New Ecommerce Tools: October 9, 2025

Every week we publish a handpicked list of new products and services for ecommerce merchants. This installment includes updates on shoppable ads, reverse logistics, customizable agents, cross-border delivery, generative engine optimization, conversational search, and more.

Got an ecommerce product release? Email releases@practicalecommerce.com.

New Tools for Merchants

Snapchat and Woo announce ad manager integration. Snapchat has launched an integration with WooCommerce, wherein merchants can build shoppable ads inside the Snapchat Ads Manager. The integration syncs a Woo merchant‘s entire product catalog with Ads Manager in one click. Merchants can also set up Snap Pixel and the Conversions API, which provide data for ad targeting and optimization.

Snapchat and Woo.

Squarespace and Perplexity partner for business creation in the AI era. Squarespace, a platform to build businesses online, and Perplexity, a generative AI engine, have partnered to help companies launch and grow in an AI-powered internet. Squarespace will serve as the website building and hosting partner for Perplexity‘s browser, Comet, helping entrepreneurs move from AI-powered research to launch, including guidance on domain registration, brand development, and design recommendations directly through Comet’s conversational interface.

Bloq.it launches Drop for reverse logistics. Bloq.it, a provider of out-of-home delivery, has launched Drop, a standalone drop-off solution to streamline returns. The drop-off device features a single slot for handovers, a built-in label printer, a QR and barcode reader, and a 10-inch color touchscreen to guide users through the process. When the drop-off is full, Drop sends a notification for a pickup, and couriers collect a single bag.

OpenAI introduces AgentKit to standardize building agents. OpenAI has launched AgentKit, a set of three tools to build, deploy, and optimize AI agents. According to OpenAI, developers can now design workflows visually and embed agentic UIs using building blocks. Agent Builder is a visual canvas for creating and versioning multi-agent workflows. ChatKit is for embedding customizable chat-based agent experiences. Connector Registry manages how data and tools connect across OpenAI products.

OpenAI’s AgentKit

Hellmann and SkyNet partner on cross-border logistics. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and SkyNet Worldwide Express have partnered on a cross-border ecommerce logistics service, including warehousing, fulfillment, re-fulfillment, B2C deliveries, and returns management. According to the companies, combining Hellmann’s global freight capabilities with SkyNet’s experience in B2C delivery and partnerships with global retailers enables seamless digital integration, advanced customs clearance, and reliable last-mile operations. The service will be available initially for shippers in the E.U. or U.K., and then rolled out globally.

PayPal Ads Manager enables SMBs to leverage retail media. PayPal has launched Ads Manager, allowing small businesses to become their own retail media network. With no upfront cost and no minimum commitment, PayPal Ads Manager enables SMBs to opt in, integrate the software development kit, and select their advertising preferences. PayPal will then automatically place and serve the relevant ads based on those preferences and other factors. Businesses can control their performance within the PayPal Merchant Portal.

American Express unveils Amex Ads to connect card members to brands. American Express has launched Amex Ads, a digital advertising platform to help brands connect with American Express’s U.S. consumer card members. Beginning on AmexTravel.com and expanding to additional Amex-owned platforms, brands can serve high-spending card members timely contextual ads through a suite of digital media ad formats and backed by sophisticated measurement tools.

Pattern launches free GEO scorecard. Pattern, an ecommerce accelerator, has launched a free generative engine optimization scorecard to help brands understand how platforms such as ChatGPT showcase their products. The new tool provides brands with a score reflecting their brand’s presence in AI-driven commerce, a competitive analysis that benchmarks their standing against key competitors, and a prioritized list of actionable recommendations to improve content, sentiment, and ranking on genAI platforms.

Pattern’s GEO Scorecard

Aspire partners with Instagram for AI-powered conversational search. Aspire.io, a word-of-mouth commerce platform, has launched AI Instagram Discovery. Powered by Instagram’s first-party creator marketplace API, the tool enables brands to find high-performing creators via conversational AI search, advanced filters, lookalike recommendations, and richer performance data. Brands can narrow results to surface similar creators, track engagement KPIs, and evaluate candidates based on verified brand collaboration history.

eBay launches AI Activate program with OpenAI. eBay has launched AI Activate, providing small U.K. businesses with funded access to custom AI productivity tools and training. Developed in collaboration with OpenAI, the program is available to commercial eBay sellers. The program will offer access to ChatGPT Enterprise for up to 12 months. Additional support will include a dedicated eBay team to develop custom GPTs with sellers.

Meta debuts customizable AI agent for brands. Meta has unveiled Business AI, a customized AI agent for brands to guide shoppers and answer questions within the brands’ Meta ads and on their own websites. According to Meta, a brand can train Business AI on its offerings via Meta social posts, ad campaigns, product catalogs, and website content.

Yottaa launches interactive benchmarking tool for ecommerce. Yottaa, a website speed optimizer, has launched a new version of its Web Performance Index, which aggregates site performance data from over 500 million shopper sessions across 700 leading ecommerce brands. According to Yottaa, the enhanced Index reflects ongoing, commerce-specific site performance across Core Web Vitals, page load speed, bounce rate, and conversion indicators, filterable by industry, platform, and device.

Yottaa