Uh-oh, Instagram usersâtoday marks the end of Content Notes.
Instagram is shutting down this feature that allows users to add personal notes to your posts. But why? Instagram says it just wasnât catching on, and theyâre cutting back on features to keep things simpler.
You know whoâs here to keep notes? Us.
- Boost with Amazon Business Prime đł
- From store to juggernaut with Walmart Marketplace đ
- Walmartâs tariff dilemma đ„
- Asiaâs trade shift đ
- TikTok bidding war đ„
TRENDING TOPIC
TikTok is once again at the center of a high-stakes power play. With 170 million U.S. users and a looming April 5 deadline, the clock is ticking for ByteDance to sellâor see the app banned in the U.S.
But former President Donald Trump? The Daily Tribune reported that heâs confident a buyer will emerge before the cutoff. And he might be right.
đ The battle to save TikTok
With time running out, major playersâfrom tech giants to unexpected biddersâare making moves.
- Investors’ plan: Existing U.S. investors may roll their stakes into a new, independent global TikTok entity. Trump has even suggested that the U.S. government could take a stake.
- Oracleâs role: Already hosting TikTokâs U.S. data, Oracle is positioned as a key player in any deal.
- Surprise bidders: AI startup Perplexity and YouTube superstar MrBeast have expressed interest in acquiring TikTok.
- Amazonâs power move: In a shocking last-minute play, Amazon has submitted a bid for TikTok, shaking up the conversation.
đ What’s next for TikTok?
Despite once calling for a ban, Trump now fiercely defends TikTok, acknowledging its influence on young voters. And if a deal isnât reached? Heâs ready to extend the deadline.
Even more shocking? Trump is considering slashing China tariffs to sweeten the deal for Beijing.
A tech showdown, high-stakes negotiations, and billion-dollar bidsâwho will win the battle for TikTok?
TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE
See how The Perfume Spot went from small storefront to e-Commerce juggernaut
When The Perfume Spot started it was just a small store on Staten Island. Now, theyâre an e-commerce juggernaut with a team of 25 people and 8 figures in sales each year. How? In part by selling on Walmart Marketplace.
With Walmart Marketplace, The Perfume Spot was able to instantly reach millions of shoppers, access powerful tools for scale, and sell on a platform invested in their success.
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BITES OF THE WEEK
- Physical Complements Digital: Ecommerce brands should know the pros of opening a physical store and strategize for it.
- Haggling to Prevent Hiking: Walmart and Target can’t just hike prices. Now, they’re haggling costs with suppliers.
- Indian Seller Fees Slashed: Amazon India will cut referral fees on eligible products to boost seller growth.
- Walmartâs Super Savings Week: Walmart’s first online-only sale offered big discounts across a wide range of products.
HOT TOPIC
China forces Walmart into a price dilemma over tariff costs
According to CNN, Walmart thought it could strong-arm China-based suppliers into absorbing Trumpâs 20% tariffs. But China isnât in the business of rolling over. Instead, Beijing is making it clear that even the worldâs largest retailer doesnât call the shots.
Now, Walmart faces a tough choice: hike prices and anger U.S. shoppers or push suppliers harder and risk a full-blown backlash from China.
đ The bigger picture
Walmartâs tariff troubles reveal the broader reality of global trade:
- China can and will push back. Officials stepped in after reports that Walmart demanded price cuts of up to 10%. The Chinese government is now blacklisting PVH and investigating Google for alleged anti-monopoly violations. đ
- When Walmart struggles, everyone does. If even retailâs biggest player is feeling the pinch, smaller businesses are in for a rough ride. With Walmart pulling in $17B in China-based sales last year, the last thing they want is to burn bridges. đïž
- There are plenty of fish in the sea. Walmart isnât locked into Chinaâit has suppliers in over 70 countries. And on the flip side, China has plenty of willing trade partners beyond the U.S. đ
Despite the tension, Walmart is better positioned than mostâit still sources two-thirds of its products domestically. Maybe itâs time to consider more local suppliers yourself.
When trade wars hit, homegrown suppliers could be your safest bet.
ECOMMERCE NEWS
Asia’s power players team up for a new trade era
The Logistics Insider reported that for the first time in five years, China, Japan, and South Korea have come together for crucial economic talks.
While some speculated that this was a direct response to the growing pressure from U.S. tariffs, South Korea has downplayed the idea, calling it âsomewhat exaggerated.â
However, one thingâs clearâtrade cooperation is heating up.
â Whatâs on the horizon?
- Trilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Discussions are picking up pace as the three countries aim to solidify their economic relationships.
- Product shuffle: China is looking to purchase chip products from Japan and South Korea, while those two countries are eager to secure semiconductor materials from China.
- Stronger trade policies: There’s a renewed focus on implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and coordinating efforts on export controls.
The next ministerial trade meeting will be hosted in Japan.
đ Sellers can take a page from these discussions. In times of uncertainty, collaboration and open communication are the true drivers of resilient supply chains.
CASH CORNER
4 smart tips to leverage the Amazon Business Prime Card
Every decision counts when you’re running a business, from managing expenses to reinvesting in growth. The Amazon Business Prime Card is designed to simplify your financial processes and give you the flexibility to scale. đł
Here are 4 expert tips to help you make the most of this powerful tool:
- Leverage flexible payment terms. Flexibility to manage cash flow with interest-free payment terms on U.S. purchases.
- Reinvest with 5% or 3% back in rewards. Use rewards to upgrade equipment or test new inventory.
- Organize expenses with categorization. Gain deeper insights into purchases and simplify expense reconciliation.
- Enable seamless account management. Manage accounts on-the-go and streamline financial workflows.
â¶ïž TL;DR: Maximize your growth potential with the Amazon Business Prime Card, offering flexibility, rewards, and smarter financial management.
When you have the right tools in place, the path to growth becomes clearer.