Shopify opens B2B to everyone
U.S. venture funding reached a record $267 billion in Q1 2026, driven almost entirely by AI mega-deals for companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. For ecommerce operators, this signals that while capital is flowing, it is being hoarded by infrastructure giants — likely leading to more expensive AI-driven SaaS tools in the near future.
Big Story
Shopify is officially bringing its suite of B2B tools to all merchants, moving these features out of the exclusive Plus tier. This rollout includes wholesale-specific features like price lists, company profiles, and net payment terms directly in the core admin. It is a clear signal that the line between consumer and wholesale selling has permanently blurred, and Shopify wants to be the backend for both. For independent brands, this is a massive opportunity to diversify revenue streams without the overhead of a separate wholesale platform or manual invoicing. If you have been sitting on the sidelines of B2B because of technical friction, the barrier to entry just vanished.
Read More →Main Stories
Amazon is introducing new fuel and logistics surcharges to its fulfillment services as energy costs remain volatile. These fees will hit sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) starting this month, further squeezing margins that are already under pressure. (via Digital Commerce 360)
Read More →PYMNTS reports that a new payment standard is emerging designed specifically for machine-to-machine transactions rather than human checkout. As "agentic commerce" grows, your store will increasingly need to sell to AI bots that make purchasing decisions based on data, not brand loyalty. (via PYMNTS)
Read More →InternetRetailing highlights a sharp collapse in retail sales this March, marking the start of a "painful" contraction for the industry. Persistent inflation and high interest rates are finally forcing a heavy pullback in discretionary spending across major markets. (via InternetRetailing)
Read More →Microsoft has released three new internal AI models built by remarkably small teams to challenge the dominance of Google and OpenAI. These lightweight models suggest that high-performance AI is becoming cheaper and more accessible for niche ecommerce applications. (via VentureBeat)
Read More →The FTC has unveiled a five-year plan that prioritizes children's online safety and data privacy as its top enforcement goals. Brands selling to younger demographics should expect much stricter scrutiny of their data collection practices. (via PYMNTS)
Read More →Shopify Pulse
Shopify is becoming the center of gravity for Eddie Bauer's digital turnaround as the brand adopts Deck Commerce to orchestrate its North American DTC operations. The outdoor retailer stood up a new storefront on the platform in just two months. (via Digital Commerce 360)
Read More →Shopify has expanded its Capital repayment program via Shopify Payments to all 50 U.S. states. This allows merchants to automate their loan remittances based on a percentage of daily sales. (via Changelog)
Read More →Shopify rebuilt its POS cash management system to include register sessions, reason codes for discrepancies, and multi-device drawer tracking. (via Changelog)
Read More →Lawsuits & Regulation
Perplexity is suing to overturn Amazon's ban on its shopping agents, arguing the restriction stifles competitive AI-driven search. (via PYMNTS)
Read More →Quick Hits
- →Hasbro is dealing with a significant cyberattack that has disrupted order processing and shipping timelines. (via Supply Chain Dive)
- →Beehiiv is moving into podcasting with no revenue cuts, aiming to become an all-in-one hub for creator-led commerce. (via Variety)
- →FedEx and UPS shippers are being urged to renegotiate fuel surcharges as private carriers continue to hike secondary fees. (via Supply Chain Dive)
- →Chime launched a premium tier called Prime that offers 5% cash back, targeting the same high-frequency shoppers as Amazon. (via Businesswire)
Ridiculous
Google is partnering with Back Market to sell a $3 USB stick that turns your old Windows 10 PC into a Chromebook. It is essentially a physical manifestation of Google's desire to own the operating system of your leftovers. (via Betanews)
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