Beyond the Basket - 02/09/25

Tuesday 2nd September | Join Free

Hi there, it’s Tuesday, and JD.com just fired a long awaited €2.2B shot at Europe’s retail scene. Meanwhile USPS drops a new export rule, Walmart courts European sellers, and Amazon shoppers prove once again that price beats patriotism. Looks like the global ecommerce game is getting a serious remix. Let jump into it ⬇️

In today’s beyond the basket:
🚨 JD.com Bids €2.2B for Media Saturn
📦 USPS Now Requires HS Codes
🌍 Walmart Courts European Sellers
🛍️ Amazon’s ‘Made in USA’ Moment Fades
🚚 InPost to Deploy 20,000 Off-Grid Smart Lockers

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TL;DR: JD.com has launched a long touted €2.2 billion takeover offer for CECONOMY (MediaMarkt and Saturn’s parent), with shareholders able to accept until Nov. 10, 2025. The deal still requires approvals, with closing expected in 2026.

Why It Matters: This is China’s boldest retail push into Europe yet. With over 1,000 stores across 11 countries, CECONOMY offers JD.com instant scale to challenge Amazon and local rivals. Beyond electronics, the bid accelerates the retail media race: JD.com would gain access to 2B annual customer touchpoints, prime ground for data-driven advertising and omni-channel commerce. But regulatory reviews and political scrutiny could ultimately slow or reshape the deal.

Your Move: Watch this deal closely, if JD’s bid succeeds, it could reset pricing, logistics, and channel dynamics across Europe. Sellers and brands should benchmark their cost structures now and consider how JD’s entry might shift both competition and partnership opportunities.

TL;DR: As of Sept. 1, USPS requires all foreign-bound shipments to include 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) tariff codes on customs declarations.

Why It Matters: This change stems from Universal Postal Convention rules, meaning other postal services worldwide will follow. Sellers who skip HS codes risk delays, returns, and angry customers as customs agencies tighten enforcement. While many marketplaces (eBay, Etsy) and shippers (Pirate Ship, Stamps.com) already guide sellers, compliance now shifts from best practice to mandate. Misclassification also risks higher duties or missed tariff relief, directly hitting margins.

Your Move: Audit your international SKUs, lock in correct HS codes, and train your fulfillment team now to avoid costly shipment holds. Also, bookmark reliable HS lookup tools (GlobalPost, UK GOV, Dutify) so your team isn’t scrambling under pressure.

TL;DR: Walmart is recruiting UK and EU merchants to sell across its U.S., Canadian, Mexican, and Chilean marketplaces.

Why It Matters: This is Walmart’s most aggressive international seller push yet, opening a London office and hosting a UK Seller Summit. The move mirrors Amazon, Alibaba, and Temu’s global playbook, underscoring how marketplace globalization is accelerating. For sellers, Walmart’s pitch of one central platform + fulfillment + ads could lower the barrier to U.S. entry, but competition will be fierce, and margin structures tight. Not to mention the strong tariff and trade headwinds that could derail Walmart’s play.

Your Move: If you’re a European brand eyeing the U.S., compare Walmart’s offer against Amazon’s and weigh where your growth runway is longer. Also, test Walmart’s lower ad costs and fulfillment perks as a potential edge before competition heats up.

TL;DR: Searches for “Made in USA” products on Amazon spiked in spring 2025 but collapsed by July, with sales impact barely reaching 1.5% of top sellers.

Why It Matters: The data confirms that price and convenience still outweigh patriotic cues for most Amazon shoppers. Brands that rushed to flag domestic origins or “Not Made in China” tags saw little sustained lift, and in Canada, overt U.S. branding may even alienate buyers. The lesson: consumers remain deal-driven, especially in essentials, with origin playing at best a secondary role.

Your Move: Focus resources on pricing strategy, discounts, and availability over patriotic branding. Test “Made in USA” as a differentiator only where price parity exists, not as the main hook.

TL;DR: InPost is partnering with Bloq.it to roll out 20,000 battery-powered parcel lockers across Europe over the next five years, starting in France and the UK.

Why It Matters: Out-of-home delivery is becoming a core ecommerce infrastructure layer. Battery-powered lockers mean faster rollout, lower costs, and greener operations, while opening up new pickup points in harder-to-reach areas. With rivals like DHL and Vinted Go also working with Bloq.it, InPost’s expansion signals intensifying competition in last-mile convenience.

Your Move: If Europe is part of your sales mix, evaluate out-of-home delivery options now, lockers reduce failed deliveries, boost flexibility, and may soon become the standard customer expectation.

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