Every week, we compile a list of new services for ecommerce merchants. In this edition, you’ll find updates on reusable packaging, dropshipping, product feeds, finance, fulfillment platforms, B2C marketing, agentic commerce, and AI-powered contact centers.
If you have an ecommerce product release, please email updates@practicalecommerce.com.
New Merchant Tools
FedEx and Returnity unveil a reusable box solution for B2B shippers. FedEx has rolled out a reusable packaging system for B2B shippers in partnership with Returnity, a circular logistics packaging provider. This initiative allows FedEx’s U.S. B2B customers to transition to reusable boxes without added handling fees. The program is set to expand to Australia and Europe soon.
Doba introduces Pilot, an AI dropshipping agent, in beta. Doba, a dropshipping platform, has unveiled Pilot, an AI-powered dropshipping agent in beta phase. Key features include product discovery, automated Shopify store setup, AI-generated product listings, and real-time inventory synchronization across suppliers and platforms, leveraging Doba’s existing supplier marketplace and infrastructure.
Squarespace Balance streamlines business finances for merchants. Squarespace, a website-building platform, has launched Balance, a tool to aid merchants in managing finances and earning rewards within the Squarespace ecosystem. Integrated with Squarespace Payments, Balance enables merchants to access funds quickly, earn cash rewards, and make business purchases with a dedicated Visa card, simplifying financial management.
Ship.com integrates with Walmart Marketplace. Ship.com, a fulfillment and shipping platform, has announced its integration with Walmart Marketplace. The platform offers a centralized dashboard for syncing Walmart orders, generating batch shipping labels, and assisting sellers in managing fulfillment across various selling channels, with access to discounted carrier rates.
Spreetail launches BEx, a marketplace visibility tool. Spreetail, an ecommerce marketplace accelerator, has introduced BEx, a tool providing real-time visibility into performance across marketplaces, advertising, and fulfillment operations. BEx offers a consolidated view of results from Spreetail’s tools, such as Price Pulse, Promise Pro, and True Ads, within the live retail and fulfillment systems, enabling brands to monitor sales, inventory, and advertising performance with AI-driven recommendations.
Amazon unveils Shop Direct for non-Amazon products. Amazon’s new Shop Direct is an AI-powered search experience showcasing products not currently available on Amazon, powered by third-party product feeds like Feedonomics, Salsify, and CedCommerce. Shoppers can purchase items directly from the external merchant’s store by clicking Shop Direct or opt for Amazon to buy on their behalf with the Buy for Me option for select products.
DHL Supply Chain to convert U.K. facility into ecommerce fulfillment hub. DHL Supply Chain is expanding its logistics facility in Derby, U.K., into a shared-user ecommerce fulfillment center. The site will utilize advanced automation to support high-volume ecommerce operations, seasonal peaks, and diverse product ranges, with a capacity to handle up to 350,000 units daily once operational.
Meta introduces AI-driven features on Facebook Marketplace. Meta has introduced AI-powered selling features on Facebook Marketplace, allowing sellers to upload item images and automatically create detailed listings, including suggested prices. Sellers can offer shipping, generate prepaid labels, track orders, and use Meta AI for automated replies with listing details, availability, pickup locations, and prices.
Santander and Visa enable payments powered by AI agents. Banco Santander and Visa have successfully conducted controlled agentic commerce transactions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay, utilizing Visa Intelligent Commerce for consent-driven transactions initiated by AI agents on behalf of consumers.
BlueConic unveils Agent Studio for brands. BlueConic, a customer growth engine for B2C marketers, has introduced Agent Studio, an AI decisioning system that ensures agents evaluate each customer’s needs in real time, enhancing performance over time.
eBay and Liberis introduce flexible growth financing for U.K. small businesses. eBay U.K. has partnered with finance provider Liberis to launch Flexible Growth Financing, allowing sellers to access funds based on sales fluctuations to cater to needs or opportunities, with pricing and repayments adjusting with sales to align with cash flow. The feature will be available from April 2026 as part of eBay’s Seller Capital program.
Loxa secures £2.7 million to expand product protection in European retail. Loxa, an insurtech enabling retailers to offer product protection at the point of sale, has concluded a £2.7 million ($3.6 million) funding round primarily backed by angels, including the Lazaroo-Hood Group, facilitated by Angel Investment Network, FundMyPitch, and the Entrepreneur’s Collective. The funding will drive E.U. expansion, grow Loxa’s retail network, and diversify product categories.
Salesforce launches Agentforce Contact Center. Salesforce has introduced Agentforce Contact Center, a self-service portal integrating voice, digital channels, customer data, and AI agents within a single system. AI agents utilize the same data source to understand customer histories and incorporate insights from various interactions, allowing human agents to access full transcripts and customer histories instantly.
