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

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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:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
727-777-4619
jotopr.com

Media Contact

Karla Jo Helms, JOTO PR™, 727-777-4629, khelms@jotopr.com, jotopr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/online-retail-behemoths-monopolistic-tactics-under-fire-redclouds-ai-powered-platform-empowers-smbs-302167615.html

SOURCE RedCloud 

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Achieve named to Az Business Magazine’s ’10 Best Places for Women to Work in Arizona’ for 2026

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July 23, 2026

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Recognition highlights the company’s commitment to creating opportunities for women to grow and lead

SAN MATEO, Calif., July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Achieve, the leader in digital personal finance, has been named among the 2026 10 Best Places for Women to Work in Arizona by Az Business Magazine. The annual recognition highlights organizations that create supportive environments where women can thrive professionally, advance into leadership roles and build meaningful careers.

The honor reflects Achieve’s ongoing investment in workplace programs that support employee growth, flexibility, leadership development and career advancement. Women serve in leadership roles across the organization and play a critical role in shaping the company’s culture, products and long-term success.

“Creating an environment where women can grow, lead and build rewarding careers is central to who we are as a company,” said Achieve Senior Vice President of Human Resources Heather Marcom. “We’re honored to be recognized among Arizona’s top workplaces for women and remain committed to fostering a culture where employees feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.”

Achieve maintains a major corporate presence in the Phoenix area, where hundreds of employees contribute to the company’s mission of helping people move from struggling to thriving financially. The company supports employees through leadership development opportunities, employee resource groups, mentorship and learning programs designed to help team members reach their professional goals.

The recognition adds to a growing list of workplace honors for Achieve. Earlier this year, the company was named among the Top 3 Best Workplaces for LGBTQ+ Employees by BestCompaniesAZ and was also recognized by AZ Big Media as one of Arizona’s Most Admired Companies.

“Strong organizations are built by diverse perspectives and inclusive leadership,” said Marcom. “We’re proud of the talented women across Achieve who help drive our business forward every day and grateful for the impact they make on our employees, customers and communities.”

The 10 Best Places for Women to Work in Arizona list is determined through a public voting process conducted by AZ Big Media and published in Az Business magazine.

About Achieve

Achieve, THE digital personal finance company, helps everyday people get on, and stay on, the path to a better financial future. Achieve pairs proprietary data and analytics with personalized support to offer personal loans, home equity loans, debt relief and debt consolidation, along with financial tips and education and free mobile apps: Achieve MoLO® (Money Left Over) and Achieve GOOD™ (Get Out Of Debt). Achieve is frequently recognized for providing top-rated customer experience and satisfaction by both consumers and leading personal finance review platforms and has 2,200 dedicated teammates across the country, with hubs in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas.

Achieve refers to the global organization and may denote one or more affiliates of Achieve Company, including Achieve.com, Equal Housing Opportunity (NMLS ID #138464); Achieve Home Loans, Equal Housing Opportunity (NMLS ID #1810501); Achieve Personal Loans (NMLS ID #227977); Freedom Debt Relief (NMLS ID # 1248929); and Freedom Financial Asset Management (CRD #170229).

Contacts

Austin Kilgore
akilgore@achieve.com
214-908-5097

Elina Tarkazikis
etarkazikis@achieve.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/achieve-named-to-az-business-magazines-10-best-places-for-women-to-work-in-arizona-for-2026-302833720.html

SOURCE Achieve

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National Press Club Statement on the withdrawal of subpoenas targeting New York Times journalists

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56 minutes ago

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July 23, 2026

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WASHINGTON, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. released the following statement:

“The Justice Department’s decision to withdraw subpoenas targeting journalists at The New York Times is a welcome and necessary step to protect the public’s constitutional right to an independent press.

These subpoenas should never have been issued in the first place. Compelling journalists to reveal confidential sources sends a chilling message to those who seek to inform the public and threatens the very foundation of press freedom.

Every American should understand what is at stake when the government turns its investigative powers on journalists. It is not routine. It is an extraordinary intrusion that strikes at the heart of the First Amendment and your right to information about your government.

The greatest danger was not the subpoenas themselves, but the message they sent: That sources could be exposed, that whistleblowers should remain silent, and that the American people might know less about the actions of their own government.

A strong democracy depends on a press that can report freely, hold power to account, and inform the public without intimidation.

We urge continued vigilance to ensure that journalists can do their jobs without interference and that protections for source confidentiality are upheld consistently.”

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists and a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.

Contact: Beth Francesco, Executive Director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, media@press.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-press-club-statement-on-the-withdrawal-of-subpoenas-targeting-new-york-times-journalists-302833722.html

SOURCE National Press Club

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NCC Launches NCC Connect™ to Put Credit, Fraud, and Compliance Inside the CRM Dealers Already Use

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July 23, 2026

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A powerful new solution that embeds credit access, fraud detection, and compliance directly into the dealership’s existing CRM — removing the system-switching that slows deals and exposes dealers to risk.

AUSTIN, Texas, July 23, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — NCC, a leading provider of credit and compliance solutions for automotive dealerships, today announced the launch of NCC Connect™, a powerful platform that runs credit, fraud, and compliance from inside the CRM a dealership already uses — without friction or duplicate entry.

“Dealers don’t need another system to log into,” said Brian Skutta, President and CEO of NCC. “They need the tools they already have to work better together. NCC Connect puts credit, fraud detection, and compliance right where the team already works — inside the CRM they use every day.”

“Dealers don’t need another system to log into,” said Brian Skutta, President and CEO of NCC. “They need the tools they already have to work better together. NCC Connect puts credit, fraud detection, and compliance right where the team already works — inside the CRM they use every day.”

As deals grow more complex and fraud more sophisticated, dealers are juggling more disconnected systems than ever — the CRM, the credit system, the compliance tools — switching between them on every transaction. Each switch breaks momentum, invites a skipped step, and slows the path to funding. NCC Connect meets this moment with a single, seamless solution that keeps the full credit, fraud, and compliance engine right where the team already works.

Why NCC Connect Matters Right Now

Dealers lose time and margin switching between the CRM, credit, and compliance systems on every dealAuto lending fraud continues to climb, with industry fraud exposure reaching a record $10.4 billion in 2025, according to Point Predictive’s 2026 Auto Lending Fraud Trends ReportState compliance is tightening, with laws like California’s SB 766 (CARS Act) taking effect October 1, 2026Every disconnected step is another chance for an error, a delay, or a deal that stalls before funding

These pressures are forcing dealers to consolidate, and NCC Connect delivers the edge.

Product Highlights:

Inside the CRM — Soft-pull and hard credit access from all three major bureaus — Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax — without leaving the workflowFraud & Identity Built In — Identity verification and synthetic fraud detection delivered within the credit pull, flagging Red Flag conditions before the deal moves to fundingCompliance on Autopilot — FCRA and FTC controls with automatic, audit-ready documentation stored in the deal record99.99% Uptime — The industry’s highest, so the platform is there when a deal is on the desk

NCC Connect runs soft-pull pre-qualifications and hard credit pulls from any bureau or score model without leaving the CRM, while customer data stays inside the existing CRM structure. Every credit, fraud, and compliance result is captured on the deal record — giving dealers a single, audit-ready source of truth and a faster, cleaner path to funding.

NCC Connect extends the same powerful, credit-first engine behind NCC’s Complete Credit™ platform into the CRM where dealers already work. For dealers, that means more approvals, stronger fraud protection, and faster funding, without changing how the team works.

Learn more about NCC Connect at https://nccdirect.com/ncc-connect/

About NCC:

With offices in Austin, TX, Bettendorf, IA, and Las Vegas, NV, NCC has been a trusted partner in credit-driven retailing for automotive dealerships for nearly three decades. We combine a powerful credit and compliance engine with a fully integrated Desking platform to drive maximum profitability. Our focus on innovation, user-friendly products, and dependable systems — supported by a dedicated account management team — has solidified our reputation as a leader in the industry. www.nccdirect.com

Media Contact

Holly Smith, NCC, 1 8285732722, hsmith@nccdirect.com, https://nccdirect.com/

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/ncc-launches-ncc-connect-to-put-credit-fraud-and-compliance-inside-the-crm-dealers-already-use-302832007.html

SOURCE NCC

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