e-commerce

The Supreme Court has ruled against former President Trump’s tariffs, finding he lacked the statutory authority to impose them. This decision has boosted e-commerce stocks, with Etsy seeing an 8% surge. The ruling particularly impacts the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed low-value packages duty-free, affecting companies like Temu and Shein. Businesses may be able to recoup billions in tariffs paid.

Etsy’s stock rose after selling its fashion resale app Depop to eBay for $1.2 billion, signaling a focus on its core marketplace. While Q4 earnings beat expectations, revenue and gross merchandise sales slightly missed targets, partly due to a prior divestiture. The Depop sale aims to streamline operations, while eBay enhances its presence in the growing fashion resale market. Etsy’s active seller base grew, though active buyers saw a minor dip. Future GMS guidance indicates a cautious outlook.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has appointed Dharmesh Mehta, VP of worldwide selling partner services, as his new “shadow” advisor. This strategic move aims to deepen executive understanding of Amazon’s core commerce and technology. Mehta will accompany Jassy to various meetings, gaining immersive insights into diverse operations. This highly coveted role has historically been a launchpad for future leadership, with past occupants including Jassy and Amit Agarwal. Mehta’s appointment signals a focus on marketplace dynamics and AI integration.

In 2025, TikTok, Temu, and Shein maintained strong U.S. market presences despite geopolitical tensions and policy scrutiny. TikTok ranked second in app downloads, with its video editing app CapCut also performing well. E-commerce platforms Temu and Shein continued to thrive, ranking seventh and leading the apparel category respectively. These China-linked apps succeeded by offering affordability, convenience, and engaging content driven by sophisticated algorithms, demonstrating remarkable adaptability to regulatory challenges and consumer demand.

China’s tech giants, including Alibaba and ByteDance, are pioneering “agentic commerce.” Their advanced AI chatbots now autonomously manage shopping tasks, from product recommendations to payment processing, all within a single chat interface. This evolution moves beyond basic AI, enabling autonomous agents to execute user requests with minimal oversight. E-commerce is an early frontier for this technology, with Chinese firms leveraging their integrated ecosystems to gain a competitive edge.

Alibaba International concluded its Global E-commerce Challenge (GEC) 2024, focusing on AI-driven innovations by university students. Over 1,000 participants tackled e-commerce challenges, with 11 finalist teams presenting AI solutions. Team CrashCourse from Singapore Management University won first prize for their AI-driven approach. The competition nurtured emerging talent, with all finalists receiving internship offers from Alibaba International.

Shopify’s Winter ’26 “Renaissance” update introduces agentic AI to automate workflows and expand sales beyond traditional storefronts. “Agentic Storefronts” enable purchases directly within AI interfaces like ChatGPT, shifting focus from driving traffic to product discoverability. The AI assistant “Sidekick” is enhanced to manage operational tasks and empower non-technical staff. New tools like “SimGym” and “Rollouts” allow for AI-driven testing of storefront changes. The update also streamlines infrastructure and developer tools, accelerating application development in this new era of commerce.

Amazon’s new AI shopping tools, “Shop Direct” and “Buy for Me,” are facing backlash from retailers. These features allow Amazon’s AI to list and even purchase products from external websites without explicit consent. Businesses report unauthorized listings and fulfillment issues, feeling exploited. Amazon claims the tools help customers discover products and businesses reach new audiences, offering an opt-out. This initiative highlights the growing tension between AI-driven e-commerce innovation and businesses’ control over their data and listings.

Stord has acquired Shipwire, expanding its e-commerce logistics network with 12 new facilities and AI-driven fulfillment capabilities. This strategic move, Stord’s seventh acquisition, enhances its mid-market and enterprise client base and integrates advanced AI tools for operational optimization. The company aims to leverage this growth to reduce shipping costs and accelerate deliveries for smaller merchants, positioning itself as a formidable competitor in the logistics sector. Further international expansion is planned.