D2C Digest #70 | Ecommerce keeps air cargo going, bad news for Temu, and more

Hey there, great people of the D2C community who are building fantastic things! This is your host Berkay writing.

Take a 5-minute break and dive into D2C Digest for a quick overview of what’s happening in the D2C market worldwide!

🛩️ Ecommerce is Keeping Air Cargo Flying – But What About the Environment?

At the recent EU CBEC Ecommerce Forum in Liege, 786 delegates from 40+ countries gathered to celebrate ecommerce’s role in keeping air cargo afloat. Liege Airport, Europe’s fifth-largest air cargo hub, was the perfect spot for this celebration, focusing on cargo and favorable customs regime.

But amidst all the praise for ecommerce, one thing was notably missing: conversations about sustainability. While the event touched briefly on ecommerce's environmental impact, like the 900 million metric tons of waste expected from online shopping next year, most chose to steer clear of the topic.

Atlas Air's head of sustainability, Richard Broekman, was one of the few to bring it up, but even he admitted the difficulty of balancing business growth with environmental responsibility.

On a brighter note, the industry is buzzing about ecommerce demand, especially from Asia, which is expected to make Q4 a busy one. Despite the challenges ahead, many in the industry remain optimistic, seeing these hurdles as opportunities to innovate.

As ecommerce continues to soar, the big question is: can we keep it growing while also protecting the planet?

❌ Bad news for Temu and Shein

More news from the US Government’s fight against Chinese ecom companies…

The Biden administration is taking action to stop companies like Temu and Shein from dodging tariffs on cheap products shipped from China.

A new rule proposed Friday would remove the tariff exemption for items valued under $800, which these companies have been using to flood the U.S. market.

Currently, Chinese companies take advantage of this loophole to sell low-cost goods, including clothing, in the U.S. – with shipments jumping from 140 million to over 1 billion annually. The change aims to protect U.S. industries and prevent the import of banned substances like synthetic drugs.

This move could increase costs for companies like Temu and Shein, which have relied on the exemption to keep their prices low. It’s also part of a broader strategy to reduce U.S. reliance on Chinese products and protect emerging industries.

US Government vs. Temu & Shein
US Government vs. Temu & Shein

💰 Amazon’s "Prime Big Deal Days" Return Ahead of the Holidays

Amazon is bringing back its "Prime Big Deal Days" on October 8 and 9, just in time for early holiday shoppers. This two-day event will offer major discounts, including up to 55% off Amazon devices, deals from small businesses, and even travel offers from companies like Carnival and Avis.

With ecommerce sales expected to grow between 7% and 9% this holiday season, according to Deloitte, Amazon is getting a head start on the shopping rush. Despite predictions of a slower holiday season overall, ecommerce will still be a key driver, with consumers looking to maximize their spending through online deals.

However, many shoppers are feeling the pinch. A recent PYMNTS report found that 63% of consumers are living paycheck to paycheck, with most struggling to keep up with rising costs. As a result, deal-hunting is becoming a must for many households.

So, good news for them, I guess?

D2C DIGEST

How was today’s newsletter?
🔥 Nailed it
👍 Average
🤦 Epic Fail

fabrikatorio