Welcome to the first episode of Ecommerce Weekly Briefing – Ecom.FM.
Each week, we’ll cut through the noise and bring you the real trends, shifts, and stories that are actually moving the needle in ecommerce. This week’s briefing covers May 11th through May 16th – let’s dive in.
First up: tariffs and economic pressure.
Tariffs are back in the spotlight – and this time, the impact is immediate. The National Retail Federation is calling for a pause on China tariffs, calling it a “critical first step” in stabilizing the retail landscape. Meanwhile, Shein has already responded by slashing prices following a temporary easing of tariffs through a new trade deal. But on the other side, Walmart just announced they’ll be raising prices later this month – specifically because of tariff costs. That’s inflation in action, and it’s hitting the shelves.
These moves reflect the broader tension business owners are feeling: rising costs, uncertainty, and decision fatigue. From beauty brands prepping for a potential recession to manufacturers reshoring production in the U.S., everyone’s trying to stay ahead of the curve.
Next: AI is not slowing down.
AI and ChatGPT are dominating retail tech headlines again. Google just released a tool that generates 3D assets for shopping listings, designed to boost product visuals and conversion. Microsoft is taking it a step further, retiring its demand-side platform in favor of AI-driven solutions – a major move in ad tech. Amazon dropped AI-powered “Pause” ads this week. And across the board, publishers are leaning into AI to analyze performance and better understand their audiences.
For ecommerce brands, this means AI isn’t just hype – it’s practical. From automating creative to personalizing product discovery, smart tools are getting more accessible and more useful.
Other highlights from the week:
Dick’s Sporting Goods is buying Foot Locker for $2.4 billion.
Online grocery sales continued their 9-month growth streak.
1-800-Flowers.com just named a new CEO from Home Depot.
On the operational side, there’s fresh insight into how high-growth brands track performance, manage debt, and spot new opportunities.
Rhone’s strategy was featured on a podcast, diving into how their supply chain moves and community focus fuel growth.
And on the marketing front, we heard solid reminders about the importance of welcome flows in Email & SMS – specifically, collecting data upfront to guide long-term personalization.
So, what should you actually do with this info?
Here are 3 key actions to consider this week:
Reassess your pricing and sourcing.
Tariff pressure is real and rising. If Walmart is adjusting prices, you should at least be reviewing your cost structure. Can you absorb increases? Run a margin check on your top 10 SKUs—see which ones are most sensitive to shipping or import price changes.
Explore accessible AI tools.
You don’t need a massive budget to start using AI. Try tools that generate product visuals, automate copy, or improve search experience. Test Klevu or Searchspring to upgrade your on-site search with AI-driven recommendations that increase AOV.
Tighten your data and planning.
Whether it's using Media Mix Modeling (MMM) or a simpler alternative, make sure you're tracking what works. If you use Klaviyo, set up a report to track signup source and first purchase for your email flows.
That’s it for this week’s Ecom.FM briefing.
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See you next week.
