Insights

Practical guides for marketplace sellers.

Straight answers on agencies, US market entry, shipping costs and TikTok Shop — from a team that runs stores every day.

Walmart's Sparky AI Now Turns Photos and Shopping Lists Into Carts

On Oct 30, 2026, Walmart added six Sparky AI features, including photo and list-to-cart shopping. Sparky users spend 40% more per order. What sellers should do.

2026-11-03 · 5 min readRead →

TikTok Shop LIVE GMV Max: How to Run Ads for Your Livestreams

How TikTok Shop's LIVE GMV Max works: LIVE ROI, campaign length, session length, budgets, video requirements, day-one adjustments and a livestream checklist.

2026-11-03 · 6 min readRead →

Consumer Confidence Rebounds in October, but Shoppers Stay Price-Sensitive

The Conference Board index rose 7.5 points to 91.7 in October while UMich sentiment held near a record low at 48.0. What both surveys mean for holiday sellers.

2026-11-02 · 5 min readRead →

Walmart Listing Quality Score: The 5 Components and How to Improve Them

How Walmart's Listing Quality score works: content, price, shipping, in-stock and reviews components, exclusions, and a plan to raise your score.

2026-11-02 · 6 min readRead →

How to Get UPC Barcodes for Amazon and Walmart: GS1 US Costs Explained

How to get UPC barcodes from GS1 US for Amazon and Walmart: $30 single GTINs vs Company Prefixes from $250, cost per item, and a step-by-step checklist.

2026-11-01 · 6 min readRead →

eBay and Etsy Q3 2026: eBay US Volume Up 27%, Etsy Take Rate Hits 26.2%

eBay Q3 2026 GMV rose 15% to $23.2B with US GMV up 27%, while Etsy GMS grew 8.8% and its take rate rose to 26.2%. What it means for multichannel sellers.

2026-11-01 · 5 min readRead →

USTR Proposes Keeping China Ship Fees on Hold Until Jan 9, 2027

USTR proposed extending its pause on Section 301 port fees for Chinese-built and -operated ships to Jan 9, 2027. The fees on hold and what importers should do.

2026-10-31 · 5 min readRead →

How to Ship Lithium Battery Products With USPS: Rules for Sellers

USPS rules for mailing lithium batteries: 100 Wh and 2 g limits, 8 cells or 2 batteries per package, surface-only spare batteries, markings and a checklist.

2026-10-31 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon Q3 2026: Seller Services Up 9%, Ads Up 11%, Retail Up 2%

Amazon Q3 2026 sales rose 12% to $201.9B. Third-party seller services grew 9% and ads 11% while its own retail grew 2%. What the results mean for sellers in Q4.

2026-10-30 · 5 min readRead →

How to Sell on Amazon Business: B2B Pricing, Quantity Discounts and Quotes

How to sell to business buyers on Amazon Business: eligibility, business prices, quantity discounts, quotes, B2B Central, best-fit products and a checklist.

2026-10-30 · 6 min readRead →

UPS Q3 2026: Fewer Packages, Higher Prices, and a Normal Peak Ahead

UPS Q3 2026 revenue rose 6.7% to $22.9B as US revenue per piece jumped 6.1% while volume fell. Its peak-season outlook and what it means for parcel shippers.

2026-10-29 · 5 min readRead →

Google Free Listings Guide: Show Your Products on Google for Free

How Google Merchant Center free listings work: where products appear, required feed attributes, shipping and return rules, setup steps and a checklist.

2026-10-29 · 6 min readRead →

TikTok Shop GMV Max Guide: How to Set ROI Targets and Budgets

How TikTok Shop's GMV Max ads work, how to set ROI targets and budgets with TikTok's own formulas, creative and product tips, and a checklist to cut waste.

2026-10-28 · 6 min readRead →

USPS Adds a Weekly Fuel Surcharge in 2027: What Sellers Need to Know

USPS will add a weekly fuel surcharge to Ground Advantage, Priority Mail and Parcel Select from Jan 2027, tied to EIA fuel prices. What we know and what to do.

2026-10-28 · 5 min readRead →

Amazon Vine Guide: Eligibility, Fees and How to Launch With Reviews

How Amazon Vine works: who qualifies, the $0/$75/$200 enrollment fees per parent product, when you are charged, how many units to offer, and a launch checklist.

2026-10-27 · 6 min readRead →

Walmart Black Friday 2026: Three Events, 14 Deal Days From Nov 12

Walmart set three holiday deal events from Nov 12 to Dec 2, 2026: 14 deal days vs 10 in 2025, with a 3-day Cyber Monday. Key dates and what sellers should do.

2026-10-27 · 5 min readRead →

FDA Cosmetics Registration and Product Listing Under MoCRA: A Seller Guide

Selling cosmetics in the US? How FDA registration and product listing work under MoCRA, who is responsible, the small business exemption, and a checklist.

2026-10-26 · 6 min readRead →

UPS 2027 Rate Increase: 5.9% From Dec 21 and a 50 lb Handling Minimum

UPS will raise daily rates an average 5.9% on Dec 21, 2026, two weeks before FedEx, and lift the Additional Handling minimum to 50 lb. What sellers should do.

2026-10-26 · 5 min readRead →

How to Give an Agency Access to Amazon, Walmart and TikTok Shop Safely

Never share your password. How user permissions work on Amazon, Walmart and TikTok Shop, what access an agency really needs, and a checklist to stay in control.

2026-10-25 · 6 min readRead →

Walmart Opens Its Store to AI Shopping Agents: What Sellers Should Do

On Oct 21, 2026, Walmart launched Agent Profiles with spending limits and an Agent Gateway for ChatGPT, Gemini and Muse. What it means for Marketplace sellers.

2026-10-25 · 5 min readRead →

Court Certifies IEEPA Tariff Refund Class: What Importers Should Do

On Oct 8, 2026, the Court of International Trade certified a class of IEEPA tariff payers. Who is covered, the $30B at stake, and steps for small importers.

2026-10-24 · 5 min readRead →

Walmart Marketplace Returns Policy: A Seller Guide for 2026

Walmart's returns rules for Marketplace sellers: the 30-day window, holiday returns to Jan 31, RSS labels, in-store returns, restocking fees and Keep It.

2026-10-24 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon to Hire 300,000+ for the Holidays: What It Signals for Sellers

On Oct 20, 2026, Amazon said it will hire over 300,000 US workers for the holidays, up from a 250,000 target in prior years. What it signals for Q4 sellers.

2026-10-23 · 5 min readRead →

2026 Holiday Shipping Deadlines: USPS, FedEx and UPS Ship-By Dates

2026 holiday ship-by dates for USPS (Ground Advantage Dec 17, Priority Mail Dec 18) and FedEx, notes on UPS, and how sellers can set order-by cutoffs.

2026-10-23 · 5 min readRead →

Walmart Approves 8 More Parcel Carriers, Including UniUni and GOFO

Walmart added UniUni, GOFO, SwiftX, DoorDash and four other carriers to its approved list for seller-fulfilled orders on Oct 13, 2026. Rules, risks, next steps.

2026-10-22 · 5 min readRead →

Walmart Seller Performance Standards: The 8 Metrics and Thresholds

Walmart Marketplace Seller Performance Standards explained: the 8 metrics, thresholds and windows from Walmart's July 2026 update, and how to stay within them.

2026-10-22 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon Sponsored Brands: Formats, Pricing and Setup Guide

Amazon Sponsored Brands explained: who is eligible, video and collection formats, CPC vs vCPM vs reserved share of voice, and a setup that works, per Amazon.

2026-10-21 · 6 min readRead →

TikTok Shop Black Friday 2026 Runs Nov 11–30: Dates and Seller Rules

TikTok Shop's Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaign runs Nov 11–30, 2026. Last year's $500M+ weekend, official seller requirements and a checklist to prepare.

2026-10-21 · 5 min readRead →

Amazon Insurance Changes Nov 2: Safety Categories and the Insurance Accelerator

From Nov 2, 2026, Amazon requires $1M liability cover for enhanced safety categories at any sales level, and China sellers must use the Insurance Accelerator.

2026-10-20 · 6 min readRead →

Google Launches Universal Cart in the US: What Merchants Need to Know

On Oct 15, 2026, Google launched Universal Cart in US Search and Gemini: one cart across stores, price alerts and Google Pay checkout. How merchants get in.

2026-10-20 · 5 min readRead →

How a Foreign Company Gets a US EIN: IRS Rules for Sellers

How Chinese and other foreign companies get a free US EIN from the IRS: who can apply online, the international phone line, fax and mail timing, and SS-4 tips.

2026-10-19 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon Ads Review Requests: Paid Review Invitations Head to Beta

Amazon Ads announced Review Requests, a paid ad inviting recent buyers to review products under 1,000 ratings, with a US beta in late Oct 2026. What we know.

2026-10-19 · 5 min readRead →

USPS Priority Mail vs Ground Advantage: Which Should Sellers Use?

Priority Mail vs Ground Advantage for sellers: delivery times, size limits, insurance, DIM weight, Flat Rate prices and a data-driven way to choose per order.

2026-10-18 · 6 min readRead →

China Section 301 Tariffs Continue; 178 Exclusions Expire Nov 9

On Oct 7, 2026, USTR confirmed the China Section 301 tariffs remain in effect, and 178 exclusions expire Nov 9 unless extended. What importers should check now.

2026-10-18 · 5 min readRead →

TikTok Buy Direct and Shopping Assistant: What Brands Need to Know

On Oct 5, 2026, TikTok unveiled Buy Direct one-click checkout, an AI Shopping Assistant and an ad network for US advertisers. What we know and what to do.

2026-10-17 · 5 min readRead →

How to File a USPS Claim for Lost or Damaged Packages

USPS claim rules for sellers: when you can file for lost or damaged packages, the 60-day deadline, evidence USPS requires, payout timing, appeals and a routine.

2026-10-17 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon vs Walmart Referral Fees: A Category-by-Category Comparison

Amazon and Walmart referral fees compared from their official fee pages: where rates match, where Amazon costs more, fixed fees, minimums and worked examples.

2026-10-16 · 6 min readRead →

NRF Forecasts $1.013 Trillion Holiday Season, Up 4.2%

On Oct 15, 2026, NRF forecast US holiday sales up 4.2% to $1.013 trillion, faster than 2025. How it compares with online forecasts and what Q4 sellers can do.

2026-10-16 · 5 min readRead →

Walmart Marketplace Referral Fees: Rates, Tiers and Examples

Walmart Marketplace referral fees by category, how price bands differ from portion-based tiers, worked examples and a pricing checklist from Walmart's fee page.

2026-10-15 · 6 min readRead →

September 2026 Retail Sales: Nonstore Up 8.2% as Spending Holds Up

Census data out Oct 15: US retail and food sales hit $745.0B in September, up 6.3% YoY; nonstore retailers rose 8.2%. What the numbers mean for Q4 sellers.

2026-10-15 · 5 min readRead →

The FTC Fake Reviews Rule: What Sellers Can and Can't Do

The FTC rule banning fake and paid-for reviews took effect Oct 21, 2024, with fines up to $53,088 per violation. What's banned, what's allowed, and a checklist.

2026-10-14 · 6 min readRead →

IEEPA Tariff Refunds: $122B Certified as CAPE Phase 3 Opens

CBP has certified about $122B in IEEPA tariff refunds and set CAPE Phase 3 for Oct 6, 2026. Who qualifies, the $1.3B stuck on bank details, and what to do now.

2026-10-14 · 5 min readRead →

USPS Ground Advantage for Sellers: Rules, DIM Weight and Savings

USPS Ground Advantage rules for sellers: 70 lb limit, ounce tiers, $100 insurance, DIM weight ÷ 139 over 1 cu ft, temporary 2026 prices and a savings checklist.

2026-10-13 · 6 min readRead →

TikTok Shop Trends 2026: Beauty, $40 Products and a Top-Heavy Market

Marketplace Pulse tracked 150,000+ US TikTok Shop sellers: body-related products lead, beauty is ~30%, top items sell near $40, 1% of sellers drive 60% of GMV.

2026-10-13 · 5 min readRead →

Texas Moves to End Sales Tax on Marketplace Seller Fees

On Sept 30, 2026, Texas's Comptroller ordered a rule change to stop taxing marketplace fees as data processing. Timeline, the math, and why to keep paying now.

2026-10-12 · 5 min readRead →

US Sales Tax for Marketplace and DTC Sellers: Nexus Basics

When must an online seller collect US sales tax? Economic nexus, marketplace facilitator laws and official thresholds for CA, TX, IL and FL, plus a checklist.

2026-10-12 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon Seller Central Now Connects Walmart, eBay, Shopify and TikTok

Amazon's free multichannel tools let US sellers connect eBay, Shopify, TikTok and Walmart in Seller Central. What is live, what is coming, and what to check.

2026-10-11 · 5 min readRead →

CPSC eFiling: Product Certificates for US Importers and Sellers

Since July 8, 2026, most CPSC-regulated imports need certificate data eFiled with customs. Which certificate you need, what to file, and a readiness checklist.

2026-10-11 · 6 min readRead →

TikTok Shop Adds Box-Free Returns at ~10,000 UPS Happy Returns Locations

On Sept 29, 2026, UPS-owned Happy Returns joined TikTok Shop: box-free, label-free returns at ~10,000 US drop-off points. Facts, open questions, seller steps.

2026-10-10 · 5 min readRead →

Amazon Brand Registry Growth Tools: What Amazon's Data Says

A+ Content, Manage Your Experiments, Brand Stores, Subscribe & Save and Attribution: the Brand Registry tools Amazon says lift sales, with official figures.

2026-10-10 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon Holiday Returns: A Seller's Guide to the Extended Window

How Amazon's extended holiday return window works for FBA and seller-fulfilled orders, what NRF data says on return rates, and a 5-step plan to guard Q4 margin.

2026-10-09 · 6 min readRead →

Prime Big Deal Days 2026 Results: $9.86B Online, Deeper Discounts

Adobe says US shoppers spent $9.86B online during Amazon's Oct 6–7 Prime Big Deal Days, up 8.5%. Category lifts, discounts, mobile and what sellers should do.

2026-10-09 · 5 min readRead →

How to Size Your US Market Opportunity Using Official Data

US e-commerce hit $340.2B in Q2 2026, 17.1% of retail, per Census. How to go from the national total to your category, measure demand and set a sales target.

2026-10-08 · 6 min readRead →

Ship with Walmart Comes to ShipStation: Discounted Labels and Lost-Package Protection

Walmart Marketplace sellers can now buy Walmart-negotiated labels in ShipStation, with up to $100 lost-item protection. What it includes and what to check.

2026-10-08 · 5 min readRead →

Stripe to Buy Parafin, an Amazon Lending Provider: What Sellers Should Know

Stripe is buying Parafin, which has funded $3B+ to 60,000+ US businesses and provides Amazon Lending offers. What changes and how sellers should respond.

2026-10-07 · 5 min readRead →

How to Compare Seller Financing Offers: Factor Rates, APR and Hidden Costs

Loans, credit lines and cash advances quote costs differently. How to compare any offer on an annual basis, what lenders must disclose, and when to borrow.

2026-10-07 · 6 min readRead →

E-commerce Agency Pricing Models Compared: Fixed Fee, % of Sales or Hybrid?

How agency retainers, percentage-of-sales and hybrid fees work, a worked cost comparison at different sales levels, and the questions that reveal the real cost.

2026-10-06 · 6 min readRead →

SHEIN's First Results as a Listed Company: Flat Revenue, Profits Halved

SHEIN's H1 2026: revenue up 1% to $20.1B, adjusted profit down 55.6%, US Q2 revenue down 6% and fulfillment costs at half of revenue. What it means for sellers.

2026-10-06 · 5 min readRead →

LTL Freight Class Explained: How Density Sets Your Shipping Cost for Bulky Items

How NMFC freight classes work after the July 2025 density changes: the 13-tier density table, how to calculate density, a pallet example and ways to cut costs.

2026-10-05 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon Adds LTL Freight Labels, Walmart Builds Bulky Hub: What It Means for Big-Item Sellers

Amazon adds LTL labels to Buy Shipping and plans regional bulky pricing; Walmart invests $300M in an oversized-goods hub. What changes for heavy-item sellers.

2026-10-05 · 5 min readRead →

Best Buy Launches on TikTok Shop: What It Means for Sellers

Best Buy brings nearly 10,000 products to TikTok Shop in late October 2026. The details, TikTok Shop GMV data, and how independent sellers should respond.

2026-10-04 · 5 min readRead →

Amazon AI Image Rules: How to Label AI-Generated People in Listings

Amazon requires a contains-synthetic-performer tag on images with photorealistic AI-generated people. What qualifies, how to tag files, and an audit checklist.

2026-10-04 · 5 min readRead →

Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) Fees Explained, With Examples

WFS fulfillment fees by weight, surcharges, peak and long-term storage fees from Walmart, plus worked examples and a checklist to protect your margin.

2026-10-03 · 6 min readRead →

When Holiday Discounts Peak by Category: What Adobe's 2026 Data Shows

Adobe's full 2026 forecast: $9.9B for October Prime Days, the day each category's discount peaks, Cyber 5 surges and new traffic sources for sellers.

2026-10-03 · 6 min readRead →

US–China Truce Extended to Jan 10, 2027, and the "30-for-30" Tariff List

The US–China tariff truce now runs to Jan 10, 2027, and a White House list names 77 Chinese product lines for possible tariff cuts. What it means for sellers.

2026-10-02 · 6 min readRead →

How to Find Your Product's HTS Code and US Duty Rate

How US HTS codes are built, how to search the official schedule, check extra duties, use CBP rulings, and request a binding ruling. A step-by-step guide.

2026-10-02 · 6 min readRead →

TikTok Shop Account Health Rating (AHR): Thresholds, Penalties and Recovery

How TikTok Shop US Account Health Rating works: 200-point start, 150/100/50/0 thresholds, 180-day expiry, how to earn points back and protect your shop.

2026-10-01 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon Adds Prime Delivery to Merchant Websites and Cuts MCF Fees up to 25%

Since Sept 24, 2026, MCF merchants can offer Prime delivery on their own sites at no extra fee, and FBA sellers can save 15–25% on MCF fees. What it means.

2026-10-01 · 5 min readRead →

Amazon Sponsored Products Bidding Strategies and Placement Adjustments Explained

How fixed, down-only and up-and-down bidding work, how placement adjustments stack on top, a worked example, and how to choose settings from your own data.

2026-09-30 · 6 min readRead →

FedEx 2027 Rate Increase: 5.9% Headline, Bigger Hikes for Small Parcels

FedEx list rates rise 5.9% on Jan 4, 2027, but 1–5 lb parcels and delivery-area surcharges rise more. The numbers, and what e-commerce shippers should do now.

2026-09-30 · 5 min readRead →

2026 Holiday E-commerce Forecasts: Adobe, Deloitte and eMarketer Compared

Adobe forecasts a record $275.1B in US online holiday sales, up 6.7%. How the major 2026 forecasts compare, and what they mean for marketplace sellers in Q4.

2026-09-29 · 6 min readRead →

Shipping to US Customers After De Minimis: Rules and 3 Fulfillment Models

The $800 de minimis exemption is gone for all countries. What CBP requires now, who acts as importer, and how direct parcels, bulk import and FBA/WFS compare.

2026-09-29 · 6 min readRead →

US Trademark Registration for Chinese Sellers: Fees, Rules and Brand Registry

Foreign applicants need a US attorney, USPTO fees start at $350 per class, and a pending mark can unlock Amazon Brand Registry. A practical US trademark guide.

2026-09-28 · 6 min readRead →

Walmart's October Deals Event (Oct 5–11, 2026): What Sellers Should Know

Walmart's Deals sale runs Oct 5–11, 2026, overlapping Prime Big Deal Days. Dates, advertised discounts, Walmart's eCommerce growth and a seller prep checklist.

2026-09-28 · 5 min readRead →

Prime Big Deal Days 2026 (Oct 6–7): Dates, Data and a Seller Prep Plan

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days runs Oct 6–7, 2026. Last year's results, the Q4 fee and inventory dates around it, and a 7-day checklist for marketplace sellers.

2026-09-27 · 6 min readRead →

Amazon Seller Liability Insurance: Requirements and How to Comply

When Amazon requires commercial liability insurance, what the policy must include, typical costs, and a step-by-step checklist so your certificate passes.

2026-09-27 · 6 min readRead →

Walmart Marketplace Approval Requirements: Documents and Checklist

What Walmart Marketplace requires to approve a seller, which documents business verification asks for, common mistakes, and how 2026 new-seller savings work.

2026-09-26 · 6 min readRead →

2026 Peak Season Surcharges Start This Weekend: UPS, FedEx and USPS

UPS peak charges start Sept 27, FedEx Sept 28 and USPS holiday prices Oct 4. Dates, per-package amounts vs 2025, and a checklist to protect your Q4 margins.

2026-09-26 · 6 min readRead →

10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an E-commerce Agency

Fees, contracts, account access, ownership, reporting and red flags: 10 questions to ask any Amazon, Walmart or TikTok Shop agency before you sign.

2026-09-26 · 5 min readRead →

Selling in the US: 8 Things to Prepare Before You Launch

Launching in the US? Prepare these 8 essentials first: entity and tax, trademark, compliance, insurance, importing, listings, ads, and returns.

2026-09-26 · 5 min readRead →

7 Practical Ways to Cut US Parcel Shipping Costs

Cut US parcel shipping costs: right-size boxes for DIM weight, watch weight breaks, compare carriers, avoid surcharges and rate-shop every shipment.

2026-09-26 · 4 min readRead →

TikTok Shop US: A Practical Playbook for Creator Sampling

A step-by-step playbook for TikTok Shop US creator sampling: set commissions, vet affiliates, write briefs, track results and avoid costly mistakes.

2026-09-26 · 5 min readRead →

Amazon Accelerate 2026: Seller Assistant Upgrade and New AI Plugin

Amazon Accelerate 2026 brought a broader Seller Assistant, background automations and a plugin for Quick and Claude. What's new, and what sellers should do now.

2026-09-25 · 5 min readRead →

How to Lower ACoS on Amazon Without Killing Your Sales

Calculate your break-even ACoS, cut wasted search terms, fix campaign structure and bids, and improve conversion: a practical guide to lowering Amazon ACoS.

2026-09-25 · 6 min readRead →