Today’s newsletter is packed with fintech, global payments and e-commerce news including the latest research on growing online fraud, chatbot Christmas shopping at Minnesota’s Mall of America, Sears risky strategy of selling on Amazon and Target’s acquisition of daily delivery provider Shipt.

Lots of payments and e-commerce news to keep you current leading into the final 10 days of holiday shopping.

Fintech Friday: Craigslist, PayPal, Baidu, Kroger, Tikkie, Tipalti

http://paymentsnext.com/fintech-friday-craigslist-paypal-baidu-kroger-tikkie-tipalti/Our fintech Friday post features a range of stories from around the globe to keep you current on the latest developments in financial payments and innovations. LexisNexis Risk Solutions reports the cost of online fraud is up 15.4%. Craigslist will now let users accept bitcoin payments. Kroger will accept mobile payments by JPMorganChase. Analysts estimate mobile payments in restaurants grew by 75% this year and are expected to reach 10% of payments within two years. Read more…

Christmas with AI a reality at Mall of America

http://paymentsnext.com/christmas-with-ai-a-reality-at-mall-of-america/Christmas shoppers at the massive Bloomington, Minnesota Mall of America will have extra help from a holiday chatbot this year. Launched on December 12, the chatbot is available on the shopping center website, its Facebook page and a mobile app for use inside the Mall. Read more…

Will Sears sales on Amazon bail the struggling chain out?

http://paymentsnext.com/will-sears-sales-on-amazon-bail-the-struggling-chain-out/In what some may call a deal with the devil, Sears continues to offer more of its iconic brand products for sale on Amazon’s e-commerce platform. The latest include DieHard batteries, tires and other car products to be available by Spring 2018. Reuters says the deal is part of Amazon’s effort to grab market share in the $50 billion automotive parts and products market. Read more…

Target ups delivery ante against Amazon with Shipt acquisition

http://paymentsnext.com/target-ups-delivery-ante-against-amazon-with-shipt-acquisition/Target just spent $550 million to acquire same-day delivery service Shipt in an effort to compete more effectively with Amazon online. Launched in 2014, Shipt operates in 72 major US markets. It has more than 20,000 shoppers who pick up and deliver items for customers. Delivery service annual membership is $99 and Shipt will continue to operate as an independent subsidiary. Read more…