Category: News

  • EU Proposes Simplified Customs System

    The European Commission is making moves to simplify trade. They’ve proposed a plan to change the customs system, hoping to bring together 27 different national customs authorities and over 100 IT systems into one online data hub.

  • Find Small Business Products on Amazon with the New Badge

    Amazon has launched a test for a Small Business Badge to help buyers easily identify products sold by small businesses on its platform. This move comes after the success of independent third-party sellers during the holiday season, with nearly 60% of sales coming from small businesses.

  • Google’s Inactive Account Deletion: What Sellers Need to Know

    Google’s recent announcement regarding the deletion of inactive accounts, including Gmail, YouTube, and Photos, has implications for online sellers. This policy change aims to enhance security by removing dormant accounts that are more susceptible to compromise. However, sellers who utilize multiple Google accounts, separating their personal and business activities, should be aware of the potential…

  • USPS Audit Reveals Inaccurate Package Tracking System

    Did you notice USPS tracking numbers’ low accuracy? An audit conducted by the postal Inspector General (IG) confirms it. The recent audit revealed that 64% of the tracking messages examined were inaccurate, emphasizing the need for improved communication regarding the delivery status. This poses a significant challenge for online sellers who strive to keep their…

  • The IRS Develops Free Online Tax Filing System

    The IRS is building its own online tax filing system allowing taxpayers to directly send electronic returns to the government at no cost, bypassing commercial options like TurboTax. In a pilot test planned for next year, the IRS aims to offer an alternative to the $14 billion tax-preparation industry.

  • Shein Marketplace is Now Live in the U.S.

    Shein, one of the largest fashion retailers, has launched a marketplace in the U.S., expanding its offerings beyond fashion and becoming a hybrid retailer and marketplace. With sales reaching $30 billion in 2022 and projecting global GMV to grow to $80 billion in 2025, Shein aims to become a top online retailer in the U.S.…

  • Lessons Learned from Bed Bath & Beyond’s Challenges

    Bed Bath & Beyond, once a thriving retail powerhouse and popular home furnishings destination, is now facing bankruptcy. The company’s revenue has declined, and its stock price has fallen by nearly 70% year over year. With so much uncertainty surrounding the company’s future, many wonder how things went wrong. According to insights from retail experts…

  • Amazon Implements $1 Fee for UPS Drop-Offs: The Beginning of the End for Free Returns?

    Amazon has implemented a $1 fee for return drop-offs to UPS stores, but only if there is a free alternative location, such as Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh, within the same distance. The move has led some industry experts to speculate that this is the start of the end for free returns.

  • eBay Announces Expansion of Ads on Search Results Pages with Promoted Listings AdvancedBETA

    eBay has expanded the real estate it devotes to ads on search results pages, creating even more opportunities for sellers to promote their listings with Promoted Listings AdvancedBETA. This expansion offers three additional premium placements on the search results page, increasing the total placements to seven. Promoted Listings Standard ads will also benefit from this…

  • 8 Expert Recommendations to Optimize Your Ecommerce Website in 2023

    Baymard Institute has published a report outlining eight key ways to optimize e-commerce websites for better user experience in 2023. The report, which is based on 110,000 hours of large-scale usability testing, offers recommendations for highlighting core products and brand features on the homepage, offering supplementary pages about the brand and product attributes, and having…