P&G's festive image trick, and Amazon's new returns math

Procter & Gamble adds festive touches like gift bows to nearly all its Amazon main images during the holidays, a psychological nudge that makes everyday products read as stocking stuffers and lifts click-through rates. Testing platform ProductPinion has released a free bundle of more than 100 festive image overlays so smaller sellers can run the same play.

Amazon's new returns policy takes effect January 1, 2025, adding a return processing fee for high-return-rate sellers who fulfill their own orders, with sellers shipping under 25 units a month exempt. The backdrop: return rates run 5 to 15 percent, up to 40 percent in electronics and clothing; processing a return costs about 17 percent of the item's price; two in three buyers return at least one gift; and $66.7 billion in returns re-enters the supply chain annually. Reverse logistics facilities need up to 20 percent more space and labor than outbound warehouses.

TikTok Shop's global GMV is led by Beauty and Personal Care at 22.5 percent, followed by Womenswear at 12.56 percent and Menswear at 8.06 percent.

A startup from a prominent AI researcher has debuted spatial intelligence software that generates explorable 3D worlds from a single image, with obvious applications for product listings and ads.

Sellers looking at India can join a subsidized sourcing trip February 20-21 to a New Delhi leather trade show: $999 all-in covers roundtrip airfare from a major U.S. airport, five nights in a five-star hotel, and factory access, for categories from footwear and garments to saddlery and safety gear.

In other headlines, Amazon is accused of ignoring review manipulation by Chinese seller Vevor, threatened tariffs of 100 percent on Brazil, Russia, India, Egypt, and the UAE are on the table, an Amazon influencer is suing an alleged copycat, and China now counts 15 million professional live streamers as a recognized profession.