As August comes to a close, we have rounded up the most significant developments in the eCommerce industry. From platform updates to emerging trends and major events, this edition of the eCommerce roundup has been packed with exciting news.
PLATFORM UPDATES
1. New Security Patches Available For Adobe Commerce
Adobe Commerce 2.4.7-p1, 2.4.6-p6, 2.4.5-p8, and 2.4.4-p9 security patches are live. These patches address known vulnerabilities and are useful for businesses to power their online stores. The new patches introduced focus on addressing security issues to ensure the safety and integrity of each version without adding new features. Patch 2.4.7-p1 secures the latest version while patches 2.4.6-p6, 2.4.5-p8, 2.4.4.-p9 provides essential security fixes for older versions. These patches are crucial for the protection of Adobe Commerce stores in order to maintain a secure eCommerce environment.
The latest Magento Open Source patch releases are now available on GitHub! You can access the updated code at Magento 2 Releases.
2. Adobe’s New Community Prioritization Process
Adobe recently updated its community prioritization process to enhance collaboration and transparency between Adobe and the Magento Open Source community.
Some of the functionalities and code fixes of the month for Magento 2 include-
- Import Css From Enabled Modules Only
- Google GTag eCommerce Data Fix
- Layered Navigation Filter Word Fix
- Backordered Quantity Display
- Failed Payment Email Template Dependencies Fix
- Removal Of Unused Jobs From Codebase
- Code Cleanup and Critical CSS Optimization
3. Shopify Teams Up With YouTube To Drive Sales
Shopify’s powerful eCommerce platform and YouTube’s vast reach and engaging video content capabilities are now joining forces to transform the eCommerce industry. With this partnership, Shopify Plus and Advanced merchants in the U.S. can now join YouTube shopping’s affiliate program, empowering thousands of creators to directly promote their products through videos.
The integration aims at improved product discovery through engaging videos, enabling brands to connect with audiences more deeply and driving sales. This collaboration opens up new revenue opportunities for creators by tagging products from various brands. Merchants on the other hand gain access to streamlined management and analytics tools.
4. YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program
The YouTube Shopping affiliate program offers online merchants a powerful way to partner with YouTube creators to promote their products through affiliate links. Key benefits include increased visibility to large audiences, targeted marketing, and performance-based revenue, as merchants pay creators a commission for successful sales. The program enhances authentic recommendations from creators, helping drive sales and build brand awareness.
5. Customs Form Printing Status Now On Shipping Labels
Shopify recently introduced an update that allows merchants to track the custom forms printing status directly within the Shipping Labels feature. This new functionality aims to simplify the process of international shipping by providing real-time updates on the status of customs forms which are essential for cross-border shipments. By centralizing the management within the Shopify platform, merchants can ensure all paperwork is completed on time, reducing shipping delays, and streamlining logistics.
6. Enhanced Financial Management With Shopify’s New Feature
Shopify’s new Finance feature now consolidates all financial products into one centralized location, making it easier for merchants to manage their business finances. This update provides merchants with an overview of their financial products such as payment options, loans, and capital advances. With this update, merchants can now monitor their monetary transactions, access financial resources, and make informed decisions to support their business growth.
INDUSTRY UPDATES
1. New Threads Features: A Boost For Creators And Business
Meta has introduced new web features for threads aimed at improving content performance and planning for creators and businesses. The new features provide detailed metrics on post performance, including views, replies, reposts, and other audience insights to content creators. Furthermore, creators can now save up to 100 drafts of posts to refine ideas before publishing. In addition, it allows users to plan and schedule posts in advance. This helps users plan and manage their content calendar while maintaining a consistent online presence.
2. X Unveils New AI Models: Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini
X recently launched Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini, the latest additions to its AI model lineup. Grok-2 is an advanced version of X’s AI model featuring advanced capabilities in chat, coding, and reasoning. Grok-2 is the more powerful version as it outperforms other models like Claude 3.5 Sonnet and GPT-4 Turbo in early tests. Grok-2 mini is a more compact version of Grok-2, designed to be efficient yet powerful. Both beta-version models are available on the X platform.
3. LinkedIn: New Feature To Verify Company Pages
LinkedIn is rolling out verification badges for pages to enhance authenticity and trust. Verified pages will receive a special badge, making it easier for users to identify legitimate businesses. This in turn helps the organization build trust with its audience. The verification is said to enhance visibility in search results and provide exclusive features for analytics. Currently only limited pages will be verified, with more being added over time. Factors for verification include accuracy of data, active admin presence, and policy compliance.
4. Instagram’s New Feature-‘Music On Profiles’
Instagram is introducing a new feature allowing users to add music to their profiles. The feature allows users to showcase their favorite songs directly on their profile pages, reflecting their musical tastes and preferences. It adds a unique and engaging element to profiles with which users can connect with others with similar tastes and also discover new music.
5. LinkedIn Unveils New In-Feed Video Carousels.
LinkedIn’s new In-Feed Video Carousels is out now. These carousels provide a side-scrolling video display based on user activity and profile details. On clicking the video the user is redirected to a TikTok-style full-screen vertical video feed for better viewing.
This new feature is aimed to promote user-generated video content and attract younger audiences to the platform. This is particularly useful for businesses and creators to present a series of related videos such as tutorials, case studies, highlights, etc.
UPCOMING EVENTS
1. Adobe Experience Maker Awards 2025
The Adobe Experience Maker Awards recognizes companies that have excelled in customer experience using Adobe Cloud solutions. The award features categories like content creation, marketing automation, commerce, and customer data management. The winners will be honored at the Adobe Summit in Las Vegas and receive global recognition.
Date: March 18-20, 2025
Location: Las Vegas and online
Register:https://www.adobeexperienceawards.com/
2. Meet Magento Poland 2024
Meet Magento Poland is a premier eCommerce event making a comeback after 3 years. The event will feature two days of discussions, workshops, and panels on Adobe Commerce, Magento Open Source, and MageOS. The event targets merchants, agencies, developers, etc. It aims to strengthen the Magento community in the region and foster collaboration.
Date: September 30th-October 1st,2024
Location: Poznan, Poland
Register: https://www.magentoassociation.org/events/event-calendar
3. MageTitans, Groningen, 2024
Mage Titans Groningen 2024 is a Magento conference that brings together professionals to explore trends and insights in the Magento arena. It will feature insightful sessions on Magento performance, Hyvȁ themes, PHP innovations, and dev-ops strategies catering to both seasoned experts and new developers.
Date: September 13th, 2024
Location: DOT, Groningen
Register: https://www.magentoassociation.org/events/event-calendar
4. Seamless Europe 2024
Seamless Europe is an event that brings together payments & fintech, and retail & eCommerce. The event is focused on the future of digital commerce. The event will have merchants, enterprises, and SMEs in attendance. It is a learning and networking opportunity for the attendees.
Date: September 10th-11th, 2024
Location: Munich, Germany
Register:https://www.terrapinn.com/conference/seamless-europe/
5. eTail Australia 2024
The summit is a premier event for senior-level leaders in Australia’s eCommerce and digital marketing industries. It offers an exclusive platform for industry experts to network and collaborate. The event is strictly invite only ensuring that attendees are high-level executives and decision makers.
Date: September 24-25, 2024
Location: Grand Hyatt Melbourne, Australia
Register:https://etailconnectaustralia.wbresearch.com/
6. Digital Transformation Summit, 2024
The Digital Transformation Summit 2024, now in its 31st edition is a premier event focused on showcasing advancing digital transformation in Qatar. The summit addresses key challenges such as cybersecurity, data privacy, and human capital development while also focusing on future goals.
Date: September 19, 2024
Location: Marriott Marquis City Center, Doha
Register:https://etailconnectaustralia.wbresearch.com/
