What’s New in E-commerce? — November 7, 2025

Marketplace Platforms: Shein & Temu Face Scrutiny, eBay Adjusts Ad Structure

  • Shein and Temu’s German Sales Reach €3.3 Billion Amidst Controversy

    Shein and Temu’s combined sales in Germany are estimated at €3.3 billion, with one in five German consumers planning to purchase from these platforms before Christmas. However, both platforms face increasing scrutiny. Shein is potentially facing a ban in France due to a “sex doll scandal,” while consumer protection groups are criticizing both Shein and Temu for using manipulative sales tactics like countdown timers and “wheel of fortune” games to pressure consumers. These issues highlight the challenges and potential risks associated with the rapid growth of these marketplaces in Europe.

    Source: Ecommerce News / Read more

  • eBay to Change Advertising Structure, Potentially Increasing Costs for Sellers

    eBay is adjusting its advertising structure in the US and Canada starting in 2026, with changes to attribution models for Promoted Listings. This shift could lead to higher advertising costs for sellers. The changes may impact profitability for cross-border sellers relying on eBay’s advertising platform, requiring them to reassess their marketing strategies and budgets.

    Source: News / Read more

Logistics And Delivery: Carrier Changes, Challenges, and Cost Adjustments

  • Fastway Ireland Bankruptcy Forces Packeta to Switch to AnPost

    Fastway, Packeta’s delivery partner in Ireland, has ceased operations due to its parent company’s bankruptcy. To maintain service, Packeta is redirecting all shipments to AnPost, the Irish national postal service. This change ensures continued delivery to Ireland, but partners should be aware of potential adjustments during the transition. The immediate impact is a switch in carrier for Packeta’s Ireland-bound shipments.

    Source: Blog Packeta / Read more

  • DHL Faces Potential Fines Amidst Customer Complaints, Offers Packstation Discounts

    DHL is facing potential fines due to a high volume of customer complaints regarding service issues. Simultaneously, DHL is offering discounts to business customers for deliveries to Packstations. This dual development suggests DHL is attempting to address customer satisfaction while incentivizing more efficient delivery methods. The impact on cross-border e-commerce businesses using DHL remains to be seen.

    Source: News / Read more and News / Read more

Cross-border E-commerce Logistics: Navigating Challenges

  • Mastering International Shipping: A Guide for E-commerce Businesses

    Expanding sales across borders presents unique logistical hurdles for e-commerce businesses. A recent guide highlights key considerations for international shipping, including customs procedures, shipping costs, and selecting the right logistics partners. Understanding these factors is crucial for ensuring smooth and cost-effective delivery, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and driving international sales growth. This resource aims to equip merchants with the knowledge needed to navigate the complexities of cross-border e-commerce.

    Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more

AI Automation: Transforming Finance and Retail

  • Fintech Unicorn Automates CRE Lending with AI

    Built Technologies has launched an AI agent to automate draw requests in commercial real estate (CRE) lending, potentially impacting billions of dollars. This allows developers and construction firms to request financing stages more efficiently. The move signifies a growing trend of AI adoption in financial processes, potentially streamlining international construction projects and related financing across borders.

    Source: CNBC / Read more

  • Retailers Lag Behind AI-Driven Shopping Trends

    While consumers are rapidly embracing AI shopping tools, many retailers are slow to adapt, creating a gap between consumer behavior and retail readiness. This disconnect could hinder cross-border e-commerce growth if retailers fail to leverage AI to personalize experiences and optimize product discovery for international customers. Retailers need to prioritize AI integration to remain competitive.

    Source: E-Commerce Times / Read more

  • Family Offices Increase Investments in AI Startups

    Family offices are focusing on larger deals, particularly in AI startups, seeking significant returns from the AI boom. This trend indicates strong confidence in AI’s long-term potential and its ability to disrupt various industries. Increased investment could accelerate AI innovation relevant to cross-border e-commerce, such as improved translation, personalized marketing, and fraud detection.

    Source: CNBC / Read more

Payment And Checkout: Wero Enters German E-Commerce

  • Wero Launches in Germany with Eventim Partnership

    Wero, a new payment method positioned as a European alternative to PayPal, has launched in the German e-commerce market. Eventim is the first online retailer to integrate Wero, though the rollout currently has limitations. The launch marks Wero’s initial foray into online retail, potentially impacting the payment landscape for cross-border transactions within Europe as adoption grows.

    Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more

Legal And Compliance: Navigating E-Commerce Pitfalls

  • Fake Shops Exploit Ad Platforms; Consumers Demand More Protection

    A Forsa survey reveals a growing number of consumers are falling victim to fake online shops, with half of them advertising on major platforms like Google and Meta. Separately, the vzbv reports that consumers feel inadequately protected in online shopping, citing issues like long delivery times, poor quality, and hidden costs. These findings underscore the urgent need for stricter platform oversight and enhanced consumer protection measures in the e-commerce landscape.

    Source: Onlinehändler-News / Read more, Onlinehändler-News / Read more

  • Misleading Pricing and Product Descriptions Lead to Legal Repercussions

    The Landgericht Bochum ruled against an online shop for misleading consumers with “new” labels and strikethrough prices. Separately, errors in product descriptions can quickly lead to warnings. Businesses must ensure clarity, accuracy, and customer-centricity in their product information to avoid legal challenges.

    Source: Onlinehändler-News / Read more, Onlinehändler-News / Read more

  • Navigating Liability for Search Results and AI-Generated Content

    The OLG Düsseldorf ruled that merchants are not liable for platform search results if they don’t actively use trademark keywords. However, even “royalty-free” or purchased AI-generated images can lead to warnings, highlighting the need for careful legal due diligence when using such content.

    Source: Onlinehändler-News / Read more, Onlinehändler-News / Read more

Email Marketing for Customer Retention

  • Email Marketing as a Cost-Effective Customer Retention Strategy

    As new customer acquisition costs rise and margins shrink, email marketing offers retailers an effective way to retain customers and foster loyalty. By focusing on customer retention through targeted email campaigns, businesses can mitigate the increasing expenses associated with acquiring new customers. This strategy is particularly relevant for cross-border e-commerce, where building lasting relationships with international customers can be challenging and costly.

    Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more

Returns And Refunds: Abusive Returns Lead to Bans

  • New Yorker Bans Teenager Globally for Return Abuse

    Fashion retailer New Yorker issued a global ban against a teenager who fraudulently exploited their return policy, specifically related to Oktoberfest attire. This case highlights the increasing problem of “friendly fraud,” where consumers misuse return policies, leading to potential consequences. Such abuse can significantly impact retailers’ profitability and operational efficiency, especially in cross-border e-commerce where return logistics are already complex and costly. Retailers may need to tighten return policies and implement stricter monitoring to combat this trend.

    Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more

Data Protection And GDPR: Cookie Banner Alternatives Emerge

  • First Cookie Consent Management Tool Approved by Data Protection Authority

    A data protection authority has recognized its first tool for managing cookie consent, potentially signaling a shift away from ubiquitous cookie banners. This development could streamline the user experience on websites and simplify GDPR compliance for businesses operating in Europe. The approval suggests a move towards more user-friendly and efficient methods of obtaining and managing user consent for data collection. This could reduce friction for consumers and improve conversion rates for e-commerce businesses.

    Source: Onlinehändler News / Read more