Forwarded from Marketplace Bestsellers
ποΈ Argos Prepares Major Marketplace Update
π’ UK retailer Argos announced a major platform update β the company plans to open its marketplace to third-party sellers.
π This move aims to expand product selection and compete with giants like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
π What this will bring: β’ more SKUs and suppliers on Argos β’ higher traffic and brand visibility β’ opportunities for local sellers to reach new audiences
Takeaway: Not only Chinese marketplaces are expanding β European retailers are also strengthening their marketplace ecosystems.
π’ UK retailer Argos announced a major platform update β the company plans to open its marketplace to third-party sellers.
π This move aims to expand product selection and compete with giants like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy.
π What this will bring: β’ more SKUs and suppliers on Argos β’ higher traffic and brand visibility β’ opportunities for local sellers to reach new audiences
Takeaway: Not only Chinese marketplaces are expanding β European retailers are also strengthening their marketplace ecosystems.
β€8π3
Trends for the future of commerce.
Let's start analyzing them together with the Tomorrow's Commerce 2026 report from VML.
AI assistants
π΄ Currently, only 3% of consumers use chatbots to find inspiration for a purchase, 4% to find the product itself, and 5% to find information about the product.
π΄ At the same time, 68% have tried tools like ChatGPT, and the demand for a seamless customer journey, fast transactions, and low prices remains high.
π΄ Soon, AI assistants will increasingly help consumers with this demand by searching and comparing products, reading reviews, and more.
π΄ Retailers and brands should adapt to bots by increasing their online presence, providing relevant expert data, and structuring product descriptions.
Let's start analyzing them together with the Tomorrow's Commerce 2026 report from VML.
AI assistants
π΄ Currently, only 3% of consumers use chatbots to find inspiration for a purchase, 4% to find the product itself, and 5% to find information about the product.
π΄ At the same time, 68% have tried tools like ChatGPT, and the demand for a seamless customer journey, fast transactions, and low prices remains high.
π΄ Soon, AI assistants will increasingly help consumers with this demand by searching and comparing products, reading reviews, and more.
π΄ Retailers and brands should adapt to bots by increasing their online presence, providing relevant expert data, and structuring product descriptions.
β€12
Ecom: The Future. AI, Innovation
Trends for the future of commerce. Let's start analyzing them together with the Tomorrow's Commerce 2026 report from VML. AI assistants π΄ Currently, only 3% of consumers use chatbots to find inspiration for a purchase, 4% to find the product itself,β¦
We continue to analyze the Tomorrow's Commerce 2026 report from VML.
Agent AI
π΄Within three to five years, neural networks will learn not only to answer questions, but also to perform actions for people: track discounts, communicate with retailersβ chatbots, and even make purchases.
π΄About half of consumers around the world are ready to let such neural networks act on their behalf (48%) and are happy to outsource the search for discounts (52%).
π΄ This will require sellers to optimize their products for AI, paying special attention to automatically tracked trust signals and creating interfaces for automated transactions between bots.
Agent AI
π΄Within three to five years, neural networks will learn not only to answer questions, but also to perform actions for people: track discounts, communicate with retailersβ chatbots, and even make purchases.
π΄About half of consumers around the world are ready to let such neural networks act on their behalf (48%) and are happy to outsource the search for discounts (52%).
π΄ This will require sellers to optimize their products for AI, paying special attention to automatically tracked trust signals and creating interfaces for automated transactions between bots.
β€13
Em Altman accused companies of "AI-washing" in mass layoffs.
The head of OpenAI said that business is increasingly writing off staff cuts to the introduction of neural networks, although in fact layoffs were planned in advance for other reasons. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Altman noted that the real displacement of people by artificial intelligence will only become widespread in a few years.
Nowadays, many corporations use the hype surrounding technology as a convenient excuse for making unpopular decisions.
Amazon, IBM, and Salesforce have previously openly acknowledged the connection between AI and layoffs.
The head of OpenAI said that business is increasingly writing off staff cuts to the introduction of neural networks, although in fact layoffs were planned in advance for other reasons. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Altman noted that the real displacement of people by artificial intelligence will only become widespread in a few years.
Nowadays, many corporations use the hype surrounding technology as a convenient excuse for making unpopular decisions.
Amazon, IBM, and Salesforce have previously openly acknowledged the connection between AI and layoffs.
Business Insider
Sam Altman says some companies are blaming AI for job cuts they would've made anyway
Sam Altman says some companies are "AI washing" job cuts, but he wasn't sure what percentage of layoffs fell into that category.
β€6
IKEA sold out stuffed orangutans because of Punch the Macaque.
Store stocks in Japan, the US, and South Korea are completely depleted. The reason for the rush is the viral story of a baby macaque named Punch at Japan's Ichikawa Zoo. After his mother abandoned him, employees gave him a stuffed orangutan, which became a "surrogate mother" for the primate. Videos of Punch clinging to the toy even during conflicts with other monkeys have garnered millions of views.
The company promised to return the orangutans to the shelves as soon as stock is replenished.
Store stocks in Japan, the US, and South Korea are completely depleted. The reason for the rush is the viral story of a baby macaque named Punch at Japan's Ichikawa Zoo. After his mother abandoned him, employees gave him a stuffed orangutan, which became a "surrogate mother" for the primate. Videos of Punch clinging to the toy even during conflicts with other monkeys have garnered millions of views.
The company promised to return the orangutans to the shelves as soon as stock is replenished.
β€8
Amazon has become the world's largest company by revenue.
Amazon's revenue increased by almost 12% to reach $716.9 billion. This is a record-breaking figure in the company's history. Amazon has taken the top spot in the Fortune Global 500 ranking. Previously, Walmart, an American hypermarket chain, was in the top spot for 11 consecutive years.
Experts say that without Amazon Web Services, the company's main growth driver, the online giant's revenue would have been much lower at $588 billion. However, in terms of market capitalization, Amazon has long surpassed Walmart ($2.2 trillion vs. $1 trillion).
Amazon's revenue increased by almost 12% to reach $716.9 billion. This is a record-breaking figure in the company's history. Amazon has taken the top spot in the Fortune Global 500 ranking. Previously, Walmart, an American hypermarket chain, was in the top spot for 11 consecutive years.
Experts say that without Amazon Web Services, the company's main growth driver, the online giant's revenue would have been much lower at $588 billion. However, in terms of market capitalization, Amazon has long surpassed Walmart ($2.2 trillion vs. $1 trillion).
Bloomberg.com
Amazon Takes Crown From Walmart While Investors Are Distracted
Thanks to cloud computing, the internet retailer has surpassed the supercenter behemoth in revenue.
β€9π₯°2
Every fifth video in YouTube recommendations is "AI slop".
A study by Kapwing found that more than 20% of the videos the algorithm suggests to new users are low-quality AI videos. Analysts have identified 278 of the largest channels that generate only such content: in total, they have accumulated 63 billion views and bring about $117 million in revenue per year to their owners.
Such videos belong to the category of brainrot ("brain rot") β they are devoid of plot and meaning, but due to visual absurdity, they keep viewers' attention.
The most popular formats have become surreal cartoons and neural network-generated footage of disasters.
A study by Kapwing found that more than 20% of the videos the algorithm suggests to new users are low-quality AI videos. Analysts have identified 278 of the largest channels that generate only such content: in total, they have accumulated 63 billion views and bring about $117 million in revenue per year to their owners.
Such videos belong to the category of brainrot ("brain rot") β they are devoid of plot and meaning, but due to visual absurdity, they keep viewers' attention.
The most popular formats have become surreal cartoons and neural network-generated footage of disasters.
the Guardian
More than 20% of videos shown to new YouTube users are βAI slopβ, study finds
Low-quality AI-generated content is now saturating social media β and generating about $117m a year, data shows
π10β€4
Your roadmap for tomorrow according to Tomorrow's Commerce 2026 report from VML.
π Audit and pilot automation: Identify high-volume warehouse tasks for robotics; test ROI in controlled environments
πExplore robotics revenue streams: Assess whether to develop, partner, or service consumer or B2B robotics markets
π Design for robot compatibility: Rethink packaging and fulfilment for automated handling and last-mile robotic delivery
π Prepare workforce strategy: Plan for displacement, reskilling, and transparent communications; own the narrative early
π Make operations robot-readable: Extend agent-native commerce to include the physical specs robots need to handle and deliver products seamlessly.
π Audit and pilot automation: Identify high-volume warehouse tasks for robotics; test ROI in controlled environments
πExplore robotics revenue streams: Assess whether to develop, partner, or service consumer or B2B robotics markets
π Design for robot compatibility: Rethink packaging and fulfilment for automated handling and last-mile robotic delivery
π Prepare workforce strategy: Plan for displacement, reskilling, and transparent communications; own the narrative early
π Make operations robot-readable: Extend agent-native commerce to include the physical specs robots need to handle and deliver products seamlessly.
β€16π5
ChatGPT is losing ground.
OpenAI's collaboration with the US Department of Defense has triggered a massive wave of uninstalls of the ChatGPT mobile app.
According to Sensor Tower, on February 28thβthe day after the deal was announcedβthe number of app uninstalls in the US jumped by 295%. The typical daily uninstall rate over the past 30 days was 9%. While users are deleting ChatGPT, competitors are celebrating their triumph. Claude, an app from Anthropic, which previously refused a military contract "for reasons of conscience," has become a new favorite among Americans.
OpenAI's collaboration with the US Department of Defense has triggered a massive wave of uninstalls of the ChatGPT mobile app.
According to Sensor Tower, on February 28thβthe day after the deal was announcedβthe number of app uninstalls in the US jumped by 295%. The typical daily uninstall rate over the past 30 days was 9%. While users are deleting ChatGPT, competitors are celebrating their triumph. Claude, an app from Anthropic, which previously refused a military contract "for reasons of conscience," has become a new favorite among Americans.
β€15
The world has signed the first AI ethics declaration.
More than 90 countries and organizations, including the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, signed the first global document on the principles of AI development at the AI Summit in New Delhi. The key principle is equal access to technology.
AI is currently effectively monopolized. Stanford researchers estimate that over 90% of the leading developments in this industry are owned by the US and China, because this work requires the use of expensive computing power.
The summit participants believed that this was not a reason to close the market, and as a solution to the problem, they adopted the AI Democratic Diffusion Charter. This is a voluntary framework aimed at ensuring access to basic smart resources for countries that cannot create them on their own. However, the Charter does not contain any coercive mechanisms, and each country retains the right to regulate AI as they see fit.
Additionally, New Delhi announced unprecedented investments in the further development of AI, which will exceed $250 billion.
More than 90 countries and organizations, including the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, signed the first global document on the principles of AI development at the AI Summit in New Delhi. The key principle is equal access to technology.
AI is currently effectively monopolized. Stanford researchers estimate that over 90% of the leading developments in this industry are owned by the US and China, because this work requires the use of expensive computing power.
The summit participants believed that this was not a reason to close the market, and as a solution to the problem, they adopted the AI Democratic Diffusion Charter. This is a voluntary framework aimed at ensuring access to basic smart resources for countries that cannot create them on their own. However, the Charter does not contain any coercive mechanisms, and each country retains the right to regulate AI as they see fit.
Additionally, New Delhi announced unprecedented investments in the further development of AI, which will exceed $250 billion.
β€25π7π₯1
Attacks on data centers in the Middle East region are causing disruptions in services and logistics.
In recent days, the Middle East has experienced severe disruptions in the operation of internet infrastructure after attacks on several data centers. According to media reports, the attacks targeted facilities related to Amazon's cloud infrastructure, including sites in Bahrain and Dubai.
The incidents led to temporary disruptions in the operation of banking services, online platforms, and logistics systems in the region. Some online services were unavailable, and product deliveries faced delays.
To compensate for the loss of capacity, Amazon is redistributing the load to other server clusters. This increases the strain on the infrastructure and may slow down the performance of certain services.
In recent days, the Middle East has experienced severe disruptions in the operation of internet infrastructure after attacks on several data centers. According to media reports, the attacks targeted facilities related to Amazon's cloud infrastructure, including sites in Bahrain and Dubai.
The incidents led to temporary disruptions in the operation of banking services, online platforms, and logistics systems in the region. Some online services were unavailable, and product deliveries faced delays.
To compensate for the loss of capacity, Amazon is redistributing the load to other server clusters. This increases the strain on the infrastructure and may slow down the performance of certain services.
β€18π3
Amazon launches new AI tools for sellers.
Amazon continues to implement artificial intelligence in tools for sellers.
A new AI tool, Dynamic Canvas, has appeared in Seller Central.
It allows sellers through ordinary text requests:
π to build analytical panels
πto analyze sales
πto predict growth
πto receive recommendations for business development
AI automatically creates dashboards and analytical reports based on account data. In fact, Amazon is turning sales analytics into a dialogue with an AI assistant.
Amazon continues to implement artificial intelligence in tools for sellers.
A new AI tool, Dynamic Canvas, has appeared in Seller Central.
It allows sellers through ordinary text requests:
π to build analytical panels
πto analyze sales
πto predict growth
πto receive recommendations for business development
AI automatically creates dashboards and analytical reports based on account data. In fact, Amazon is turning sales analytics into a dialogue with an AI assistant.
β€20π4
OpenAI has built ChatGPT into Excel with access to Bloomberg, Moody's, and S&P data.
The company has introduced a beta version of ChatGPT for Excel, an add-on based on GPT-5.4 that works directly within spreadsheets. The neural network can build financial models, update formulas, and explain the logic behind calculations.
The main advantage is integration with financial providers (Moody's, Dow Jones Factiva, MSCI, MT Newswire). Data can be pulled into the workspace without switching tabs, and the result can be exported to PDF or Word with automatic links to the sources. In investment banking tests, the new model achieved 87.3% accuracy compared to 43.7% for GPT-5.
Access is available to users at the Business, Enterprise, Edu, Pro, and Plus levels. A version for Google Sheets has been announced, but no release date has been set yet.
The company has introduced a beta version of ChatGPT for Excel, an add-on based on GPT-5.4 that works directly within spreadsheets. The neural network can build financial models, update formulas, and explain the logic behind calculations.
The main advantage is integration with financial providers (Moody's, Dow Jones Factiva, MSCI, MT Newswire). Data can be pulled into the workspace without switching tabs, and the result can be exported to PDF or Word with automatic links to the sources. In investment banking tests, the new model achieved 87.3% accuracy compared to 43.7% for GPT-5.
Access is available to users at the Business, Enterprise, Edu, Pro, and Plus levels. A version for Google Sheets has been announced, but no release date has been set yet.
β€19
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos ranked 4th in the Forbes ranking.
Forbes published the 40th global list of billionaires. This year, the number of ultra-rich people reached a record high of 3,428.
The main driver of growth was the AI boom. Elon Musk remains the leader for the second year in a row. His net worth has increased by almost half a trillion dollars due to the merger of SpaceX and the startup xAI into a single entity with a valuation of $1.25 trillion.
Google founders Larry Page ($257 billion) and Sergey Brin ($237 billion) are ranked second and third, respectively. Jeff Bezos has dropped to fourth place, while Mark Zuckerberg has moved up to fifth place. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang entered the top 10 after his company's capitalization reached a historic high of $5 trillion.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao ($110 billion) also made a triumphant return to the list after being pardoned by Donald Trump.
Forbes published the 40th global list of billionaires. This year, the number of ultra-rich people reached a record high of 3,428.
The main driver of growth was the AI boom. Elon Musk remains the leader for the second year in a row. His net worth has increased by almost half a trillion dollars due to the merger of SpaceX and the startup xAI into a single entity with a valuation of $1.25 trillion.
Google founders Larry Page ($257 billion) and Sergey Brin ($237 billion) are ranked second and third, respectively. Jeff Bezos has dropped to fourth place, while Mark Zuckerberg has moved up to fifth place. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang entered the top 10 after his company's capitalization reached a historic high of $5 trillion.
Binance founder Changpeng Zhao ($110 billion) also made a triumphant return to the list after being pardoned by Donald Trump.
β€30π₯1
10 000 writers have released an empty book in protest against AI.
At the London Book Fair, they presented the publication of Donβt Steal This Book ("Donβt Steal This Book"). It has no text, and the entire content is a list of authors' names. Among the "co-authors" are Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro, Richard Osman, and Philippa Gregory.
The event was organized by activist Ed Newton-Rex. He stated that the artificial intelligence industry is built on the labor of others and deprives creative people of their livelihood. The manifesto on the cover calls on the British government to reject the legalization of "creative theft" in favor of IT giants.
At the London Book Fair, they presented the publication of Donβt Steal This Book ("Donβt Steal This Book"). It has no text, and the entire content is a list of authors' names. Among the "co-authors" are Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro, Richard Osman, and Philippa Gregory.
The event was organized by activist Ed Newton-Rex. He stated that the artificial intelligence industry is built on the labor of others and deprives creative people of their livelihood. The manifesto on the cover calls on the British government to reject the legalization of "creative theft" in favor of IT giants.
β€24
Scientists have warned about the risk of developing psychosis due to communication with AI.
Researchers from King's College London published in The Lancet Psychiatry the first major work on the so-called "AI psychosis". It turned out that modern chatbots are able to provoke and multiply the delusional ideas of users.
Due to their tendency to please the interlocutor, algorithms often fuel grandiose, paranoid, or romantic fantasies. For example, bots may use mystical language and convince people of their higher purpose. Scientists have noted that the interactivity of neural networks dramatically accelerates the deterioration of mental health, as the illusion of a real conversation and relationship quickly transforms mild obsessions into irreversible mental disorders.
Researchers from King's College London published in The Lancet Psychiatry the first major work on the so-called "AI psychosis". It turned out that modern chatbots are able to provoke and multiply the delusional ideas of users.
Due to their tendency to please the interlocutor, algorithms often fuel grandiose, paranoid, or romantic fantasies. For example, bots may use mystical language and convince people of their higher purpose. Scientists have noted that the interactivity of neural networks dramatically accelerates the deterioration of mental health, as the illusion of a real conversation and relationship quickly transforms mild obsessions into irreversible mental disorders.
β€23
OpenAI postponed the launch of erotic chats on ChatGPT
Sam Altman planned to allow users to have explicit conversations with the neural network and attract a new audience. According to The Wall Street Journal, security experts warned management about the risk of creating a "sexual suicide coach."
Experts said that the bot can form unhealthy emotional dependence in people. As an argument, they recalled an incident in Florida: there, a teenager committed suicide after long romantic conversations with a neural network from Character AI.
The project was frozen due to technical problems, among other things. The OpenAI algorithm for age determination failed in 12% of cases and mistook teenagers for adults. At the current scale of ChatGPT, millions of children would have access to erotica.
Sam Altman planned to allow users to have explicit conversations with the neural network and attract a new audience. According to The Wall Street Journal, security experts warned management about the risk of creating a "sexual suicide coach."
Experts said that the bot can form unhealthy emotional dependence in people. As an argument, they recalled an incident in Florida: there, a teenager committed suicide after long romantic conversations with a neural network from Character AI.
The project was frozen due to technical problems, among other things. The OpenAI algorithm for age determination failed in 12% of cases and mistook teenagers for adults. At the current scale of ChatGPT, millions of children would have access to erotica.
β€19π9π₯5π2π©2
Future IT giants will be able to operate with a staff of less than 100 people
In the coming years, the world's most valuable companies will consist of micro-teams. This forecast was made by the head of the medical AI startup OpenEvidence, Daniel Nadler, during a speech at the Nvidia conference. According to him, the global economy is completely unprepared for such a transformation.
As an example, the businessman cited his own project, which is estimated at $12 billion. OpenEvidence has fewer than a hundred employees, but thanks to neural networks, they create products that help doctors treat 300 million Americans. Artificial intelligence takes on basic tasks, significantly increasing the productivity of each individual and eliminating the need for businesses to expand their staff.
In the coming years, the world's most valuable companies will consist of micro-teams. This forecast was made by the head of the medical AI startup OpenEvidence, Daniel Nadler, during a speech at the Nvidia conference. According to him, the global economy is completely unprepared for such a transformation.
As an example, the businessman cited his own project, which is estimated at $12 billion. OpenEvidence has fewer than a hundred employees, but thanks to neural networks, they create products that help doctors treat 300 million Americans. Artificial intelligence takes on basic tasks, significantly increasing the productivity of each individual and eliminating the need for businesses to expand their staff.
Fortune
$12 billion AI startup founder says future tech giants could operate with fewer than 100 employees | Fortune
Advances in AI are enabling some startups to scale to millions of users with lean teams.
β€12π4π₯2
X social network will have a dislike button to combat spam.
X's Head of Product, Nikita Bir, announced the return of the dislike button. The new feature will help the platform's algorithms better understand user preferences. The icon with a down-pointing finger will be placed in comments to posts, next to the like and bookmark.
After clicking, the system will prompt the user to specify the reason for dissatisfaction. Account holders will be able to report spam, false information, or text generation by a neural network. The developers have decided to hide the counter of negative reactions from the public.
X's Head of Product, Nikita Bir, announced the return of the dislike button. The new feature will help the platform's algorithms better understand user preferences. The icon with a down-pointing finger will be placed in comments to posts, next to the like and bookmark.
After clicking, the system will prompt the user to specify the reason for dissatisfaction. Account holders will be able to report spam, false information, or text generation by a neural network. The developers have decided to hide the counter of negative reactions from the public.
β€16π2
OpenAI will merge ChatGPT, Codex, and Atlas into a single superapp.
Top managers Fiji Simo and Greg Brockman want to rid the ecosystem of unnecessary chaos. The constant support of multiple programs greatly slowed down the team and interfered with quality control. Now the creators are betting on one powerful tool.
The new app will have strong autonomous features. Artificial intelligence will be able to write complex code on its own, collect information on the internet, and analyze large amounts of data. The company plans to compete directly with corporate services from Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic.
Insiders predict that the product will be released in the coming months.
Top managers Fiji Simo and Greg Brockman want to rid the ecosystem of unnecessary chaos. The constant support of multiple programs greatly slowed down the team and interfered with quality control. Now the creators are betting on one powerful tool.
The new app will have strong autonomous features. Artificial intelligence will be able to write complex code on its own, collect information on the internet, and analyze large amounts of data. The company plans to compete directly with corporate services from Google, Microsoft, and Anthropic.
Insiders predict that the product will be released in the coming months.
β€24π₯6π―6π2
Jeff Bezos plans to raise a hundred billion dollars to automate factories.
The Amazon founder wants to create a giant fund to buy industrial assets. His goal is to completely rebuild the work of factories with the help of artificial intelligence. Bezos has already visited Singapore and countries in the Middle East in order to find financing. The new fund could become one of the largest in history.
The billionaire's interest is focused on the production of microchips, the defense industry, and the aerospace sector. The startup Project Prometheus will be the main tool for change. Bezos has personally taken on the role of co-director at this company. The developers are creating systems that can understand and simulate the laws of the physical world. For example, a neural network could accurately calculate the wear and tear of parts or the movement of air currents. Bezos plans to implement these technologies in all of the companies he has acquired.
The Amazon founder wants to create a giant fund to buy industrial assets. His goal is to completely rebuild the work of factories with the help of artificial intelligence. Bezos has already visited Singapore and countries in the Middle East in order to find financing. The new fund could become one of the largest in history.
The billionaire's interest is focused on the production of microchips, the defense industry, and the aerospace sector. The startup Project Prometheus will be the main tool for change. Bezos has personally taken on the role of co-director at this company. The developers are creating systems that can understand and simulate the laws of the physical world. For example, a neural network could accurately calculate the wear and tear of parts or the movement of air currents. Bezos plans to implement these technologies in all of the companies he has acquired.
π₯8β€5π€5π3