Calling all Wheel of Time fans—this one’s tough.
Amazon just canceled the series after three seasons—yes, even after Rosamund Pike made a passionate plea for keeping it alive. With eight books still untouched and a devoted fanbase waiting for more, the news hits hard. Season 3 hasn’t even aired yet, but the door is already shut.
Here’s what’s starting:
- Shoppers get refunds owed since 2018 💸
- Cash in on Walmart’s summer peak ☀️
- TikTok’s 1K+ US staff nervous amid shakeup 😬
- Why delivery promises beat just being fast 🚚
TRENDING TOPIC
Imagine getting nearly $1,800 back for a TV you returned seven years ago. According to USA TODAY, that’s exactly what happened to one Amazon shopper recently—and he’s not the only one.
📋 What’s happening?
During a recent internal audit, Amazon uncovered a small number of unresolved returns—some going all the way back to 2018—where refunds were either never processed or didn’t go through properly.
To fix the issue:
- The retail giant has started issuing refunds.
- No action is required from customers, and the refunds are being automatically processed.
💸 One-time charge, big implications
Amazon took a $1.1 billion charge this past quarter, citing “historical customer returns” and other inventory costs.
It’s unclear how many people are getting paid back, but that billion-dollar bandage suggests more than just a few.
⚖️ Class action on the horizon
At the same time, Amazon is facing a potential class-action lawsuit from customers who claim they were recharged after returning items.
A judge recently denied Amazon’s request to dismiss the case, and it’s now moving forward.
🧾 For sellers, a wake-up call
If this feels “wild,” that’s because it is. Refunds years in the making, a billion-dollar charge, and a lawsuit all centered on a process many shoppers take for granted.
For sellers? It’s a reminder that returns—and how they’re handled—can have a much longer tail than anyone expects.
Read the shopper’s story here:
TOGETHER WITH WALMART MARKETPLACE
Cash in on peak summer season with Walmart Marketplace
Start selling now to capitalize on peak summer demand. For Walmart Marketplace, summer starts in April when the first waves of millions of shoppers flock to Walmart.com to gear up for summer. This creates a huge opportunity for eCommerce businesses. If you’re not selling on Walmart Marketplace yet, you still have time before summer demand heats up.
Need some inspiration? Take RTIC Outdoors, a premium cooler and drinkware brand, as an example. “We went from a digital direct consumer business only, to an omnichannel retailer and Walmart plays a huge part of that,” said Bill Pond, CEO of RTIC.
And right now, as a new seller you’re eligible to save up to $75,000 in New-Seller Savings, Walmart’s incentive program that includes:
- Up to 75% off base referral fees*
- Up to 50% off storage fees and 25% off fulfillment fees** (a $2K value)
- $1K in advertising credits with Walmart Connect***
Don’t miss out—New Seller Savings runs through January 31, 2026. Start selling today!
*Conditions apply.
Join Walmart Marketplace Today.
BITES OF THE WEEK
- Target Missed: Target missed its Q1 estimates citing tariff uncertainty and DEI-related backlash are the cause.
- Website Improvement: FND eCommerce agency just launched a better, user-friendly version of their website.
- YouTube Moment: YouTube pitched itself as the platform of choice for owning and tapping into cultural moments.
- Memorial Day Boost: If you've got excess slow-moving inventory, you may want to run Amazon Outlet merchandising deals and promos.
BLACK MARKET
TikTok's 1K+ US workers on edge amid restructuring
According to PYMNTS, TikTok’s U.S. ecommerce team is facing potential layoffs—that’s over 1,000 jobs on the line. Mu Qing, who just took over TikTok Shop in the U.S., says the company is looking to “create a more efficient operating model.” 🪓
No official comment from the company yet, but the writing’s on the wall: this isn’t just a light reorg, coming at a time when TikTok’s future in the U.S. is anything but certain.
📦 More than just a ban
Even if TikTok dodges a ban, sellers might still get caught in the crossfire.
- TikTok is still under the microscope thanks to its Chinese ownership. The platform has until June 19 to sell off the U.S. arm of TikTok—or face a potential ban. 📅
- Meanwhile, rising tariffs and the end of de minimis exemptions on low-cost China-based imports are creating additional headaches for cross-border sellers—and by extension, TikTok Shop’s entire value proposition.
💡 Influencers still drive demand—but not alone
Let’s not forget the power of TikTok’s social engine.
- Over half of U.S. consumers say they’ve bought something based on an influencer’s recommendation.
- But 95% of them also do their own homework.
In other words, TikTok might still be great at sparking interest—but trust, research, and seamless buying experiences still close the deal.
🤔 Strategic pause or shutdown signal?
TikTok Shop made waves as a fast-growing Amazon challenger, but this week’s signals show just how fragile platform plays can be.
If you’re a brand betting big on the platform, now’s the time to diversify, stay nimble, and keep a close eye on what happens after June 19.
HOT TOPIC
Why hitting the delivery promise matters more than speed
Apparently, waiting a few days for their order—as long as they know exactly when it’s coming and that promise gets kept—matters more to customers than just lightning-fast shipping.
That’s what execs shared at a recent Supply Chain Dive event, where they agreed: reliability and communication beat raw speed in 2025.
🧭 Trust > speed
Purple Innovation doesn’t do 2-day shipping—but they do hit their promised 7–10 day delivery window like clockwork.
Why does that work?
- Customers plan their day around being home to receive that big package. And when the brand follows through, trust builds.
- Even in faster-moving categories like electronics and fashion, shoppers care more about accurate delivery updates than shaving off 24 hours of wait time.
🛠️ How to win with delivery
Spoiler alert: You don’t have to race Amazon.
- Set realistic delivery windows. Choose timeframes you can hit every time—even during peak season or carrier delays.
- Offer real-time tracking. Let customers follow their order from warehouse to doorstep.
- Use hybrid fulfillment. Mix online warehouses with brick-and-mortar stores to get flexible with last-mile logistics.
- Be consistent, not flashy. Regular, reliable delivery builds brand trust more than the occasional overnight miracle.
- Proactively communicate. Update customers on delays or changes. Silence is what frustrates—not slowness. 🐢
👑 Speed isn’t dead, but it’s not king
Amazon made fast shipping the norm. But for most sellers, chasing that model is expensive and unsustainable. The smarter move? Set the right expectations, meet them, and keep customers in the loop.
You'll reduce costs, ease operational pressure, and—surprise!—make customers even happier. 🚀
