How Amazon\u2019s own messaging service could beat WhatsApp and Messenger:<\/strong> James Peckham at Tech Radar<\/a> reports that according to reports, Amazon is hard at work on its own messaging platform to compete with the likes of Facebook, WhatsApp and maybe even workplace solutions like Slack. It\u2019s rumoured to be called Anytime and it was reported by AFTV News after Amazon began surveying customers about potential innovative features for the new service. Continue reading…<\/a><\/p>\n Amazon launches Spark, a shoppable feed of stories and photos aimed at Prime members:<\/strong> Sarah Perez at TechCrunch<\/a> reports that Amazon have introduced Amazon Spark, an Instagram-style shoppable feed that appears inside the Amazon app to showcase products. The experience is like scrolling through your Instagram feed, except in this case everything is set up so you can click on an image and buy items much more easily. Continue reading\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n Amazon keeps popular items stocked by buying from other retailers:<\/strong> Mariella Moon<\/a> at Engadget<\/a> reports that according to CNBC, the Fulfilled by Amazon team has emailed thousands of sellers in the US, offering to buy their goods at full retail price so it can have them in store in its warehouses. The FBA program already keeps and ships paying customers’ items for them. This project was conjured up as a way to reach out to sellers that aren’t part of a program, Amazon is even foregoing additional fees. Continue reading\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n $16 falafel patties anyone? Amazon moves into meal-kit market:<\/strong> Alex Hearn<\/a> at The Guardian<\/a> reports that Amazon has released its first \u201cmeal kits\u201d, just days after revealing its intentions in the area by filing a trademark for the phrase: \u201cWe do the prep. You be the chef.\u201d Priced between $15.99 (for meals like \u201cfalafel patties with tomato & sumac salad\u201d) and $19.99 (for ones including \u201csalmon nicoise salad with herb crust & olive aioli\u201d) for two portions, the meals are available to customers based in select cities where the company operates its Amazon Fresh grocery delivery service. The selection remains slim so far, with just 17 meal options available to customers in Seattle. Continue reading\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n eBay has 1,875 \u201cmillionaire\u201d sellers in Europe:<\/strong> Joe at Marketplace Pulse<\/a> reports eBay has published a brand new \u201cInside the eBay Economy\u201d report, highlighting a number of new metrics about eBay\u2019s marketplaces in Europe. The key highlight is that eBay now has 1,875 sellers turning over \u00a31m or \u20ac1m. This number has risen by 50 percent since 2013. In Germany, the number of million euro businesses grew from 731 in 2013 to 1,095 last year, while in the UK it increased from 443 to 663 over the same period. Continue reading\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n It’s nearly the weekend…whoo-hoo!<\/p>\n