OpenAI Launches a ChatGPT Business Hub, EU Agrees to Simplify VAT on Online Imports
3 min read · November 11, 2026 · Covering November 10 · 8 stories from 6 sources
Yesterday in ecommerce: OpenAI launched a ChatGPT Business Hub letting companies build verified profiles and a business agent for shoppers, and the EU Council agreed to extend VAT collection to all online imports, not just parcels under 150 euros. 8 stories, about 4 minutes.
01AI & Agents
OpenAI launches a ChatGPT Business Hub for company profiles
OpenAI rolled out a Business Hub letting companies create verified ChatGPT profiles that answer questions about their products, plus a specialized business agent shoppers can query directly. It comes with limited analytics on profile views, mentions and website clicks. OpenAI's Benji Shomair said there are "multiple verification methods" by market. It revives OpenAI's commerce ambitions after a commission-based shopping cart feature was quietly retired in March.
For your store:Claim your profile early. If AI chat becomes a real discovery channel, verified early movers likely keep more of the limited visibility.
EU agrees to extend VAT collection rules to all online imports
The Council of the EU agreed to expand the Import One Stop Shop so platforms and sellers can account for VAT on parcels of any value, not just those under 150 euros, pending Parliament's approval. It would also let non-EU sellers use IOSS for goods already sitting in EU customs warehouses, cutting the shipments they must process separately. Platforms would have to show all VAT and duties in the checkout price before an EU shopper pays.
For your store:If you sell into the EU, watch for IOSS's value cap disappearing: it could simplify, not complicate, how you collect and remit VAT.
States keep pushing bills to stop interchange fees on sales tax
Lawmakers have introduced 75 interchange-related bills across 32 US states, DC and Puerto Rico since 2025, the Electronic Transactions Association counts, mostly to stop card networks charging interchange on sales tax and tips. New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania all have active bills, while Illinois's pioneering law stays tied up in court after a judge exempted national banks; oral arguments are set for January 2027.
For your store:Check your statements for interchange charged on tax and tips. Some processors already exclude it voluntarily, with or without a new law.
Singles Day sales forecast to hit $260 billion globally this year
Parcelhero forecasts global Singles Day spending will reach about $260 billion this year, up 10% from an estimated $238 billion in 2025, as the November 11 event keeps growing beyond its Chinese origins. UK shoppers alone are expected to spend over £2.2 billion, also up roughly 10%, after topping £2 billion for the first time last year.
For your store:Never run a Singles Day promotion? Treat it as a dry run for your Black Friday messaging, pricing and stock readiness.
Amazon's Ring unveils autonomous security robots, one built for stores
Ring is launching two AI-piloted robots: a $249.99 indoor flying camera called Drone Cam, shipping in January, and a $999.99 Rover Cam built for businesses, open for preorder now and shipping December 16. Both map a space, patrol on a schedule and investigate automatically when a connected Ring device triggers. Rover Cam adds a periscope camera, siren, two-way audio and up to 4K video while patrolling.
For your store:A patrolling camera could be a cheaper stopgap than a security guard for a store or warehouse this holiday season.
On's wholesale channel outgrows its DTC business for once
On's Q3 wholesale sales rose 12.2% to CHF 538.2 million, while direct-to-consumer sales grew faster at 25% to CHF 393.3 million but missed the "high bar" the company set itself, CFO Frank Sluis said. Total sales rose 17.2% to CHF 931.4 million. On held full-price discipline despite a more promotional market and expects Q4 growth to accelerate, led mainly by DTC.
For your store:A strong wholesale quarter can mask a DTC miss; track your channels separately rather than watching only total revenue.
Block agrees to hand the FTC data after months of resisting
Block will give the FTC answers to 47 questions and its first batch of documents by November 13, after regulators accused it of ignoring a January subpoena tied to roughly 1,500 complaints that Square froze or withheld merchant funds, allegedly over $2.5 million since 2022. Block disputes the allegations. It marks the third US government inquiry into Block since 2021.
For your store:If a processor freezes your payout without explanation, document it immediately; regulators are clearly tracking exactly this pattern.
Shoppers say AI and social media barely sway their Black Friday list
A YouGov survey of over 2,000 UK online shoppers for fulfilment firm Paxon found 47% mainly buy what they'd already planned to during big sales events, while only 5% say AI recommendations introduce them to new products and 9% credit social media. Paxon's Andrew Scanlon flagged "Stockurday," the Saturday between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as the real operational pinch point.
For your store:Spend less chasing AI-driven discovery this BFCM, and more on nailing fulfillment for the orders you already know are coming.
The Daily Checkout is a daily summary written by KonvertiQ. Every story links to its original source, where you will find full reporting and context. Covered today: About Amazon, Ecommerce News Europe, Internet Retailing, Payments Dive, Retail Dive, TechCrunch.