Technology

Online Retail Behemoth’s Monopolistic Tactics Under Fire; RedCloud’s AI-Powered Platform Empowers SMBs

Published

2 years ago

June 10, 2024

Amid accusations of monopolistic practices against Amazon by the FTC and 17 state attorneys general, Justin Floyd, CEO of RedCloud®, introduces Open Commerce as a revolutionary alternative. RedCloud’s AI-powered platform empowers small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with instant inventory visibility, reducing inefficiencies, and preventing counterfeit goods. Floyd criticizes traditional eCommerce as predatory and calls for a transparent trading system to promote fairness and growth, positioning Open Commerce as a game-changer in online retail.

LONDON, June 10, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — According to Google, a monopoly is “the exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service.” In September 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 17 state attorneys general concluded that Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, fits that bill, alleging in a lawsuit that Amazon is a monopolist that employs anti-competitive and unfair methods to perpetuate its supremacy in the eCommerce domain illegally. (1) Justin Floyd, Founder and CEO of RedCloud, observes, “In the current eCommerce climate, it seems as if there is no real viable alternative to Amazon. But there is: Open Commerce, which is poised to unseat eCommerce as the best way for online retailers to do business. The second generation of eCommerce is here, and it’s time to set this retail revolution in motion.”

“In the current eCommerce climate, it seems as if there is no real viable alternative to Amazon. But there is: Open Commerce, which is poised to unseat eCommerce as the best way for online retailers to do business.”

The world needs an open and transparent trading system that unlocks the supply chain and empowers businesses to grow and flourish. That system is Open Commerce. RedCloud is on a mission to democratize the way online retail is done. RedCloud’s AI-powered platform cuts through the chaos by providing millions of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with instant visibility of their inventory, helping to resolve inefficiencies and identify and prevent counterfeit goods from entering the supply chain.

Among the FTC’s allegations against the retail giant is Amazon’s “exclusionary conduct” that stifles the growth of current and emerging competitors with “punitive and coercive tactics” and “preventing its current or future rivals from attracting a critical mass of shoppers and sellers.” (1) Third-party sellers, primarily small and medium-sized businesses, are responsible for 60% of Amazon’s total sales. (2) Third-party sellers are Amazon’s most valuable commodity; however, a survey by Marketplace Pulse reports that Amazon siphons off 50% of all third-party sales—a 15% referral fee, a 20% to 35% Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) fee, and up to 15% for advertising and promotions. (3)

Then there’s “Project Nessie,” an algorithm deployed by Amazon to control pricing. Nessie identified profitable products and raised their prices, encouraging other online retailers to do the same, inflating consumer spend. According to the FTC, Nessie generated over $1 billion in excess profits for Amazon. (4) The FTC lawsuit also points to Amazon’s “anti-discounting strategy” that punishes third-party sellers if they offer lower prices by dropping them so far down the search results hierarchy that they essentially disappear into oblivion. (1)

Reuters examined a trove of Amazon’s documents, including emails, strategy papers, and business plans, revealing a corporate strategy to create knockoffs of its competitors’ products. The internal documents showed that Amazon studied the proprietary data of other brands on its site to identify and copy products as a “reference” or “benchmark.” They replicated the products and then rigged search results to steer consumers to Amazon’s private brands. (5)

Another issue is the proliferation of counterfeit items on Amazon’s platform, which reportedly comprises up to 60% of its products. (6) One study analyzed a whopping 33.5 million reviews for Amazon’s bestselling products and found that 43% of them were fake. (7) Social media influencers can earn over $2,000 per month through Amazon Vine or the Amazon Influencer Program to review and recommend products. (8)
Floyd contends, “Amazon creates an artificial economy for consumers. Its lack of transparency creates an illusion of what it means to shop online. By not providing accurate information, people frequently must buy the same item three times over until they get what they were looking for in the first place. And despite the massive number of products available, consumers actually have fewer choices because they are Amazon’s choices.”

There is a common misconception that most third-party sellers owe their existence solely to Amazon, and there is some truth to that within the framework of traditional eCommerce. However, industry giants are not immune to shifts in consumer behavior. Blockbuster Video, once the unquestioned leader in at-home entertainment, was done in by the convenience, choice, and instant gratification of on-demand streaming services.
Traditional eCommerce is predatory and controlling, solely benefitting big-tech providers who own all the data and try to own the entire supply chain. This centralized model is eradicating small businesses by restricting access to the tools needed to drive growth.

Floyd explains, “Third-party sellers are two million strong. Imagine amassing that strength to turn the tables. It’s all about purchasing power. If you get the purchasing right, then the selling takes care of itself. Open Commerce grants SMBs more autonomy and freedom to engage with trusted trading partners who provide authentic, top-quality products, leveling the playing field of online trade.”

RedCloud’s Intelligent Open Commerce Platform™ gives SMBs the keys to the eCommerce kingdom.

About RedCloud
RedCloud Technology, founded in 2012, stands as a “Rebel Alliance,” leading a bold, second-generation e-commerce transformation. Rejecting the high fees of tech giants, RedCloud leverages AI-driven supply chain solutions to empower smaller businesses, giving them the tools to compete with major corporations. Their democratized, cloud-based platform provides real-time financial visibility, offering a level playing field that breaks free from the dominance of conventional marketplaces. RedCloud embodies a fairer, more inclusive digital commerce future where Davids can stand tall against Goliaths. For more about RedCloud Technology visit their website at https://redcloudtechnology.com/.

References:

Staff in the Office of Technology and The Division of Privacy and Identity Protection. “FTC Sues Amazon for Illegally Maintaining Monopoly Power.” Federal Trade Commission, 5 Dec. 2023, ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/09/ftc-sues-amazon-illegally-maintaining-monopoly-power.Pymnts. “Amazon Says Third-Party Sellers Drive 60% of eCommerce Sales.” PYMNTS.Com, 24 May 2023, pymnts.com/amazon/2023/amazon-independent-sellers-make-up-60percent-of-ecommerce-sales/.Amazon Is Taking Half of Third-Party Seller Revenue – Thestreet, thestreet.com/investing/heres-how-much-amazon-takes-from-every-third-party-sale. Accessed 15 May 2024.Press, Associated. “Amazon Used an Algorithm to Essentially Raise Prices on Other Sites, FTC Says.” Maryland Daily Record, 2 Nov. 2023, thedailyrecord.com/2023/11/02/amazon-used-algorithm-to-secretly-raise-prices-and-destroyed-internal-messages-ftc-says/#:~:text=Amazon%20used%20a%20secret%20algorithm,against%20the%20e%2Dcommerce%20giantAmazon Copied Products and Rigged Search Results, Documents Show, reuters.com/investigates/special-report/amazon-india-rigging/. Accessed 15 May 2024.Sravanthi Munagapati Sravanthi works as a Marketing Manager at SellerApp. She helped successful D2C brands launch. “A Quick Guide on Amazon Counterfeit Products 2023.” SellerApp Blog, 26 Oct. 2023, sellerapp.com/blog/amazon-counterfeit-products/.Millions of Amazon Reviews Fake, Study Finds | Cybernews, cybernews.com/security/millions-amazon-reviews-fake/. Accessed 15 May 2024.Loper, Nick. “7 Real Ways to Get Paid for Amazon Reviews in 2024: $2000+/Mo.” Side Hustle Nation, 15 Mar. 2024, sidehustlenation.com/get-paid-for-amazon-reviews/.

Media Inquiries:
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Media Contact

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Technology

VYLIT OPENS ITS CREATOR ADVISORY BOARD, GIVING CREATORS EQUITY IN THE PLATFORM

Published

7 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Reality star & chef Dom DeAngelis, model & creator Cydney Moreau, and creator-entrepreneur Crystal Jackson named as founding members, with applications now open for creators who want a voice in how the platform is shaped

MIAMI, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Vylit, the 18+ creator-first social platform co-founded by Ami Gan, former CEO of OnlyFans, and seasoned entrepreneur Kailey Magder, is opening applications for its Creator Advisory Board, which will include a select group of creators that will have a strong voice in shaping the platform they use and earn on.

Vylit is inviting creators not just to join the platform, but to help build it, with real shares in the company reserved for those who contribute to its growth, culture and direction. The Creator Advisory Board will give creators a direct voice in building Vylit’s community, the platform’s development and creator tools, along with ownership in the business they’re helping grow.

Applications are now open. Creators can apply by emailing vylit@vylitworld.com with their name, bio and social handles.

Vylit is launching the board with three founding members who show the range of creators it’s built for.

Dominic DeAngelis, known from YouTube and Vanderpump Villa, where his culinary skills earned recognition from viewers around the world, has been using the platform to share behind-the-scenes and day-in-the-life content with his subscribers — the kind of direct, monetized relationship with fans that Vylit is designed around.

“Social media sucks right now. The algorithms are negative, you don’t even see the people you follow anymore, and creators are struggling to find real connections with their fans,” said DeAngelis. “I’m thrilled to be part of a platform that’s doing it differently. Vylit is actually listening to creators and building with us, not just for us.”

Cydney Moreau, a Louisiana-born former track athlete turned model and creator with a following across fitness, fashion and lifestyle, balances her work with life as a mom. Vylit is where she’s turning that following into a business for the first time, on her own terms.

“As someone who is monetizing my content for the first time, knowing that I will have a say in how the platform treats other creators means everything,” said Moreau. “It’s not every day a platform actually wants creators in the room while they’re building it. Knowing Vylit is making decisions with our interests at heart gives me the confidence to build here, and I’m excited to help shape where this goes.”

Crystal Jackson, known to millions of followers as Mrs. Poindexter, is the co-founder of EssentL, a company building business infrastructure and benefits for creators. A former engineer turned multi-platform creator and entrepreneur, she brings an operator’s understanding of what creators actually need from the platforms they build on.

“I’ve spent years building an audience and a business across platforms that weren’t built for today’s creator ecosystem,” said Jackson. “What drew me to Vylit is that they’re handing creators actual ownership and a real say in the decisions that affect us. That’s not something I’ve seen anyone else do, and I want to help build it right.”

Since launching, Vylit has positioned itself as the “HBO of social media,” a space between traditional social media and adult subscription platforms, where creators can be expressive, marketable and in control. The Creator Advisory Board takes that further. Rather than building the platform for creators and handing it over, Vylit is building it with them, giving them direct ownership and a say in its direction.

“The users driving value should have a say in the business,” said Ami Gan, Co-Founder and CEO of Vylit. “Creators understand culture and digital monetization better than anyone. At Vylit, that expertise earns them a real seat at the table.”

“We didn’t want to build another platform where creators show up after the fact,” added Kailey Magder, Co-Founder and COO of Vylit. “We want them involved from day one, shaping the product, the community and the direction of the business.”

Vylit truly puts creators in charge, giving them real ownership and a direct say in how the platform evolves. The Creator Advisory Board is just the start.

To learn more, visit https://vylitworld.com/

To access the media kit, click here.

ABOUT VYLIT
Vylit is an 18+ creator-first social platform redefining how adults share, discover and monetize content. Co-founded by Amrapali (Ami) Gan and Kailey Magder, Vylit was created to fill the gap between traditional social media and creator platforms, offering a premium digital experience for expression. Built as “the HBO of social media,” the platform allows topless content while prohibiting explicit material, giving creators greater freedom. Vylit combines social connectivity with built-in monetization, interest-based discovery through its Vybe Matching Engine, and in-house AI Image Generation and Chat tools designed for its users. Learn more at www.vylitworld.com.

FOR PRESS INQUIRIES
pr@vylitworld.com

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Technology

CNBC Names PayJoy one of the World’s Top FinTech Companies of 2026

Published

7 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Recognition highlights PayJoy’s leadership in emerging market consumer finance

SAN FRANCISCO, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNBC and Statista have named PayJoy to the “World’s Top Fintech Companies 2026,” which honors companies providing digital funding and bank-independent lending solutions for individuals and businesses. PayJoy is a leading financial services provider for underserved consumers across emerging markets.

Now in its fourth edition, the ranking identifies 500 leading companies across eight fintech market segments worldwide, including Payments, Neobanking, Wealth Technology, Digital Assets, Enterprise Fintech, Insurtech, Regtech, and Alternative Financing. Companies were evaluated using an aggregated scoring model built on both general and segment-specific KPIs, drawing on desk research from publicly available sources alongside company self-reports submitted through an open application process.

PayJoy’s inclusion reflects its work bringing credit access to the emerging middle class in Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, South Africa, the Philippines, and Indonesia, nine countries where traditional financial infrastructure has long excluded first-time borrowers.

“This recognition from CNBC and Statista is a meaningful validation of the work our team does every day,” said Doug Ricket, PayJoy CEO and Co-Founder. “Millions of people across the markets we serve are building credit for the first time through PayJoy. Being named among the world’s top fintech companies reflects the scale and impact of that work.”

For more information on the full ranking, visit https://www.cnbc.com/worlds-top-fintech-companies-2026/

About PayJoy
PayJoy expands credit access across emerging markets through point-of-sale financing and card offerings. Its proprietary secured-credit technology enables first-time borrowers to responsibly build financial stability and participate fully in the modern economy. Through its cutting-edge machine learning, data science, and anti-fraud AI, PayJoy has financed over $3.5 billion of loans to more than 20 million people and employs over 1,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.payjoy.com/

Contact
payjoy@thekeypr.com

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Technology

Youngstown Innovation Hub Breaks Ground at YBI’s 107 Building

Published

7 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the United States works to strengthen its aerospace and defense manufacturing base, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense broke ground today on YBI‘s 107 Building in downtown Youngstown, positioning the region as a national proving ground for advanced and additive manufacturing. The Hub is managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM).

Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense breaks ground at YBI’s 107 Building.

The Hub is one of four Innovation Hubs established across Ohio as part of a statewide initiative to strengthen innovation-driven economic growth. Once complete, it is projected to generate approximately $161.6 million in economic impact, create 450 new jobs, and produce 185 new STEM credential opportunities and 40 internship opportunities by 2029.

The groundbreaking comes as Ohio was recently ranked the No. 1 state for business in America by CNBC’s 2026 America’s Top States for Business rankings, up from No. 5 in 2025.

Ohio Lt. Governor Jim Tressel attended and delivered remarks at the ceremony.

“Today is about more than renovating a building. It’s about building opportunity for Ohioans,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “The Mahoning Valley has always been defined by the people who make things, solve problems, and never stop working toward a better future. This Innovation Hub builds on that proud tradition while preparing the next generation for in-demand careers in manufacturing.”

Hub and YBI leadership also spoke at the ceremony.

“Today’s groundbreaking of the Youngstown Innovation Hub represents much more than the start of a building renovation. It reflects what can happen when state, regional, industry, academic, and community partners come together around a shared vision for the future of manufacturing, aerospace and defense innovation,” said Megan Malara, Ph.D., director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub.

The renovation is made possible in part by a $750,000 state capital investment. Ohio State Sen. Al Cutrona and state Rep. Lauren McNally were credited with helping advance the funding request through the legislative process. YBI also recognized the broader Lake to River legislative delegation, including state Reps. Nick Santucci, Tex Fischer, Monica Robb Blasdel, Dave Thomas, and Sarah Fowler Arthur, for their support, as well as U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno for their support of the project in the U.S. Senate.

Speakers at the ceremony included Ohio Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel; Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development; Mary Mertz, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources; Julius Oliver, 1st Ward Councilman for the City of Youngstown; State Sen. Al Cutrona; State Rep. Nick Santucci; State Rep. Lauren McNally; and Megan Malara, Ph.D., director of the Youngstown Innovation Hub. Barb Ewing, CEO of YBI, served as master of ceremonies.

The City of Youngstown, which committed $1.35 million in local matching funds to the project, was represented at the ceremony. John Wilczynski, executive director of America Makes, attended, and Barb Ewing recognized Kimberly Gibson and Alexander Steeb of America Makes for their roles in advancing the project.

Upon completion, the five-story, 130,000-square-foot concrete-framed building will offer flexible space for offices, workspaces, and display areas, along with robust power capacity to support multiple high-demand tenants. The building’s security features, including limited access points and naturally separated manufacturing bays, are designed to meet U.S. Department of War contracting criteria, positioning tenants to compete directly for federal defense work.

“It’s great to finally be transitioning from talking about this project to actually working on it. We appreciate all the support we’ve had from our political leaders and the community. YBI is proud to be a part of the project team that’s changing the trajectory of the Mahoning Valley,” said Barb Ewing, CEO of YBI.

Companies looking to expand, relocate, or enter the aerospace and defense manufacturing sector are encouraged to visit the Youngstown Innovation Hub website at youngstownhub.us.

About the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense

Managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), the Youngstown Innovation Hub is a national proving ground for advanced and additive manufacturing, strengthening U.S. aerospace and defense supply chains and workforce development. Learn more at youngstownhub.us.

About YBI

YBI is a globally recognized economic development nonprofit, advancing innovation and growth across Ohio and beyond. Through a flexible suite of high-quality entrepreneurial services and resources, YBI supports startups, small businesses, and manufacturers at every stage of development. For more information, visit ybi.org.

Media Contact:
Jessica Sprowl, Marketing and Communications Director, YBI
jsprowl@ybi.org

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