Rakuten wesentlich besser als Rocket
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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https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/...ce---ResearchAndMarkets.com
https://canvasbusinessmodel.com/blogs/...0Y9zfB-XDnlWTx4RQ08Rl-G3xsoU
Who Owns Cabify Company?
https://canvasbusinessmodel.com/blogs/owners/cabify-who-owns
Rakuten TV provides access to a diverse range of content, including the latest movie releases, on-demand movies, series, documentaries, and original and exclusive content.
TVoD (Transactional VOD): Users can purchase or rent movies, offering a cinematic experience.
AVoD (Advertising VOD): A library of on-demand content is available with advertising.
FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV): A large selection of free linear channels, including those from international broadcasters and Rakuten TV's own curated channels.
Rakuten TV has established partnerships with major TV manufacturers and telecom companies like Orange Spain, which rebranded its TV service to "Videoclub by Rakuten TV".
https://www.google.com/...RLCBwkxLjIuMTMuMTTIB9sB&sclient=gws-wiz
July 16, 2025
Simply Tech named official distributor; Wevy Cloud to lead channel enablement for Rakuten Cloud technologies across South and Central America.
Partnership to deliver Rakuten Symphony’s AI-ready, cloud-native solutions to key industries in Brazil, Mexico, and beyond.
Advances digital transformation and high-tech workforce development in the region, with localized operations and support.
TOKYO, JAPAN and CAMPINAS/SP, BRAZIL, July 16, 2025 – Rakuten Symphony, Inc. today announced Simply Tech LTDA, a leading digital transformation and IT distribution company, has formed a strategic alliance with Wevy Cloud, a specialized channel enablement platform, to expand the availability of Rakuten Symphony’s advanced cloud-native solutions across Latin America.
Through the alliance, Simply Tech will serve as the official distributor for the region, while Wevy Cloud will lead channel development— supporting customer onboarding and engagement to accelerate adoption of Rakuten Cloud-Native Platform, Rakuten Cloud-Native Orchestrator, and Rakuten Cloud-Native Storage solutions. The initiative will initially focus on Brazil and Mexico, with plans to scale across Central and South America, empowering regional enterprises with scalable, AI-ready cloud technologies.
“Enterprises in Latin America have often faced barriers to adopting the latest cloud infrastructure, and this partnership is designed to help them unlock the full potential of cloud-native solutions,” said Anirban Chakravartti, SVP of Global Enterprise Sales, Rakuten Cloud, Rakuten Symphony. “With Simply Tech’s regional reach and Wevy Cloud’s channel expertise, we’re equipping organizations with scalable, AI-ready solutions that drive efficiency, agility, and innovation across critical industries.”
The collaboration comes at a critical time, as demand surges across the region for platforms capable of supporting AI-driven workloads, distributed infrastructure, and edge computing in industries including healthcare, financial services, retail, logistics, and manufacturing. It also promotes local economic growth by fostering career development through reseller networks and training initiatives across the region.
“This partnership plays a key role in bringing advanced cloud-native solutions to a region that’s ready to embrace digital transformation,” said Sam Freitas, Head of Business Development at Simply Tech. “Wevy Cloud’s channel know-how perfectly complements our go-to-market capabilities, and together, we’re equipping our customers with the cloud-native tools to innovate at scale.”
To support the launch, Wevy Cloud and Simply Tech will begin a regional onboarding campaign starting in July 2025, including enablement sessions, regional roadshows, and technical workshops and sales training for resellers to deploy Rakuten Cloud solutions.
https://symphony.rakuten.com/newsroom/...lutions-across-latin-america
Acorns, the financial wellness app, has announced its acquisition of Zeta, a financial planning platform designed for couples and families. With this asset acquisition, Acorns aims to bolster its position as a comprehensive financial wellness system, catering to individuals at every life stage. The addition of Zeta co-founders Kevin Hopkins and Aditi Shekar to the team is expected to bring valuable expertise in the couples and family space.
Acorns CEO, Noah Kerner, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, emphasizing the importance of supporting couples' financial growth together. This marks Acorns' fifth strategic acquisition in under two years, reflecting its commitment to becoming a holistic financial wellness solution for families. The company has previously acquired GoHenry, PixPay, Chronifi, and EarlyBird, all aligning with its vision of providing financial support across different life stages.
The acquisition will allow existing Zeta customers to access Acorns' suite of financial wellness benefits. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. For more information, individuals can visit www.acorns.com. Acorns, founded in 2014, has expanded globally and served over 15.5 million people worldwide, helping customers save and invest over $26 billion dollars.
https://venturecapital.com/news/m-a/...inancial-wellness-offerings-v1
Tokyo, June 25, 2025
AWL, Inc., Rakuten Mobile and Rakuten Vissel Kobe today announced they have been selected for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ “Regional Digital Transformation (DX) Promotion Package Project (AI Verification Type)”, in an initiative managed by Mitsubishi Research Institute. This month the companies launched a joint demonstration in Kobe City focused on using Edge AI technology to optimize communication loads in large-scale venues.
The initiative integrates AWL’s intelligent camera solutions, Rakuten Mobile’s advanced network infrastructure and innovative AI algorithms at events held at Noevir Stadium Kobe, home of Vissel Kobe, the Rakuten Group’s professional soccer club.
https://awl.co.jp/en/news/20250625/
AWL, a Hokkaido University-certified startup and the market leader in edge AI camera solutions, announced a total of JPY 2 billion in Series B round funding and its issue of third-party allocation of shares with Rakuten Capital, the corporate venture capital arm of Rakuten Group, Inc. as the lead investor.
https://awl.co.jp/en/news/20210602/
Im vergangenen Jahr musste das Münchner Fintech Dock Financial Insolvenz anmelden. Nun ist offenbar eine Lösung gefunden – zumindest für Teile des Unternehmens.
22. April 2025
Nun hat das Fintech mit Rakuten wohl einen Käufer gefunden. Der japanische Techkonzern sichert sich die Technologie von Dock Financial. Das berichtet das Manager Magazin unter Berufung auf Informationen aus dem Unternehmensumfeld. Rakuten betreibt in Europa ebenfalls eine Bank und plant offenbar, diese mit der übernommenen Technologie auszubauen.
Auch ein Teil der MitarbeiterInnen soll im Zuge der Übernahme zu Rakuten gewechselt sein. Für das Team um CEO Marko Wenthin ist der Deal ein Teilerfolg, da damit ein prominenter Käufer für zentrale Assets des Unternehmens gewonnen werden konnte.
https://www.munich-startup.de/109282/dock-financial-uebernahme/
4 days ago
More than just a mobile company, Rakuten is an innovation pioneer
“Rakuten isn’t just a mobile company, and we’re not just an e-commerce company. We’re an innovation company with a long history of ‘seeing around corners,’ using technology to build a better future for our customers and a more profitable business,” Cai declared.
He highlighted Rakuten’s pioneering spirit, recalling how the company challenged dominant business models of the time when it launched Rakuten Ichiba in 1997 – an online marketplace connecting merchants with customers across Japan. He also emphasized Rakuten’s bold decision in 2010 to enact “Englishnization,” making English its official internal language and fostering a global mindset.
This entrepreneurial legacy has propelled offerings like Rakuten Card to the top spot as Japan’s #1 credit card, complemented by a comprehensive suite of Fintech services like Rakuten Pay and Rakuten Bank.
More recently, the company disrupted the telecom industry with Rakuten Mobile, built on innovative, industry-disruptive technology and driven by a mission to democratize telecom. “Today, with AI-nization, our initiative to infuse trustworthy, useful AI into everything we do, we think AI has the potential to benefit all of society than any revolution before it,” Cai asserted.
The Rakuten Ecosystem: A unique advantage in the AI age
“What truly differentiates Rakuten is our vast and diverse ecosystem,” Cai emphasized. “From online e-commerce to mobile stores and point machines at supermarkets, Rakuten offers a seamless experience for its users. Whether it’s reading restaurant reviews, booking a golf course or scheduling a beauty appointment, the Rakuten Group provides a comprehensive suite of services.”
He explained that this interconnectedness, combined with unique customer insights gleaned from countless user transactions and interactions, provides a powerful advantage in the age of AI. “There is no company in the world like Rakuten, and that uniquely positions us to deliver value with AI,” Cai stated.
Rakuten’s approach to AI development is not about relying solely on vendor solutions. Instead, the company takes a deliberate, ground-up approach. “We focus on a specific niche and develop proprietary capabilities that provide a competitive advantage,” Cai explained. “Rakuten starts with a robust data layer, then adds advanced deep learning and language models. Our team has designed a full-stack AI system that empowers the entire company and has allowed Rakuten to create more value for its customers,” he said. He also noted that Rakuten combines its unique data and channel advantages with industry-leading AI technologies from partners.
Beyond mobile connectivity: Leveraging AI and the ecosystem model
Cai then addressed the challenges facing the telecom industry, noting the stark contrast between the rapid growth and investment in the AI world and the relatively slow growth in telecom. “The telco industry, compared to ‘AI world’ where investment is pouring in and innovation is fast, is slowing,” Cai emphasized. He pointed out a recent PwC report that projected global revenue to grow only 2.9% over the next three years, with similarly modest growth in industry investment. “This isn’t sustainable,” Cai declared. “We need to find an accelerant for growth – and I believe that accelerant will be AI.”
Cai emphasized that the key to unlocking growth lies in embracing a “digital-first, ecosystem-first” mindset, shifting away from legacy approaches. “Being a great connector is no longer enough,” he stated. He highlighted the importance of going beyond basic connectivity and creating value-added services. “Platforms that we use heavily on our phones have become indispensable parts of our daily lives.” He added that Rakuten aims to make its mobile apps a central touchpoint and a gateway to the broader Rakuten Ecosystem.
He connected Rakuten’s vision to the Japanese concept of Omotenashi, emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing exceptional service at a reasonable cost. “This spirit of great service for a reasonable cost drives Rakuten’s entry into the Mobile space, where we aim to deliver unparalleled value and reduce costs for households,” he said.
AI-powered automation and efficiency gains in telecom
Finally, Cai highlighted the transformative potential of AI in automating network operations, citing Rakuten Symphony’s Site Lifecycle Management solution as a prime example. This solution leverages AI and digital workflows to facilitate more efficient network deployment and management, resulting in improved build efficiency, significant OPEX savings and enhanced data integrity. He shared compelling results, including:
30% savings in operational expenses and 60% building site efficiency, with 4x faster activation
90% of tickets handled instantly by AI
120K sites auto-provisioned
Cai wrapped up his keynote with a call to action, urging telecom leaders to embrace AI without delay, while offering three key recommendations:
Take an AI-first mindset: Think about how AI can augment every part of your business and how it can solve real business challenges.
Break out of the legacy mindset: Embrace building an ecosystem of AI products and services that deliver value to customers.
Invest in the right tools and partnerships: A diverse approach in which you build some AI, buy some AI and partner with other AI innovators will help you achieve your goals faster.
“There’s no time to waste. The pace of AI innovation will only accelerate, not decelerate. You need to act NOW,” he urged.
https://rakuten.today/blog/...em-offerings-unlock-telecom-growth.html
https://www.usebutton.com/post/...t%2520new%2520user%2520acquisition.
PSG, Felicis, Rakuten Capital, and Capital One Ventures are 4 of 10 investors who have invested in Button.
https://pitchbook.com/profiles/company/63693-37#faqs
July 14, 2025
Rakuten Mart Inc. has launched its delivery service for auto-lock-equipped apartment complexes today in its warehouse-style online supermarket "Rakuten Mart."
With the increasing demand for diverse and flexible methods of receiving goods at online supermarkets, "Rakuten Mart" has been working to enhance user convenience by providing various options, including scheduled pick-up from the same day, early morning deliveries available from 6 AM, and delivery services for detached residences. This new addition allows for deliveries to auto-lock-equipped apartment complexes, further improving convenience.
In this initiative, collaboration with the delivery service "Smart Delivery" provided by RAINAFU Co., Ltd. will allow for deliveries to approximately 9,000 apartment complexes where this service has been implemented. By specifying delivery when shopping on "Rakuten Mart," users can safely receive their goods in a secure container at designated locations, including in front of their door. Additionally, just as with the previous delivery services, products will be delivered in three temperature ranges: room temperature, refrigerated, and frozen, using special materials to ensure quality.
https://www.moomoo.com/news/post/55365190/..._ticket=1752829425710556