What’s New in E-commerce? — January 9, 2026
Marketplace Platforms: Growth, Fees, and Risks
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Galaxus Continues Expansion, Eyes Marketplace Strategy
Galaxus saw substantial growth in 2025, reaching €4 billion in sales, a 17% increase. Sales outside of Switzerland also grew by 14%, reaching €418 million. This growth underscores the potential of Galaxus’ marketplace strategy and its increasing international presence, presenting opportunities and competition for other cross-border platforms.
Source: Exciting Commerce / Read more
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Amazon Announces Fee Reductions for Sellers
Amazon has implemented fee reductions for sellers in 2026, impacting sales and shipping fees. This move aims to benefit merchants and potentially attract more sellers to the platform. Sellers should review the updated fee structure to optimize their pricing and profitability on Amazon’s marketplace.
Source: News / Read more
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Amazon Sellers Face Increasing Brand Abuse Tactics
Amazon sellers are increasingly targeted by malicious trademark filings, creating challenges for businesses on the platform. Understanding these tactics is crucial for sellers to protect their brands and intellectual property. Sellers should proactively monitor trademark activity and be prepared to address fraudulent claims to mitigate potential disruptions to their business.
Source: News / Read more
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Fractional Talent Marketplace Gains Traction in E-commerce
The Starters, a marketplace for fractional e-commerce talent, is gaining momentum, exemplified by the success of CMO-turned-entrepreneur Jai Dolwani. This trend highlights the growing demand for specialized, on-demand expertise in the e-commerce sector, offering businesses flexible access to talent for specific projects and initiatives.
Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more
Customer Service: Navigating Customer Disputes in E-Commerce
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Online Retailers Face Complex Customer Disputes
A recent article highlights seven real-world examples of customer disputes in online retail, illustrating situations where customer demands are justified versus when retailers should defend their position. Understanding these scenarios is crucial for cross-border e-commerce businesses to navigate varying consumer protection laws and cultural expectations. Proactive customer service and clear communication are essential to mitigate potential conflicts and maintain customer trust, especially when operating internationally.
Source: Haendlerbund / Read more
Logistics And Delivery: Winter Weather Disruptions
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DHL Anticipates Delivery Delays in Germany Due to Winter Weather
Severe winter conditions in Germany are expected to impact delivery services, including DHL. The challenging weather is likely to cause delays in package delivery across the country. This disruption could affect cross-border e-commerce operations relying on timely deliveries within Germany, potentially leading to customer dissatisfaction and logistical challenges for businesses.
Source: Haendlerbund / Read more
Social Commerce: Pinterest’s Visual Influence
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Pinterest Leverages Visual Discovery for Social Commerce Growth
Pinterest is emerging as a key platform in the social commerce landscape, capitalizing on its visually-driven approach to inspire and facilitate e-commerce transactions. By integrating shopping features directly into the user experience, Pinterest allows users to seamlessly discover, evaluate, and purchase products based on visual inspiration. This strategy highlights the increasing importance of visual content in driving online sales and engagement, offering a model for other platforms looking to enhance their social commerce capabilities.
Cross-border Sales: Türkiye Ends 30 Euro Duty-Free Exemption
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Türkiye Eliminates 30 Euro Duty-Free Limit for Foreign Purchases
A Presidential Decree in Türkiye has removed the 30 Euro customs exemption for foreign purchases, impacting individual e-commerce shopping. Decree No. 10813, effective January 6, 2026, eliminates the duty-free allowance previously applied to purchases from abroad. This change will likely increase costs for Turkish consumers buying from international e-commerce sites and may affect cross-border sales volume into Türkiye.
Source: WORLDEF News / Read more
AI-Powered Shopping & Business Transformation
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Consumers Increasingly Use AI for Product Research
A new study indicates that 58% of consumers are now using AI tools to research products, signaling a shift in how shoppers discover and evaluate potential purchases. While marketplaces remain a primary starting point for product discovery (37%), their dominance has decreased by 10% year-over-year as social platforms and AI assistants gain traction. This trend highlights the growing importance of AI in shaping consumer behavior and the need for e-commerce businesses to adapt their strategies to leverage AI-driven product discovery.
Source: Ecommerce News / Read more
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Vista Equity Partners Invests in AI-Driven Business Reinvention
Vista Equity Partners is aggressively investing in AI applications and agentic software, betting on the transformative potential of AI to reinvent how companies operate. This move highlights the rapid growth and increasing importance of AI in alternative investments and its potential to drive significant changes in business processes. The investment underscores the growing confidence in AI’s ability to deliver tangible results and reshape industries.
Source: Business News / Read more
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AI Commerce Breakthroughs Dominate Online Retail Discussions
AI-driven commerce, including “buy for me” approaches and AI-powered shopping browsers, emerged as a central theme in online retail discussions throughout 2025. These advancements signal a significant shift towards more personalized and automated shopping experiences. The rise of AI in e-commerce is prompting businesses to explore new ways to leverage these technologies to enhance customer engagement and drive sales.
Source: Exciting Commerce / Read more
Payment And Checkout: Digital IDs, Cash Preferences, and Financial Services Evolution
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Digital IDs in Mobile Wallets Boost In-Store Shopping
Integrating digital IDs into mobile wallets is streamlining checkout and verification processes, bridging the gap between online convenience and in-store experiences. Retailers are leveraging this technology to enhance loyalty programs, personalize messaging, and facilitate tap-based interactions, ultimately driving more shoppers back to physical stores. This trend highlights the importance of seamless, omnichannel payment solutions for cross-border e-commerce businesses looking to expand their reach.
Source: E-Commerce Times / Read more
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Cash Still Matters: Push for Mandatory Cash Payment Options in Germany
Amidst declining cash usage, consumer advocates in Germany are advocating for a legal mandate to ensure cash payment options remain available to consumers. This reflects ongoing debates about payment inclusivity and consumer choice. For cross-border retailers, understanding local payment preferences, including the continued importance of cash in some markets, is crucial for optimizing checkout experiences and maximizing conversion rates.
Source: Händlerbund / Read more
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JPMorgan Chase to Take Over Apple Card
JPMorgan Chase will become the issuer of the Apple Card, replacing Goldman Sachs. This move signifies a shift in the landscape of financial services and co-branded credit card partnerships. The transition could impact the Apple Card’s features and benefits, potentially influencing consumer spending habits and payment preferences.
Source: Business News / Read more
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Digital Euro: Potential Competition for Existing Payment Services?
The introduction of a digital Euro aims to establish a unified payment service within the Eurozone. However, its arrival raises questions about its potential impact on existing payment service providers. Businesses should monitor the development and implementation of the digital Euro to understand its implications for payment strategies and cross-border transactions within Europe.
Source: Händlerbund / Read more
Legal And Compliance: Evolving Regulations and E-commerce Risks
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EU Updates Dispute Resolution, Shifts Focus to National Bodies
The European Union has ended its central Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform, shifting responsibility to national and sector-specific Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) bodies. This change, effective immediately, modernizes handling of cross-border consumer disputes, reflecting the growth of e-commerce since 2013. Businesses must now understand and comply with the updated national regulations for dispute resolution.
Source: WORLDEF News / Read more
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German Courts Address Misleading Advertising and Pricing
German courts are cracking down on misleading e-commerce practices. A court ruled against a company for advertising “CO₂-neutral” DHL shipping, deeming it deceptive. Separately, Amazon faces a lawsuit in the U.S. regarding alleged price gouging during the pandemic, with price increases of up to 1000%. These cases highlight the importance of accurate marketing and fair pricing for online retailers.
Source: Haendlerbund / Read more
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New Packaging and Employment Regulations Loom in Germany
German online retailers face evolving compliance requirements. Packaging laws will change in 2026, impacting licensing and registration. Furthermore, the EU Entgelttransparenzrichtlinie, effective June 7, 2026, will require companies to include salary information in job postings. Businesses should prepare for these changes to avoid potential legal issues.
Source: Haendlerbund / Read more
Marketing and Advertising: New Tools, Strategies, and Campaigns
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Chick-fil-A Launches Largest Marketing Campaign in its History
To celebrate its 80th anniversary, Chick-fil-A has launched its biggest marketing campaign to date, aiming to attract more customers amidst shrinking restaurant industry traffic. This initiative highlights the importance of brand reinvigoration and customer engagement, lessons applicable to cross-border e-commerce businesses seeking to maintain market share and attract new audiences in competitive international markets. The campaign emphasizes the need for innovative marketing strategies to drive growth.
Source: Business News / Read more
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Leveraging Google Ads for New Customer Acquisition
Google’s New Customer Acquisition feature offers refined account and bid settings designed to target high-potential prospects. This tool is particularly relevant for cross-border e-commerce, enabling businesses to efficiently identify and acquire customers in new international markets. By optimizing ad spend and targeting strategies, companies can improve ROI and accelerate their global expansion efforts.
Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more
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Emerging Ecommerce Tools for Enhanced Marketing and Operations
The latest wave of e-commerce tools includes innovations in marketing and advertising, livestreaming capabilities, pop-up and form builders, fulfillment networks, AI voice agents, agentic commerce solutions, and reverse logistics management. These advancements offer cross-border e-commerce businesses opportunities to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and optimize the entire supply chain, ultimately improving competitiveness in the global marketplace.
Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more
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Content Marketing Ideas for February 2026
February 2026 presents several content marketing opportunities centered around Valentine’s Day, Presidents’ Day, and the beginning of the spring buying cycle. For cross-border e-commerce, these events provide a chance to create targeted campaigns that resonate with specific cultural nuances and consumer preferences in different regions, driving sales and brand awareness on a global scale.
Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more
Returns and Refunds: Crackdown on High Return Rates & “Returnuary” Challenges
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Otto to Restrict Accounts with Excessive Returns
German online retailer Otto is implementing stricter return management policies. Customers with consistently high return rates may face account restrictions or even suspension. This move highlights growing concerns about the financial burden of returns on e-commerce businesses and the need to manage return behavior.
Source: Händlerbund / Read more
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“Returnuary” Continues to Plague E-Commerce Margins
January, dubbed “Returnuary” by retailers, remains a challenging period as post-holiday returns significantly impact profit margins and strain reverse logistics. High return volumes necessitate efficient and cost-effective return processes for cross-border e-commerce businesses to mitigate financial losses. Retailers should prepare for this annual surge by optimizing their return policies and logistics.
Source: E-Commerce Times / Read more
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ASOS Introduces Returns Transparency Tool
Online fashion retailer ASOS has launched a returns transparency tool for UK shoppers. This tool provides customers with insights into their personal return rates, which may influence the return fees they incur. This initiative aims to encourage more responsible purchasing behavior and reduce overall return volumes.
Source: Ecommerce News / Read more
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Understanding Rights and Obligations for Incorrect Deliveries
A recent article clarifies the rights and obligations of customers who receive incorrect deliveries. It addresses the question of whether customers can simply dispose of wrongly delivered items. This information is crucial for ensuring compliance with legal requirements and managing customer expectations in cross-border e-commerce scenarios.
Source: Händlerbund / Read more
Data Protection and GDPR: Cookie Consent and Liability
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Website Providers Also Liable for Improper Cookie Placement
A recent ruling clarifies that not only website operators but also third-party providers can be held liable for setting cookies without proper user consent. This expands the scope of GDPR enforcement, impacting cross-border e-commerce businesses that rely on third-party services for analytics, advertising, or other functionalities. Companies must ensure all partners adhere to GDPR cookie consent requirements to avoid potential legal repercussions.
Source: Haendlerbund / Read more
Taxation and Invoicing: 2026 Updates for E-Commerce Businesses
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Upcoming E-Commerce Tax Changes in the EU
In 2026, online sellers in the EU face new tax and compliance requirements. While the major VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) initiative is scheduled for later implementation, businesses should prepare for immediate changes including updated VAT rates and new tax reporting duties. Understanding and acting on these changes is crucial for maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties in the evolving e-commerce landscape.
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German Tax Audits: Access to Company Emails
A recent ruling in Germany clarifies the extent to which tax authorities can access company emails during audits. The decision highlights the importance for businesses to be prepared for potential scrutiny of their electronic communications. Companies should understand the boundaries of permissible access and implement measures to ensure compliance while protecting sensitive information.
Source: News / Read more
SEO And Webshop Optimization: The Impact of 404 Errors
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404 Errors Negatively Impact SEO by Hurting User Experience
While not direct ranking signals, 404 errors (“page not found”) on your e-commerce site can significantly harm your SEO. These errors disrupt the user experience, leading to increased bounce rates and decreased time on site, both of which negatively impact search engine rankings. Furthermore, 404s can block link equity, preventing valuable backlinks from contributing to your site’s authority. Regularly audit your site for broken links and implement redirects to relevant pages to maintain a positive user experience and preserve SEO value.
Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more