This Week in M&A Issue #218
January 5, 2026
Happy New Year!
Wishing you a happy 2026 full of growth and success! 🎇
Today’s trend of the week is “Boxing Day”.
The holiday shopping season just got even longer, and there’s a new day to mark on your calendar.
Boxing Day, held on December 26th, is catching on fast in the U.S. What began in the UK as a day to give gifts to those in need has evolved into a major shopping event. Americans, already hooked on named shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, are joining the trend.
In 2025, big U.S. retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Macy’s, and Nordstrom are offering deep discounts on electronics, fashion, home goods, and beauty products. Many are using Boxing Day as a structured clearance event to move seasonal and overstocked items.
And, if the major brands are doing it, small businesses and online stores can too. By offering targeted deals, limited-time offers, or exclusive bundles, you can capture bargain-hungry shoppers looking for post-Christmas deals.
Boxing Day may still feel new in the U.S., but it’s becoming a powerful way for businesses to drive sales and clear inventory after the holidays.
Today we have for you:
- Meta buys fast-growing AI startup Manus
- Holiday chaos as December Core Update slashes traffic
And:
- How to win visibility in AI search
- Ecommerce trends every seller should watch in 2026
Alright, let’s dive in.
AI
Image Source: Giphy (ElitElectronics)
Meta Bets Big on Manus in a Multibillion-Dollar AI Deal
Meta has announced plans to acquire Chinese artificial intelligence startup Manus, as the Facebook parent ramps up efforts to expand advanced AI features across its platforms.
In a blog post, Meta said Manus will join the company to help expand access to general-purpose AI agents. Unlike traditional chatbots that rely on constant prompts, Manus has built an autonomous AI system designed to independently complete complex tasks such as market research, coding, and data analysis.
While Meta has not confirmed the purchase price, The Wall Street Journal reported the deal is valued at over $2 billion. Manus will continue to operate as a standalone product, while its technology is gradually integrated into Meta AI and other consumer and business tools. Meta said it plans to scale the service for a wider business audience over time.
Manus gained global attention last spring after a demo video went viral on X, showing its AI agent screening job candidates, planning vacations, and analyzing stock portfolios. At launch, the company claimed its system outperformed OpenAI’s Deep Research, helping attract significant interest from investors and industry leaders.
Manus says its platform has processed more than 147 trillion tokens, created over 80 million virtual computers, and now serves millions of users worldwide. Just weeks after launch, Manus raised $75 million in a funding round led by Benchmark, valuing the company at $500 million. The company now reports more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue.
Although founded by a Chinese team, Manus does not operate in China and relocated its headquarters to Singapore amid rising U.S.-China tensions.
For Meta, the deal delivers something rare in today’s AI race: a proven AI product that is already generating meaningful revenue.
The Opportunity podcast
![How To Win Visibility in AI Search With Sergey Lucktinov [Ep.199]-min](https://1745913.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/1745913/How%20To%20Win%20Visibility%20in%20AI%20Search%20With%20Sergey%20Lucktinov%20%5BEp.199%5D-min.png)
AI Search Is Changing How Customers Find Your Business
AI tools are answering your customers’ questions. But is your business part of the answer?
In this episode, we sit down with Segey Lucktinov, an AI search visibility expert. He breaks down how visibility works in the age of AI, and how to make sure your brand is being mentioned.
We dig into how AI has fundamentally changed SEO, shifting the focus from keywords and links to meaning, trust, and retrieval eligibility. Sergey explains how to format content so large language models (LLMs) can easily understand and reuse it, and how AI has quietly leveled the playing field, giving smaller companies new ways to compete with established giants in search.
We also break down Semantic Entity Networks (SENs) and how they fit into modern on-page optimization, as well as the biggest mistakes and misconceptions businesses have about LLM optimization.
If you want to boost your brand’s visibility in AI search, this episode is a must-listen.
ecommerce
What Ecommerce Sellers Can Expect in 2026
Ecommerce did not slow down in 2025, but it did grow up. As we move into 2026, there are now more than 28 million ecommerce sites worldwide, making competition fiercer than ever.
Online shopping now represents about 20.5% of global retail sales, up from 19.9% in 2024. Global ecommerce revenue reached $6.42 trillion, growing nearly 7% year over year. Social commerce alone has passed $1.17 trillion, confirming that discovery and checkout are increasingly happening in the same place.
Here are a few trends to keep in mind as we head into the new year:
Mobile Is No Longer Optional
Nearly 3 billion people shopped online in 2025, with mobile devices driving the majority of that activity. Mobile commerce now accounts for 59% of online retail sales, and smartphones generate 78% of ecommerce traffic. In the U.S., 70% of mobile shoppers prefer dedicated apps over mobile websites, giving brands with strong app experiences a clear advantage going into 2026.
Cross-Border and Emerging Markets Matter
More than 52% of shoppers now buy from international retailers, opening major opportunities for cross-border sellers. Latin America leads regional growth at over 12% year over year, reaching $191 billion in ecommerce sales. Mexico, in particular, is on track to surpass U.S. ecommerce penetration in 2026.
What Shoppers Expect Now
Customer expectations are higher and less forgiving. AI-powered product discovery, recommendations, and support are now standard. Social platforms have become full-funnel sales channels. Fast delivery and easy returns directly impact conversions, especially when the average global conversion rate remains around 1.58%.
Shipping costs remain one of the biggest threats to revenue. With cart abandonment at 70%, and over 90% of shoppers abandoning when shipping feels too expensive, free or low-cost shipping is becoming a major contributor to conversions. Sustainability also plays a growing role, with many shoppers actively choosing brands that offer eco-friendly or circular options.
How to Get Ahead in 2026
In 2026, success in ecommerce will come from reducing friction, building trust, and delivering consistent, intelligent experiences at every touchpoint.
Invest in mobile-first and app-based experiences, treat AI as core infrastructure, localize for cross-border growth, and optimize shipping and returns.
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December Core Update Shakes Publishers at the Worst Possible Time
Google’s December 2025 core update landed at the worst possible time for publishers and left many reeling during the peak holiday season. It was Google’s third core update of the year and triggered significant ranking volatility along with a sharp collapse in Google Discover traffic for many news and media sites.
Google announced the update on December 11, calling it a routine improvement aimed at surfacing more relevant and satisfying content. While the company projected a three-week rollout through January 1, 2026, the update ultimately ran for just over 18 days. It began around 12:25 pm ET on December 11 and officially wrapped up at approximately 2:05 pm ET on December 29.
Within days, SEO tracking tools reported major fluctuations across search results. Industry watchers noted significant movement starting December 12, with the biggest spike in volatility arriving on December 13. A second wave of turbulence appeared around December 20, suggesting the rollout intensified as the holidays approached.
For many publishers, the biggest blow came from Google Discover. Site owners reported steep drops in impressions and clicks, with some losing 70 to 85% of their daily traffic. The losses were especially painful because Discover had become a critical traffic driver, accounting for roughly two-thirds of Google referrals for news publishers earlier in the year.
The timing magnified the damage. December is traditionally the most profitable month for digital publishers thanks to higher ad rates and increased reader engagement. As traffic declined, revenue opportunities vanished along with it.
Reports from SEO forums showed mixed outcomes, with some well-optimized pages gaining visibility while older content declined, adding confusion for site owners trying to diagnose the changes.
With Google promising more core updates, more often, disruptions like these may become the norm in 2026.
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