Welcome to the Moast newsletter. We spend the week collecting news, trends, and other content that we think would be interesting to e-commerce founders and CMOs. Our goal is to provide value without sounding like a promo for our app. Helpful wether you use Moast or not.

Despite all the doom and gloom in the world today, there are still some positive headlines out there. Like this one: 'Costco's $1.50 hot dog is still a winner'.

Good to know some things will never change ❤️

Here's what is happening in the world of DTC / e-commerce 👇

1/ DTC Headlines

e.l.f. Beauty buys Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand rhode for $1B

→ e.l.f. is acquiring rhode for $1B, combining cash, stock, and a potential earnout over three years.

→ Hailey Bieber will stay on as Chief Creative Officer and lead new product ideas.

→ rhode, launched in 2022, had $212M in sales last year and plans to expand into Sephora.

Google unveils its biggest ads bidding update in over a decade

→ Google’s Smart Bidding Exploration will help advertisers find new search queries while maintaining existing targeting.

→ It adjusts bids within a flexible ROAS range to boost conversions from previously missed searches.

→ Advertisers can use Drafts & Experiments to test and track performance through Bid Strategy reports.

The New York Times licenses content to Amazon for AI use

→ The New York Times will allow Amazon to use its articles to train AI and improve Alexa.

→ This is the Times’ first AI deal, following a lawsuit against OpenAI for using content without permission.

→ The move signals how media companies are now licensing content to AI firms to get paid.

Google explains how ads show up in AI Overviews

→ Ads can appear above, below, or within AI Overviews, but not in multiple spots at once.

→ Only Search, Shopping, and Performance Max campaigns qualify for these placements.

→ Ad relevance is tied to both the user’s query and the AI Overview content.

Read their full breakdown here

Klarna just reported a $99M Q1 loss and is IPO plans on hold

→ Klarna’s Q1 net loss more than doubled to $99M, driven by restructuring and rising credit defaults.

→ The company paused its planned IPO, citing market instability from new U.S. tariffs.

→ Despite setbacks, Klarna’s revenue rose 13% to $701M, with 100M active users and 724K merchants.

Nike and LEGO team up for playful Air Max collab for kids

→ Nike and LEGO have teamed up to create a kid-friendly Air Max Dn sneaker.

→ It features bright yellow and LEGO-inspired design touches with co-branded logos.

→ The launch is set for August 1 on Nike’s channels and select retailers.

2/ Shopify Stuff

DHL and Shopify partner to streamline global shipping for merchants

→ DHL is now integrated into Shopify Shipping, easing global logistics for sellers.

→ The service is live in the U.S. and Germany, with global rollout planned through 2026.

→ Merchants can use DHL’s Delivered Duty Paid option to avoid surprise fees for buyers.

3/ What We Found Helpful

Our guide to product videos that drive sales

→ Product videos build trust and boost conversions by showing real use cases and solving customer pain points.

→ We break down how to plan, script, and shoot videos, from explainers to short-form content, without a big budget.

→ The guide emphasizes storytelling, customer insights, and strategic video formats to increase engagement and sales.

Read the full guide here

@KateBour shares how buyers can be your best copywriters

4/ What We Found Interesting

@DrewFallon12 shares why longevity is becoming less important to capital allocators

Rent the Runway raised over $500M and are now only worth $23M.

→ RtR is a very operationally compleHere's how ads show up in Google's AI overviewsx business that has made several missteps.

‍