September 2023 E-Commerce Digest: New Generative AI Listing Tools, Product Reviews Removal, and Growth in Online Sales

The e-commerce world is always on the move, and keeping up with the latest news is crucial. In this September issue of Membrace E-commerce Digest, we're bringing a roundup of recent e-commerce updates. From AI innovations to marketplace changes and legal commitments, here's a quick look at what's happening in the industry. Let's dive in!

1. eBay Rolls Out Its Generative AI Listing Tool to All Marketplace Sellers in App 

The generative AI tool writes product descriptions for eBay's app marketplace sellers based on their listing's metadata.

2. Zalando Removes Product Reviews 

Online marketplace Zalando has removed product reviews from its platform. Instead of posting a review about a product, customers can now answer a survey about the product information featured on a page.

3. Microsoft Assumes Legal Responsibility for AI Content Filters

Microsoft has announced that it will take on the legal risks associated with any claims from third parties, as long as its customers utilize the built-in "guardrails and content filters" in its AI products. These safeguards are designed to ensure that the AI technology implemented by Microsoft is programmed to filter and block any content that may infringe upon copyright or trademark rights.

4. MENA Online Beauty Sales Grew by Over 20 Percent in 1H 2023, Admitad Reveals 

MENA online sales of beauty products have shot up by over 20 percent year-over-year in the first half of 2023, even surpassing global activity levels, according to provider of marketing solutions Admitad.

5. Amazon Rolls Out Generative AI Tool to Help Sellers Write Product Listings 

The tool prompts sellers to enter a few keywords or sentences describing their product. It then spits out a range of content a seller can use to build their listing, such as product titles, bullet points, and descriptions. Sellers can use the tool to build new listings or refine existing ones.

6. Alibaba Rolls Out New B2B Marketplace Tools for Small Business

The new suite of tools includes a smart assistant tool (acts as an intuitive personal guide to sourcing that helps small-business owners), upgraded image (allows buyers to search for products by image and text simultaneously, with additional image generation capabilities helping to streamline complex sourcing requirements), and others.

7. eBay Lokal Introduced in Germany

eBay is launching a new shopping and selling experience in Germany called eBay Lokal. Commercial sellers can gain greater visibility through eBay Lokal and offer consumers the opportunity to buy from them locally online.

8. SmartEquip Builds a New B2B E-commerce Venue for Construction Parts

The heavy equipment commerce technology and networking company, a unit of B2B marketplace company RB Global, has rolled out for distributors, dealers and fleet managers the new self-service parts shop platform SmartEquip e-Commerce 2.0. 

9. Dutch Online Sales Grew 2% in First Half 2023

In the first half of this year, Dutch consumers spent 16.3 billion euros online. Compared to the same period in 2022, this is an increase of 2 percent. The online share of total spending was 31 percent, just like in 2022.

10. A GE Marketplace Blows Its Way into the Wind Turbine Business

GE Renewable Energy has launched a B2B marketplace featuring 100,000 products from more than 30 sellers. The Renewable Energy Division is part of GE Vernona, which operates and services 54,000 wind turbines and 7,000 gas turbines worldwide.

11. Key Takeaways from the Upcoming B2B Marketplace 500 Report 

According to the report, B2B marketplaces will remain the fastest-growing B2B digital sales channel, projected to grow 100% year over year and, in 2023, account for 12% of all U.S. B2B e-commerce sales.