AliExpress has launched an initiative designed to invite U.S.-based retailers to sell on its international online marketplace. The initiative, AliExpressDirect, offers U.S. sellers AliExpress’ 0% commission and $0 onboarding costs during a special introductory period as well as marketing, business and customer service support at no charge, the company said in a Wednesday (Oct. 30) press release.

Facing declining customer visits, Starbucks is set to embark on a restorative journey to reclaim its identity and enhance the overall experience. During the company’s fourth-quarter and full-year earnings call Wednesday (Oct. 30), CEO Brian Niccol outlined a plan to refocus the company on its core identity. Dubbed “Back to Starbucks,” the initiative seeks to elevate the customer experience by prioritizing coffee quality and ensuring baristas have the support they need to deliver exceptional service.

Ohio-based Fifth Third Bank and Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) have partnered to expand the availability of capital to small businesses in the 11 states served by the bank. The Small Business Catalyst Fund enabled by this partnership has been launched with a $7.85 million investment, the organizations said in...

The old saying is you’ve got to spend money to make money. For Meta, notching a third quarter earnings report with record revenues, the fact remains that the long-term artificial intelligence (AI) roadmap will require as yet undefined billions of dollars of capital investments in the next year and beyond.

Microsoft’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence (AI) is showing traction with enterprise customers, as the company reported growth in AI adoption across its product portfolio. “All-up, we now have over 60,000 Azure AI customers, up nearly 60% year over year, and average spend per customer continues to grow,” CEO...

Blackhawk Network (BHN) will make DoorDash gift cards available to consumers and businesses via more channels in the United States and Canada. The branded payment solutions network and the local commerce platform announced their new partnership in a Wednesday (Oct. 30) press release. With this collaboration, DoorDash gift cards and...

In a move that elevates the company’s digital transformation and modernizes the grocery shopping experience, Save A Lot is launching of its first loyalty program. Save A Lot, which operates 750 stores across 32 states, introduced its loyalty program, Save A Lot Rewards, through a mobile app that allows members to earn points, or “dots,” for rewards at their local stores.

Robinhood Markets has made its name as a place for younger investors to day trade meme stocks, crypto and options on their phones. And on Wednesday’s (Oct. 30) third quarter 2024 earnings call, the retail trading platform’s executives emphasized to investors that their main aim is now to increase wallet share of existing investors while attracting a broader group to its platform.

DoorDash and Lyft have formed a partnership that will offer their customers benefits on the local commerce platform’s local delivery service and the rideshare company’s rides. Members of DoorDash’s subscription program, DashPass, and Lyft riders can access these exclusive benefits by linking their accounts, the companies said in...

It’s a truism that as the U.S. consumer goes, so goes the economy. And consumers are still opening their wallets and purses, tapping to pay, clicking to pay, swiping their cards; by extension, gross domestic product continues its upward trajectory, though at a pace slowing from previous readings. The...

For almost their entire history, despite designs to the contrary, the primary role of cryptocurrencies and digital assets has been confined largely to trading and speculation. But recent advancements in blockchain infrastructure are positioning digital assets as more functional tools for real-world financial transactions. And the shape that the blockchain industry is now taking as it matures underscores a rising trend among crypto entities striving to increase utility across the financial services ecosystem — a transformation that, if successful, could redefine cross-border payments and simplify cash management for both consumers and businesses.

A startup has built artificial intelligence systems that can reportedly match current capabilities while using fewer neurons, potentially slashing the massive computing costs that have kept many businesses from deploying AI. The “liquid neural networks” developed by MIT spinoff Liquid AI require only dozens of neurons to guide drones and...

FinTech Pinwheel teamed with account opening solutions firm Candescent, formerly Terafina. The partnership brings Pinwheel’s direct deposit switching solution to Candescent’s bank and credit union clients, according to a Wednesday (Oct. 30) press release. “Consumers today have more accounts than ever before, banking at multiple institutions to satisfy...

Small-business-focused cash management solutions provider Centime has teamed with expense management firm Fyle. The collaboration expands Centime’s platform to give finance teams fuller control over spending and cash flow, the companies said in a Wednesday (Oct. 30) news release. As the release noted, Centime’s cash management offers accounts payable...

With the fourth quarter now underway, major players in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry are facing a landscape marked by challenges and opportunities. Companies such as Mondelez International, Kraft Heinz, Procter & Gamble and Colgate-Palmolive have released their latest earnings results, offering insights into their strategic priorities and positioning within the market.

Global financial technology platform Adyen has extended the availability of Tap to Pay on iPhone to five more countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Ireland, Romania and Sweden. With this functionality, businesses can accept contactless payments with an iPhone, with no need for additional hardware, the company said in a Tuesday (Oct. 29) press release.

X is hiking its API pricing while introducing discounted annual subscription rates. The Elon Musk-owned social media platform has increased the cost of its basic API tier from $100 to $200 and announced Wednesday (Oct. 30) that it would roll out higher limits and new endpoints for this subscription plan.

Chase for Business expanded the availability of a business intelligence platform to all Chase business checking accounts at no additional cost. The Customer Insights platform was previously available only to Chase Payment Solutions clients, the bank said in a Wednesday (Oct. 30) press release. “Our goal is to deliver value...

In today’s high-stakes digital business battleground, cybersecurity isn’t just for the IT team. Cyber threats are a growing challenge for businesses of all sizes, and against that backdrop the role of chief financial officers (CFOs) and senior leaders in cyber resilience is growing as critical as their oversight in finance or compliance.

Fiverr shares rocketed ahead by roughly 30% on Wednesday morning (Oct. 30) after third-quarter results highlighted that programs geared toward encouraging buyers to spend more — as they seek freelancers for “complex” projects — are bearing fruit. And, as been seen with past earnings reports, ongoing...