For online retailers in 2024, the most important news stories of the year covered technology, business decisions and major events impacting delivery and fulfillment.
Below, Digital Commerce 360 recaps some of the past year’s most significant, surprising and in some cases shocking developments for ecommerce and retail. For your convenience, we grouped them into 10 key coverage areas:
- Industry news and trends
- Artificial intelligence
- Digital marketing
- Exploring new technology
- Fulfillment and delivery
- Social shopping
- Mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcies
- Online marketplaces
- Payments and fraud
- Sustainability and resale
These reports saw world-class brands rise, fall and regroup. And in some cases, these online retailers in 2024 also saw new business units expand. Still, in others, grand ambitions ran aground. Take a look at the headlines and story links below.
1. Online retail industry news and trends in 2024
Google ends its third-party cookies deprecation plans for Chrome
Originally announced in 2020, third-party cookies deprecation saw its end-date slide from 2022 into 2025 before Google announced new plans for its Privacy Sandbox.
The Bed Bath & Beyond saga continued
The Container Store files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas
The retailer’s locations will remain in operation as its CEO commits to keeping it alive through the bankruptcy process. That came after Beyond said its $40 million deal for The Container Store was in jeopardy.
Buybuy Baby closing stores to go fully digital
The company’s closings come as buybuy Baby’s former sister brand Bed Bath & Beyond prepares to return to physical retail stores.
Kirkland’s and Beyond partner to pave Bed Bath & Beyond’s return to physical stores
Beyond plans to invest $25 million through a combined debt and equity transaction as Kirkland’s becomes a licensee for new small-format Bed Bath & Beyond locations.
Beyond Q2 earnings show revenue down 5.7%, but key metrics show positive trends
The parent company of Overstock, Bed Bath & Beyond and Zulily detailed the status of its turnaround efforts in its Q2 earnings report, which highlighted a 35% increase in active customers.
Beyond Inc. revamps Overstock.com with fresh look, expanded inventory
Overstock.com had a soft launch in March and announced its “Grand Reopening” in July, adding millions of new items to its ecommerce site.
Beyond Inc. executive team changes as leadership roles are consolidated
Two pairs of Beyond executive team roles will be merged, as Chandra Holt leaves the company.
Buybuy Baby relaunch navigates familiar terrain with new digital presence
A buyer named Mark Srour-Serure, the owner of Dream on Me Industries, acquired Buybuy Baby’s trademark and digital assets for $15.5 million. Now, the retailer is working on re-establishing its brand.
Beyond relaunches Overstock.com, partners with X
Beyond chairman Marcus Lemonis called the Overstock.com relaunch a “silver bullet” for the retailer in a February earnings call.
The Macy’s saga
Investors push for control of Macy’s
The push for Macy’s to sell or otherwise split off valuable real estate comes after the retailer rebuffed a takeover attempt in 2024.
Macy’s halts takeover negotiations with Arkhouse
The Arkhouse takeover could have potentially seen Macy’s go private and sell off additional real estate assets.
Macy’s promotes senior leader to become chief information officer
Keith Credendino stepped into the Macy’s CIO role in August as Laura Miller retired.
Macy’s proxy fight with Arkhouse ends as two of its nominees gain board seats
As Macy’s adds new Arkhouse nominees, the group will continue to pursue a deal to take the retailer private.
Macy’s enters talks with Arkhouse on takeover offer
Arkhouse and Macy’s entered a confidential agreement to share private financial information that could precede a successful takeover deal.
Arkhouse increases bid for Macy’s takeover to $6.6 billion
Investment firm Arkhouse increased its offer for Macy’s from $21 to $24 per share in the latest effort to take over the department store.
Macy’s turns down Arkhouse’s $5.8 billion offer to take the company private
The $5.8 billion Macy’s Arkhouse offer faces skepticism from the retailer’s board of directors over financing.
The Nordstrom saga
Nordstrom family strikes deal to take company private
The $6.25 billion all-cash deal was reached between the Nordstrom family and Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool.
Nordstrom family makes $3.76 billion bid to take retailer private
The family is partnering with El Puerto de Liverpool after a previous effort to take Nordstrom private in 2017 failed.
Nordstrom Rack outpaces its parent company’s total sales growth in Q4
Nordstrom Rack sales grew nearly 15% in Q4, and the discount website became profitable in 2023 with further investments planned.
2. Artificial intelligence
Personalization, retail media networks, checkout and fulfillment centers were just a few of the areas where online retailers are leveraging artificial intelligence right now. See our full recap of how online retailers used AI for ecommerce in 2024. It’s filled with companies and examples.
3. Digital marketing
Schnucks and Ibotta partner on omnichannel offers and digital rewards
Schnucks omnichannel offers will flow through the Walmart-backed network, which already handles rewards and promotions for Family Dollar and Dollar General.
Amazon introduces new shoppable ad formats
Amazon says its interactive shoppable ad formats lead to more product page views and higher conversion rates than traditional ads.
Retail media networks
Retailers got serious with new investments in their retail media network operations in 2024. With an eye on revenue and leveraging first-party data to target shoppers, these efforts and strategies at online retailers in 2024 showed up in our retail media network recap for the year.
4. Exploring new technology
Walmart, Fanatics and TikTok discuss shoppable TV strategy at Shoptalk
The Shoptalk panel in Las Vegas addressed what’s working and what retailers are still figuring out.
Do It Best appoints new chief information officer
Ken Widner came from Casey’s General Stores to be vice president of information technology and CIO, focusing on streamlining operations, supporting member stores, and driving innovation in ecommerce and IT systems.
REI names a new chief technology officer
Guillaume Ledieu, who was already at REI, replaced Dan Shull in the CTO role.
5. Fulfillment and delivery
FedEx announces FedEx Freight to become new, separate entity
Both FedEx and FedEx Freight will continue to collaborate through commercial, operational and data and technology agreements.
Labor strikes hit Amazon facilities during 2024 holiday season
A Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pension (HELP) Committee report led by Sen. Bernie Sanders has accused Amazon of prioritizing speed over worker safety in its warehouses.
Pitney Bowes sells controlling interest in its troubled Global Ecommerce business
The unit incurred substantial net losses in recent years despite having the highest revenue of Pitney’s business segments.
Edible shares findings about Gen Z fulfillment preferences
Edible’s 2024 “State of Gifting” report shared what the retailer has learned about gifts bought by Gen Z, Millennial and Gen X customers.
6. Social shopping
Retailers prepare for potential TikTok ban in U.S.
As TikTok sues over a potential ban, ecommerce retailers try to diversify their social media posts across other channels.
Amazon opens up purchasing directly through Pinterest and TikTok
Amazon detailed new options that will be available when customers link their accounts to either Pinterest or TikTok’s social platforms.
Survey shows biggest hurdles for consumers in social commerce
A report from Chubb found that the ecommerce problems of most concern among consumers regarding social commerce were different from those expressed by retailers.
Why Benefit Cosmetics made a home in the TikTok Shop
As of Q4 2023, TikTok Shop sales accounted for 4% of Benefit Cosmetics’ direct-to-consumer sales.
Apparel brand Halston tries the new social marketplace Orme
Orme launched in April 2024 and works similarly to TikTok and Instagram Reels for brands such as Halston.
TikTok Shop schedules promotions ahead of 2024 holidays
ByteDance’s TikTok Shop lined up brands to begin holiday offers in mid-November.
TikTok Shop extends returns window for holiday-season purchases
In addition to expanding the returns window into February, TikTok Shop loosened some seller deadlines for shipping and fulfillment.
7. Mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcies
Fabric acquires Walmart’s MeMD telehealth business
The telehealth acquisition follows Walmart’s announcement in April that it would abandon its health care expansion plans.
JD Sports announces plan to acquire Hibbett in US expansion
JD Sports says acquiring Hibbett will give it a better foothold in the Southeast and Midwest United States.
Ashley acquires Resident in major furniture and bedding deal
The acquisition will expand Resident mattress availability across Ashley’s international operations.
Helen of Troy nails down purchase of Olive & June
Valued at $240 million, Helen of Troy’s Olive & June acquisition could add to a growing beauty brand portfolio, especially online.
Vermont Flannel Company acquires state’s iconic teddy bear maker
The Vermont Flannel acquisition will employ more than 70 in Vermont through the combined company.
Do It Best’s merger with United Hardware Distributing means a fresh start in ecommerce
The merger adds more B2B capacity for Do It Best, which spent $100 million on digital technology updates in the past year.
Soccer Post acquisition of Soccer Pro expands US presence to 47 stores
Both specialty retailers have sold soccer gear for more than 30 years.
Some of the biggest online retail acquisitions
Saks Global completes $2.7 billion Neiman Marcus acquisition
Equity contributions from Amazon and Salesforce partially funded the transaction. As an investor, Amazon will focus on driving innovation for customers and brand partners, Saks Global said. Salesforce will use AI and first-party data to create a “highly customized shopping experience.”
The Home Depot bets big on contractors with its biggest ever acquisition
The Home Deport acquired SRS Distribution, a residential specialty trade distribution company that serves several verticals, including professional roofer, landscaper and pool contractors.
Walmart Vizio acquisition filing to be resubmitted, extending timeline for regulatory review
The extension set the stage for Walmart to close its acquisition of the TV maker and its SmartCast Operating System on Dec. 5.
Bankruptcies
After adjusting to serve demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, many online retailers in 2024 struggled to again change course in the years that followed. Last year, many North American retailers filed for bankruptcy. And some were big names moving forward and exiting bankruptcy through acquisitions and reorganizations. Here is a recap of retailer bankruptcies in 2024.
8. Online marketplaces
Amazon launches Haul as a competitor to Shein and Temu
Haul with initially be available on Amazon’s mobile app and website as the online retail giant tests its new approach.
Amazon sellers grow sales 41% on Day 1 of Prime Big Deal Days
Momentum Commerce, a consulting company that manages Amazon sales for brands that account for more than $7 billion in annual sales on the marketplace, said its clients brought in 41% more year over year during Day 1 of Prime Big Deal Days 2024.
Amazon unveils Amelia, an AI-powered assistant for marketplace sellers, at Accelerate event
Amazon detailed Amelia’s features at Accelerate alongside other AI tools that it is rolling out.
Walmart announces gains and new features at its 2024 Walmart Marketplace Seller Summit
Walmart said its marketplace grew sales more than 30% in each of its previous four fiscal quarters.
Target Plus teams up with Shopify to power online marketplace
U.S.-based Shopify merchants can apply to sell on Target Plus through Marketplace Connect, Target said in a statement.
New Etsy policies set standards for what sellers can offer
Etsy CEO Josh Silverman outlined the marketplace’s policies as part of the company’s mission to “keep commerce human.”
Etsy updates search, says shoppers’ experiences have already improved
Better reviews and fewer refund requests have been outcomes following search improvements, according to Etsy.
Most consumers shop online marketplaces in 2024
New survey data from Digital Commerce 360 and Bizrate Insights highlights what consumers go to online marketplaces for, why, and their reservations.
StockX selects co-founder as its new CEO
Co-founder Greg Schwartz was set to take over for outgoing CEO Scott Cutler on Jan. 1, 2025.
Data shows who are the top marketplaces selling in North America
Shoppers in North America do most of their online transactions on marketplaces.
9. Payments and fraud
Ebay makes changes to its payment options
The online marketplace dropped American Express over the summer and added support for Venmo payments.
Paypal debuts new AI tools
The six new tools use AI to simplify the checkout process and offer retailers new ways to target consumers.
Wix partnered with Global-e for cross-border payments
The website-builder-as-a-service platform said in February that it would integrate payments from Global-e, opening up options for merchants using Wix sites.
10. Sustainability and resale
Amazon rebrands Amazon Warehouse as Amazon Resale
The resale marketplace now has a dedicated homepage for discounted items, which pass through an inspection process before appearing on Amazon Resale.
Used goods sellers online grew faster than other top retailers last year
Digital Commerce 360 analysis showed that retailers offering secondhand goods as at least part of their selection grew web sales 8.0% in 2023, beating out the 6.9% growth of the Digital Commerce 360 Top 1000 as a whole.
Bloomingdale’s and Rebag join forces for luxury resale
The new partnership will bring Rebag into Bloomingdale’s stores and give resellers a presence on Bloomingdales.com.
Ikea tests out a resale marketplace
The home furnishings retailer began piloting its peer-to-peer resale platform in Spain and Norway through December.
ThredUp report shows apparel resale industry grew 18% in 2023
The reseller found that online resale grew 23% year over year in 2023, outpacing overall secondhand growth.
Allbirds shared its latest sustainability benchmarks
The direct-to-consumer footwear brand reported achieving a 22% reduction in carbon emissions per product over the past year, cutting emissions by 7% and increasing its reliance on renewable energy.
Guess launched an online recycling program
The apparel brand is working with SuperCircle to build off of an in-store recycling program that launched in 2022.
Crocs expands its used shoe collection program
The initiative marks an expansion of the “Old Crocs. New Life” program, offering discounts in return for used pairs of Crocs.
Ebay releases new reselling feature with Certilogo digital ID
“Resell on eBay” will pre-fill a listing with relevant information about an apparel item from a QR code on the product’s label.
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