Top 5 this week

1. Retail News: Walmart and Amazon Race to Capture Last-Minute Holiday Shoppers

“For Amazon sellers, these shifts spotlight a future where speed, external traffic signals, and multi-platform discovery play a direct role in conversion and organic rank. Sellers who adapt early—especially around Add to Delivery, extended shipping cutoffs, and Google’s social insights—will gain a measurable competitive edge.” ~Clayton Atchison

2. Reminder: Amazon FBA Prep Service is ending in January 2026

“This policy shift, combined with Amazon’s recent commingling changes, deal a major blow to resellers – cutting into margins, slowing cash flow, and adding operational friction. Products that once shipped distributor-to-FBA now require a prep-center pitstop, increasing cost, labor, and delays. Piling on top last year’s bundling policy amendment, Amazon is signaling they only want professional resellers with real operations or brand relationships. This shift effectively pushes out online arbitrage and thin-margin sellers. In this environment, precision restocking based on true profit becomes essential.” ~Chelsea Cohen

3. Quarterly Update to Amazon’s North American Vendor Shipment Guidelines 

“Amazon recently updated its North American vendor shipment guidelines with new labeling rules and expanded ASN data requirements. Vendors should review the changes closely, as proper compliance will help avoid chargebacks and ensure faster, more accurate receiving at Amazon fulfillment centers. (Vendor Central account required to access link)” ~Shelby Owens

4. China Makes History with $1 Trillion Trade Surplus for FirstTime Ever

“China exports are rebounding, driven largely by non-US markets while shipments to the U.S. continue to fall. A sustained export surge from China can change the rhythm of global logistics patterns. Sellers that still plan inventory purely on historical transit times risk stockouts or rushed, expensive airfreight when lanes tighten. Now is a good time to pressure‑test landed cost models, review contract clauses, and tighten collaboration between sourcing, finance, and sales so retail pricing can flex without destroying margins.” ~Vanessa Cox

5. Slowdown in U.S. Cargo Volumes Likely to Persist in 2026

“The combination of high retail demand and softer freight demand gives brands unusual leverage on ocean and drayage rates, but only if they have clear visibility into cost and performance per shipping route. This is a window to renegotiate contracts, lane mixes, and Incoterms to lock in better landed costs. The key is using this period to build more flexible, data-driven freight strategies before policy shifts tighten capacity again.” ~Mak Bidikar

Community

📦 Ships in Product Packaging (SIPP): Amazon and Walmart Requirements Explained

Amazon’s SIPP and Walmart’s SIOC programs are rapidly turning “ships in own container” from a nice-to-have into a hard compliance requirement with real per‑unit fines attached. This piece breaks down how the packaging rules actually work, what tests and certifications you need in place, and how to design packaging that passes the lab and survives the supply chain without triggering chargebacks. It also offers practical guidance on spotting packaging-related deductions early and disputing invalid fines with the right documentation, so you can protect both customer experience and margins.

Read full blog post

The Hidden Amazon Profit Margin Erosion from Promotion Costs

For Amazon 1P vendors, promotional deductions may be silently draining millions from the bottom line – often hidden beneath layers of complexity and scattered reports. From invisible compliance chargebacks to unverified promotional fees, the real profit impact is not easy to measure. Rebuilding your profit margin starts with proactive control.

Read more to learn how to take it back.