In today's episode, John unpacks a significant Google Ads policy change that will automatically enable Local Inventory Ads for all Shopping campaigns starting August 31st, and explains why this quiet default switch could reshape how merchants think about omnichannel advertising. The episode also covers GameStop's escalating bid to acquire eBay, Reformation's billion-dollar IPO filing, and Instacart's strategic acquisition of an AI shelf-scanning startup.

• Google confirms Local Inventory Ads will be enabled by default for all Shopping campaigns - what merchants need to do before August 31st

• Google drops the $50K spend requirement for Lead Form assets and simplifies purchase tracking in Tag Manager

• GameStop doubles its eBay stake to nearly 10%, pushing for a marketplace-meets-physical-retail combination

• Reformation targets a $1B IPO valuation, revealing that 30%+ of DTC customers come through physical stores

• Instacart acquires Arpalus, bringing AI-powered shelf scanning to 600,000 grocery workers

• Hyvä ships coordinated ShipperHQ checkout integration updates during its Magewire v3 beta transition

• The U.S. House passes the Common Cents Act, establishing rounding standards as the penny phases out

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