in organic search rankings and possibly more business leads.
Cyber Monday sales on track to break record despite U.S inflation
Shoppers less concerned about COVID-19 returned to stores for more of their shopping, which blunted online sales growth, according to Adobe.
After record Black Friday, consumers turn to Cyber Monday for more deals
Cyber Monday is expected to remain the year’s biggest online shopping day and rake in up to $11.6 billion in sales, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks transactions at over 85 of the top 100 U.S. online stores.
High Alpha startup Humankind closes on $4.2M seed round
Humankind is a software-as-a-service company whose platform allows retailers to make personal connections with online shoppers. Indianapolis-based venture studio launched the company last fall, and it now has 16 employees.
Online sneaker business is a Fishers father-daughter venture
Abby Vitale’s struggle to find sneakers she liked in a woman’s size 7 last year at a shoe resellers’ convention has led to a growing business and has established an online community for female sneakerheads.
California sues Amazon, alleging antitrust law violations
Amazon controls roughly 38% of online sales in the U.S., more than Walmart, eBay, Apple, Best Buy and Target combined, according to the research firm Insider Intelligence.
Amazon sellers see ‘scary’ holiday season as consumers pull back
Many merchants fear they’ll be forced to cut prices to move a mountain of unsold inventory. It’s an abrupt change from the previous two years when sellers scrambled to get enough products into Amazon warehouses to meet pandemic-fueled demand.
Amazon to raise seller fees for holidays amid rising costs
It’s the second fee hike imposed on merchants this year by the online retail behemoth. In April, the company added a 5% “fuel and inflation” surcharge to offset rising gas costs and inflation.
Amazon Prime Day pushed web sales up 8.5%, to $11.9 billion
Amazon sold more than 300 million items over two days, more than any previous Prime Day, the company said Thursday. Best-selling items included diapers, beauty products and Apple watches, according to Amazon.
Amazon Prime Day comes amid slowdown in online sales growth
The company has long used the two-day event to lure people to its Prime membership. This year, it could help Amazon boost profitability amid a slowdown in overall online sales.
Amazon reports rare quarterly loss as online shopping slows
Amazon prospered during the COVID-19 pandemic as homebound people eager to limit human contact turned online to purchase what they need. But growth has slowed as vaccinated Americans feel more comfortable going out.
Online fullfillment firm Radial planning 2,500 seasonal hires in Brownsburg
Radial, which fills online orders for dozens of retail brands, said it needed the temporary help it pick, sort, pack and ship an upcoming surge in holiday orders.
High Alpha’s newest company offers concierge service to online shoppers
Humankind offers its customers–retailers like Saucony, TaylorMade Golf Co. and others–a way to connect with online customers and offer custom product recommendations.
Instant-delivery firm GoPuff quietly expanding roster of Indy fulfillment centers
Philadelphia-based GoPuff, a fast-growing company that entered the Indianapolis market in 2018, currently operates three micro-fulfillment centers here and plans to open two more.
Online farmer’s market tech firm raises $5M, plans HQ move to Indianapolis
Carmel-based Market Wagon grew from five employees to almost 55 during the pandemic, prompting the need for more operations space. It also plans to expand from 29 to 50 markets by the end of the year.
Amazon blocked 10 billion listings in counterfeit crackdown
The e-commerce giant said Monday that it blocked more than 10 billion suspected phony listings last year before any of their offerings could be sold.
Indianapolis-based Bastian Solutions on 400-employee hiring spree
Bastian Solutions, which makes conveyor systems, robotics and other automated materials-handling items often used by the retail industry, has seen growth accelerate because of the pandemic.
Godiva to close all North American stores, including Fashion Mall location
Godiva said the pandemic caused customer traffic to decline at its brick-and-mortar stores, though it will continue to sell its products both online and through third-party retail stores.