EC & AI Commerce News Digest (February 2, 2026)

Key Takeaways

A web of partnerships is forming among rivals to challenge Amazon in the AI shopping wars
Chinese e-commerce platforms are turning to AI algorithms to navigate a consumer spending slowdown
Agentic commerce is expanding into verticals like automotive and pet retail

Top Stories

In AI Shopping Wars, Rivals Team Up to Take On Amazon

In AI Shopping Wars, Rivals Team Up to Take On Amazon — The Information

AI firms are promoting shopping as a new area of growth for chatbots, and retail giants and payments companies don't want to be left out. That's spawned a web of partnerships among companies that could make money off AI-fueled purchases.

As AI-powered shopping emerges as a major growth area for chatbots, retail giants and payment companies are rushing to form alliances. According to The Information, at least ten companies have joined forces in the AI shopping space, creating a clear counter-axis to Amazon's dominance.

Behind this trend is the rapid rise of agentic commerce, where AI agents search, compare, and purchase products on behalf of consumers. Companies are forming complementary partnerships that combine technology capabilities with sales channels to capture the shift in AI-driven purchasing behavior.

Last week's announcement of the Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) by Salesforce and Google is another development fueling this movement. The standardization of AI shopping and the buildout of commerce infrastructure are shaping up to be the defining themes of the commerce industry in 2026.

Chinese E-Commerce Platforms Turn to AI Algorithms to Combat Slowing Consumption

How AI Is Rewriting Consumer Commerce in China - Barron's

As spending slows, platforms are turning to algorithms to protect margins and reshape competition.

According to Barron's, as China's consumer slowdown persists, major e-commerce platforms are leveraging AI algorithms to protect margins and maintain competitiveness.

Alibaba, JD.com, Pinduoduo, and other leading platforms are aggressively deploying AI across product recommendations, pricing optimization, and inventory management. In an environment of declining consumer spending, AI-driven personalization is playing a critical role in sustaining conversion rates.

This shift goes beyond simple cost-cutting — it is fundamentally reshaping the competitive landscape among platforms. As a case study showing that AI precision now determines competitive advantage, the implications extend to e-commerce operators worldwide.

Agentic Commerce

AutoUnify Launches AgentUnify, the First AI Commerce Solution for Automotive

AutoUnify Launches AgentUnify, the First AI-Commerce Solution for the Automotive Industry

AutoUnify launches AgentUnify, the first AI-commerce solution for the automotive industry.

AutoUnify has launched "AgentUnify," the first AI commerce solution designed for the automotive industry. The platform uses AI agents to automate the vehicle purchasing process, including search, comparison, and quote generation.

Auto sales involve high-value transactions that have traditionally relied on in-person dealer negotiations. AgentUnify aims to streamline the consumer experience while reducing costs on the dealer side by introducing AI agents into this process.

The expansion of agentic commerce beyond fashion and everyday goods into high-value, complex categories like automobiles demonstrates the broad applicability of this technology.

Corporate Developments & Partnerships

Saks Officially Ends E-Commerce Partnership With Amazon

Saks Ends E-commerce Partnership With Amazon | BoF

The end of the luxury retailer's partnership with Amazon arrives two years after the e-commerce giant made a $475 million investment in Saks, Reuters reported.

Luxury department store Saks has officially ended its e-commerce partnership with Amazon. The partnership, which began with Amazon's $475 million investment in Saks in 2024, has come to a close after just two years.

According to Business of Fashion, the split reflects the inherent limitations of Amazon's platform for luxury brand e-commerce. The friction between the luxury shopping experience and Amazon's marketplace model has become increasingly apparent.

This development raises important questions for the industry about the tradeoff between maintaining brand experience and pursuing scale in e-commerce partnerships.

Amazon and Pinterest Cut Jobs While US Corporate Profit Margins Approach 15-Year Highs

Amazon and Pinterest are slashing jobs, yet corporate America's profit margins are racing toward 15-year highs

Earnings Watch: With Amazon and Alphabet leading a massive earnings week, analysts are focused on hiring decisions and AI adoption.

Amazon and Pinterest have announced workforce reductions, even as overall US corporate profit margins are heading toward 15-year highs. According to MarketWatch, the adoption of AI-driven operational efficiencies is a key driver behind the margin improvements.

During this earnings week, Amazon and Alphabet are in the spotlight, with analysts focused on the balance between AI investment and workforce strategy. The trend of tech companies simultaneously optimizing headcount while driving efficiency through AI is becoming increasingly pronounced.

Chewy Faces Strategic Crossroads as CTO Steps Down

Chewy's Technology Leadership Transition Arrives at Pivotal Moment for Pet Retail Giant's Digital Strategy

Chewy's announcement of CTO Satish Mehta's retirement arrives at a critical moment as the pet retail giant navigates mounting pressure to accelerate AI integration and enhance membership programs.

Pet e-commerce giant Chewy has announced the retirement of CTO Satish Mehta. The leadership transition comes at a critical moment as the company faces mounting pressure to accelerate AI integration and strengthen its membership programs.

Chewy has grown on the strength of its pet product subscription model, but competition from Amazon Pet and Walmart is intensifying. The choice of a new CTO will be a pivotal decision that shapes the company's AI strategy and digital experience going forward.

Coupang Board Member Warsh Draws Attention in South Korea After Fed Chair Nomination

Coupang board role draws South Korean interest in Fed nominee Warsh

The nomination of Kevin Warsh, a former Federal Reserve governor, as the next chair of the US central bank is drawing attention in South Korea.

Kevin Warsh, a Coupang board member and former Federal Reserve governor, has been nominated as the next Fed Chair candidate. His nomination is drawing significant attention in South Korea's e-commerce industry.

If Warsh is confirmed as Fed Chair, he would likely need to step down from Coupang's board. As a figure at the intersection of US-Korean tech and finance, his trajectory is one to watch.

Global E-Commerce Trends

India Removes Courier Export Cap in Budget 2026 to Boost Cross-Border E-Commerce

India Removes Courier Export Cap in Budget 2026 to Boost Global E-Commerce for MSMEs

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announces the removal of the ₹10 lakh export cap on courier shipments in Budget 2026, aiming to facilitate small businesses, artisans, and startups in accessing global e-commerce markets while streamlining trade processes.

India's Finance Minister Sitharaman announced in Budget 2026 the removal of the courier export cap of 10 lakh rupees (approximately $12,000), aimed at encouraging small businesses and startups to enter cross-border e-commerce.

Previously, the cap had constrained growth for small exporters engaged in cross-border e-commerce. With these relaxed regulations, Indian handicrafts and regional products will gain broader access to global e-commerce marketplaces.

India's e-commerce market continues its rapid expansion, and this deregulation marks a significant policy shift toward strengthening international competitiveness.

US Retail Market to Reach $6.2 Trillion by 2030, In-Store Sales Remain Dominant: Forrester

US retail to hit $6.2 trn as in-store sales stay dominant: Forrester

US retail sales excluding automotive and gasoline are forecast to rise to $6.2 trillion by 2030 from $5.2 trillion in 2025, driven by resilient demand, stable inflation and...

Forrester's latest forecast projects US retail sales (excluding automotive and gasoline) will grow from $5.2 trillion in 2025 to $6.2 trillion by 2030. Notably, in-store sales remain the dominant channel.

While e-commerce penetration continues to rise, physical stores maintain a strong presence, reaffirming the importance of omnichannel strategies. Stable inflation and resilient consumer demand are underpinning the growth outlook.

Summary

The biggest story on February 2 is the formation of anti-Amazon alliances around AI shopping. Following last week's UCP announcement, the agentic commerce ecosystem is taking shape at remarkable speed. In China, AI algorithms are becoming an established response to the consumer slowdown, while agentic commerce is expanding into the automotive industry.

Meanwhile, the end of the Saks-Amazon partnership highlights the challenges of platform strategy in luxury e-commerce. At US tech companies, AI-driven margin improvement and workforce optimization are advancing in parallel — a structural shift that shows no signs of slowing down.