What’s New in E-commerce? — November 21, 2025
Marketplace Platforms: Live Shopping, Amazon in Belgium, and Counterfeit Prevention
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eBay Launches Live Shopping in Germany
eBay has launched live shopping events in Germany, marking a significant step in the evolution of e-commerce in the region. This move reflects the growing importance of real-time interaction and video commerce in online retail. The introduction of live shopping aims to enhance customer engagement and provide sellers with new opportunities to showcase their products. This initiative signals a shift towards more dynamic and community-driven online shopping experiences.
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Amazon Becomes Second-Largest Online Retailer in Belgium
Amazon has rapidly ascended to become the second-largest online retailer in Belgium, just three years after launching a dedicated online store. This growth is fueled by significant investments, including same-day delivery capabilities from its distribution center near Antwerp. Amazon’s expansion in Belgium highlights the increasing competition and evolving landscape of e-commerce in Europe.
Source: Ecommerce News / Read more
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Walmart Eyes Acquisition to Combat Counterfeits
Walmart is reportedly in talks to acquire R&A Data, an Israeli-founded startup, to bolster its efforts against scams and counterfeit products on its online marketplace. This potential acquisition follows reports of issues involving identity theft and counterfeit beauty products sold on Walmart’s platform. The move underscores the increasing importance of brand protection and consumer trust in the competitive e-commerce landscape.
Source: Business News / Read more
Logistics And Delivery: Peak Season Prep & Fulfillment Visibility
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Amazon Increases Seasonal Hiring in Germany
Amazon is significantly increasing its seasonal workforce in Germany to meet anticipated holiday demand, signaling potentially higher order volumes compared to last year. This surge in hiring highlights the continued importance of the German market for Amazon’s European operations. Cross-border sellers should prepare for potential capacity constraints and adjust inventory and delivery strategies accordingly to ensure timely fulfillment during the peak season.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
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Google Enhances Fulfillment Display for Merchants
Google is now displaying shipping and return details directly in search results, even for merchants without a Merchant Center account. This update increases the visibility of crucial fulfillment information for shoppers, potentially influencing purchasing decisions. Cross-border e-commerce businesses can benefit from this enhanced display by ensuring accurate and compelling shipping and return policies are readily available to potential customers via their websites, improving conversion rates.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
Social Commerce: The Rise of Swipe-Based Shopping
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Instagram Explores “SwipeCommerce” for Seamless In-App Purchases
Instagram is rapidly evolving as a social commerce platform, integrating shopping features, product tags, Reels, and even an Amazon shop. The platform is exploring streamlined in-app purchasing via a simple swipe. This evolution could significantly impact cross-border e-commerce by offering a more direct and frictionless path to purchase for international consumers, potentially increasing conversion rates and driving sales.
Cross-border Expansion: E-commerce Platforms Target New Markets
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Wildberries Expands into Africa via Ethiopia
Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries is entering the African market through a memorandum of understanding with Ethiopia’s largest state-owned investment firm. This move facilitates local production, digital economy collaboration, and marks Wildberries’ first venture into Africa. The expansion signifies a strategic effort to tap into new markets and leverage the growing digital economy in the region.
Source: News – WORLDEF News / Read more
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Petal Group Secures $18M to Fuel UAE and Ireland Growth
Petal Group, a floral-gifting and e-commerce platform, has received a US $18 million equity investment from UAE-based Quintas Capital. This funding will be used to accelerate Petal Group’s operations in both the UAE and Ireland. The investment highlights the increasing interest in e-commerce platforms that offer specialized gifting services and aim to expand their reach in diverse international markets.
Source: News – WORLDEF News / Read more
AI Automation: Personalization and Catalog Management
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Albatross AI Launches Infrastructure for Live Personalization
Albatross AI has announced what it claims is the first infrastructure for training personalization models using live event data. This development aims to improve the relevance and effectiveness of e-commerce personalization, potentially leading to increased conversion rates and customer satisfaction. For cross-border e-commerce, this could mean more tailored experiences for international customers, addressing diverse preferences and cultural nuances in real-time.
Source: Practical Ecommerce / Read more
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Mirakl Highlights AI-Driven Catalog Management as Growth Lever
Mirakl’s recent insights emphasize the importance of AI-supported catalog management for B2B growth. An ECC webinar highlighted how manual product data processes hinder growth and negatively impact supplier relationships, especially with the rise of AI-powered search. McKinsey also identified “Agentic Commerce” as a trillion-dollar opportunity. Efficient catalog management is crucial for cross-border e-commerce, ensuring accurate and up-to-date product information across different languages and markets.
Source: Exciting Commerce / Read more
Payment And Checkout: Wero Gains Traction in German E-commerce
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Wero Payment Solution Launches in German Online Shops
The EU-backed payment solution Wero is now being integrated into German online shops, offering an alternative to PayPal. Major retailers like Lidl, Rossmann, and BAUR are among the first to adopt the service, along with participation from several banks. This move aims to diversify payment options for German consumers and potentially reduce reliance on international payment providers within the region’s e-commerce landscape.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
Legal And Compliance: Navigating E-Commerce Regulations & Avoiding Pitfalls
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EU to Eliminate €150 Customs Exemption, Impacting E-Commerce
The European Union will eliminate the €150 duty exemption on online shopping imports by 2026. This closes a loophole and will likely increase costs for consumers and require adjustments for e-commerce businesses selling into the EU. Businesses should prepare for changes in customs procedures and potential price adjustments.
Source: WORLDEF News / Read more
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Black Friday Warning: Verbraucherzentrale Alerts Consumers to Fake Shops
The Verbraucherzentrale (consumer protection agency) warns consumers to be vigilant against fake online shops during Black Friday. Scammers often exploit the high shopping volume to defraud consumers. E-commerce platforms and consumers should exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of websites before making purchases to avoid financial losses and protect personal data.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
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Amazon Loses Appeal Against Stricter EU Regulations for Large Online Platforms
The European Union’s General Court rejected Amazon’s challenge to its designation as a very large online platform. This means Amazon will face stricter obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), including increased monitoring of illegal content and greater transparency. This decision reinforces the EU’s commitment to regulating large tech companies and ensuring a safer online environment.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
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E-Commerce Faces New Hurdles: “Buy Now, Pay Later” Could Require Postal Verification
A proposed amendment to the Consumer Credit Directive in Germany suggests requiring postal confirmation for “buy now, pay later” transactions. This proposal has sparked concern within the e-commerce sector, as it could add friction to the payment process and potentially reduce sales. Industry stakeholders are urging policymakers to reconsider the measure and explore alternative solutions that balance consumer protection with business efficiency.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
Marketing and Advertising: Trends and Tactics
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Gap Sales Surge After Viral Denim Ad
Gap saw a 5% increase in comparable sales, indicating market share growth. This follows their “Milkshake” denim ad campaign featuring Katseye, suggesting the power of targeted, engaging advertising in driving sales. For cross-border e-commerce, this highlights the importance of culturally relevant and viral marketing strategies to capture international audiences and boost revenue.
Source: CNBC / Read more
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Netflix Expands into Merchandising
Netflix is increasing its focus on merchandising, including toys and events, to enhance fan engagement between content releases. This move signifies the growing importance of brand extension and creating multiple revenue streams for media companies. Cross-border e-commerce businesses can learn from this by exploring opportunities to create and sell merchandise related to their products or brand, fostering customer loyalty and generating additional income.
Source: CNBC / Read more
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Key Mistakes to Avoid on Classifieds Platforms
A recent survey identifies common buyer frustrations on classifieds platforms, offering valuable lessons for online retailers. Understanding these “no-gos” can help businesses refine their product listings, improve customer communication, and build trust with potential buyers. This is particularly relevant for cross-border sellers who need to adapt their strategies to different cultural norms and expectations in international markets.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
Returns And Refunds: Empty Returns & Retail Turnarounds
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Empty Return Packages Raise Legal Questions for Merchants
Online retailers face legal complexities even when customers return empty packages. A recent report highlights that receiving an empty return box doesn’t automatically resolve the issue for the merchant. Retailers must still navigate legal considerations related to the return and refund process, potentially impacting profitability and customer relations. Understanding these legal nuances is crucial for cross-border e-commerce businesses to avoid disputes and ensure compliance.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
Data Protection And GDPR: EU Considers Overhaul to Reduce Bureaucracy
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EU Commission Proposes New GDPR Rules Aimed at Reducing Cookie Banners
The European Commission is considering new data protection and digital rights regulations designed to reduce bureaucracy for businesses. The proposed changes could potentially streamline the user experience by minimizing the need for cookie banners. This initiative aims to simplify compliance for companies operating in cross-border e-commerce within the EU, potentially leading to cost savings and improved website usability.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more
Warehousing And Fulfillment: Allegro’s One Fulfillment
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Allegro’s “One Fulfillment” Aims to Redefine E-commerce Logistics
Allegro’s “One Fulfillment” program is positioning itself as a key differentiator in the competitive e-commerce landscape. The initiative focuses on optimizing delivery services to enhance the customer experience. This shift highlights a growing trend where efficient logistics are as crucial as sales volume for e-commerce success, potentially impacting how merchants prioritize fulfillment strategies for cross-border expansion.
Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more