EC & AI Commerce News Digest (January 22, 2026)

Today's Top News

Chinese Tech Giants Enter Agentic Commerce Race, Redefining the Future of Super Apps

Chinese tech giants race to create the 'everything app' of the future

China's tech giants are jostling to gain an edge in the AI race, as firms seek to develop models capable of coordinating and performing functions across sites.

China's three major tech companies—Alibaba, ByteDance, and Tencent—are simultaneously moving toward realizing AI agent-powered shopping experiences.

Alibaba is integrating its AI model "Qwen" into the Taobao app, developing features where AI automatically handles product search, comparison, and purchase on behalf of users. ByteDance plans to deploy similar agent capabilities on Douyin and TikTok Shop, while Tencent has announced plans to embed AI agents into WeChat's mini-program ecosystem.

This movement is redefining the concept of super apps as "platforms where AI handles everything." Consumer-facing services are expected to launch in the Chinese market within the year, with expansion to Western markets also in sight. For EC operators, optimizing product data to be selected by AI agents is becoming a new challenge.

Full Article: Chinese Tech Giants Enter Agentic Commerce Competition

commercetools Launches "AgenticLift" - Introducing Agentic Commerce Without Replatforming

commercetools introduces standalone agentic commerce

Ecommerce platform developer and service provider commercetools is rolling out AgenticLift, a standalone agentic commerce product.

EC platform provider commercetools has announced its new product "AgenticLift." This standalone solution allows companies to add agentic commerce capabilities without replacing their existing EC platforms.

As many companies face pressure to adapt to agentic commerce, a complete platform overhaul involves significant cost and risk. AgenticLift connects with existing systems via API, enabling gradual addition of capabilities to respond to AI agent inquiries.

According to commercetools, companies can complete their agentic commerce readiness in an average of three months. This appears to be a compelling option for enterprises seeking to adapt to the AI era while avoiding large-scale replatforming.

Full Article: commercetools Launches AgenticLift

Agentic Commerce

SAP Explains Commerce Transformation Through Agentic AI - Analysis Across Three Axes: Discovery, Payments, and Trust

Agentic AI Is Reshaping Commerce

Agentic AI represents a fundamental change in how commerce works. Read how SAP solutions are helping retailers take practical steps today.

SAP has published a comprehensive analysis on how agentic AI is transforming commerce.

The company organizes the transformation across three axes: "Discovery," "Payments," and "Trust." On discovery, they point out that traditional SEO and advertising strategies will become ineffective in an era where AI agents find optimal products on behalf of consumers. For payments, they note that new authentication and authorization frameworks are needed for agents to make autonomous purchasing decisions.

On trust, they emphasize that transparent algorithms and explainable decision-making processes are essential for consumers to delegate purchasing to AI agents. SAP is reportedly preparing its solutions to address these challenges.

Full Article: SAP Provides Comprehensive Analysis of Commerce Transformation Through Agentic AI

Kasada Launches Security Solution "AI Agent Trust" for Agentic Commerce

Cybersecurity company Kasada has launched "AI Agent Trust," a new security solution designed for the agentic commerce era.

In an era where AI agents access websites to make purchases, mechanisms to distinguish legitimate AI agents from malicious bots are necessary. AI Agent Trust provides functionality to authenticate trusted AI agents while blocking fraudulent bots.

According to the company, several major retailers have already begun pilot implementations, drawing attention as security infrastructure for the full-scale adoption of agentic commerce.

AI Commerce Tools

Linnworks Launches "Spotlight AI" for EC Operations Optimization

Linnworks introduces AI tool to streamline e-commerce operations

Linnworks has introduced Spotlight AI, a new AI tool designed to help online retailers manage and automate operational processes more effectively.

EC operations platform Linnworks has announced its new AI tool "Spotlight AI."

Spotlight AI automates EC operations including inventory management, order processing, and price optimization. It analyzes historical sales data and market trends to suggest optimal inventory levels and pricing. Its anomaly detection feature also provides early warnings of stockout risks and sudden demand changes.

For small and medium-sized EC operators, this is expected to be a practical tool that simultaneously provides operational efficiency and decision-making support.

Rezolve AI Completes $250 Million Funding, Accelerating AI Commerce Expansion

Rezolve Ai closes $250M oversubscribed financing

New $250M funding leaves Rezolve Ai well-funded to pursue disciplined M&A, speed enterprise rollouts and scale toward its 2026 revenue objectives.

AI commerce platform provider Rezolve AI has completed a $250 million funding round. The round was oversubscribed beyond initial expectations.

The funds will be allocated to business expansion through M&A, accelerated enterprise customer deployment, and investments toward 2026 revenue targets. The company provides AI-powered personalization and conversational commerce solutions to major retailers, and plans to strengthen its industry position with this funding.

Corporate News & Partnerships

Shopify Announces Major Restructuring in Partnerships Division

Shopify cuts 'significant' number of staff as part of major restructuring

The e-commerce firm said the restructuring is part of its plans for 'a new chapter' in how it works with its partners.

Canadian EC platform giant Shopify has announced it will implement a "significant" number of staff reductions in its partnerships division.

The company positions this move as "a new chapter in how it works with partners," but has not disclosed specific reduction numbers. Industry sources suggest the company aims to review relationships with app developers and theme creators to build a more efficient partner ecosystem.

As cost reduction and efficiency measures continue across the EC industry, Shopify's moves could influence other companies as well.

Full Article: Shopify Announces Major Restructuring in Partnerships Division

Fiserv × Sumitomo Mitsui to Deploy Clover in Japanese Market

Fiserv and Sumitomo Mitsui Introduce Clover Suite of Products

Fiserv, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui announced a new strategic partnership to enable digital commerce for millions of merchants.

US payment giant Fiserv and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group have announced a partnership to fully deploy the "Clover" POS system in the Japanese market.

Clover is an integrated POS system for small and medium businesses, providing payment processing, inventory management, and customer management functionality. The plan is to leverage Sumitomo Mitsui's customer base to provide digital commerce tools to millions of small businesses in Japan.

This is a notable development for SME digitalization support in Japan's advancing cashless market.

Brunello Cucinelli Launches New AI-Powered EC Platform

Brunello Cucinelli Launches New E-commerce Platform

Brunello Cucinelli is unveiling a new e-commerce platform underpinned by AI available in Italy, the U.S. and U.K.

Italian luxury fashion brand Brunello Cucinelli has unveiled a new EC platform powered by AI.

The new platform launches first in Italy, the US, and UK, with expansion to other markets planned over the coming months. It features AI-powered personalized product recommendations and virtual consultation with stylists.

This is drawing industry attention as a pioneering example of AI adoption in luxury brands.

TikTok Clears US Hurdle, Plans Major EC Expansion

TikTok Removes a Key U.S. Hurdle and Steps Up Its E-Commerce Push

TikTok is nearing the end of years of U.S. risk tied to its ownership and data policies.

TikTok is resolving years of US ownership and data policy issues, and is planning a major expansion of its EC business.

According to The Information, the company plans to significantly strengthen TikTok Shop's US deployment, expanding its warehouse network and partnering with logistics providers. The aim is to introduce China's live commerce model to the US market at scale and compete with Amazon and Shopify.

With the risk of a US TikTok ban receding, the company has shifted to an aggressive investment posture.

Global EC Trends

Chinese Authorities Fine Pinduoduo Operator for Tax Violations

China fines Pinduoduo operator for failure to submit tax data

China fines Pinduoduo operator for failure to submit tax data.

Chinese tax authorities have fined PDD Holdings, operator of discount EC platform "Pinduoduo," for failure to submit tax data.

This measure is part of the Chinese government's strengthened regulation of platform companies. While PDD has attracted attention for the rapid growth of its overseas platform "Temu," it's now clear that the company also faces regulatory compliance challenges domestically.

As regulatory tightening continues across countries for cross-border EC platforms, the importance of compliance systems is being highlighted once again.

Amazon Opens Largest-Ever 230,000 Square Foot Store Near Chicago

Amazon Joins the Big-Box League With Its Largest-Ever Store

The e-commerce giant is launching a megastore outside Chicago that will be big enough to nearly fit two Target stores.

EC giant Amazon is opening its largest-ever physical store, approximately 230,000 square feet (about 21,000 square meters), in Orland Park, Illinois.

The store is roughly the size of two Target stores, featuring Amazon Fresh, cashierless checkout using Amazon Go technology, and display space for electronics and furniture in a composite store format. This is evidence that the company is accelerating its online-offline integration strategy.

Competition with physical retailers is expected to intensify further.

Logistics & Fulfillment

USPS Opens Last-Mile Delivery Bidding Platform to All Retailers

USPS Last-Mile Delivery Bidding Platform Opens for E-Commerce Shippers

The USPS has opened a competitive bidding platform for its last-mile delivery network, expanding access beyond large shippers to all e-commerce retailers.

The US Postal Service (USPS) has opened its last-mile delivery network bidding platform to all EC operators.

Access to USPS's delivery network, previously limited to major shipping companies, is now available to small and medium EC operators. Operators selected through bidding are scheduled to begin service in Q3 2026. USPS aims to secure new revenue sources and optimize its delivery network efficiency.

For small and medium EC operators, this could become a new option for reducing shipping costs.

DHL Data Shows Surge in EC Return Rates

DHL data highlights surge in e-commerce returns

According to data from DHL, global e-commerce return rates are continuing to rise, with returns now representing a significant share of total retail activity.

According to data released by logistics giant DHL, global EC return rates continue to trend upward.

Returns now represent a significant share of total retail activity, particularly pronounced in apparel and electronics categories. Rising return processing costs are pressuring retailer profitability, requiring countermeasures on both reducing returns and efficient return processing.

DHL predicts that demand for return logistics optimization solutions will continue to grow.

Amazon Launches 30-Minute Delivery Service "Amazon Now" in London

Amazon announces 30-minute delivery service for Londoners

A select group of Londoners can now get their Amazon orders delivered in just half an hour thanks to a new service launched this week.

Amazon has launched "Amazon Now," an ultra-fast delivery service delivering orders within 30 minutes, in select areas of London.

A select group of customers in target areas can initially use the service, with plans to expand coverage areas. Thousands of products, primarily daily necessities and food items, are eligible for 30-minute delivery.

As demand for instant delivery grows, Amazon is demonstrating its leadership in instant delivery competition in the European market as well.

Summary

Today's EC and AI commerce news was marked by the progression of concrete agentic commerce implementations across companies. The entry of Chinese tech giants, commercetools' standalone product, and SAP's comprehensive analysis all show the industry accelerating preparations for the AI agent era.

Meanwhile, as seen in Shopify's restructuring, efficiency and cost reduction efforts continue across the EC industry. This suggests the need to balance growth and efficiency while progressing toward AI era adaptation.

Going forward, watch for commercetools AgenticLift implementation cases and detailed announcements of Chinese tech giants' agentic commerce features.