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.

💸 Amazon Sellers Are массово Rejecting Sales Events: Fees Are Eating Up All Their Margins

A crisis is brewing among Amazon sellers: more and more merchants are refusing to participate in Black Friday and major sales events because the economics no longer make sense.

According to Western industry media, the main reasons are:

— rising Amazon fees
— increasing logistics costs
— higher advertising costs
— growing warehouse storage expenses

Many sellers admit that in order to join Amazon’s promotional campaigns, they are forced to operate at break-even or even at a loss.

Previously, taking part in Black Friday was considered a must for growth. Now, more businesses are choosing to protect their margins instead of chasing revenue.

This is changing behavior on the world’s largest marketplace — shifting from “grow volume at any cost” to “survive in the platform economy.”

Online Apparel Market Set to Nearly Double by 2033 — Global Industry Forecast

📊 The global online apparel market is projected to reach $1.37 trillion by 2033.

Major players include Amazon, Alibaba, JD.com, and ASOS.
Growth drivers:
Rising popularity of online shopping
Mobile app adoption and personalized experiences
New sales formats: live shopping, video demos, AR try-ons

💡 Implications for buyers and sellers:
Online platforms will become the primary channel for apparel purchases.
Sellers need to quickly adapt to new tools and interactive formats.
Opportunities for international expansion exist even for small businesses.

Fashion Giants Like Zara Shrug It Off as Temu and SHEIN’s Share in Global Fast Fashion Slows Down

According to the latest studies, the growth of Temu and SHEIN in the fast fashion segment is slowing down. A mix of tariffs, logistics constraints and tighter regulatory control is reducing margins and sales volumes, especially in the EU and US markets.

This could mark the beginning of a broader trend: a shift back toward more sustainable business models, increased focus on quality, compliance and hybrid strategies.

eBay Australia removes product over asbestos risk

eBay Australia urgently removed a product (colored sand toy set) after an official recall due to possible asbestos contamination.

The company stated it uses AI-based monitoring systems to detect mass recalls and automatically delete dangerous products.

This shows that marketplaces are investing more in automated safety and risk detection.

Amazon, Temu and SHEIN Prepare to Capture One-Third of Australia’s Online Retail Market by 2026

Analysts predict that Amazon, Temu and SHEIN could control more than 33% of Australia’s online retail market by next year. The combined forecast exceeds $18 billion in sales volume.

This growth is being fueled by aggressive price wars and rapid expansion, amid declining competition from local retailers.

This is a clear signal: global marketplaces are continuing to scale worldwide — competition is intensifying, pressure on local markets is increasing, and pricing and logistics strategies are rapidly evolving.

🚨 Why Global Marketplaces Are Under Fire from Regulators in France

France has launched investigations into eBay, AliExpress, Joom, Wish, and Temu over illegal goods, including weapons and prohibited children’s items.

This is part of a global trend: regulators are increasing oversight of marketplaces, and companies must comply with laws while ensuring user safety.

🚨 Texas Launches Investigation Into SHEIN: The Allegations Keep Growing

The Texas Attorney General has opened a new investigation into SHEIN, one of the world’s largest fashion marketplaces.

Authorities suspect the platform may have:

— sold unsafe or toxic products
— violated labor standards in its supply chain
— mishandled user data

Investigators have already requested internal reports and documentation.
If violations are confirmed, SHEIN could face serious fines and operational restrictions in the U.S.

👉 Pressure on SHEIN is intensifying globally — from the EU to North America. Regulators are no longer willing to overlook the speed and scale of fast fashion.

Amazon Strengthens Its Position: New Seller Conditions and Faster Delivery in the EU

In addition to lowering fees, Amazon is enhancing its competitive offering:
✅ speeding up logistics in key European countries;
✅ testing 30-minute delivery in major cities;
✅ expanding seller support programs, including AI-powered listing tools.

Analysts believe these steps will help Amazon maintain its market share despite the growth of discount platforms. The company is betting on a more convenient service and technological solutions, areas where Temu and Shein are less competitive.

How the Internet and Marketplaces Buried Paper Letters in Denmark

We are witnessing a historic moment: the rise of the internet and online marketplaces has effectively put an end to the era of traditional mail in Denmark. By the end of the year, PostNord will fully transition to delivering only parcels.

This December, the last paper letter will be sent through the Danish postal service — after that, the format will disappear. Mailboxes will be removed, and letter collection will cease entirely.

Over the past 25 years, the volume of mailed letters in Denmark has dropped by more than 90%, driven primarily by social networks and the rapid growth of e-commerce.

Future generations will no longer know what it means to receive a paper letter — just as many of us can hardly imagine typing on a typewriter or washing clothes by hand.

🌏 How AI helps conquer new markets
Meesho uses AI chatbots and voice agents to attract new shoppers, including those from rural areas. The company also partially automates logistics and financial services with AI. Meesho’s example shows how artificial intelligence is becoming a strategic driver of online retail growth.

🚀 AWS takes a step into the AI future for businesses

At re:Invent 2025, Amazon unveiled “AI Factories,” Trainium3 servers, and autonomous AI agents. These tools will help companies automate routine tasks, improve customer service, and speed up data processing. Retailers and marketplaces can now personalize offers and optimize operations like never before.

Shopify merchants hit a record $14.6B during BFCM 2025
Shopify merchants generated $14.6B in sales — up 27% YoY. At the peak moment, shoppers were spending more than $5.1M per minute. Over 81M consumers participated worldwide. Independent e-commerce is scaling faster than traditional retail.

📊 December 2025 eBay Seller Updates
eBay brings back the Cost of Goods Sold field in Seller Center for better profit tracking.
Germany introduces QR codes for returns.
UK sellers get access to AI Activate (12-month ChatGPT Enterprise subscription).

👉 Takeaway for sellers:
📌 Better margin tracking
📌 Easier return management
📌 AI tools for optimizing listings and customer support
These updates are subtle but very practical for daily operations.

🚨 European Commission Raids Temu Over Foreign Subsidy Probe

The European Commission has carried out raids on Temu offices in Brussels as part of an investigation into possible illegal foreign state subsidies.

Regulators are examining whether Temu used hidden government support to aggressively undercut prices and rapidly gain market share across the EU. If violations are confirmed, the platform could face fines of up to 6% of its global revenue and strict operational restrictions.

This move signals a broader shift in EU policy:
not just regulating marketplaces — but challenging their core economic models when built on subsidies and price distortion.

📌 Why this matters:
— Regulatory pressure on Temu is likely to spread globally
— Authorities are increasingly targeting platforms, not individual sellers
— Global marketplaces are moving from a “growth phase” into a “compliance phase”

Scale alone is no longer protection.

📌 The EU Introduces a €3 Fee on Low-Value Online Parcels: A Challenge for Temu, Shein and Global Marketplaces

This week, the European Union formally approved the introduction of a €3 customs fee on low-value online parcelspriced under €150—shipments that until now entered the EU duty-free. The decision aims to reduce market imbalance, curb unfair competition, and strengthen consumer protection, while also easing pressure on Europe’s logistics and customs systems.

According to EU regulators, more than 4.6 billion small parcels entered the bloc in 2024, with roughly 90% originating from China. The new measure, scheduled to take effect on 1 July 2026, is positioned as an interim step toward a broader overhaul of EU customs regulations.

For global platforms such as Shein, Temu and AliExpress, the move is likely to raise operational costs and reshape pricing strategies, potentially leading to higher prices for European consumers. European retailers, meanwhile, view the decision as a long-overdue effort to level the playing field and reduce the inflow of low-quality or unsafe goods.

🎄 What’s Selling on Amazon Right Now — Key December Trends

December on Amazon is not about experiments. Shoppers want fast, clear, ready-to-buy solutions. Here’s what actually performs at the end of the year 👇

🎁 Ready-to-gift products

Top performers:
— gift sets
— “open and gift” items
— bundles instead of single products

Time saved = higher conversion.

🏠 Home & cozy products

Steady growth in:
— home decor
— candles
— blankets & throws
— small kitchen items

Home = comfort zone. This is clearly reflected in search rankings.

🔋 Small but useful gadgets

Trending now:
— power banks
— cables
— car accessories
— smart everyday gadgets

Expensive electronics slow down, while practical small items sell fast.

🧴 Personal care over luxury

Shoppers choose:
— personal care
— health products
— clear, tangible results

Price + utility > brand name.

🚚 Delivery beats price

Prime eligibility and fast shipping outperform discounts.
Without it, listings lose visibility and traffic.

❌ What doesn’t sell well

— complex niches
— unclear product value
— listings without video content

Conclusion:
In December, winners are products that solve a problem quickly, not just those that are cheaper.