Etsy vs Fiverr

Shopify Opens Checkout to Browser-Based AI Agents

Shopify has extended its WebMCP support to the checkout process, enabling browser-based AI agents to complete purchases on merchant sites, including via Shop Pay. This extension is part of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) developed with Google, Etsy, Wayfair, and Walmart. Three new tools—get_checkout, update_checkout, and complete_checkout—allow agents to inspect, update, and finalize orders, with buyer authorization required. Existing customizations, business rules, and security checks remain intact. In benchmarks, WebMCP reduced average time per attempt from 27.4 to 10.3 seconds, cut costs by 58%, and achieved a 100% success rate (60/60) compared to 56/60 for traditional browser automation. Rolling out to all eligible merchants, Shopify positions itself as open infrastructure for agentic commerce, partnering directly with top agents like Muse and Instinct, in contrast to retailers like Amazon and Adidas that block AI agents.

• Shopify extends WebMCP support to checkout, including Shop Pay, for browser-based AI agents.
• Three new tools: get_checkout, update_checkout, and complete_checkout.
• WebMCP reduces average time per attempt from 27.4 to 10.3 seconds and cuts costs by 58%.

Etsy to Cut 12% of Workforce After Q2 Results

Etsy announced a reorganization cutting about 220 roles (≈12% of staff) to simplify structure, flatten teams, speed decision‑making and position the company for growth rather than as a pure cost‑cutting exercise. Management said it will continue investing in AI/ML for recommendations, search and digital assistants; CEO Kruti Patel Goyal noted the reductions were not driven by AI even as AI changes how work is done. The cuts—mainly in product and engineering—leave roughly 1,600 employees and carry about $35 million of restructuring costs, mostly severance and benefits. The move accompanied Q2 results: revenue of $668.3 million (up just over 6% excluding Depop), marketplace sales growth ~9.3%, and a net loss of about $46.7 million. Etsy has sold Depop to eBay and is refocusing on its core marketplace, including a beta app in ChatGPT.

• Etsy will cut about 220 roles, roughly 12% of its workforce; about 1,600 employees are expected to remain.
• Etsy expects approximately $35 million of restructuring costs, primarily severance and benefits.
• Q2 revenue was $668.3 million (up just over 6% excluding Depop); marketplace sales grew ~9.3%.

eBay Completes Acquisition of Depop

eBay has completed its acquisition of the secondhand fashion marketplace Depop from Etsy, strengthening eBay's position in the growing recommerce market. Depop — popular with Gen Z and younger millennials for vintage, streetwear and sustainable fashion — will remain largely independent while leveraging eBay's infrastructure, logistics and personalization capabilities. The move expands eBay's fashion portfolio and access to a younger, community-driven user base, supporting growth in C2C secondhand trading and circular-economy positioning. The article was published by Retail-News on 2026-07-30.

• eBay has officially completed the acquisition of the secondhand platform Depop from Etsy.
• The article was published on 2026-07-30 by Retail-News.
• Depop primarily targets Generation Z and younger Millennials and focuses on vintage, streetwear and sustainable fashion.

Fiverr's Spoof Skincare Brand Rrelief Targets Work Stress

Fiverr has launched a satirical skincare brand, Rrelief, positioning it as a remedy for work-related stress. The campaign includes products like an anti-aging cream and a brightening concentrate, packaged with Fiverr credits worth $250 to encourage users to delegate tasks to freelancers. The humorous angle suggests that the best way to reduce stress is to outsource work, not to apply skincare. The campaign features unboxing videos from skincare creators Liah Yoo and Jasmine Phipps. Fiverr is giving away 14 kits with a total of $3,500 in credits via social media from September 28 to October 2, 2026. The creative work is directed by Nir Refuah and seeks to reposition Fiverr as a platform for reliable freelance talent, not just cheap gigs.

• Fiverr launched a spoof skincare brand Rrelief to promote work stress relief through delegation.
• The campaign includes anti-aging cream and brightening concentrate, each kit containing $250 in Fiverr credits.
• Fiverr is giving away 14 kits, totaling $3,500 in credits, via social channels from September 28 to October 2, 2026.

Fiverr Releases Its 2025 Impact Report

From its largest business accelerator cohort to-date to strengthening AI oversight policies, Fiverr is showcasing its expanded efforts, impact, and support for entrepreneurs and AI governance

90% of SMEs Affected by Cyberattacks

A Kaspersky study cited by Retail-News reports that 90% of surveyed small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe experienced at least one security incident within a year. The research finds that human factors — insufficient IT security knowledge, weak security culture, and poor organizational structures — are more often blamed for successful attacks than missing security technologies. Phishing affected 23% of respondents, AI-based attacks 18%, while vulnerabilities, business email compromise, supply-chain attacks and deepfakes each affected about 15%. Around 74% of surveyed companies have increased cybersecurity spending, investing in personnel, hybrid/cloud protection and security training; 65% plan further security investments. Kaspersky recommends combining modern security software with regular employee training, automated backups, strict access controls and email protection.

• Kaspersky study: 90% of surveyed European SMEs experienced at least one security incident within a year.
• Phishing affected 23% of companies; AI-based attacks affected 18%; vulnerabilities, BEC, supply-chain attacks and deepfakes each affected about 15%.
• 24% of companies cite insufficient IT/security staff knowledge as the greatest risk; only 16% attribute successful attacks to missing security solutions.