What’s New in E-commerce? — February 6, 2026

Amazon Overtakes Walmart in Sales, German Authority Bans Price Controls

In 2025, Amazon’s sales reached $717 billion, surpassing Walmart’s $715 billion. Amazon’s marketplace sales grew to $269 billion (+9%). Separately, Germany’s competition authority has prohibited Amazon from influencing third-party seller pricing on its marketplace, citing distorted competition. This ruling could impact how Amazon manages its marketplace in Germany and potentially other regions.

Source: Exciting Commerce / Read more

Source: News – WORLDEF News / Read more

eBay Enhances Seller Tools and Showcases Live Selling

eBay is simplifying voucher campaigns for merchants, offering increased convenience and potential financial support starting in March 2026. Additionally, Meroda is using eBay Live to revolutionize the sale of designer vintage fashion in Germany, offering a personalized exchange with customers. These moves indicate eBay’s focus on improving seller experience and exploring new sales formats.

Source: News 1 / Read more,  News 2

Future of ASOS and Boohoo in Competitive Fast Fashion Market

Following the merger of Zalando and About You, speculation surrounds the future of ASOS and Boohoo in 2026, particularly in competition with Shein. The question remains whether ASOS and Boohoo will consolidate to compete more effectively. This reflects the ongoing consolidation and competitive pressures within the fast-fashion e-commerce landscape.

Source: Exciting Commerce / Read more

Packeta Group Achieves Record Parcel Volume in 2025

Packeta Group reported a record-breaking year in 2025, delivering 184 million parcels, a 40 million increase year-over-year. The company also expanded its network of pickup boxes in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, exceeding one million slots. This growth reflects increasing customer demand for flexible delivery options, highlighting the importance of accessible and convenient parcel services in cross-border e-commerce.

Source: Blog Packeta / Read more

DHL Faces Increased Complaints Regarding Parcel Delivery

Dispute resolution requests related to parcel deliveries, specifically involving DHL, saw a significant increase in 2025. This trend suggests potential challenges in maintaining delivery quality and customer satisfaction as e-commerce volumes grow. Cross-border e-commerce businesses should monitor delivery performance and address customer service issues promptly to mitigate negative impacts.

Source: News / Read more

Academic Discourse on TikTok Shop

Prof. Dr. Richard C. Geibel presented a scientific perspective on TikTok Shop at Cologne City Hall on February 2, 2026, as part of the “Wissenschaft im Rathaus” lecture series. The event, hosted by the Kölner Wissenschaftsrunde, aimed to bring academic research on social commerce to the public forum. This highlights the increasing relevance of social commerce platforms like TikTok Shop in public and academic discussions, signaling a need for businesses to understand the platform’s dynamics for effective cross-border e-commerce strategies.

Source: E-Commerce Institute Cologne / Read more

DHL and Deutsche Bank Partner to Boost SME Cross-Border Trade

DHL Express and Deutsche Bank have joined forces to offer small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrated logistics and financial solutions aimed at simplifying and expanding their export capabilities. This partnership provides SMEs with streamlined access to both logistics expertise and financial services, potentially reducing barriers to entry in international markets and fostering growth in cross-border e-commerce. The collaboration aims to empower SMEs to compete more effectively on a global scale.

Source: Haendlerbund / Read more

AI Product Discovery Drives Traffic to Brand Sites

A recent survey indicates that 77% of U.S. holiday shoppers in 2025, when presented with an AI-recommended product, will navigate directly to the brand’s website to make a purchase. This underscores the growing importance of AI in product discovery and its potential to significantly boost direct-to-consumer traffic for brands.

Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more

International Conference on Digital Management, AI, and E-Commerce in Switzerland

The ISPC 2026, an international conference in Brugg, Switzerland, will focus on Digital Management, E-Commerce, Social Commerce, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Transformation. The conference invites researchers, practitioners, and students to participate in an academic exchange, offering a platform to discuss the latest trends and challenges in these fields.

Source: E-Commerce Institute Cologne / Read more

European Payment Providers Unite to Challenge International Giants

Five European payment providers are forming a pan-European alliance aiming to enable cross-border payments for 130 million users by 2027. This initiative seeks to challenge the dominance of international payment solutions within Europe, potentially reshaping the cross-border payment landscape for e-commerce businesses operating in the region. The move could lead to increased competition and innovation in payment processing.

Source: etailment.de / Read more

BNPL Popularity Raises Consumer Risk Concerns

The increasing adoption of “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services in e-commerce presents potential risks for consumers. A recent survey indicates that a significant portion of BNPL users are losing track of their payments. This highlights the need for greater consumer awareness and responsible usage of BNPL options, as well as potential regulatory scrutiny of these services.

Source: News / Read more

German Watchdog Bans Amazon’s Price Controls on Marketplace Partners

The German antitrust authority (“Bundeskartellamt”) has prohibited Amazon from influencing pricing set by third-party sellers on its German marketplace. Amazon must adjust its policies and can only exert price influence in exceptional cases. The company must also repay 59 million euros in economic benefits. This decision aims to give sellers more pricing freedom and prevent anti-competitive practices.

Source: Ecommerce News / Read more

Germany Implements New E-commerce Regulations: Widerrufsbutton, Warranty Labels, and Advertising Standards

Several new regulations are coming into effect in Germany, impacting online retailers. These include the mandatory implementation of a “Widerrufsbutton” (withdrawal button) on online shops by June 2026, new guidelines for warranty and guarantee labels by September 2026, and stricter rules regarding permissible advertising claims. Furthermore, confusing or contradictory product descriptions can lead to warnings. These changes require merchants to update their online shops and practices to ensure compliance.

Source: News / Read more

Navigating GPSR: EU Importer Labeling Requirements

One year after its enactment, the General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) continues to pose challenges for online retailers, particularly regarding EU importer labeling requirements. Many merchants still seek clarity on how to properly implement the EU labeling obligations. Understanding and correctly applying these rules is crucial for avoiding penalties and ensuring smooth cross-border trade.

Source: News / Read more

Evolving Social Media: From Dialogue to Distribution in the AI Era

Social media is shifting from organic dialogue to AI-driven distribution, impacting e-commerce strategies. According to etailment.de, this change diminishes organic reach, emphasizing the importance of brand values and carefully considered marketing strategies. Businesses must adapt to this new landscape by prioritizing authenticity and leveraging AI for targeted content delivery to maintain customer engagement.

Source: etailment.de / Read more

Super Bowl Ads Go Streaming-Only, Offering Opportunities for Smaller Brands

CNBC reports that streaming-only Super Bowl ads are providing a more accessible entry point for smaller brands. This offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional, expensive Super Bowl commercials. For cross-border e-commerce, this trend presents a chance to reach a broad audience and increase brand visibility on a major platform.

Source: Business News / Read more

Content Marketing Ideas for March 2026 & Insights into Consumer Behavior

Practical Ecommerce suggests content ideas for March 2026, including spring renewal and the U.S.’s 250th anniversary. Additionally, they highlight books for marketers that explore consumer behavior and marketing performance. Understanding these drivers is crucial for crafting effective campaigns and improving e-commerce strategies.

Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more

Liability in eBay Returns: Who Pays When Underinsured Packages Go Missing?

A recent case highlights the complexities of liability when returned items are lost in transit. In this instance, a customer returned a €1,500 bracelet via underinsured shipping, and the package never arrived. The central question is: who bears the financial responsibility when returns are lost due to insufficient insurance coverage? This scenario underscores the importance of clear return policies and adequate insurance for valuable items in cross-border e-commerce to protect both sellers and buyers from potential losses.

Source: Haendlerbund / Read more

Ian-Lee Pfeifer’s DSGVO Schadensersatz Claims Regarding Cookie Consent

Reports indicate that Ian-Lee Pfeifer is issuing DSGVO-related letters demanding Schadensersatz (damages) for the use of cookies without explicit user consent. The central question is whether these claims are legally justified. This development is crucial for cross-border e-commerce businesses as it highlights the potential financial risks associated with non-compliance regarding cookie consent under GDPR, particularly for companies operating in the EU market.

Source: Haendlerbund / Read more

Blue States Eye Wealth Taxes Amidst Red State Cuts

Democratic-led states are exploring new taxes targeting wealthy individuals, while many Republican-controlled states continue to reduce or eliminate taxes. This divergence in state tax policies could impact business location decisions and individual residency choices, potentially affecting cross-border e-commerce indirectly through shifts in consumer spending power and business investment.

Source: CNBC / Read more

Bol Expands Fulfillment Options with Third-Party Logistics Network

Dutch marketplace Bol is launching a third-party logistics (3PL) network, seeking logistics companies to provide warehouse space and order processing for its sellers. Currently, sellers can only use Bol’s in-house fulfillment services. This expansion aims to provide more flexibility and options for sellers, potentially improving delivery times and reducing costs. The move could significantly impact cross-border e-commerce by enabling smaller sellers to compete more effectively.

Source: Ecommerce News / Read more

Store Picking: A Strategic Move or a Step Backwards?

Etailment.de analyzes the resurgence of store picking as a fulfillment method. The article explores various picking models, how retailers operate between sales floors and backrooms, and the operational challenges involved. It questions whether this approach is a strategic advantage or a regression in efficiency. The analysis is relevant for cross-border retailers evaluating fulfillment strategies in markets with established brick-and-mortar presence.

Source: etailment.de / Read more