Top Amazon Seller News This Week
This week’s Amazon seller updates dive into some of the big shifts across the retail industry, from price changes on everyday essentials to changing shopping habits and what they mean for sellers trying to stay competitive.
- Retail giants respond differently to tariff pressure: A Wall Street Journal report claims Amazon raised prices on over 1,200 low-cost items while Walmart dropped prices, though Amazon disputes the findings as misleading. Meanwhile, Target is ending its price-matching policy with both retailers, suggesting a turn toward building brand trust over competing on price alone.
- Shoppers are spending more, but more selectively: June retail spending rose 0.6%, with core spending up 3.9% Year-over-Year (YoY). But underneath the growth is a more cautious consumer, prioritizing basics, scaling back on non-essentials, and deal-hunting to make each dollar go further.
- UK second-hand goods market shows massive growth: A new Amazon-backed study reveals that the UK’s second-hand shopping market has grown into a £4.3 billion industry in 2024, and is expected to reach £4.8 billion in 2025. Shoppers are turning to resale for three main reasons: cost savings, environmental impact, and the broader availability of pre-owned products.
Whether you’re tracking price trends, adjusting to new shopper behavior, or exploring resale opportunities, this week’s Amazon FBA news updates are full of developments sellers can’t afford to ignore.
Value Over Volume: How Consumer Habits Are Forcing a Retail Reset
Retail is in the midst of a quiet upheaval. As tariffs squeeze margins and inflation reshapes consumer behavior, the biggest names in the game (Amazon, Walmart, and Target) are adopting very different strategies to hold onto customers.
Did Amazon Raise Prices on Essentials?
A recent Wall Street Journal study found that Amazon raised prices on over 1,200 low-cost household items between January and July, some by over x100%. Essentials like Campbell’s soup, pet supplies, and protein shakes saw noticeable hikes, with average prices on cheaper goods increasing by 5.2%.
For example, a stackable basket from Dayglow jumped from $9.31 in January to $19.99 in July on Amazon, despite the manufacturer keeping wholesale prices flat. Meanwhile, Walmart cut prices on many of the same items by nearly 2%, leaning into its image as the value leader.
Per Consumer Affairs, Amazon has pushed back, saying the study is based on a small, limited sample. It also pointed to its longstanding claim of being the “lowest-priced US retailer” overall, citing eight years of Profitero data showing Amazon prices are on average 14% cheaper than competitors.
Still, for sellers of everyday essentials, especially those affected by tariffs, these increases suggest Amazon is selectively passing rising operational and shipping costs along to consumers, making modest price hikes on low-margin goods more common.
Target Drops Price Matching, Focuses on In-House Value
Target announced it will end its practice of matching Amazon and Walmart prices starting July 28, claiming most shoppers already trust Target’s pricing enough to skip the comparison.
- The policy shift comes as Target tries to regain momentum amid slipping sales and tariff uncertainty.
- Former CEO Brian Cornell noted that raising prices is a “last resort,” with internal cost-cutting taking priority instead.
This move is a clear sign that retail giants are rethinking how to compete: not just on price, but on trust and brand loyalty. For sellers, it highlights the importance of building a value story beyond discounts.
Changing Consumer Spending Patterns: Budget Shopping is In
Despite a 0.6% rise in June retail sales, shoppers are tightening their belts in subtle ways. According to Bank of America, consumers are:
- Shopping more often but spending less per trip.
- Dining out at cheaper restaurants while still increasing total spend.
- Using buy-now-pay-later options more during events like Amazon Prime Day.
Amazon Prime Day itself revealed the new consumer mindset. While overall sales rose 30% year-over-year (per Adobe), most buyers stuck to under-$20 essentials like dish soap and paper towels. Big-ticket items? Not so much. This shows that even in promotional windows, value and practicality are winning.
Resale Rises: Second-Hand Shopping Becomes Mainstream
While many retailers juggle pricing volatility, Amazon is also riding the wave of resale and refurbished product markets. Amazon-commissioned data from the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows:
- The UK’s second-hand goods market hit £4.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to £4.8 billion in 2025.
- On Amazon, resale and renewed product sales exceeded €2 billion across Europe.
- Used items now make up 34–45% of UK consumer spending in categories like tech, fashion and home appliances.
Consumers are clearly embracing pre-owned goods, driven by economic pressure and sustainability concerns. For sellers, Amazon’s “Second Chance,” “Resale,” and “Renewed” programs offer a fast-growing way to monetize returned inventory or surplus stock.
Final Thoughts
From changing pricing strategies to rising demand for used goods, the new retail reality is less about who’s cheapest and more about who understands the modern shopper best. As always, these seller updates are a reminder: agility and insight are your best defense in a volatile market.
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Other Amazon Seller Updates This Week
1. Amazon Q2 2025 Earnings Call this July
Amazon will share its second-quarter financial results on July 31 at 2:00PM PT / 5:00PM ET via a live webcast. The event will provide insights into company performance and upcoming priorities, with audio and slides available at amazon.com/ir for at least three months.
2. Account Health Tips: Anti-Counterfeiting and Review Policies
To maintain a strong Account Health Rating, ensure you comply with Amazon’s Anti-Counterfeiting and Customer Product Review policies. Keep clear documentation of your inventory sources to verify authenticity, and avoid actions like offering incentives or using third-party services to influence customer reviews: both can result in violations that harm your account standing.
3. AI-Powered Brand Name Generator Now Includes ‘Personality’ Field
Amazon’s AI-powered brand name generator now includes a “personality” field, allowing you to tailor name suggestions based on traits like “playful” or “elegant” for a more aligned brand identity. Once you’ve chosen a name, the Intellectual Property Accelerator can connect you with vetted law firms to help secure your trademark and ensure your brand is legally protected.
4. New Brand Registry Application Guide
Amazon has released a comprehensive step-by-step guide to help sellers enroll in Brand Registry. The guide includes images, required documentation tips, and common mistakes to avoid, whether you’re registering a new brand or using a pending trademark.
How to Compete When Consumers Demand More Value Per Dollar
The latest changes in retail strategy (Amazon’s price hike on essentials, the end of Target’s price matching, and the rise of second-hand sales) underscore one clear message: consumers are still spending, but they’re demanding more value for every dollar.
Consider the following strategies to stay competitive in this new era:
- Repackage your value story: Move beyond discount-driven messaging. Highlight product longevity, multi-use functionality, bundle savings, or quality guarantees to show why your item is worth the price, even if it’s not the cheapest.
- Lean into essentials and sub-$20 offers: With budget-conscious shoppers gravitating toward low-ticket basics, consider expanding SKUs in the under-$20 range. Make sure product listings for consumables or household staples are fully optimized and well-stocked for recurring purchases.
- Explore Amazon’s resale and renewed programs: Tap into the growing second-hand economy by listing returned or refurbished inventory through Amazon Renewed or Second Chance. It’s a smart way to recover value on excess stock while appealing to sustainability-focused shoppers.
- Adapt pricing strategies with margin in mind: If tariffs or rising costs are squeezing margins, consider smart repricing tools or value-driven bundles that help absorb costs without spiking per-item prices.
- Stay tariff-aware: Monitor tariff deadlines and reassess sourcing to avoid surprise cost increases. August 1 is the next major tariff milestone. Stay up-to-date on how the latest tariff changes will affect your business costs.
For nearly four years, we’ve kept sellers informed with our Amazon Sellers Newsletter, publishing over 200 issues packed with policy changes, announcements, and community events. Subscribe or share with your team to get these insights delivered weekly.
