🔗 Amazon holds 43% of global e-commerce traffic — Visual Capitalist report

Amazon remains the world’s largest online marketplace.
According to Visual Capitalist, in 2025 the company accounts for 43% of all global e-commerce website visits, nearly double the share of its closest competitors, eBay and Temu.

The growth is driven by the expansion of Prime membership, the launch of Amazon’s own logistics network in Southeast Asia, and integration with offline retail partners.

Analysts note that Amazon is rapidly transforming into a global infrastructure platform, enabling even competing merchants to use its fulfillment and delivery network.

📈 For sellers: being on Amazon is no longer just a sales channel — it’s becoming part of the entire logistics and customer experience ecosystem.

🔗 European marketplaces strengthen their positions in global trade

A new MarketScreener ranking places four European platforms — Allegro, Zalando, Otto, and Vinted — among the top 10 global marketplaces.

This development reinforces Europe’s standing in cross-border e-commerce, a field long dominated by Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress.

Analysts attribute the success of European players to a focus on regional specialization, localized content, and flexible logistics systems.

💡 For sellers: the European market is becoming increasingly accessible — expansion is now possible not only through global giants but also via localized platforms with loyal audiences.

🤖 Amazon’s Robot Revolution: 750,000 Machines to Replace Tens of Thousands of Workers?

Amazon currently operates over 750,000 robots across its warehouses. Reports suggest that each packaging robot has the potential to replace up to 24 human workers.

As automation accelerates, a pressing question arises — how will corporations address the looming issue of mass unemployment caused by the rapid replacement of human labor with machines?

💥 AliExpress Joins the Global Price War

AliExpress Brand+ has launched a new price-match policy — prices will now be automatically compared with Amazon, Temu, Shein, and eBay.
The platform pledges to maintain the “best price” across thousands of listings.

💡 What this means for sellers: competition in the low-price segment is intensifying. You’ll need to update your pricing more frequently and keep a close eye on discounting rivals.
AliExpress is officially stepping into the global battleground of e-commerce pricing.

Temu and Shein Are Disrupting Germany’s E-Commerce Market

According to the EHI Retail Institute, Temu and Shein are rapidly capturing the German e-commerce market.
Temu’s revenue nearly quadrupled to €3.4 billion, while Shein jumped from 18th to 7th place with €1.1 billion in sales.

No Western marketplace has shown comparable momentum. Both Chinese platforms leverage ultra-low pricing, TikTok-style marketing, and lightning-fast adaptation to local trends.
📉 Experts warn this could pressure domestic brands and accelerate consolidation among mid-tier players.

🚀 Amazon, Temu, and Shein Gain Over a Million New Shoppers in One Year

A recent Roy Morgan study shows that Amazon and Temu each added around 1 million new users, while Shein gained about 600,000 within the last 12 months.

This growth comes from aggressive marketing, massive product expansion, and faster logistics.
Amazon strengthens its ecosystem through Prime Video and AI-driven recommendations, Temu wins with ultra-low pricing, and Shein keeps pushing influencer collaborations.

💡 For sellers, this signals a new wave of traffic across major global platforms. Now’s the time to test cross-border listings and adapt product cards for English-speaking audiences.

🌍 Global Marketplaces Are on Track to Hit $1 Trillion by 2030

According to Dojo Business, the global online marketplace sector is valued at $580 billion in 2024 and could surpass $1.06 trillion by 2030.

Growth is being driven by the rapid expansion of ecosystems like Amazon, Temu, and Alibaba — as well as the integration of AI tools for analytics, inventory, and ad management.
Experts say marketplaces are evolving into a standalone industry growing faster than traditional e-commerce.

📊 For sellers, this means rising competition, higher standards for content quality and data speed, and that international expansion will soon shift from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-have.”

💰 Temu Offers $1,000 Bonuses to Attract U.S. Retailers
Temu is on the offensive — the platform is offering generous payouts to intermediaries to bring U.S. retailers on board. This move comes amid rising tariffs and efforts to strengthen its presence in Western markets.

💡 What this means for sellers:
Temu is actively seeking new partners — joining the platform may become easier.
Higher import tariffs are pushing platforms to localize supply chains — a chance for manufacturers and wholesalers.
Consider Temu as an additional sales channel alongside Amazon or eBay.

📦 Amazon to Raise Fulfillment Fees Starting January 2026
Beginning January 15, 2026,

Amazon will increase the cost of storage and delivery through FBA. The reason? Rising tariffs, higher logistics costs, and regulatory pressure.

💡 What sellers should know:
Recalculate your cost structure and margins now.
Consider switching to FBM or a hybrid model to stay flexible.
Focus on lightweight, fast-moving products to minimize profit loss.

🟡 Amazon: Striking Back at Temu and Shein

💥 Amazon is officially launching a budget marketplace that many are already calling the “anti-Temu.” The platform — currently being tested under the Bazaar and Haul brands — offers ultra-cheap products from Asian suppliers.

Why is Amazon doing this?
📦 To stop losing price-sensitive shoppers migrating to Temu and Shein.
🌍 And to win back Gen Z — the audience obsessed with trends and “haul content.”
🔍 Interestingly, this is one of the first times Amazon has so openly mirrored the strategy of its Chinese rivals.

💡 Even giants are now playing by the rules of “cheap fun.” If you’re a seller — it’s time to rethink your product mix for this new era of smart shopping.

🧨 SHEIN Scandal: Investigation Over “18+ Dolls”

SHEIN is once again under fire — French authorities have launched an investigation into the sale of adult dolls that allegedly resemble children. The reputational crisis could deal a serious blow to the brand.

💡 What sellers should know:
A brand’s reputation can directly affect its partners — make sure your product range raises no red flags with marketplaces.
New content moderation rules and category filters may soon follow.
If you work with Asian suppliers, double-check product compliance and category alignment.

🛒 Etsy Announces CEO Change and Predicts a Decline in Active Sellers

Etsy has announced that starting January 1, 2026, Kruti Patel Goyal will become the new CEO, while current head Josh Silverman will transition into the role of Executive Chair. The company also reported a drop in the number of active sellers and expects softer sales growth moving forward.

Takeaway for sellers:
Management changes often signal strategic shifts — it's worth monitoring upcoming updates to platform policies and seller conditions.

🟦 Amazon Launches APEX in Europe — Simplified Customs and Logistics

Amazon has introduced APEX, a new program for European suppliers designed to simplify imports, reduce paperwork, and lower logistics costs. The program streamlines customs procedures, making them faster and more secure.

💡 What this means for sellers:
— Less bureaucracy when shipping to the EU
— Potentially lower logistics expenses
— Faster delivery to Amazon warehouses

Great news for those scaling their business in Europe.

🥊 The Ultra-Budget Segment Battle: Temu and Shein Attack Amazon!

A price war is heating up in E-commerce. The ultra-fast fashion giants, Temu and Shein, are not just breathing down Amazon's neck—they are capturing a critical market share in the budget goods and accessories segment. This is forcing even the largest player to revise its strategies, from pricing to logistics.

What does this mean for sellers? Margins are shrinking, and delivery speed is becoming the deciding factor. If you sell in the low-to-mid price range, be prepared for aggressive pricing!

📊 How to withstand the competition?

📲 M-Commerce: 70% of Purchases Come from Smartphones!

E-commerce has decisively become M-commerce. The share of purchases made on smartphones exceeds 70%, reaching 80-90% in the fashion segment. This means that if your website or marketplace listing is not perfectly optimized for mobile devices (fast loading, easy navigation, simplified checkout) — you are losing customers! Mobile adaptation is not just "nice to have"; it is a mandatory condition for conversion in 2025.

✅ Check your listing's mobile optimization

🌐 Amazon's Secret to Success: Logistics and Prime.
Amazon's main competitive advantage is not just its huge catalog, but its unprecedented logistics network (FBA) and Prime subscriber base (over 200 million). While others struggle to acquire customers, Amazon retains them through speed and service.

⚡️Key Trend for 2025: Customers expect lightning-fast delivery and a seamless experience (Omnichannel). Your business, even if small, must work on reducing delivery times.

Walmart Announces Leadership Change: Doug McMillon to Step Down After 12 Years

Walmart is preparing for its first leadership transition in twelve years. The company’s board of directors has announced that current CEO Doug McMillon will leave his position on January 31, 2026. Since taking office on February 1, 2014, he will have served exactly 12 years.

The new president and CEO will be 51-year-old John Furner, who has spent three decades building his career within the company. He previously held senior roles in Walmart’s U.S. division and led the Sam’s Club discount chain. No major strategic shifts are expected — the transition of responsibilities is planned to be gradual.

McMillon has not disclosed his reasons for stepping down. Analysts speculate that he may pursue a different field or even consider a political career. What is known for certain is that this is not a dismissal: under his leadership, Walmart underwent a major transformation, strengthened its resilience amid market volatility, and delivered stock performance comparable to — or even exceeding — the S&P 500.

EU to Impose Duties on Small Parcels: The End of Cheap Shopping from Shein and Temu?
Starting in 2026, the European Union plans to impose duties on all small parcels valued at up to €150. This move will impact major Chinese marketplaces like Shein and Temu, which rely on fast, low-cost shipping to Europe.
Experts warn that for consumers, this could mean higher prices and a shift in the familiar “shopping from the couch” model. For sellers, it will require reevaluating logistics and pricing strategies.

Walmart: A Marketplace That’s No Longer Just “Retail”
Today Walmart proved once again that the real winners in the global marketplace race are the companies investing heavily in technology.

📌 What happened — Walmart’s online sales jumped 28% — International segments grew 10.8% — The company raised its full-year outlook — And… it’s switching its listing from NYSE to Nasdaq, home of the world’s top tech giants

This isn’t just a stock-exchange move. It’s a statement: “We’re not just a retailer. We’re a global digital platform.”

One of the most impressive parts? In Chile, Walmart gets 20% of its online sales through WhatsApp. Imagine a supermarket that sells through a chat app — and it works.

💡 What it means for the market The tech race among global marketplaces is accelerating. Automation, AI, social commerce, messenger integrations — these are the new battlegrounds.
If you’re a brand or seller:
👉 be active where the traffic is growing (messengers, social commerce, international marketplaces),
👉 automate everything you can — otherwise you simply won’t keep up.

The American public is discussing a wave of "AI layoffs" — as if artificial intelligence has finally reached office workers.

The reason is the large-scale layoffs at Amazon, UPS, and Target: more than 60,000 people in total.

But if you read what the companies themselves say, AI is almost never mentioned as a reason. Amazon is laying off 14,000 corporate positions, the largest reduction in the company's history. Management says that over the years of growth, the business has grown layers of bureaucracy and become too cumbersome. UPS has cut 48,000 jobs, as the company reduces its collaboration with Amazon and shifts to more profitable areas such as healthcare and b2b delivery.

Target is laying off 8% of its office workers after years of stagnant sales and complaints about its overly complex management structure.

The EU moves faster on tariffs for cheap parcels from China

EU finance ministers agreed to speed up new rules targeting low-value shipments from China.

What sellers should expect:
➡️ shipping from Chinese factories may get more expensive;

➡️ AliExpress/Temu-style dropshipping will lose margin;
those using local warehouses or their own imports will benefit.

Now’s a good time to rethink your supply chain.