#176 - Amazon's Global Marketplace Opportunity, Upcoming Changes to Variations, and more
Hot News
Amazon's Global Marketplace Opportunity
The conventional narrative fixates on gross merchandise volume as the ultimate indicator of marketplace potential. By that logic, Amazon’s U.S. marketplace, with an estimated $305 billion in third-party GMV, dwarfs everything, and the conversation ends there. But a single-metric focus misses the fundamental question: where can sellers build a sustainable, profitable business?
marketplacepulse.com
Upcoming Changes to Amazon’s Variations
One of the largest pain points for sellers on Amazon is ASIN variations. From creating parent-child ASIN variations to how variations are displayed to the customer, there are many things to check and consider to make sure these are done correctly. Amazon’s latest attempt to simplify its catalog via variation themes started rolling out in September 2025 and is scheduled to be completed in November 2025.
jumpfly.com
Amazon Product Photography Requirements: Complete 2025 Compliance Checklist
Selling on Amazon means following strict ecommerce photo specs that directly affect your product listings. These image requirements have changed a lot over the years. You need to understand them if you want your products to show up in search results and actually sell. The platform processes millions of product images every day. Any photo that doesn’t meet their technical standards gets rejected automatically.
diyphotography.net
Good to Know
Amazon Blames Shipping Carrier for Overbilling Issue, Refunds Sellers
Sellers received good news this week when Amazon refunded them for mysterious “Other” fees that they had been billed for in August and again in September. A reader who had alerted us to the issue last month wrote today and said Amazon had credited their account this week.
ecommercebytes.com
Amazon launches AI agent for marketplace sellers
Amazon is releasing an AI agent intended to proactively handle day-to-day tasks for its sellers, allowing them to manage their business end-to-end, without fingers lifting from the keyboard (and select Alexa users will soon be able to activate it by simply saying “Hey, Alexa”). The system is designed to monitor account health, detect issues, recommend actions and — when authorized — carry out steps such as price changes, inventory moves and compliance fixes.
findarticles.com
Amazon says India's e-commerce exports top $20 billion, despite US tariffs
Amazon opens new tab on Monday said it has helped Indian sellers surpass $20 billion in total exports, including nearly $7 billion this year, as small operators work to offset the impact of new U.S. import tariffs that were imposed in August. The company said it remained confident in its long-term growth and set a new target of reaching $80 billion in exports by 2030, driven by rising global demand for cosmetics, toys, furniture and apparel.
reuters.com
Canada’s Amazon Test: Encouraging Competition or Undermining It?
Parliament’s 2023 reforms to the Competition Act made it easier for the Competition Bureau to challenge supposedly dominant firms, giving it greater latitude to intervene when it suspects they are engaging in anticompetitive conduct. The Bureau’s investigation into Amazon’s Marketplace Fair Pricing Policy is one of the first major tests of that new flexibility. What’s at stake isn’t Amazon’s size but whether the pricing rules raise prices for Canadians. The short answer is: They don’t.
itif.org
New Amazon ‘Seller Challenge’ Gives 3 Lifelines to Sellers
If selling on Amazon could be compared to the “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” game, sellers now have three “lifelines” thanks to a new feature rolling out called Amazon Seller Challenge for members of Account Health Assurance (AHA). Some sellers noticed Seller Challenge as early as 2 weeks ago as Amazon has been quietly rolling out the feature that gives sellers opportunities to challenge enforcement decisions. But Amazon gives sellers only three opportunities to use a Seller Challenge every 180 days.
ecommercebytes.com
Amazon tweaks seller rates as festival sales end
Amazon India has raised its warehouse storage fee by Rs 5 to Rs 50 per cubic foot monthly. In addition, it will no longer refund sellers the closing fee on returned orders. The adjustments, following festive sales and a recent referral fee cut, will take effect from November 15 2025, impacting seller costs.
indiatimes.com
Tips and Tricks
Selling Handmade on Amazon: A Comprehensive Guide to Success
If you’re considering selling handmade products on Amazon, grasping the process is crucial. First, you’ll need to apply for Amazon Handmade, which requires high-quality images and detailed descriptions of your items. Once approved, you can create your artisan profile to highlight your unique craft story. It’s important to manage your orders efficiently during the time you engage with customers to boost your sales. Next, let’s explore the pros and cons of selling on this platform.
smallbiztrends.com
Podcasts
How Smart Sellers Are Outsmarting Amazon in 2025
Amazon keeps tightening the screws — higher fees, tougher competition, shrinking margins. But the savviest sellers are fighting back with smarter pricing, creative fulfillment, and brand-first thinking. We break down how the best are still growing despite the headwinds.
youtube.com