Today In Retail: Klarna To Acquire Social Commerce Company; BigCommerce Makes A Big Buy

In today’s top retail news, Klarna is adding to its stable of social commerce companies, while BigCommerce makes an acquisition of its own to expand the platform’s capabilities. Also, thredUP is preparing to enter the European market amid a reCommerce frenzy, and Shopify will now allow merchants to sell non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the platform.

Klarna Adds To Retail Support Services With Another Social Commerce Acquisition

Payments and shopping platform Klarna plans to acquire social commerce company APPRL, a move aimed at helping it round out its retail services and meet rising consumer demand for better interactive shopping experiences. APPRL is an end-to-end influencer marketing software meant to help eCommerce brands connect with content creators. This is the second social commerce acquisition Klarna has made this month after it purchased social shopping startup HERO in mid-July.

BigCommerce Acquires Feedonomics For $145M To Manage Sellers’ Ad Data

eCommerce software platform BigCommerce is acquiring data feed management platform Feedonomics in an asset purchase transaction in order to streamline merchant integrations with more than 100 online marketplaces and advertising channels, including Google, Facebook, Microsoft Ads, Amazon and Walmart, among others. BigCommerce CEO Brent Bellm said with Feedonomics, merchants will be able to maximize omnichannel sales and return on ad spent, enhancing their product data across hundreds of channels.

thredUP Acquisition Sets Europe As Next Resale Battleground

California-based thredUP is preparing to enter the European market by acquiring reCommerce platform Remix. The $28.5 million acquisition is part of the initial phase of an international expansion strategy for thredUP and gives Bulgaria-based Remix the resources to scale more quickly than it would on its own. Remix will operate as an independent business unit led by Klenov, who will also lead thredUP’s European expansion efforts into key markets.

Shopify Will Let Merchants Sell NFTs

Shopify will allow merchants to sell non-fungible tokens, the head of the eCommerce platform said Monday (July 26). One of the inaugural sales will kick off Wednesday, with the Chicago Bulls selling NFTs to commemorate the team’s championship rings. The sale features six unique token designs, available to purchase until Saturday or as long as supplies last.