⚠️ GPSR compliance deadline looms for marketplace sellers
The EU's General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) takes effect on December 13, 2024, replacing the outdated GPSD to enhance consumer safety in today’s ecommerce landscape. This regulation requires sellers, manufacturers, and marketplaces to meet stricter safety, transparency, and traceability standards for non-food consumer products.
Key changes include mandatory risk assessments, visible EU-based contact details, and efficient recall processes. Sellers are urged to prepare by updating product labels and submitting compliance information to avoid penalties or listing disruptions. With increased market surveillance, meeting GPSR requirements is essential for maintaining consumer trust and operational continuity.
Jorrit Steinz,
▶️ Watch the LIVE session where Jorrit discusses the GPSR changes and how to get ready for them.
🆕 Amazon Haul targets budget shoppers as a rival to Temu
Amazon’s new storefront, Haul, caters to inflation-hit U.S. consumers with ultra-low prices starting at $1. Available exclusively on mobile, Haul sources directly from Chinese sellers to compete with Shein and Temu. Key categories include fashion, electronics, and home goods, with items under $10 dominating the selection.
Orders over $25 qualify for free shipping, and returns are free for items priced above $3. Backed by Amazon’s A-to-Z Guarantee, Haul prioritizes safety and compliance, differentiating itself as regulatory scrutiny intensifies for its competitors. As Amazon refines this initiative, it’s poised to reshape the budget ecommerce landscape.
🤖 Perplexity AI introduces ‘buy with pro’ for seamless shopping
Perplexity’s AI search engine now allows Pro subscribers to purchase products directly through a “Buy with Pro” button, offering free shipping and eliminating the need to visit external merchant sites. This innovative feature integrates saved shipping and billing information for a seamless shopping experience.
Additionally, Perplexity’s Pro users can leverage AI-powered tools like Snap to Shop, enabling visual searches for products, and gain insights into shopping trends. While currently non-commercial, these features reflect Perplexity’s potential to redefine AI-powered ecommerce by streamlining how users discover and buy products.
👍 Amazon 2025: Stability and incentives for sellers
Amazon has announced a seller-friendly update for 2025, pledging no increases in Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) or referral fees and introducing fee reductions and benefits for sellers. Among the changes, inbound placement service fees for bulky products will drop, and incentives for new product categories will expand under the FBA New Selection Program.
The focus on stability comes after a year of structural fee adjustments that required sellers to adapt. With the new changes, Amazon aims to help sellers optimize costs, grow their offerings, and leverage its infrastructure for better business outcomes, demonstrating its commitment to a stronger partnership with sellers.
🔻 Blokker declares bankruptcy: the end of an era in Dutch retail
After years of financial struggles, Dutch retailer Blokker has officially declared bankruptcy, with the court appointing administrators to oversee its winding down. The announcement comes after failed attempts to stabilize the business, including a loan backed by its inventory earlier this year.
Despite the grim news, the 394 Blokker stores, excluding 45 franchise locations, are holding a massive clearance sale under the slogan "everything must go," drawing crowds eager for discounts. While the future of the chain remains uncertain, administrators are exploring the possibility of selling parts of the business to new owners. This marks the end of an era for one of the Netherlands' most iconic retail names.
📈 TikTok Shop UK: Record growth in seller and sales
TikTok Shop in the UK has seen remarkable growth, with the number of active sellers doubling to over 200,000 within the past year. This surge comes alongside a 93% increase in daily sales and a projected triple-digit year-on-year growth during the Black Friday period, driven by the popularity of live shopping sessions and shoppable videos.
Despite initial lukewarm reception, TikTok Shop’s live commerce format is now reshaping the UK market. However, its expansion in Europe remains cautious, with further launches delayed. For now, the UK leads TikTok’s e-commerce transformation, showcasing the platform’s potential to revolutionize social commerce.
Mitchell Dröge,🎉 The Netherlands hits 100,000 online store milestone
The Netherlands now boasts over 100,000 online stores, doubling in number over the past five years, according to Statistics Netherlands. Online retail has surpassed brick-and-mortar establishments in numbers, driven by the rise of small businesses during the pandemic.
While clothing remains the top category with 22,985 stores, the fastest growth is seen in general assortment retailers, which increased by 14% this year. However, despite this growth in numbers, total ecommerce spending has only risen by 1%, highlighting increased competition for the same consumer base.
Niels Floors,🤝 Alibaba Q2 growth boosted by B2B ecommerce
Alibaba reported a solid fiscal Q2 performance, with revenue reaching $33.7 billion—a 5% year-over-year increase. Its global B2B commerce division led the growth, with International Digital Commerce revenue rising 29% to $4.51 billion. Initiatives like the AliExpress Choice program and expansion into Europe and the Gulf region played a pivotal role.
In addition to its ecommerce success, Alibaba continues to invest heavily in AI-driven applications and cloud computing, positioning itself for long-term growth. CEO Eddie Wu emphasized operational efficiency and monetization as core drivers behind the company’s profitability and sustained market leadership.
🛍️ Salesforce predicts record Cyber Week sales for 2024
Salesforce projects $311 billion in global Cyber Week sales, with $75 billion in the U.S., driven by AI-powered personalization, mobile orders, and substantial discounts. Early November has already shown an 8% year-over-year rise in sales, signaling strong momentum for the holiday season.
Key trends include a 19% share of AI-influenced orders, reflecting growing reliance on AI in ecommerce. With discounts expected to peak at 28% globally, Salesforce predicts Cyber Week will account for 23% of total holiday-season sales, underscoring its critical importance for retailers.
