This week: Rising Prices, China Shipping Returns

This week’s issue is bursting at the seams, with updates from e-commerce giants, regulatory shifts, and price wars that could reshape the market. Let’s dive in!

1. Walmart’s Delivery Surge & Tariff Tension

Walmart’s deliveries in under three hours jumped 91% YoY, and they’re aiming to serve 95% of the U.S. with fast delivery by 2025. But they’re also warning about new costs as tariffs on goods from China bite harder.

Former President Trump urged Walmart on Truth Social to “EAT THE TARIFFS” and keep prices low, but CEO Doug McMillon says most goods come from the U.S. anyway and they can’t cover the rising costs alone.

To help offset these costs, Walmart is reintroducing a basket fee for Walmart Plus Assist members—$6.99 for orders under $35—matching the fee regular Plus members already pay. If this signals more fees to come, Walmart’s pricing power might soon face challenges.

2. Consumer Protections Under Fire

It’s not just Walmart: consumers across the country are seeing protections erode:

• BNPL: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has decided not to prioritize enforcement against “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) providers, even as New York tightens its own rules.

• Bank Capital Rules: U.S. regulators are planning to cut the supplementary leverage ratio, a key safeguard meant to prevent another 2008-style meltdown. Critics warn it’s the wrong time to weaken oversight.

• Broadband Access: FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington wants to gut the Universal Service Fund, redirecting funds to Elon Musk’s Starlink instead of fiber build-outs. He also wants to automate licensing, reducing FCC oversight.

• Subscriptions & Data Brokers: The FTC’s “click-to-cancel” rule has been delayed to July 14th, and the CFPB dropped plans to regulate data brokers—both setbacks for consumer protection.

3. Temu’s Direct-From-China Rebound

Temu, which briefly stopped direct-from-China shipping in the U.S. two weeks ago due to tariffs, is back at it. Some listings now show shipping times of 5–14 days from China-based sellers—despite the site previously showing only local listings.

This follows a temporary tariff-lowering agreement between the U.S. and China: down from 120% to a 54% flat tax or $100 per parcel. However, Temu’s site still doesn’t clarify import charges for these listings, so U.S. customers might be in for a surprise.

4. Apple’s Tough Week

Apple’s also in the spotlight this week:

• China Partnership: Reports of a deal with Alibaba to bring Apple Intelligence to China have sparked security concerns in D.C., given Alibaba’s close ties to the Chinese government.

• Discounts in China: Apple is slashing iPhone prices by up to $351 in China to boost flagging sales ahead of the 618 shopping festival, after a 9% YoY decline in Q1.

• India vs. Trump: Trump wants Apple to halt its India expansion and bring jobs back to the U.S., a tough ask given that Apple’s India manufacturing has surged 60% YoY.

• Epic Games Clash: Epic Games is demanding that Apple reinstate Fortnite on the App Store after a judge ruled Apple had violated pricing rules. Apple says it’s trying to comply but hasn’t reinstated Epic’s developer accounts yet.

5. Amazon’s Warehouse Future

Amazon is taking warehouse operations to a new level:

• More Robots, Fewer People: Over 750,000 robots are already deployed in Amazon warehouses. New prototype “digit” robots with bipedal movement could cut labor costs further, and union leaders are already worried.

• Cancellations & Layoffs: Amazon canceled several of its Just Walk Out automated grocery store plans and cut 160 jobs. These efforts come as Amazon refocuses on profitability.

6. Quick Hits

• TikTok’s EU Data Fine: TikTok was fined $370M by the Irish DPC for violating kids’ privacy. TikTok says it’s already fixed the problems.

• Shopify’s Shop Cash: Shopify is rolling out new cash-back promotions through Shop Cash, targeting U.S. customers to boost repeat orders.

• PayPal’s New UX: PayPal is revamping its checkout flows to make them smoother, while also introducing a new rewards program to compete with other payment players.

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Summary:

It’s clear: U.S. regulators and e-commerce giants are moving in opposite directions. While companies like Walmart and Apple scramble to stay ahead with speed and discounts, the rollback of consumer protections could leave shoppers more exposed than ever.

That’s all for this week’s jam-packed edition. Thanks for reading, and see you next week!