Tiktok's fate hangs in the balance as 77% of Americans demand change

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Remember Amazon’s App Store for Android? Yeah, it’s officially getting the axe. By August 20, it’ll be gone for good—along with Amazon Coins.

Tough break, but hey, you can’t win them all. Except for fresh, must-know ecommerce updates—we’ve got those covered.

• 77% of Americans say TikTok needs a shake-up 🔥
• The tariff and de minimis shuffle is keeping sellers on edge 💰
• Amazon finally dethrones Walmart in revenue 🏆
• Social media metrics that actually matter 📊

HOT TOPIC

TikTok is back in the hot seat, and this time, 77% of Americans aren’t on board. With the April 5 deadline looming, the pressure is on for the U.S. government to figure out TikTok’s fate. ⏳

Will it be sold? Will it be banned? Or will the drama drag on? The New York Post breaks it down.

📊 Americans want a change

A recent national survey conducted by The Post revealed:

• 63% of Americans support either a complete ban or a forced sale of TikTok.
• Only 19% believe ByteDance, TikTok’s Chinese parent company, should keep control—with more U.S. oversight.
• Just 15% are fine with the current setup.

But once people learned about China’s cybersecurity laws, concern skyrocketed to 83%.

🚨 Why the concern?

The biggest red flags for them include:

• Misinformation: 88% are concerned about TikTok’s potential to spread false info.
• Political division: 84% think TikTok could be fueling polarization in the U.S.
• Chinese influence: 83% worry about TikTok’s cultural and political impact.
• Data security: 78% see TikTok’s data collection as a major national security threat.

⏭️ What's next?

President Trump and lawmakers are scrambling to secure a deal that cuts China out of the equation. There’s talk of Microsoft, Oracle’s Larry Ellison, and even Elon Musk getting involved in a bidding war.

But ByteDance has ignored deadlines before, so how will this really play out? Ban, sale, or yet another delay—one thing’s for sure: this battle isn’t over. ⚔️

ECOMMERCE NEWS

The tariff and de minimis tango has sellers stuck in limbo

Just when you thought your supply chain was set for the year, the tariff and de minimis debates are shaking things up again. With policies rolling out—and rolling back—retailers are stuck in a high-stakes game of "wait and see."

Retail Brew broke down the latest developments:

• Tariff pause and play: In February, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Canada and Mexico—only to pause it 30 days later. 🎢
• De minimis flip-flop: The duty-free exemption was scrapped, then reinstated, creating more uncertainty for online sellers.
  • The result: The back-and-forth has disrupted supply chains, affecting roughly 4 million daily packages entering the U.S. 📦
• Mixed reactions: Initial optimism about business-friendly policies has now turned into uncertainty as brands weigh their next moves.

🕵️‍♂️  Brands are watching, not jumping (yet)

While sellers are considering Plan B strategies, no major shifts have happened—yet. Some are exploring Amazon’s Warehousing and Distribution (AWD) to offset costs.

For now, brands are recalibrating. Whether they pivot or wait it out, one thing is certain—change is the only constant in ecommerce. 

And if there’s one thing this industry does best, it’s adapting. 🔄

BITES OF THE WEEK

• Walmart’s Dilemma: No matter how strong Walmart's numbers are, consumer uncertainties and tariffs will impact 2025 spending.
• Modified for Mexico: The return policy has been modified for sellers who don't have a predefined return address in Mexico in Seller Central.
• A Better Target: Target will rely on technology and automation to improve its inventory management and unloading processes.

AMAZON NEWS

Amazon finally beats Walmart in revenue

For years, Walmart held the retail revenue crown—but that just changed. According to TechRadar, Amazon raked in $187.8 billion in Q4 2024, surpassing Walmart’s $180.6 billion for the first time ever. 👑

It’s a historic moment—a turning point in the battle between eCommerce and brick-and-mortar retail.

• Amazon’s revenue surge wasn’t just luck—it was powered by a record-breaking holiday season and steady growth in AWS, which raked in $28.8 billion alone. 🎄
• Meanwhile, Walmart has been doubling down on low prices and faster delivery to stay competitive. But maintaining physical stores isn’t cheap—rising wages and operational costs remain a challenge.

That said, this rivalry is far from over. In 2025, Walmart is projected to hit $708.7 billion in full-year revenue, barely edging out Amazon’s expected $700.8 billion. 📈 

💡 What's at stake?

Amazon and Walmart are in a league of their own, and this latest milestone proves just how high the stakes are. For perspective, even the world’s biggest tech giants trail behind:

• Apple–the world’s most valuable company: $124.3 billion last quarter
• Microsoft: $69.6 billion
• Nvidia: $35.1 billion

The takeaway: Ecommerce isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s proving that convenience, speed, and digital-first strategies are shaping the future of shopping.

SELLER REFRESHER

3 social media metrics you should actually care about

Social media has come a long way from the days when a like or follow felt like a win. Ah, simpler times. But today, surface-level stats don’t mean much if they’re not backed by real engagement.

So, what should you actually be tracking? Search Engine Journal breaks it down into three key metrics:

1. Engagement. Forget vanity metrics—this measures real interactions, helping you spark conversations and build trust.

• Comments: Direct feedback from your audience. Are they loving, questioning, or roasting your content? 💬
  • Pro Tip: Respond to comments thoughtfully to build loyalty.
• Sentiment analysis: Measures how people feel about your brand.
  • Pro Tip: If videos spark positive reactions, double down on video content.

2. Conversion. Your social efforts should drive action—clicks, sign-ups, and sales.

• Click-through rate (CTR): Are people clicking your links? If not, tweak your call-to-action. 🔗
  • Pro Tip: Identify top-performing posts and replicate their success.
• Sales: Likes don’t pay the bills—track which posts drive revenue.
  • Pro Tip: Use UTM codes to attribute sales directly to social media.

3. Customer retention. Acquiring customers is great, but retaining them is where the real profit lies.

• Repeat Purchases: Keep past customers engaged with exclusive deals and community interactions. 🔄
  • Pro Tip: Personalized content builds loyalty.
• Loyalty: Are your followers turning into brand advocates? Strong engagement and repeat interactions indicate lasting customer relationships.
  • Pro Tip: Encourage user-generated content and reward top fans to strengthen brand loyalty.

🚀 Success on social media isn’t just about looking good—it’s about driving meaningful action. Focus on engagement, conversions, and retention, and turn your social strategy into a powerhouse for brand growth.