E-commerce-as-a-service platform Cart.com picks up $98M to give brands scaling tools – TechCrunch
“Tariq told TechCrunch that the company provides software, services and infrastructure to small businesses so they can scale online. Cart.com is taking the best parts of selling direct-to-consumer on marketplaces like Amazon and Shopify to create value for brands. Tariq said he is pioneering the term “e-commerce-as-a-service” to bring together under one platform a suite of business tools like store software, marketing, fulfillment, payments and customer service. “We see the power of having an interconnected platform,” Tariq said. “There also needs to be a hybrid between selling direct-to-consumer on Amazon and Shopify for companies that don’t have the money to pay for a percentage of their sales and receive no access to customers or data, and needing 20 different plug-ins that are not connected.”
The chip shortage is pinching PC parts harder than ever before – Digital Trends
“Almost a year after the global chip shortage came into focus, the situation for the semiconductor industry hasn’t improved. In fact, it has gotten worse. According to new research from Susquehanna Financial Group, which has tracked chipmakers since 2017, the chip shortage is ramping up like never before. As reported by Bloomberg, lead times from chipmakers have reached an all-time high. With this level of high-volume production, computer makers, car manufacturers, and anyone with a toe in the world of electronics need to place orders well in advance to account for how long the chips take to make. Normally, lead times are about 12-15 weeks. Now, they’re over 20 weeks — the longest time Susquehanna Financial Group has seen since 2017.”
March Collaborates with Amazon to Support Insurance Network – Coverager
“Insurance broker Marsh is collaborating with Amazon to support its new digital insurance network, Amazon Insurance Accelerator, where small businesses selling on Amazon can easily purchase affordable product liability coverage… Amazon now requires third-party sellers to obtain product liability coverage after reaching $10,000 in sales in one month rather than three months on Amazon… US-based sellers now can obtain quotes and purchase a policy that meets their needs and Amazon’s requirements from one of the current participating insurers: Chubb, Harborway Insurance underwritten by Spinnaker Insurance Company, Hiscox, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Markel, and Travelers. The policies are made available digitally by Bold Penguin and Simply Business.”