Top 5 Amazon Seller Reads this Week: Issue #232

Top 5 this week

1. Amazon to crack down on fake reviews after UK regulator probe

“Review manipulation—and more specifically this form of catalog abuse—has been a known issue on Amazon for years. It undermines trust, misleads customers, and puts honest sellers at a disadvantage. Violators will need to clean up their act, but a major concern remains: Amazon’s enforcement and penalties have historically lacked the strength needed to truly deter this behavior. Until we see real consequences, it’s unclear how much will actually change.”~Vanessa Hung

2. Seller Updates: Amazon Ads AI Tools, Walmart’s Sparky, & Tariff Tensions Rise

“Amazon’s new AI video tools make it easy to create polished content fast—but with Prime Video’s ad load doubling, standing out will take more than slick visuals. The real edge comes from telling stories that build trust. Meanwhile, Walmart’s Sparky is shaping up to become a true personal assistant—coordinating meals, automating ingredient orders, and soon even assisting in event planning. It’s a clear shift: AI is starting to shape what gets bought, not just how it’s sold.” ~Nikko Patten

3. Shein and Reliance aim to sell India-made clothes abroad within a year, sources say

“Shein-Reliance’s plan to scale Indian suppliers from 150 to 1,000 within a year is classic tariff arbitrage: US duties on Chinese goods just made $5 dresses from Mumbai competitive. But here’s the reality check—India lacks synthetic fabric expertise and Shein’s on-demand model requires 100-piece minimums with instant scaling. Reliance wins either way: if exports fail, they keep the domestic market; if they succeed, they’ve built Shein’s first non-China supply chain.” ~Mak Bidikar

4. US retail layoffs spike +274% in 2025

“Mass retail layoffs and bankruptcies may affect consumer spending in the short term due to job loss, but they’re also a sign that the shift to ecommerce continues to accelerate. As physical stores close, displaced shoppers are likely to buy more online, creating an opportunity for ecomm sellers to capture more market share. It’s a good reminder to stay nimble, watch the data, and be ready to meet demand where it’s moving.” ~Chelsea Cohen

5. Walmart drone delivery expands: Service is coming to 5 new US cities

“Walmart’s drone delivery expansion isn’t just about logistics—it’s about redefining what consumers expect from fast fulfillment. By investing early in drone infrastructure, Walmart is positioning itself to win on speed in a landscape where delivery time is becoming as important as price or selection. If they can execute at scale, this could become a meaningful competitive edge—and a glimpse into a future where same-hour delivery is the new norm.” ~Tom Rohlf