Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
Look Out Amazon, Here Comes...Rakuten?
Japanese e-commerce firm Rakuten announced on Tuesday it is acquiring Ebates for $1 billion.
The acquisition, which Rakuten hinted at last week, is part of the Japanese company’s push to grow its base beyond its domestic market and hopefully, become a global player. Having made some $1.2 billion acquisitions to date along these lines, this is Rakuten’s most ambitious move to date.
However, investors are dubious that the company can absorb yet another foreign acquisition, much less one the size of Ebates, despite Rakuten’s strong cash position.
Then there is the ever-present Amazon, which dominates the e-commerce market in the U.S. Few believe it will falter in the face of Chinese giant Alibaba, much less a Rakuten-Ebates combo.
Rakuten Goes Forth
Not surprisingly, Rakuten says it is undaunted. For starters, it has assembled a very interesting mix of acquisitions. There is messaging app Viber, which it purchased for $900 million in February, the Canadian ebook offering Kobo, Spanish video service Wuaki.tv, Viki, a digital content platform and Buy.com.
Now it has picked up Ebates.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikamorphy/2014/09/...ere-comes-rakuten/
July 02, 2025
Rakuten Mobile Park Miyagi is constantly evolving into a space where a wide range of customers can enjoy themselves, not just baseball fans. In this RNN video, two second-year Rakutenians from Rakuten Baseball report from the stadium grounds the highlights of the 2025 season renovations. The newly introduced karaoke gondola and sauna-style gondola are must-see additions!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOEM2mV63Ek&t=7s
July 11, 2025
On the sidelines of Rakuten Optimism U.S. 2025, Rakuten International CEO Amit Patel reveals the global businesses driving company growth, how Rakuten leverages AI to boost efficiency and innovation, and the importance of building resilience in the workplace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XziBZo1hpc4
July 11, 2025
On the sidelines of Rakuten Optimism U.S. 2025, Rakuten International COO Adrienne Down Coulson shares strategies for empowering a diverse, global workforce and navigating change, highlighting exciting recent initiatives in the region.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4zsO77_m6U
April 24, 2025
In this episode, we sit down with Yusuke Kobayashi, Group Managing Executive Officer and Vice Director of Rakuten's Commerce & Marketing Company, who reveals how Rakuten is democratizing AI for over 50,000 merchants. Discover how we're evolving from "analysis to action" with AI tools that don't just provide data but recommend specific business actions across marketing, product handling, and logistics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POvXtdMKj68
By Keith Dyer
12 June 2025
AT&T expansion is just the beginning of Rakuten Symphony's ambitions in AI operations, as it eyes a future iPhone moment for the AI user interface.
After MWC 2024, TMN wrote about how AT&T was adopting new site management software from Rakuten Symphony to digitise and automate the process of deploying, upgrading and managing sites across its network.
At the time, we quoted Igal Elbaz, SVP, Network CTO, AT&T saying that there were around 7,000 users of Rakuten Symphony’s Site Management software amongst those responsible for deploying and managing its sites, with the software replacing a large number of legacy systems. Elbaz also said there was potential for AT&T to expand its use of Rakuten Symphony’s automated solutions.
He said, “There has been a lot of benefit already in the migration from the old systems to the new system… We’re very excited about this and are thinking about where else we can extend that capability in other parts where we are doing engineering and build,”
Today Rakuten Symphony and AT&T have announced an expansion of their work together, with the operator giving an wider role to Rakuten Symphony’s Site Manager within its processes for managing its Open RAN site re-build, as well as fibre site rollout. A release from the two companies said AT&T has extended a multiyear collaboration agreement to expand adoption of Rakuten Symphony Site Management to accelerate AT&T’s Network Simplification Transformation project and 5G Open RAN deployments.
The company said there are now 10,000 users of the software, which is being used to manage and co-ordinate AT&T’s site swaps and consolidations as it moves to its Ericsson RAN layer, which includes Ericsson’s support for Open RAN interfaces, and a medium term plan to shift to a cloud-native foundation. AT&T has said it wants 70% of its wireless network traffic to “move across open and interoperable platforms” by late 2026, and has started ramping up its Open RAN deployments in 2025. The operator is also using the software to orchestrate and support the deployment of its fibre expansion plans.
https://the-mobile-network.com/2025/06/...i-ops-to-its-iphone-moment/
Inside Rakuten AI Episode 4: Guangda Li on reinventing customer experiences with GenAI
April 01, 2025
In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Guangda Li, Rakuten Asia AI & Data Division General Manager, AI Lab. Guangda shares insights on how the Rakuten AI Assistant is transforming customer experiences through personalized, multi-modal, and universal solutions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s__kQwtfvk
July 15, 2025
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) is among the 13 Best Booming Stocks to Buy Now. On July 3, the company announced it had secured an additional $100 million equipment financing facility led by Triniti, intended to aid ASTS’s network deployment and manufacturing goals in 2025 and 2026.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...ile-inc-asts-secures-210705130.html
https://www.rakuten-sec.co.jp/web/company/newsrelease/fy2025.html
SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 15, 2025--Yugabyte, the distributed database experts, today announced key business outcomes with Rakuten Mobile, Japan's newest and most modern mobile network, as a result of their long-standing partnership. Over four years of successful collaboration have resulted in high availability for mission-critical systems, with effortless scalability supporting reduced operational overhead and increased business growth. The two companies partnered to architect and deliver the foundation for Autonomous Network Operations and together are transforming how telecom infrastructure is built and operated.
YugabyteDB plays a key role in enabling Rakuten Mobile to efficiently deliver several key modernization initiatives, including Kubernetes cloud-native architecture for OSS and BSS infrastructure, AI-driven operations for autonomous networks with automated fault prediction and corrective actions, and enabling its "Telco-as-a-Service" platform. Joint efforts have enabled Rakuten Mobile to deliver these initiatives at a massive scale without disruption, all while maintaining service continuity.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...rship-rakuten-mobile-130000620.html
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...bile-skyrocketed-121-110500047.html
Rising demand for flexible, cost-efficient networks drives Open RAN growth as operators seek vendor diversity and lower costs.
Pune, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Open RAN Market Size Analysis:
“The SNS Insider report indicates that the Open RAN Market was valued at USD 5.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 41.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 26.24% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.”
Major Players Analysis Listed in this Report are:
•§Rakuten Symphony – Symware
•§Parallel Wireless – OpenRAN Controller
•§Mavenir – Open vRAN
•§Nokia – AirScale Open RAN
•§Ericsson – Cloud RAN
•§Samsung – vRAN 3.0
•§NEC Corporation – Open RAN Radio Units
•§Fujitsu – Open RAN 5G Radio Unit
•§Intel Corporation – FlexRAN
•§Qualcomm – 5G Open RAN Platform
•§VMware – RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller)
•§Dell Technologies – Open Telecom Ecosystem Lab
•§Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) – Open RAN Solution Stack
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/...y-SNS-Insider.html
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Partnerships & Expansion:
•§Middle East & Africa:
Rakuten Symphony partnered with IDEAL Software Design to distribute Rakuten Cloud solutions, focusing on the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
•§South & Central America:
Rakuten Symphony partnered with Simply Tech to distribute Rakuten Cloud solutions, targeting Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia.
•§Open RAN:
Rakuten Symphony launched a "Real Open RAN Licensing Program" to promote global adoption of Open RAN technology.
DTW Ignite 2025:
•§Rakuten Symphony highlighted its AI-native TechCo strategy, emphasizing Agentic AI, Autonomous Networks, and Digital Twins.
•§They showcased advancements in AI-powered site management and the Rakuten RIC platform, leading to improved deployment, reduced energy consumption, and faster operations.
•§The event featured live demos and discussions with global leaders on Intelligent Growth.
Other Notable Points:
•§AT&T Partnership:
Rakuten Symphony expanded its partnership with AT&T, focusing on Open RAN.
•§Zain Kuwait Collaboration:
Rakuten Symphony is collaborating with Zain Kuwait on a pilot project for a cloud-native Open RAN in Kuwait.
•§MWC 2025:
Rakuten Symphony emphasized its work in telecom and other industries, focusing on cloud, automation, and open interfaces.
https://www.bing.com/...;FORM=ANAB01&adppc=EDGEDSP&PC=EDGEDSP
2025-07-16
Rakuten Securities launched a new service called "Kabupitta" on July 16, 2025. It targets domestic stocks and allows users to trade in increments of 1 yen starting from 100 yen, with no transaction fees. The service will first be introduced for donation transactions in NISA accounts, with plans to gradually expand the range of services it covers.
Kabupitta is the industry's first initiative that brings a new value-based approach to domestic stock trading, which previously was limited to unit share numbers.
With this service, users can freely set the amount they invest, starting from 100 yen.
This makes it possible to use up the NISA's annual investment limit of 2.4 million yen without waste. Even if you hold less than one share, you will be entitled to receive dividends.
If you hold integer shares, you will be given shareholder benefits and voting rights. At the time of the service's launch, there were 829 stocks available, with more planned for the future.
In addition, it also supports purchases using Rakuten Points, and stocks can be purchased using only the points held, increasing flexibility in asset creation.
https://en-54177.site-translation.com/posts/136420
„As of July 2025, Rakuten Viber's annual revenue reached $75M.”
https://leadiq.com/c/rakuten-viber/...revenue%2520reached%2520%2475M.
Rakuten had paid $900 million in 2014 for Viber.
July 15, 2025
I've been using Rakuten for 23 years, and in that time, I've earned over $16,325 from online shopping. In this Rakuten review, I'll show you how you can earn cash back every time you shop online at your favorite stores with Rakuten, the two options to get paid, one feature you NEED to avoid, and a $30 sign-up bonus for new users.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKH8D4NVQ08
June 30, 2025
Cartera, the loyalty commerce platform trusted by many of the world's leading airlines, banks, and retailers, proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Founded in Lexington, Mass., in 2005, Cartera has grown from a local startup to a behind-the-scenes industry leader, driving over $14 billion in sales for its partners and delivering 3 billion points and miles to loyalty program members each year.
Cartera powers many of the most prominent loyalty programs in the U.S., leveraging long-standing partnerships with financial giants like USAA (since 2008) and Barclays (since 2009), as well as top-tier airlines such as Delta, United, American, Alaska, and Southwest.
In 2017, its acquisition by Rakuten Rewards amplified Cartera's capabilities across e-commerce, fintech, and personalization technologies, setting the stage for even greater scale.
"Most people don't realize just how much of their loyalty experience is powered by Cartera," Mazzone said. "We're proud to operate behind the scenes, delivering measurable value to our partners and unforgettable rewards to their customers."
Since our founding in 2005, Cartera has helped major banks, airlines, and retailers reward members over 3 billion in points and miles annually. We combine our loyalty expertise with leading-edge technology to strategize ways for partners to increase sales and member engagement through programs we customize, build, and deliver. In 2017, Cartera was acquired by Rakuten Rewards, which lent heft to our market share, and to our capability for creating industry-best products and services. Today we are proud to be the single largest source of Shop & Earn offers in the U.S.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/...jVlCI_lwD-twMNN6bS-mptp_8CMr1EJ3nzV
Geoff Hollingworth
July 7, 2025
The last 25 years of Google "business online normal" is ending faster than it started.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/...et-economy-geoff-hollingworth-rswae
From Clicks to Bricks: Supercharge Your Online Loyalty Program By Integrating In-Store Shop & Earn Offers
Extending Cartera's online Shop & Earn programs to include in-store offers creates a more flexible and engaging loyalty experience for members shopping in either, or both, channels. The strategy also drives revenue for our client and merchant partners, evidenced by:
Increased Purchase Volume: Integrated in-store options drive a 33% boost in purchase volume among members who shop in-store compared with those who do not.
New Shopper Acquisition: 30% of in-store shoppers are engaging with Cartera programs for the first time, demonstrating the channel's effectiveness in new shopper activation.
Lapsed Shopper Reactivation: In-store shopping opportunities lead to a 13X increased reactivation rate, proving to be a highly effective strategy for re-engaging lapsed shoppers.
Recent Results From One Retailer
While the introduction of in-store offers sometimes raises the concern of cannibalization of online shopping, our data shows that's not the case. Cartera recently helped a national pharmacy retailer successfully integrate in-store offers into its existing online-only program. The result — over a six-month period — included:
Member Spend Growth: Member spend increased 140% year-over-year, with no negative impact on online sales from in-store shopping.
Omnichannel Adoption: 21% of online shoppers embraced the in-store channel, while online shopping behavior remained consistent.
Increased Sales from In-Store Users: Existing members who shopped in-store offers generated a 40% increase in overall sales.
Key Takeaway: Integrating online and in-store loyalty programs creates a powerful synergy, driving new customer acquisition, reactivating lapsed shoppers, boosting purchase frequency, and delivering significant growth in member spend. By providing customers with flexible, multi-channel earning options, retailers can cultivate stronger loyalty without risking channel conflict.
https://www.cartera.com/blog/...percharge-your-online-loyalty-program
Dhruv Sood Global Digital Marketing Manager Rakuten Symphony
July 9, 2025
https://symphony.rakuten.com/blog/...shift-towards-intelligent-growth
E-Commerce Market Growth Trends and Forecast Report 2025-2033: AI Enhancements and Virtual Fitting Rooms Revolutionize Online Shopping Experience
The E-Commerce Market is set to reach an astounding US$ 12.63 trillion by 2033, up from US$ 6.56 trillion in 2024, demonstrating a CAGR of 7.54% from 2025 to 2033. Key drivers of this growth include the rapid adoption of AI-powered features, significant cross-border commerce opportunities, and advancements in secure digital payment systems.
Market evolution is driven by AI-enhanced personalized shopping experiences, rapid delivery options, and mobile commerce expansion. While global giants like Amazon, Alibaba, and Shopify dominate, regional and niche platforms are gaining traction. Additionally, social commerce is merging shopping experiences with platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Despite challenges such as regulatory compliance, logistical hurdles, and cybersecurity threats, the sector's outlook remains positive, with advancements in technology and consumer interaction likely to spur continued global growth.
5G technology fosters real-time interactions and enhances experiences like live product launches and virtual marketplaces. E-commerce platforms are set to improve mobile shopping experiences and enrich multimedia content through reliable, low-latency connectivity provided by 5G. Cybersecurity investments in secure payment methods, biometric authentication, and advanced encryption techniques are crucial for protecting customer data and ensuring safe transactions.
The proliferation of AI-driven features enhances customer satisfaction and provides insights into market trends, with innovations like virtual fitting rooms shaping future shopping experiences. Zalando's 2023 launch of a virtual fitting room exemplifies this trend, allowing users to create 3D avatars to better visualize product fit, thus reducing return rates and associated costs.
Cross-border trade is bolstered by widespread high-speed internet, smartphone accessibility, and digital payment options, broadening consumer reach to international platforms. Global supply chain integration facilitates easier and quicker order fulfillment, supported by third-party logistics advancements.
Key Players Analysis
Rakuten Inc
Amazon.com Inc.
Alibaba Group Holding Limited
Ebay Inc.
Walmart Inc.
Zalando SE
Otto Group
JD.com, Inc.
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