Direct messages hold 'major' marketing potential, says Meta

Meta sees 'major' opportunity in conversational commerce

While investors are debating whether the metaverse will reach wide adoption, Meta may be quietly working out its short-term path to grow revenue off to the side in direct messages. Click-to-message ads already have a $9 billion run rate for the Facebook and Instagram parent, even as this format is still relatively new to WhatsApp. Meta is also laying the groundwork to allow brands and other businesses to chat with customers.

Mask and sanitizer brands are charting a new course

The early days of COVID-19 were an unexpected springboard for brands offering products that protected people in a pandemic. Now, brands like Touchland and Evolvetogether are adding SKUs in categories like skincare, and selling in upscale retail stores. In the process, they've shifted marketing to emphasize style over health. – Glossy

Dealboard: $100M for autonomous stores, $265M cross-border deal

Elon isn't the only one making deals lately. This week in commerce, sustainability is gaining new venture funding, as startups are raising funding for new products, packaging materials and resale platforms that center circular practices. Plus, a nine-figure cross-border commerce deal and a beauty tech firm's NYSE debut highlight this week’s M&A news.

Consumers may be ready to buy more furniture, décor than retailers thought

Amid economic pullback, there’s a danger that talk of a recession can help to perpetuate the downturn right alongside shifts in consumer behavior. A First Insight/WWD survey found that there is an 82% disconnect between retailers’ perception of how economic conditions are affecting spending, and the reality. – Furniture Today

Instagram launches Product Tagging API for Reels

New developer tools from Instagram are designed to bring product tagging on Instagram’s short-form video directly into workflows. It shows the app is continuing to expand product tagging, even as other parts of its ecommerce roadmap are shifting this year.

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