Amazon’s self-driving taxi unit Zoox announced its second software recall this month after a collision with an e-scooter rider in San Francisco. The robotaxi was stopped when the rider crashed into it, causing minor injuries.
Curious who else is bumping heads—digitally this time?
- Trump tells Walmart: Eat the tariffs 🫦
- Get agency-level resources 💼
- Amazon’s moves while you were busy 🤫
- 3 weekly habits to protect your margins 📈
BLACK MARKET
When the cost of doing business rises, who pays the price?
According to The Manila Times, Trump singled out Walmart, urging the retail giant to “EAT THE TARIFFS” instead of passing higher import costs on to shoppers.
His warning is crystal clear: “I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”
🥊 Public pressure vs. price reality
Despite Trump’s demand, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted that Walmart likely will pass on at least some of the tariff costs to consumers.
Walmart executives echoed the same, noting that prices started rising as early as April and have picked up speed this month.
“We’re wired to keep prices low,” said CFO John David Rainey, “but there’s a limit to what we can bear.”
⚙️ Weathering tariff tension
Trump’s tariffs are more than just policy—they’re a political performance. And sellers? You’re part of the show. Whether you sell bananas or baby gear, get ready to defend your pricing, revisit your sourcing, and stay agile.
Because in this economy, someone’s gotta eat the cost—and it better not eat your business alive.
Read Trump's full post here:
BITES OF THE WEEK
- Swiss Rizz: Switzerland's online consumer spending rose 3.5% last year - around €15.9B ($18.11B).
- Resolution Rejection: Amazon investors rejected all proposals submitted by outside shareholders including the separation of CEO and board chair roles.
- Firing For Progress: Walmart is laying off over a thousand corporate positions to focus on the future of retail.
- Reaching Rural: Amazon is investing over $4B in rural delivery network expansion and development.
TOGETHER WITH SELLER ALLIANCE
Get Agency-Level Resources Without the Agency Price
If you’ve ever wished you had a team of Amazon experts in your back pocket, this is it.
Seller Alliance is your all-access pass to the same tools, templates, and strategies used by top Amazon agencies—made available for sellers who prefer to do it themselves.
Created by the team behind Seller Interactive, this membership gives you direct access to:
- Proven SOPs, checklists, and templates for every stage of growth
- Expert-built video walkthroughs to implement strategies with confidence
- Regular updates based on real agency insights and marketplace shifts
- Live training and sessions tailored to what’s working right now on Amazon
Whether you’re optimizing listings, improving ad performance, or scaling operations, Seller Alliance gives you real, reliable resources without the fluff. No endless YouTube rabbit holes. No recycled content. Just what works—straight from the agency trenches.
And the best part? You stay in control. You run your business, we back you with the knowledge.
AMAZON NEWS
Amazon's under-the-radar moves while you were busy
If you’ve been head-down managing your store, Amazon’s been quietly laying down the infrastructure that could define the second half of your year.
Here's your cheat sheet to catch up—before the algorithms (and your competitors) leave you in the dust:
- Prime Day prep is already in full swing. With July just around the corner, Amazon’s logistics machine is gearing up for Prime Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday. 🔧
- Hiring has kicked off months early, bringing in warehouse staff and Delivery Service Partners.
- The goal: A seamless, high-speed experience for shoppers, and higher volumes for your store.
- Small sellers, big numbers. Amazon’s 2024 Small Business Empowerment Report shows third-party sellers are driving serious growth. 🚀
- $2.5 trillion in sales and over 2 million U.S. jobs created since 2000
- SMBs now make up over 60% of total Amazon sales—a huge win for visibility and local economies
- Drone delivery gets a major lift. Thanks to new FAA approvals, Prime Air is picking up speed. 🚁
- Eligible customers can now get AirPods, iPhones, Ring doorbells, and more in under 60 minutes
- 60,000+ products are drone-eligible, complete with real-time ETAs at checkout
- Big fulfillment expansion in Virginia. Amazon’s building a 3.1M sq-ft robotics facility (RIC6) in Goochland County. 🚚
- Expected to create 1,000+ jobs
- Will specialize in smaller items like books and toys
- Includes road infrastructure upgrades—great news for regional shipping efficiency
📌 TL;DR: Amazon’s evolving fast—stay synced.
From new fulfillment hubs to drone drops and a spotlight on small businesses, every move signals one thing: sellers who stay plugged in and adapt fast will win big.
Now’s the time to audit your logistics, prep for peak season, and explore programs that put your products front and center. Because when Amazon levels up, you should too.
CASH CORNER
3 weekly habits to shield your Amazon margins
Think your Amazon profits are safe because revenue looks good? In a marketplace where fees shift, ads fluctuate, and consumer habits pivot by the hour, staying profitable means going beyond surface metrics.
You need a system—a weekly one.
🧭 Weekly margin ritual
eComEngine detailed your weekly, low-lift profit protection playbook:
- Benchmark performance. Track TACoS, ROI, fees, and refunds. Compare them to your targets, and industry averages.
- Tip: Don’t guess. Know.
- Surface ASIN standouts. Identify your top-performing and weakest ASINs.
- Tip: Knowing both ends of the spectrum keeps your focus sharp.
- Respond with precision. Adjust listings, pricing, or ad spend weekly.
- Tip: Small, weekly moves stack up to big gains over time.
🛡️ Protecting profit
Building this habit doesn’t take hours, it takes intentionality. Sellers who build this habit can catch profit leaks before they spread.
Pro tip: Start by tracking one KPI this week. Build from there.
