E-Commerce

E-Commerce

Microsoft has something special just for you. The company just introduced something called Copilot Checkout at the NRF 2026 retail conference. This is exactly what it sounds like. It's a shopping assistant embedded within Copilot. The feature is rolling out now in the US and integrates with PayPal, Shopify, Stripe and Etsy. It lets people complete purchases directly inside of Copilot without having to withstand the grueling experience of being redirected to a retailer's website.

If checkout happens inside AI conversations, retailers risk losing direct customer relationships - while platforms like Microsoft gain leverage. Driving the news: Microsoft unveiled new agentic AI tools for retailers at the NRF 2026 retail conference, including Copilot Checkout, which lets shoppers complete purchases inside Copilot without being redirected to a retailer's website. The checkout feature is live in the U.S. with Shopify, PayPal, Stripe and Etsy integrations.

Last year, tariffs kicked in at their highest rate since the Great Depression, with the United States' effective tariff rate hitting above 17% in August. The beginning of the year started with chaos, as, seemingly every week, there was an announcement of some new tariff that would be levied against China or Mexico or Canada. Then came "Liberation Day," when President Donald Trump issued " reciprocal tariffs" on more than 180 countries and territories.

An example shared by Microsoft shows someone using Copilot to search for a small lamp for their bedside table. The chatbot responds with a recommendation, along with a "Details" button for more information and a "Buy" option. Hitting the "Buy" button pulls up a checkout screen where you can enter shipping and payment information and confirm your purchase without visiting the retailer's website.

Woot has an excellent deal on refurbished Sonos Arc SL soundbars, the 2020 model that's similar to the original Arc aside from not having any microphones. It debuted for $749, but you can get one with a one-year Sonos warranty for $319.99 while supplies last. If this discount doesn't sell out quickly (which it may), the promotion will end in two days. Definitely a nice deal considering Sonos itself offers the same model refurbished for $539.

January is a perfect time to reform eating habits or just to try out new things. This month, Target has a bevy of new products for some of the hottest food trends going right now. It's no secret that Target has been increasing its focus on grocery items as a core part of its business, and that has meant a growing number of partnerships and trendy brands showing up on shelves.

Valentine's Day may be a month away, but it's never too early to prepare for the ultimate romantic home-cooked dinner, complete with a gorgeous table setting. Before you spring for the Valentine's display at an expensive furniture store, we recommend heading to Aldi first. The beloved grocery chain is selling adorable 4-packs of heart-shaped plates for just $9.99 each, and they're a dupe for Pottery Barn dishes that cost $30 to $40 more.

I'm a lifelong skier whose family is full of professional skiers and ski gear designers, so naturally, I'm one of those people who can't wait for the lifts to open. I also test ski gear for a living, which means I've been tracking gear launches and price drops well before the actual ski season kicks off. Trust me when I say that Amazon's Winter Gear sale is pretty much the last chance you'll get to save on ski gear before the spring,

Adobe Analytics, which analyzed online transactions and website traffic for its shopping trends report, said traffic from generative AI chatbots toward retailer's sites, increased by 693.4% from the 2024 holiday season, indicating a shift in the way people shop. Before the holiday season began, FedEx reported 97% of U.S. retailers were planning to use AI for shopping, including incorporating tools for customer service and pricing.

According to a new survey by Salesforce, consumers spent a record-breaking $1.29 trillion globally, and $294 billion in the U.S., amid higher average selling prices, up 7% year-over-year, during the recent holiday season. Sales growth reached 7% globally and 4% in the U.S., indicating that consumer appetite remained strong from the start of the season through the end. Order volumes were also up, 3% globally and and 1% in the U.S.

We independently select these products-if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

You can use multi-channel products to manage your inventory for both online and in-store sales within a single, unified product listing. Google explained that "this approach simplifies how you manage your products and helps you reach more customers." With multi-channel products, you can oversee your online and in-store inventory together. Previously, you might have maintained separate listings for the same product if you sold it both online and in physical stores.

Our staff tests a lot of sheets, so we know just what materials to look for, and which retailers are churning out the good stuff. The best striped sheets should be crisp but also comfy, machine washable, durable, and breathable. Below are all the striped bed sheets we can't resist: white stripes, blue stripes, ticking stripes, thick stripes-you get the picture. And if you've found your sheets and are in the market for a duvet cover, we have a guide on that too.

Looking for a way to finally add the Microsoft Office suite to your computer? It can be pretty pricey usually, but it's also quite necessary depending on what type of work you do. We've got a solution: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License, found at StackSocial. Check out StackSocial to nab your own copy of Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License at for $34.97 (down from $219.99). You save about $185.02, which is a whopping 84% off.

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A panel on agentic AI focused on AI agents in the real world is just one of the event's many Monday offerings. Chandhu Nair, SVP of data, artificial intelligence, and innovation at Lowe's, will give the audience a home improvement retailer's perspective on the topic. On Tuesday, technology's big show will have a session with Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, who will talk about getting people, software, and services to actually work together instead of fighting against each other.

Whether you've got a weekend staycation on the books or are planning a cross-continental adventure, consider Amazon's New Year sale your one-stop shop for travel gear and accessories. Ahead, we've rounded up the 70 best, most impressive discounts across the site, with deals up to 88 percent off and prices starting at just $8. Hurry, though-these markdowns won't last much longer.

Grab them before they're gone. We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. Sometimes, a product can hit that sweet spot of being useful yet so delightful and cheap that people can't stop hitting "Add To Cart." However, if you're interested in something on this list, you should snap it up. That's because these baller must-haves are selling out fast. Smart shoppers: take note.

And the real beauty lies in the customization: pick between two to four bedrooms depending on the desired use. Then, choose the layouts, finishes, and interior features that reflect your style. Go for a cozy personal haven with plush rugs and a snug reading nook, or take advantage of the large windows framing scenic views to craft a vacation (or staycation) escape.

The Alibaba economy is a huge ecosystem comprising of the company's core commerce platforms (Tmall, Taobao, Ali Express and more), digital media and entertainment divisions (Youku, Alibaba Music, Weibo etc), local services, payment & financial services (Alipay), logistics, marketing services & data management and cloud computing. Connecting the entire ecosystem is the company's vast data technology, which Alibaba sees as the keys to the empire.

Acuity is a platform that allows you to sell and manage services like virtual consultations, in-person appointments, or classes-you could use it to manage a yoga studio, salon, personal training practice, or landscaping business. It also helps in taking some of the more annoying responsibilities off the business owner's plate, with automatic appointment updates for the client, and letting clients book, reschedule, or cancel appointments through the platform, rather than, say, by texting the owner a bunch of times.

Since 2016 I've published a weekly rundown of new services for ecommerce merchants. New Tools for Merchants Hosted.com launches infrastructure enhancements for WordPress. Hosted.com has updated its WordPress hosting platform. Per Hosted.com, the improvements include advanced server architecture, enhanced processing and resource allocation, and refined caching and database systems to maintain performance and uptime. The update also provides database configurations that support WordPress, handle content-heavy websites, and improve querying and page responsiveness.

Carry-on suitcases will always hold a top spot in our travel bag rotation, but they aren't the most ideal choice if you're heading out on a trip with a quick turnaround. Weekenders, duffel bags, and backpacks all make great alternatives, especially if your next itinerary only involves a day or two of commuting, sightseeing, or visiting friends and family.

Trader Joe's fans are a dedicated lot, and they like to show off their fandom when lugging home their latest haul. This has led to swarms of people descending on stores whenever a new bag is released, particularly Trader Joe's viral mini tote bags, which rapidly sell out every time they are stocked. This combo of limited-time offerings and fervent fandom has also created a robust online resale market for Trader Joe's reusable bags, which sell far above the price in store.

Amazon Get Fit Days 2026 sale will kick off in India this week, as a sale event focused on fitness, sports, and active lifestyle products. Starting January 1, the e-commerce giant will tap into growing interest in health and wellness across the country, especially at the beginning of the new year when many customers set new fitness goals. The event brings together a wide range of products, from advanced health tracking wearables and smartwatches to home workout equipment and sports accessories.

As 2025 comes to a close, we're reflecting on a year of stories - from surprising laundry tips like not washing sheets after guests, to highlighting the best daily deals. Our editors have recommended tons of fantastic cleaning and organizing solutions, and our readers have taken note. To help everyone declutter and kick off 2026 with a fresh start, I've compiled the Amazon bestsellers that our audience loved most.

There was no forever in store for Forever 21's US stores. The same goes for fellow bankrupt companies Joann Fabrics and Party City, which joined the fast-fashion brand in closing their brick-and-mortars over the past year. We experienced another slaughter for physical stores at large in 2025 as inflation and high operational costs ate away at profit margins and shoppers continued to purchase from their couches. Tween favorite Claire's, department stores Kohl's and Macy's, and discount retailer Big Lots were also victims.

People love shopping for everything they need at the same place. If you deny it, I dare you to show me your Amazon history. But Bezos and co. aren't the only ones who deserve your money this New Year. One of our favorite brands that has everything is offering up to 45% its top items across all categories. Huckberry is our one-stop last-minute shopping destination this December.