Amazon had a tense week after the White House called them "hostile" over some rumors. The drama sparked heated reactions, but Amazon quickly shot it down—at least, for now.
So, is the storm really over or just the calm before it gets messy?
- Amazon shuts down tariff tracker rumors 🛑
- 8-figure growth on Walmart Marketplace 🌟
- Walmart invites small businesses 🛒
- Retailers' big AI bet—worth it? 🤖
- 7 budget marketing hacks 💡
AMAZON NEWS
Amazon found itself in the middle of a political firestorm this week after a report claimed the company would start displaying U.S. tariff costs next to product prices.
According to Global News, the White House reacted swiftly—and sharply— calling it a “hostile and political act.” But Amazon quickly clarified: it’s NOT happening.
💡 A misread move
- The idea wasn’t part of a major rollout. It was merely considered (and rejected) for Amazon’s low-cost Haul storefront.
- No final decision was made, and a spokesperson confirmed it’s officially off the table.
💥 Still, the fallout was fast
- Amazon was accused of partnering with a China propaganda arm.
- Amazon’s shares dipped 2% before recovering.
- Trump reportedly called Jeff Bezos directly.
- And by Tuesday afternoon, tensions had cooled—with Trump even calling Bezos a “good guy” who “solved a problem quickly.”
❓What competitors are doing
While Amazon stepped away from transparency on tariff charges:
- Rivals like Temu and Shein have leaned in—listing import charges or adjusting pricing with disclaimers.
- Political leaders like Chuck Schumer are urging retailers to show shoppers how much tariffs are really costing them.
🤔 At the end of the day
Confusion or not, this incident underscores how sensitive pricing has become.
As tariffs continue to affect product costs and supply chains, sellers might need to get ahead of the conversation, especially with Prime Day looming. chain foresight, and zero surprises.
TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE
The Perfume Spot sees high-tier success selling low-cost perfumes on Walmart Marketplace
When The Perfume Spot entered the perfume business as a small e-commerce seller in 1999, it had no idea how big it was going to become.
Now, 7 years later on Walmart Marketplace, The Perfume Spot is seeing 8-figure GMV year over year.
“Walmart Marketplace has been a key partner in helping us fuel our growth.” Jessica Mullevey, Director of Product Development, The Perfume Spot
With Walmart Marketplace, The Perfume Spot had a platform that:
- Opens the door to millions of loyal customers
- Charges no monthly or setup fees, just a competitive referral fee
- Has the tools and scale to help them grow
Ready to sell on the same platform The Perfume Spot uses to fuel its growth? Sign up for Walmart Marketplace. It takes just a few steps.
BITES OF THE WEEK
- Seller Webinars: Prep for Prime Day and master FBA with Amazon's upcoming webinars this May.
- Selling the Story: Get inspired by these top 12 storytelling marketing examples by well-known brands.
- Brand Lift Launches in Japan: Japan advertisers can now measure upper and mid-funnel Amazon Ads campaigns with Amazon Brand Lift.
- Giant Distortion: Tech giants - Meta, Amazon, and Google - are being accused of deliberately distorting AI-model rankings.
ECOMMERCE NEWS
Walmart invites small businesses to fill bigger baskets
Walmart isn’t just celebrating Small Business Month—it’s recruiting. Digital Commerce 360 reported that through a new “Grow with Us” onboarding track, the retail giant is opening its doors to U.S. entrepreneurs who want in on the big leagues.
🔧 The toolkit: access to Walmart Marketplace, seller training, mentorship, and even funding support.
🎯 The goal: more small sellers, more growth, more reach.
🔋 Why it’s a power move—for both sides
- The numbers don’t lie. Walmart is No. 2 in North American ecommerce, and No. 9 globally. It’s a heavy-hitter in Digital Commerce 360’s “Big Four” mass merchants.
- Small sellers, big stage. Local vendors now get global reach and the backing of a marketplace built to scale.
- Structured for success. From onboarding to logistics, the path is paved with tools that help small businesses thrive in today’s digital economy.
🌐 More than a marketplace
This isn’t just shelf space. It’s a bigger push for supplier inclusion—and a strategic move that strengthens Walmart’s presence both at home and abroad.
Are you tapping into Walmart’s ecommerce ecosystem yet?
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TECH MARKETING
Retailers are betting big on AI—but is it paying off?
Retailers aren’t shy about spending on AI. But results? Let’s just say they’re still... loading. Retail Dive gave a run-down of what’s happening.
- Ecommerce companies spent an average of $403,000 on AI tools last year.
- Nearly a third of execs said their investment only slightly improved the customer experience.
- And yet…a whopping 97% still say the ROI is solid.
- The most common AI use cases:
- Customer service (61%);
- Marketing analysis (60%);
- Admin task automation (42%);
- Translation (41%); and
- Content creation (40%).
🛍️ Big brands are still leaning in
Yep. Despite the underwhelming experience boost, big retailers are plowing ahead:
- Walmart introduced “Wally,” a generative AI assistant for merchants to manage data and track performance.
- L’Oréal is using Google’s Imagen 3 and Gemini models to rethink packaging and creative workflows.
- And at Shoptalk Spring? AI was the hot topic—but most execs admitted they’re still in testing mode.
🤖 So yeah—AI is here
It’s expensive, and it’s kinda helpful. But don’t expect a digital miracle overnight. If you’re investing, think long-term. And if you're not? Make sure your humans are sharp, because they're still the real MVPs.
Until the robots take over (maybe), build smart, test often, and don’t fall for the hype.
TACTIC TALKS
7 budget-friendly marketing hacks for small businesses
Big ideas don’t always require a hefty budget. In fact, small business owners can often get by with creativity and a little elbow grease—no Super Bowl ad needed.
Investopedia listed 7 marketing tactics that pack a punch without breaking the bank:
- Flyers and posters. The classics never go out of style. Hitting local bulletin boards and mailboxes with crisp, clear flyers or posters can help spread the word quickly.
- Bonus: Add detachable coupons to track where your leads are coming from!
- Value additions. Offer loyalty cards, guarantees, or referral bonuses to make your product or service stand out and encourage repeat business. 💰
- Referral networks. Forming strategic partnerships with other local businesses can be more effective than a paid ad.
- Follow-ups. Don’t disappear after the sale. A simple follow-up can be a great way to gather feedback and keep customers engaged.
- Cold calls. They’re tough, but they work. Whether it’s a door-to-door pitch or a quick phone call, cold outreach gets you thinking fast and teaches you how to pitch under pressure. ☎️
- Online marketing. A website and at least one social media presence are non-negotiables in today’s world. Learn the basics of SEO, engage with your audience on social platforms, and get the word out online.
- Content and email marketing. Keep your brand front and center by sharing valuable content like blogs, newsletters, or automated email campaigns.
🤫 The secret to small business marketing
Understanding your audience, then using creative, scrappy tactics to reach them. The bottom line: You don’t need a big budget to make waves—you just need a well-thought-out plan (and maybe a few flyers and social media posts to start).
