What’s New in Commerce? — November 10, 2025

Logistics And Delivery: Carrier Updates

  • DPD Announces Christmas Shipping Deadlines

DPD has announced its shipping deadlines for the upcoming Christmas season. E-commerce businesses should take note of these dates to ensure timely delivery of orders during the peak holiday period. Planning logistics around these deadlines is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction and avoiding delays.

Source: News / Read more

AI Automation: Transforming Retail and Finance

  • AI-Powered Browsers Disrupt E-Commerce

    AI browsers are changing online shopping, with some, like Perplexity’s Comet, facing pushback from major players like Amazon. Comet’s new assistant poses a threat by potentially redirecting customers away from traditional e-commerce platforms. This shift highlights the need for online retailers to adapt to AI-driven search and shopping experiences to retain customers.

    Source: Exciting Commerce / Read more

     

  • AI Enhances Customer Loyalty Programs

    AI is being used to refine and improve customer loyalty programs, making them smarter and more effective. By leveraging AI, businesses can personalize rewards, predict customer behavior, and optimize engagement strategies. This trend is crucial for cross-border e-commerce, where tailored loyalty programs can drive customer retention and increase sales in diverse markets.

    Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more

Legal And Compliance: Navigating E-Commerce Regulations

  • New German Law Simplifies E-Waste Returns for Online Retailers

    Germany has enacted legislation simplifying the return of electronic waste, including e-cigarettes, impacting online retailers. This requires businesses to adapt their return processes to comply with the new regulations. Failure to comply could result in penalties and damage to reputation. The Bundestag aims to increase recycling rates and reduce environmental impact.

    Source: Onlinehändler-News / Read more

  • Beware of Health-Related Claims: German Court Ruling Impacts Product Descriptions

    The LG Berlin ruled against advertising products as “compatible” (“verträglich”), emphasizing the need for careful review of product descriptions, especially regarding health-related claims. This ruling highlights the importance of substantiating health claims with scientific evidence and adhering to advertising standards to avoid legal challenges from consumer protection agencies.

    Source: Onlinehändler-News / Read more

  • German Government Aims to Reduce Bureaucracy and Digitize Processes

    The German government is implementing a package of 50 measures and 8 laws to reduce bureaucracy and digitize processes, aiming to relieve businesses. This initiative could simplify compliance procedures and reduce administrative burdens for online retailers operating in Germany, potentially saving time and resources.

    Source: Onlinehändler-News / Read more

Marketing And Advertising: Holiday Ads, Customer Acquisition Costs, & Value Focus

  • Amazon Ads Guide for Peak Holiday Shopping Season

    As the holiday shopping season approaches, Amazon Ads is providing resources to help businesses in Germany reach customers during key shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These events offer advertisers opportunities to connect with active shoppers who are ready to discover new brands. This is especially relevant for cross-border e-commerce businesses looking to expand their reach in the German market during the peak season.

    Source: etailment.de / Read more

Returns and Refunds: Legal Battles and Policy Enforcement

  • EU Court to Rule on Consequences of Missing Return Form

    The European Court of Justice (ECJ) will decide whether the return period is indefinitely extended if a merchant fails to provide a standard return form. This ruling could significantly impact cross-border e-commerce businesses operating in the EU, potentially leading to extended return windows and increased costs if the mandatory form is omitted.

    Source: Onlinehändler-News / Read more

  • Dispute Over Customer-Provided Return Label Costs

    A legal dispute has arisen regarding whether a merchant must cover return shipping costs when a customer uses their own shipping label instead of the one provided. The outcome of this case could clarify the responsibilities of merchants in situations where customers deviate from the standard return process, potentially affecting return cost management.

    Source: Onlinehändler-News / Read more