Instacart looks to extend its technological reach: At the same time, it also plans to focus most of its IPO on employees’ share to help it retain and attract talent.

Since May 2022, online grocery prices have risen faster than those of any other ecommerce category, per Adobe’s Digital Price Index. In July, the year-over-year price change for online grocery reached 13.4%, a record high for the year.

Regulators ramp up efforts on Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard buy: Inquiries into the $68.7 billion blockbuster deal are intensifying, and momentum could carry over to similar gaming mergers.

The EHR giant’s new Life Sciences program shows how large datasets can help expand clinical trial access to underserved communities.

A tech cold war intensifies: A federal order protecting US tech interests highlights anxiety over China surpassing the US as a global tech superpower. Some weaknesses are closer to home.

Acast banks on layoffs to speed path to profitability: Podcast hosting service to let go 15% of staff to cut costs in softening ad market.

Streamers won't sacrifice their brands for sports rights: Disney is keeping gambling at arm’s length while Apple and Amazon run from a Saudi golf deal.

According to video game developers, streaming will grow the most of any gaming platform by 2025, cited by 40% of those surveyed. Another 24% said mobile will grow the most, while fewer pointed to the metaverse or consoles.

Gap experiences the pitfalls of celebrity-retail partnerships: The retailer’s relationship with Kanye West’s Yeezy brand fell apart after product delays and creative disagreements.

EU moves to make IoT devices safer: Smart home device manufacturers are being compelled to develop more secure devices and be more transparent about flaws and fixes. Industry-wide standards are needed.

Fintech valuations remained steady while crypto and blockchain deals jumped 75%.

COVID-19 compounds labor shortages: A new study finds that around 500,000 workers have left the workforce due to the coronavirus, which is complicating retailers’ efforts to staff up ahead of the holiday season.

Patreon downsizes in strategy shift: Creator-monetization platform idles 17% of staff and closes offices after pandemic overexpansion.

The consumer watchdog plans to regulate BNPL providers similarly to credit card issuers following a nearly yearlong investigation.

In hopes of beefing up its Marketplace presence, Walmart has added a new suite of ad tools, making it easier for smaller brands to join and sell on the platform.

Pinterest’s new “Don’t Don’t Yourself” ad campaign highlights the platform as a site for genuineness and creativity, while hinting at the darker sides of other social media networks.