Top 5 Amazon Seller Reads this Week: Issue #229

Top 5 this week

1. Tariff math leaves retailers very little choice on prices

“Even with the 90-day negotiation window temporarily reducing China tariffs by 115%, it is clear that price hikes will be the only way to survive for many companies. Seeing how untenable even a 30% tariff increase is, we can only hope negotiations are successful. Either way, price inflation looks likely—especially in markets like children’s toys, where 80% of products come from China.” ~Chelsea Cohen

2. Amazon Is Suddenly Giving Refunds Dating Back to 2018: Here’s Why

“Amazon’s issuing surprise refunds for digital orders dating back to 2018—likely a preemptive move tied to the FTC’s lawsuit over “dark patterns” in Prime signups. It’s a reminder: regulatory scrutiny is real, and sellers should expect more oversight on how subscriptions, upsells, and returns are presented. Transparency is no longer optional.” ~Vanessa Hung

3. 10 Amazon Features That Drive Shoppers to Your Products

“Some sharp signals here for anyone thinking about where shopper intent is headed. Amazon is clearly betting that generative AI and immersive tools (like “View in 3D” or “See It On Your Model”) aren’t just cool—they’re conversion drivers. For sellers, the real unlock might be understanding how these new discovery features impact visibility and lead to purchasing. If you’re not already considering how to make your products more AI-discoverable, now’s the time.” ~Nikko Patten

4. Amazon Seller Updates: AI Audio Summaries & Big Tech Ad Moves

“Amazon is pushing ads any and everywhere it can. And then it’s letting you consume the product details in whatever form you like. First video, now audio, in case you’re busy and can’t look at your phone while walking or need your eyes for something else. As someone who loves podcasts, I could see myself actually using this. There’s not much data out yet, but it’ll be interesting to watch how it affects conversion rates in the coming months.” ~Clayton Atchison

5. Walmart Releases Q1 FY26 Earnings

“Walmart’s Q1 results prove its digital bets are paying off. It’s winning by blending value with convenience at scale. The focus on automation and marketplace expansion signals it’s not slowing down anytime soon. This is Walmart positioning itself not just as a retailer, but as a tech-powered ecosystem.” ~Vanessa Cox