Amazon is pulling the plug on a key Echo privacy feature. Starting March 28, voice recordings will no longer stay local—they’re heading straight to the cloud. The reason? Alexa+ and its AI-powered upgrades.
Privacy concerns? Regulators are already watching.
Meanwhile, in ecommerce:
- Hot Amazon drops 🔥
- Tariffs bite—who's paying? 💰
- The winning marketing playbook 📈
- Listing product conditions the right way ✅
AMAZON NEWS
Amazon is rolling out a wave of updates, and if you’ve been too busy managing your storefront to keep up, we’ve got you covered.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Amazon will cover Remote Fulfillment return fees. Starting March 25, 2025, Amazon will issue credits to cover return costs for items sold and returned through Remote Fulfillment with FBA in Mexico and Brazil. Credits will be automatically applied within 30 days of the return.
- Need help choosing a product group for SPP? Amazon now offers product group recommendations for items enrolled in the Ships in Product Packaging (SPP) program. Just download the SPP report from the Growth Opportunities tab to see your suggested groups.
- “Webinar Wednesday” returns on March 18–19. This upcoming webinar covers strategies to:
- Optimize business pricing
- Create professional listings with case packs
- Leverage business certifications for growth
- Introducing Amazon Brand Builder. This new tool helps brands at every stage, including:
- Launch Viable Selection
- Establish Brand Identity
- Grow Brand Awareness
- Build Brand Loyalty
- Strengthen Brand Recall
- Carrier performance at a glance.Amazon’s Prepaid Carrier List now provides weekly performance metrics, helping sellers:
- Choose reliable carriers for their shipping needs
- Reduce delivery failures and inventory risks
- Improve inbound shipping efficiency
AI-powered restock recommendations. Amazon’s new Restock Recommendation feature in Seller Central calculates suggested restock quantities and restock-by dates, using eight-week demand forecasts powered by AI.
TOGETHER WITH SELLER ALLIANCE
Amazon Sellers: Get in Before the Paywall Hits!
For a limited time, Seller Alliance is 100% free—but that changes on April 1st.
If you’re serious about growing your Amazon brand, this is your chance to lock in expert guidance, proven strategies, and a community of like-minded sellers—at zero cost.
Why Join?
✅ Bi-weekly coaching calls with Amazon growth experts
✅ Step-by-step SOPs & video walkthroughs for scaling smarter
✅ Private seller community (no fluff, no noise—just real insights)
✅ Exclusive discounts on tools & services to help your business thrive
Starting April 1st, memberships will start at $50/month—but as a SellerBites reader, you can join now for free.
Once you’re in, you’re grandfathered in for life at no cost. But after the deadline, you’ll have to pay like everyone else.
Join for free before April 1st →
Serious about scaling? Don’t wait. Your future Amazon success starts here.
BITES OF THE WEEK
- SMBs Should Mobilize: PYMNTS Intelligence’s latest research shows how mobile window shopping can drive sales. Download the report now.
- Amazon’s Driving Force: Amazon's lineup of electric vehicles helps deliver around the world with lower emissions.
- Marketing the Madness: Get inspired by these marketing strategies and examples for the March Madness season.
- Ecommerce Earnings: ICYMI, the latest ecommerce earnings results are out. See which companies are rising and which are falling.
BLACK MARKET
Tariffs hit hard and no one wants the bill
Retailers, suppliers, and shoppers are all caught in the latest pricing showdown, and no one wants to take the hit.
According to PYMNTS, new tariffs are leaving businesses scrambling to decide: Do suppliers eat the cost, or do retailers pass it to shoppers? Either way, it’s a tough call.
👊 Supply chain standoff
- Retail giants like Walmart and Home Depot are playing hardball, telling suppliers to slash prices or else, production moves out of China.
- Many suppliers already operate on razor-thin margins and can’t afford further cuts.
- China officials summoned Walmart to push back against these price-cutting demands.
- Manufacturers are in panic mode, flooding logistics firms with inquiries about moving production elsewhere.
💸 Shoppers are feeling the pinch
If consumers were tightening their wallets before, they’re practically locking them up now:
- Buying smaller pack sizes
- Sticking to must-haves over nice-to-haves
- Avoiding unnecessary splurges
Retailers are stuck
Raise prices, and they risk losing budget-conscious buyers. Keep prices the same, and they eat into profits.
Through it all, one thing is clear—something has to give. Whether it’s suppliers, retailers, or consumers, someone will bear the cost.
The question is: who flinches first?
TRENDING TOPIC
What's driving marketing success in 2025
The marketing world never stands still, and HubSpot Marketing’s State of Marketing Report is here to prove it. This year’s edition is packed with insights on what’s working, what’s fading, and how brands can stay ahead.
Here are the shifts that really stood out:
💑 Engagement trends
- Short-form content is king. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are exploding because attention spans are shorter than ever.
- But long-form video is still a powerhouse. Webinars and podcasts see 10x more engagement than blog posts.
- Platforms reward engagement. The longer people watch your content, the more the algorithm pushes it to new audiences.
💡 What to do: Start creating videos. Track what performs best. Repurpose top content into other forms.
💻 Data trends
- Third-party cookies are disappearing, making tracking harder (and paid ads pricier).
- First-party data is your best friend. Brands using email lists and loyalty programs get better engagement at lower costs.
💡 What to do: Build your email list now. Be transparent about data collection. Use it to personalize customer experiences.
Are you keeping up?
Trends come and go, but the brands that adapt always come out on top. Whether it’s short-form video, first-party data, or new engagement strategies, the playbook is shifting fast. Where do you stand?
SELLER REFRESHER
How to accurately list product conditions on Amazon
Imagine ordering a “Like New” item, only to receive something that looks like it’s been through five owners. Frustrating, right? That’s why Amazon has strict product condition guidelines.
Here’s what each one means:
- New: Factory-fresh, unopened, and in its original packaging. If applicable, it should include warranty details.
- Renewed: Professionally inspected, tested, and certified to work like new, with little to no signs of wear. Only Amazon-qualified suppliers can sell these. ⚒️
- Rental: Previously used by other customers but still in full working condition.
- Used–Like New or Open Box: The item has been opened and possibly used once but remains in perfect condition. Packaging may be slightly damaged.
- Used–Very Good: Light wear and tear with minimal blemishes, but still fully functional.
- Used–Good: Shows moderate use and wear, may have some missing accessories but remains in working condition.
- Used–Acceptable: Well-worn items with noticeable signs of use or damaged packaging, but still functional.
- Collectible: Items with cultural or historical value, even if they show some wear and tear. 💎
👌 Why this matters
Mislabeling a product condition can lead to disappointed customers, higher return rates, and even account suspensions.
Be transparent, set the right expectations, and keep your seller reputation strong. After all, a happy customer is a returning customer!
