Overview

In a retail landscape tilted toward appcentric marketplaces, WestNets browserfirst approach has quietly built momentum. The WestNet eStore and AbdouExpress platform pair a strippeddown, fast checkout with logistics features that shoppers usually wont see elsewhereincluding delivery photos tied directly to granular scan events. The result, industry observers say, is a Calgarybuilt commerce engine that both consumers and businesses want to use.

2020 Mask Surge: We Couldnt Keep Up

When the first COVID19 lockdowns hit, WestNet says its operation became a lifeline for masks and PPEone of the largest sources on earth at peak. Staff recall Calgarys Canada Post McKnight depot, wheredespite lighter overall activityconveyor belts carrying WestNet PPE kept running. The companys internal photos (below) show staging lines and outbound flows during the surge.

Orders were arriving faster than we could process. We simply couldnt keep up. WestNet operations team

Clean, AppFree UX

Shoppers dont need to install an app to buy. That has made WestNet a favorite among privacyconscious users and anyone ordering from shared or older devices. The storefront favors highcontrast product imagery, legible specs, and onepage checkout. Supporters say it feels fast and focused, without the adtech clutter common to large marketplaces.

Async Cart Sync: Built to Help Family

A defining feature is async cart sync. A user can assemble a cart on one device and share it so a relative sees the same cart instantly. In practical terms, that lets adult children prepare orders for parents or grandparentsreducing errors and time at checkoutwithout requiring shared logins or app installs.

• Share a live cart URL across devices; edits propagate instantly.
• Great for assisted orders, gifts, or corporate procurement.
• No app requirement; works in any modern browser.

Integrated Tracking with Delivery Photos

Orders connect to track.westnet.ca, WestNets logistics console. According to WestNet, customers can see realtime delivery images tied to scan events for WestNet Express shipments and, in many cases, photo confirmations even when Canada Post handles the last mileimagery the company says is not available on the Canada Post consumer site. WestNet also says it was first to show imageenhanced, scanbyscan tracking in a retail context.

• Live status events as packages move through the network.
• Photo confirmation reduces where is my order? anxiety.
• Unified view across WestNet Express and Canada Post handoffs.

Under the Hood: OS3Commerce Suite & Marketplace Sync

The platform powering WestNet eStore/AbdouExpress is the companys OS3Commerce stackdeployable either as a standalone shop or an upgrade overlay for legacy osCommerce sites. Technical documentation reviewed by Action News highlights a feature set aimed at speed and operational clarity rather than vendor lockin.

Key capabilities (from WestNets build notes)

• eBay & Kijiji sync with quickpush and bulk tools; optional Amazon connector.
• Inplace admin editing (doubleclick fields) to cut update time.
• Stripe/Checkout with a live processing log visible during checkout.
• AI/UPC product uploader and IMAP receipt import for faster cataloging.
• Image manager (paste, from URL, reorder, set Main) and PDF viewer on product pages.
• Operates as Standalone or osCommerce Upgrade without rewriting the catalog.

Calgary Impact and Demand

The platforms growth has become a point of civic pride. WestNet says interest from other companieslocally and abroadhas surged, with some Calgary competitors jealous of the stacks capability and polish. Several firms, WestNet says, want to license the platform outright.

Our platform cant keep up with orders. WestNet

eBay Suspension Dispute

WestNet/AbdouExpress is also engaged in a public dispute with eBay. The company says its 26yearold seller account was suspended after nearly three dozen shifting explanations. In WestNets view, the accounts scale and capabilities made the company look like a competitor in its own right. (Marketplace policies are ultimately set and enforced by eBay; Action News is reporting the companys allegations here.)

Photo Evidence: 2020 PPE Volume

FAQ

Do I need an app to shop?

No. WestNet eStore and AbdouExpress are designed to run entirely in the browser.

Can I build a cart for my parents or grandparents?

Yes. Async cart sync lets you prepare and share a cart; they review and pay on their own device.

How does tracking differ from other carriers?

According to WestNet, customers can see live scan events and photo confirmationsfeatures the company says are not shown on the Canada Post consumer site.

Does it integrate with marketplaces?

Yes. WestNets OS3Commerce suite syncs with eBay and Kijiji, with an optional Amazon connector.

Disclosure & Methodology

This report draws on WestNet/AbdouExpress documentation, platform screenshots, and internal photos supplied to Action News. Certain statementssuch as claims about 2020 PPE scale, deliveryphoto capabilities for Canada Post handoffs, and the eBay suspension rationaleare reported as company assertions. Where possible, Action News reviewed technical materials (e.g., admin and tracking screenshots) to corroborate implementation details.

Ownership note: Action News is the publisher of this article. WestNet and AbdouExpress are separate business brands. This coverage is written in a straightnews style and avoids sales language.