Microsoft is integrating checkout capabilities into its Copilot AI assistant, allowing users to complete purchases within chats and potentially reshaping e-commerce by giving Microsoft leverage over retailers' direct customer relationships. The feature is live in the U.S. with major payment and marketplace integrations, and Microsoft claims it shortens shopping journeys and increases purchase likelihood, positioning itself as a competitor to Amazon and Google in AI-driven commerce.
Amazon is accused of listing products from independent shops without permission, raising concerns about copyright infringement and fair competition in e-commerce.
The article highlights five promising growth stocks for 2026—SoFi, MercadoLibre, On Holding, Lemonade, and Taiwan Semiconductor—each with strong long-term potential driven by technological innovation and market expansion, despite recent market gains.
Shares of Coupang rose about 9% after the company announced it had resolved a cyberattack that exposed limited building entrance codes and some user data, but no payment or login information was compromised, and the hacker was identified as a former employee.
U.S. holiday retail spending increased by 4.2% driven mainly by e-commerce and electronics, despite economic challenges and cautious consumer sentiment, with online sales up 7.8% and electronics leading growth. In-store shopping remains dominant, but AI is increasingly influencing shopping habits. Overall, real growth is estimated at around 2.2% after inflation adjustments, reflecting resilient consumer spending amid economic headwinds.
A Utah man, Parker Wilde, was ordered to pay up to $7.9 million after scamming hundreds of people with a fraudulent Amazon store business scheme, promising passive income and refunds but instead misappropriating funds for personal use. The court also banned him from participating in similar schemes within Utah, marking a significant victory for consumer protection.
Cyber Monday is expected to be the biggest online shopping day of the season in the US, with record-breaking sales estimated at $14.2 billion, driven by deep discounts on electronics, apparel, and toys, and a shift towards mobile shopping and buy now, pay later plans amid economic uncertainties.
French authorities discovered that Shein was allegedly marketing child-like sex dolls, which have since been removed from the platform amid threats of a ban, highlighting concerns over illegal and inappropriate products on e-commerce sites.
Despite underperforming the market over the past five years, Amazon is considered a top growth stock due to its strong AWS cloud business, potential AI-driven revenue growth, and robust e-commerce operations, making it an undervalued investment opportunity for long-term investors.
PayPal reported strong Q3 earnings with a 12% profit increase and a 7% revenue rise, driven by growth in Venmo and overall payment volume, and its stock surged nearly 16% amid news of a new e-commerce partnership with OpenAI, which could boost its growth prospects despite some ongoing market share concerns.
PayPal has partnered with OpenAI to integrate its digital wallet into ChatGPT, allowing users to make purchases directly through the AI platform, positioning PayPal as a key player in AI-driven e-commerce and shopping experiences.
Walmart's stock surged over 4% to a record high after announcing a partnership with OpenAI to enable ChatGPT users to buy products directly through the AI, signaling a shift towards AI-powered e-commerce shopping experiences. The move is part of Walmart's broader strategy to establish itself as a leader in AI-driven retail, with the new feature expected to launch later this fall.
Shopify's stock is benefiting from a resurgence in the e-commerce sector, with analysts becoming more optimistic about its prospects, leading to a bullish outlook on the company's shares.
