If chaos had a flavor, it’d be pumpkin spice and ecommerce meltdowns.
- Profit on Walmart, or just paying for ads? 💸
- Spoiler: tariffs won’t stop themselves 😬
- Amazon’s fine print just got fined 🧠
- Sleigh the season with smarter guides 🛷
HOT TOPIC
The Supreme Court might rule on Trump’s trade powers soon, but don’t hold your breath for relief.
According to Reuters, even if his authority under emergency laws gets clipped, the administration’s ready to rebrand and reimpose tariffs through other channels.
💼 Still here, still costing you
Washington’s made it clear: tariffs aren’t going anywhere. Here’s what that means:
- Court-proof strategy. Even if one law falls, the White House has backup plans ready to keep duties alive.
- Importers under pressure. Shifting suppliers is no longer the easy escape hatch it once was.
- Economic “emergencies.” Trade deficits and even the fentanyl crisis are now being framed as national security threats, a way to justify long-term tariffs.
- Seller squeeze. Rising import costs mean thinner margins, higher prices on listings, and tougher battles for the Buy Box.
💸 Who's picking up the tab?
Yep, it’s you. Whether you source from China, India, or Mexico, sellers are footing the bill through higher costs and slimmer profits.
So plan accordingly: review pricing, diversify suppliers, and keep tabs on trade headlines. Because when it comes to tariffs, the only constant is chaos.
TOGETHER WITH SELLERBOARD
One Dashboard for Amazon + Walmart Profitability
Running both Amazon and Walmart? Then you know how painful it is to track costs across two marketplaces.
Sellerboard now makes it simple with the new Walmart Dashboard.
- View Amazon + Walmart profitability side by side.
- Capture every fee, refund, ad cost, and overhead.
- Drill down to SKU-level profit per marketplace.
- Build custom shipping profiles that reflect reality.
Best part? If you’re Walmart-only, sellerboard works perfectly on its own.
Wherever you sell, sellerboard brings clarity to your numbers so you can scale with confidence.
BITES OF THE WEEK
- Smart Sourcing with China: Ecer.com launches AI Sourcing at ICBE, enabling real-time matches, multilingual chats, and faster B2B deals.
- AI Listing Breakdown: See how COSMO and Rufus AI score, rank, and shape real Amazon listings for visibility.
- Etsy’s AI Era: Etsy’s Q3 shows stronger app engagement, AI-driven upgrades, and a CEO handoff as Depop surges.
- Japan Ends Exemptions: Japan will scrap long-standing import tax breaks by 2026, leveling the field for domestic retailers.
BIG IDEA
Secret Prime subscription price hike ruled illegal
A German court just ruled that Amazon’s 2022 Prime price hike was illegal. Yep, the court says Amazon had no right to bump up fees without asking users first.
Now, millions of German Prime members could be in for refunds. 💸
⚖️ The price is wrong, Prime
In 2022, Amazon hiked Prime to €89.50 a year and €8.99 a month, blaming “rising costs.” What they glossed over was a clause giving them free rein to change prices anytime.
- Illegal fine print. The “price adjustment clause” violated contract law, companies cannot change prices mid-agreement.
- Refunds incoming. Consumer groups in Germany are preparing a class action to recover hundreds of millions in overpaid fees.
- 15M users were affected. That is how many German Prime members may be eligible for a share of the refunds.
Amazon says it’s reviewing the verdict and may appeal, but the legal tide is turning fast.
🇺🇸 Don't get too comfortable
This isn’t just about Germany, it’s about how much control Amazon holds over customers and sellers.
- Policy precedent. Other EU countries may follow, forcing Amazon to get consent before changing subscription or FBA fees.
- Financial ripple. To offset European losses, Amazon could raise fees in other markets.
- Trust issue. Being flagged for “illegal pricing” is not great for Amazon’s global reputation.
U.S. sellers aren’t directly hit yet. But history says what happens in the EU rarely stays there for long.
If Amazon needs to recover losses, expect “adjustments” to show up in U.S. subscription or FBA fees.
ACTIONABLE ADVICE
'Tis the season to optimize your gift guides
Forget “coming soon," the holidays have arrived. With 91% of U.S. adults planning to celebrate, shoppers are already browsing, budgeting, and buying.
Shopify’s guide shares seven smart steps to make your gift guide convert.
- Know your people. Define your audience, their budget, and what they value most, speed, sentiment, or personalization.
- Choose smart, not cute. Use last year’s Q4 data to spotlight bestsellers with strong margins and low return rates.
- Tip: Skip products with weak reviews or long lead times.
- Organize by shopper intent. Use intuitive categories like “Under $25,” “For the Office,” or “Sustainable Finds.”
- Tip: Cross-link related sections for better SEO and navigation.
- Bundle like a boss. Create themed or tiered bundles that make gifting effortless.
- Design for clarity. Keep layouts clean and on-brand.
- Tip: Consistency converts.
- Add an interactive quiz. Help shoppers find their perfect match while capturing data.
- Tip: Keep it short, five to eight questions max.
- Stock smart. Plan inventory early, pad popular SKUs, and align promos with shipping cutoffs.
The best gift guides don’t just inspire, they convert. Keep it simple, data-driven, and shoppable.
