#525 - Amazon Upgrades Seller Support & Walmart Sales Surge | Weekly Buzz 5/28/26

Amazon is shifting its customer service toward AI-driven support and implementing stricter return policies to combat seller abuse, while simultaneously introducing AI-powered sponsored brands collections to automate advertising. Walmart continues its aggressive e-commerce expansion, with online sales growing over 20% for five straight quarters, fueled by rapid fulfillment and AI shopping assistants that increase basket sizes. Helium 10 has launched new analytical tools, including a Category Reviews and Returns feature for data-backed product research and a TikTok Product Finder to identify emerging trends. Meanwhile, heightened U.S. customs enforcement regarding shipment documentation and valuation is forcing sellers to prioritize compliance, with Amazon promoting its Global Logistics service as a solution to mitigate supply chain risks. These developments underscore a broader industry transition where logistics, advertising, and AI-driven insights are becoming essential components of competitive e-commerce ecosystems.