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RedCloud Revolutionizes E-Commerce, Reducing SMBs’ Dependency on Giant Fulfilment Ecosystem

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Despite initial hopes for equitable e-commerce, many small businesses now face operational and financial challenges within restrictive ecosystems dominated by major players. Justin Floyd, CEO of RedCloud, advocates for Open Commerce technologies that empower SMBs and FMCG sellers to reclaim control over pricing, inventory, and fulfillment, fostering a healthier and more competitive digital marketplace.

LONDON, Nov. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — According to a recent survey, 91% of small business face operational challenges and 93% struggle with financial difficulties, primarily due to inflation, rising cost of goods, services and wages. (1) Major e-commerce giants —controlling over 37.6% of the market— have leveraged their dominance to impose rules that place smaller players at a disadvantage. (2) The promises of e-commerce as an equalizer have failed, with small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and distributors increasingly challenged in navigating these dominant platforms. “Restricted access to quality inventory, shrinking margins, and heavy reliance on third-party fulfillment services have pushed many to rethink their strategies”, points out Justin Floyd, Founder and CEO of RedCloud. “The first generation of e-commerce was supposed to bring us a world in which we had more choice, more convenience, lower pricing. That’s not happening.”

“Open Commerce technologies empower SMBs to control pricing, inventory, and fulfillment independently, breaking free from restrictive ecosystems. ‘We create a better market for everyone, lifting all boats,’ says Justin Floyd, CEO of RedCloud.”

E-Commerce Under Siege: Rising Counterfeits and Customer Discontent
Data indicates that the current e-commerce landscape is contributing to several significant issues:

Decline in product Quality and “Junkification”: The internet is flooded with countless identical products featuring the same photos but listed under different names and prices. (3) Third-party sellers are purchasing generic items from manufacturers, rebranding them, and listing them at inflated prices. These listings are often accompanied by generic or fake reviews, misleading consumers into believing they are legitimate user-approved products.Increased Counterfeits: Over 7 million counterfeit products were identified and disposed of in 2023, an increase of one million compared to the previous year. (4) These counterfeits range from luxury bags covered in cadmium paint to makeup containing harmful levels of aluminum or bacteria, both of which can cause rashes, eye infections, and allergic reactions. (5)Customer dissatisfaction: Reports indicate a decline in U.S. customer satisfaction with the largest traditional e-commerce retailer, as shown by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, which monitors over 400 major companies. The retailer’s score fell to 83 out of 100, down from its peak of 88 in 2013. (6)

Squeezing Every Penny with Restrictive Pricing
One of the most harmful practices is exploitative, restrictive pricing, where e-commerce giant’s pressure smaller sellers into restrictive pricing agreements. Retailers must adhere to these agreements, dictating prices they can charge, which often results in razor-thin margins.
Businesses are cornered into accepting lower profitability just to maintain their presence on these platforms. Their algorithm reinforces this by applying incentives or penalties based on how well sellers maintain their stock levels.
This is especially damaging for FMCG sellers, who already operate on thin margins. Any inventory disruptions lead to penalties, further squeezing profits in a fast-paced e-commerce environment.

Additionally, many sellers face restrictions on their ability to sell the same products on competing platforms or through their own websites, being penalized for offering lower prices elsewhere, effectively cornering businesses into relying on them as their primary sales channel at unprofitable terms. (7) “This system forces suppliers to comply, even if it requires offering products at a loss elsewhere to maintain high rankings on the platform”, points out Floyd.

Locked into Fulfilment Services and Inventory Control
Many small businesses depend on these e-commerce platforms not just for selling but also for fulfillment services, such as warehousing, shipping, and customer support. This creates an unhealthy reliance on these platforms because businesses become locked into their ecosystems.
They rely heavily on search engine rankings on the platform’s marketplace and pay fees for every service, often reducing profit margins to nearly unsustainable levels. If they don’t comply with the platform’s pricing or policies, they risk being de-prioritized in search results or penalized in other ways. (7)

Adding to this, inventory control has become another major obstacle. Even when SMBs manage to source inventory from alternative channels, e-commerce platforms may reject it if it doesn’t meet their stringent requirements.
This creates a bottleneck that prevents businesses from diversifying their supply chains or operating independently from the platform. As Floyd notes “Sellers find themselves caught in this complete crossfire. They are forced to buy from the giant’s platform with anti-competitive pricing, restrictive access to quality inventory, and locked into their distribution capabilities. It’s completely one sided.”

A vision for the future
E-commerce doesn’t have to be monopolized by a few giants, disruptive technologies like Open Commerce can reshape the landscape. Open Commerce platforms, such as RedCloud, can empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to break free from restrictive ecosystems, giving them control over their pricing, inventory, and fulfillment processes.
By decentralizing the digital marketplace, these platforms enable businesses to regain autonomy and avoid the pitfalls of excessive pricing and dependency on third-party services. Floyd highlights: “That’s what Open Commerce stands for: we create a much more accessible and better market for everybody, and when we do that, all the boats rise together. Small businesses are empowered with the tools that they could have only dreamed of 20 years ago.”

About RedCloud    
Based in London, UK, RedCloud Technology was founded in 2014 and stands as a “Rebel Alliance,” leading a bold, second-generation e-commerce transformation. Rejecting the high fees of tech giants, RedCloud leverages AI-enabled supply chain solutions to empower smaller businesses to compete with major corporations. Their democratized, platform provides financial visibility, offering a level playing field that breaks free from the dominance of conventional marketplaces. RedCloud embodies a fairer, more inclusive digital commerce future where Davids can stand tall against Goliaths. Visit https://redcloudtechnology.com/.

References:
1.    Corcoran, Emily Wavering , et al. “2023 Report on Employer Firms: Findings from the 2022 Small Business Credit Survey.” Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS), 8 Mar. 2023, https://doi.org/10.55350/sbcs-20230308. Accessed 22 Oct. 2024.
2.    Chevalier, Stephanie. “U.S. Leading E-Retailers by Market Share 2023 | Statista.” Statista, Statista, 22 May 2024, http://www.statista.com/statistics/274255/market-share-of-the-leading-retailers-in-us-e-commerce/.
3.    Herrman, John. “Why Does It Feel like Amazon Is Making Itself Worse?” Intelligencer, 30 Jan. 2023, nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/01/why-does-it-feel-like-amazon-is-making-itself-worse.html.
4.    Amazon. Brand Protection Report. Mar. 2024. https://brandservices.amazon.com/progressreport
5.    Steele, Chandra. “The Ugly Truth about Amazon Beauty.” PCMAG, PCMag, 17 Sept. 2019, http://www.pcmag.com/opinions/the-ugly-truth-about-amazon-beauty. Accessed 21 Oct. 2024.
6.    Coppola, Daniela. “U.S. Customer Satisfaction with Amazon.com from 2000 to 2024.” Statista, http://www.statista.com, 18 Sept. 2024, http://www.statista.com/statistics/185788/us-customer-satisfaction-with-amazon/.
7.    Dudley, Renee. “The Amazon Lockdown: How an Unforgiving Algorithm Drives Suppliers to Favor the E-Commerce Giant over Other Retailers.” ProPublica, 26 Apr. 2020, http://www.propublica.org/article/the-amazon-lockdown-how-an-unforgiving-algorithm-drives-suppliers-to-favor-the-e-commerce-giant-over-other-retailers.

Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
727-777-4629
jotopr.com

Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com

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SOURCE RedCloud

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Zooming into the green transformation, the “Together We Act” platform for China’s dual-carbon talent plan was released

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“Empowering Green Value Chains, Contributing to New Productive Forces” Side Event was Successfully Held at COP29

BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The side event titled “Empowering Green Value Chains, Contributing to New Productive Forces” was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, during COP29. The event was jointly organized by the Vanke Foundation, C Team, and Phoenix TV. The aim of the event was to explore how industries in China can empower human capital and implement green value chains to achieve green, efficient, and low-carbon operational models under the country’s dual-carbon strategy. The goal was also to inspire new productive forces and drive the green transformation of economic and social development.

The side event brought together experts, scholars, business representatives, and NGO partners from both China and abroad to discuss the latest global trends and developments in green value chains across key industries. The event was chaired by Yang Peidan, Director of C Team. In her opening remarks, Liu Xi, Senior Manager of Climate Change and Biodiversity at the Vanke Foundation, highlighted the foundation’s vision of a “beautiful and shared future home” and its commitment to promoting environmental protection and social public welfare. She also introduced the “Net Zero Drive” Talents Acceleration Initiative, unveiling the “Together We Act” platform, a significant new step in the foundation’s efforts to align with its strategies.

Liu Yifeng, Deputy Director of C Team, provided an in-depth introduction to the “Together We Act” platform. This platform aims to cultivate and empower talents in the field of China’s dual-carbon strategy, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to better adapt to and lead the green low-carbon transformation.

C Team is implementing a strategic upgrade to support the development of emerging industry talents while facilitating the transition of workers from traditional industries. This initiative aims to create a green employment market system. According to Liu, workers in traditional industries need to adapt to the “new wave” of industry transformation, while employees in emerging sectors must quickly update their knowledge and skills to keep pace with technological advancements. Through effective training and accelerated efforts, industries, businesses, and regions can better apply technologies and management practices, achieving both technological and energy transformations.

To this end, C Team has partnered with Tencent to develop the “Together We Act” platform. The platform breaks down knowledge into “knowledge cards,” which are categorized and tailored for workers in need of transformation or upskilling. The platform offers smart, content-driven training and quantitative assessments. By using algorithms, the platform provides personalized knowledge to users and includes management features that allow administrators to assign tasks and learning objectives. Knowledge and exercises are managed separately, creating a flexible and intelligent learning system.

Additionally, C Team plans to leverage the data on workforce technology upgrades and training behaviors collected by the platform to analyze the impact of dual-transformation policies and strategies on the workforce in both corporate supply chains and regional areas. This data will help companies and local governments better understand workforce trends and provide support for industry and regional transitions.

Media’s role is also essential in promoting new productive forces. Yang Yuntong, Director of International Cooperation and Project Operations at Phoenix TV, shared that as the largest well-rounded Chinese-language cultural media group overseas, Phoenix TV has long been committed to advancing new productive forces through practical actions. The group has been actively involved in climate-change communication in China and has hosted the annual “Zero-Carbon Mission International Climate Summit” for the past four years in the lead-up to COP, providing a platform for dialogue and discussion among stakeholders and influencing corporate practices and public advocacy.

Xu Shilun, head of the ESG projects at Onewo’s Sustainable Development Center, shared that reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in property management are key concerns for the company. Onewo is integrating its experience from managing various spaces, such as communities and office buildings, into its “Magic Stone” AI system, focusing on energy management to improve carbon management efficiency in public spaces and encourage owners and tenants to adopt greener lifestyles.

The roundtable discussion focused on two main themes: “Collaborative Innovation of Diverse Forces in Creating New Productive Forces” and “Empowering Green Value Chains to Drive the Green Transformation of Economic and Social Development”. Representatives from leading companies such as JA Solar, Anta Group, Lenovo, Carbonstop, PES, Exiss, ACT, Dasso, Hainan Deeprock, and SQUAKE participated in the discussion. The Secretary of the CPC Municipal Committee of Huzhou City, Chen Hao, also joined via video to introduce the innovative concept of “Bamboo Forest Carbon Sequestration.”

The organizers stated that the side event was not only a deep exploration of green development concepts but also a firm commitment to future sustainable development. C Team plans to further collaborate with nonprofit organizations, environmental foundations, leading enterprises, research institutions, and knowledge service platforms to jointly promote public and inclusive transformation, ensuring that high-quality training content is presented on the platform. Through collective effort and the pooling of knowledge and resources, the event sought to support industry development, regional transformation, and the green transformation of society.

About C Team:
C Team is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting corporate climate action and sustainable development.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zooming-into-the-green-transformation-the-together-we-act-platform-for-chinas-dual-carbon-talent-plan-was-released-302314780.html

SOURCE C Team

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Urgent Call: Donate Electronics to Empower Charities Nationwide

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TORONTO, Nov. 23, 2024 /CNW/ – This holiday season, the Electronic Recycling Association (ERA) is spreading the spirit of giving with its annual 12 Days of Electronic Giving campaign. Aiming to donate over 200 electronic devices to charities across Canada, ERA is committed to empowering organizations to deliver critical services to their communities.

However, the demand for electronics remains pressing. More than 500 charities are still on ERA’s waitlist—a number that highlights the urgent need for public and corporate donations of pre-loved technology.

“Together, We Can Create Impact”
Bojan Paduh, Founder and President of ERA, urges individuals and businesses to step up this holiday season:

“We’ve accomplished so much, but hundreds of charities are still waiting for essential technology to continue their work. I encourage everyone to consider donating their unused laptops, tablets, or cell phones. Your generosity can transform lives and reduce e-waste at the same time.”

ERA’s 12 Days of Electronic Giving campaign is already making an impact, supporting a wide range of organizations across the country, including:

Children’s Autism Services of Edmonton – Edmonton, ABWinnipeg Humane Society – Winnipeg, MBBent Arrow Traditional Healing Society – Edmonton, ABCanadian Mental Health Association – Toronto, ONYork Region Educational Services – Toronto, ONIt Takes a Village Community Outreach and Advocacy – Halifax, NSToronto Fringe – Toronto, ONMarina Housing Co-op – Vancouver, BCAgape Table Inc. – Winnipeg, MBGreater Edmonton Live-In Society – Edmonton, ABEqual Housing Initiative Inc. – Winnipeg, MBValley Community Learning Association – Kentville, NSAlberta Children’s Hospital – Calgary, AB

How You Can Help
The holidays are the perfect time to give back. If you or your organization have unused electronic devices gathering dust, ERA invites you to donate and make a meaningful difference. Whether it’s a laptop, tablet, or cell phone, every device can create opportunities, reduce e-waste, and bring hope to someone in need.

Donating is Simple
ERA offers convenient, free pickup services across Canada.

Call: 1-877-9EWASTE / Email: info@era.ca / Visit: www.era.ca to schedule a pickup.

Let’s Make This Season Count
“Your donation today can change lives tomorrow,” adds Paduh. “Together, we can meet the urgent needs of these charities while fostering a sustainable future.”  Don’t wait—help ERA ensure no charity is left behind this holiday season.

SOURCE Electronic Recycling Association

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MyDataRemoval Proven More Effective Than Competing Data Removal Services [updated links]

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Internal and external reports show MyDataRemoval to be the most effective personal data removal service. MyDataRemoval has achieved over 70% data removal within the first week and 90% within four months, outperforming industry competitors who average 26% in the first week and 35% within four months.

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Recent findings from a consumer advocacy group have raised concerns about the effectiveness of people-search site removal services, revealing high rates of ineffectiveness among tested companies. Notably, MyDataRemoval was not included in this study. In response, MyDataRemoval conducted an internal audit [updated link] to evaluate its standing relative to the competition, revealing that it was already leading the industry. Building on this success, MyDataRemoval has since enhanced its methodologies and technologies for data removal. As a result, MyDataRemoval is now reaching a 90% removal rate within four months and exceeding a 70% removal rate within the first week—results that place it well above the competition.

MyDataRemoval will remove your data from people search sites more effectively than anyone else out there.

Over 70% of personal data removed within the first week: MyDataRemoval successfully removed over 70% of personal data from people-search websites within just one week, outperforming all other services tested by Consumer Reports.Effectiveness over time: MyDataRemoval maintained superior performance compared to other data removal services, with 80% of data removed within one month and 90% within four months.Competitor Comparison in one week: The average effectiveness for the first week across competing services was 30%, whereas MyDataRemoval removed over 70%, demonstrating a clear advantage.Competitor Comparison at four months: Competing services demonstrated significantly lower data removal rates, with some services removing only 27% of personal data within four months.

MyDataRemoval’s internal audits have demonstrated that the service is not only more effective in the initial stages of data removal but also continues to outperform over time. Its proprietary methods, commitment to ongoing audits, and dedication to continuous improvement ensure that it remains a leader in data removal.

MyDataRemoval acknowledges that while current effectiveness rates are industry-leading, there is still room for growth. The goal is to achieve over 90% removal rates across all categories and time frames. MyDataRemoval is committed to conducting monthly audits and making these results publicly available to ensure transparency and continuous improvement. You can see the most recent audit results here [updated link].

Privacy is more important than ever, and MyDataRemoval is here to help individuals reclaim theirs. Do not settle for ineffective data removal—trust the service that has been proven to deliver results. Find MyDataRemoval at www.mydataremoval.com or contact us at hello@mydataremoval.com or call (855) 700-2914 to start your journey towards a more private online presence.

Stay tuned for our monthly audit updates to see how we are continuously improving to make your personal information private once again.

Audit date: 8/9/2024

Profiles removed within 1 week: 85%Profiles removed within 1 month: 71%Profiles removed within 4 months: 73%

Audit date: 9/9/2024

Profiles removed within 1 week: 85%Profiles removed within 1 month: 78%Profiles removed within 4 months: 92%

Audit date: 10/9/2024

Profiles removed within 1 week: 59%Profiles removed within 1 month: 81%Profiles removed within 4 months: 90%

Audit date: 11/9/2024

Profiles removed within 1 week: 77%Profiles removed within 1 month: 81%Profiles removed within 4 months: 90%

Media Contact

James Wilson, MyDataRemoval, 1 8557002194, hello@mydataremoval.com, https://www.mydataremoval.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/mydataremoval-proven-more-effective-than-competing-data-removal-services-updated-links-302313853.html

SOURCE MyDataRemoval

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