Good afternoon,

Here’s the headlines for this week: 30 May 2025

ECOMMERCE

Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs halted by Court of International Trade

• The U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that President Trump's broad tariffs on imports from countries like China, Mexico, and Canada exceeded his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
• While tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles remain (implemented under a different law), most others were vacated. The administration plans to appeal the decision.

FedEx exec brushes off Amazon competition concerns

• FedEx's Chief Customer Officer, Brie Carere, stated that Amazon lacks the logistics capabilities to be a top competitor, particularly in package pickups and rural deliveries.
• Despite a recent deal where FedEx handles large-package deliveries for Amazon, Carere emphasized that Amazon is not among FedEx's largest customers.

Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Promises 1099-K Relief For Online Sellers

• The "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" seeks to revert the 1099-K reporting threshold to over $20,000 and more than 200 transactions, undoing changes from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
• If passed, this would alleviate reporting burdens for small online sellers, though state-level requirements may still apply.

Puerto Rico and Glass Launch ‘Mercadito’, Latin America’s First Government E-Commerce Platform

• In partnership with tech company Glass, Puerto Rico introduced "Mercadito," Latin America's first government-run e-commerce platform for public sector procurement.
• The platform offers over 25,000 products and services, aiming to streamline and modernize government purchasing processes.

EU plans 2 euro fee for low-value parcels in setback for Shein, Temu

• To manage the surge in low-value imports, primarily from China, the EU plans to introduce a €2 handling fee per parcel and phase out duty-free treatment for goods under €150 by 2028.
• The fee would be charged to online retailers like Shein and Temu, not consumers, to cover compliance and safety checks.

TECH

Why companies are declaring themselves ‘AI-first’

• Firms like Duolingo and Shopify are declaring themselves "AI-first," integrating AI into operations and signaling a shift in workforce strategies.
• While aiming to attract forward-thinking talent and investors, these moves have sparked concerns over job displacement and the actual readiness of AI technologies.

Google Introduces Shop with AI Mode: Use AI to buy and try clothes on yourself virtually

• Google has enhanced its Shopping platform with AI features, including a virtual try-on tool that allows users to see how clothing fits on various body types.
• The update aims to improve online shopping experiences by providing more personalized and accurate product visualizations.

BRANDS

Nike to resume selling directly on Amazon for first time since 2019

• Nike has returned to selling its products directly on Amazon, ending a six-year hiatus that began in 2019.
• The renewed partnership is expected to expand Nike's reach and provide consumers with more direct purchasing options.

RETAILERS

Amazon is ‘maniacally focused’ on lowering price despite tariffs

• Amazon remains committed to lowering prices for consumers, even in the face of new tariffs and trade challenges.
• The company is exploring various strategies to mitigate cost increases and maintain its competitive pricing edge.

Amazon’s AI voiceovers will talk you through product features

• Amazon is piloting AI-generated voiceovers that provide audio summaries of product features, aiming to enhance the shopping experience.
• The feature is currently available for select products and is expected to expand based on user feedback.

Walmart Officially Allows Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment – What Sellers Need to Know

• Walmart now permits sellers to use Amazon's Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) services, enabling more flexible logistics options.
• This move aims to attract more third-party sellers by offering them greater fulfillment choices.

Lowe’s looks to Mirakl for digital marketplace strategy

• Home improvement retailer Lowe's has partnered with Mirakl to launch an online marketplace, expanding its product offerings beyond traditional inventory.
• The platform allows third-party sellers to list products, enhancing Lowe's eCommerce capabilities.

See you next week,

The ChannelSight Team

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