Overview

On July 12, 2024 Helium 10 released a briefing that spotlights three rapidly evolving trends likely to reshape how Amazon sellers operate. First, the Chinese discount marketplace Temu is adding Amazon‑style capabilities such as third‑party storefronts, product reviews, and a two‑day “Express Delivery” promise. Second, Amazon’s latest Buy Box algorithm is placing greater emphasis on fulfillment speed, causing sellers with thin margins to lose the coveted box more often. Third, policy adjustments at Etsy and new “Featured Seller” badges at Target are creating cross‑platform ripple effects for merchants who sell on multiple channels. Sellers who rely on a diversified channel mix need to reassess pricing, inventory allocation, and fulfillment tactics to stay profitable.

Key Points

• Temu’s marketplace rollout — The discount‑centric platform now permits independent sellers to open storefronts, upload listings, and join an “Express Delivery” program that guarantees two‑day shipping for eligible items, mirroring Amazon Prime’s speed promise.
• Buy Box algorithm shift — Amazon’s recent update gives extra weight to fulfillment speed and FBA usage, leading to a noticeable uptick in Buy Box loss for sellers who depend on slower third‑party logistics providers.
• Target’s “Featured Seller” badge — Target introduced a rotating badge that highlights high‑performing marketplace partners, encouraging sellers to balance stock between Target and Amazon to keep visibility on both sites.
• Etsy’s tightening of handmade standards — The craft‑focused marketplace is piloting a review system that flags listings containing mass‑produced components, potentially removing non‑compliant items from search results.
• Helium 10’s multi‑channel profit dashboard — A new analytics view now aggregates fees, advertising spend, and shipping costs across Amazon, Target, Temu, and Etsy, giving merchants a single pane of glass for true margin calculation.

How Marketplace Landscape Is Changing

1. Temu opens its platform to third‑party sellers — Merchants can now register a seller account, design a branded storefront, and list products using the same bulk‑upload tools they use on Amazon; a seller of silicone kitchen mats can simultaneously publish on Temu and set a “Free Express Delivery” option for orders over $30.