Value Added Resource Week In Review 7-30-23

Welcome to the Value Added Resource ecommerce news week in review!

eBay News

We kicked off the week with a pre-earnings call lookback at highlights from Q2 2023 and what's been happening so far in Q3.

eBay Q2 2023 Pre-Earnings Countdown & Highlights

eBay is set to announce Q2 23 earnings July 26 - look back at highlights from Q2 & what’s happened so far in Q3 2023.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

eBay reported Q2 earnings on Wednesday - Gross Merchandise Volume was down 2% at $18.2 billion and Active Buyers fell for the 9th consecutive quarter, down 4% to 132 Million.

Even more concerning, this marks the 5th consecutive quarter that eBay's Active Buyer stats were below Q1 2018 levels!

Despite CEO Jamie Iannone's favorite buzzword du jour, the results were definitely not magical.

eBay Reports Less Than Magical Q2 2023 Results

eBay Q2 2023 saw GMV & Active Buyers down, ad rev up - again. Where’s the magical tech innovation & vision for the future?

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

eBay has revealed a $12 Million increase in customer support costs so far in 2023 - but with more and more sellers saying they can no longer get through to a live person on the phone, where is that money going?

Recent seller experiences and eBay job openings suggest the investment may be primarily in automated, AI powered solutions.

The $12 Million Question: What Happened to eBay Phone Support?

eBay reports $12 Million in increased customer service costs while sellers struggle to get phone support - is AI taking over?

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

eBay TCGPlayer Union members are planning to file a petition delivery action on July 31, along with filing unfair labor practices complaints, to call out the company's anti-union behavior and refusal to bargain in good faith.

eBay TCGPlayer Union Slams Company’s Anti-Union Activity

TCGUnion-CWA plans press conference & petition action to call out eBay TCGPlayer’s anti-union activity & refusal to bargain.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

Many sellers have reported a sudden, sharp drop in Promoted Listings impressions starting on/around July 18th - is View Item page design testing to blame?

Did eBay Promoted Listings Test Tank Impressions July 18?

eBay sellers scrambling for answers to sharp drop in Promoted Listings impressions - could item page testing be to blame?

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

Other Ecommerce News

Etsy and eBay both made announcements early in the week to quell seller concerns about a possible UPS strike, but UPS and the Teamsters came together on Tuesday to hammer out a tentative contract agreement to avoid strike action.

UPS, Teamsters Reach Tentative Contract Agreement To Avoid Strike

UPS & the Teamsters returned to bargaining table today, forging a tentative contract agreement to avoid strike action.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

Etsy has finally admitted photo ratio changes sellers noticed last month were a test and based on the results, shops must use square photos starting in early August.

Etsy Makes Square Photos Official After Testing Last Month

Etsy confirms image ratio test & based on the results, shops must use square photos starting in early August.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

Another test currently being run on Etsy aims to promote both faster shipping times and environmental awareness with a new Local Shipping badge shown to buyers when a seller is within 300 miles or the same state.

Etsy Testing Local Shipping Badge In The US

Etsy aims to promote both faster shipping times & environmental awareness with new Local Shipping badge.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

Sellers in Australia are being overcharged for processing fees as Etsy appears to be charging the higher international fee on domestic orders.

Etsy Overcharges Domestic Processing Fees For Australian Sellers

Australian sellers being overcharged as Etsy appears to apply higher international processing fee on domestic orders.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

And last but not least, Shopify released their Editions Summer 2023 update this week with over 100 new products and updates available to merchants on the platform, including the much awaited AI Sidekick commerce assistant.

Shopify Summer Editions 2023 Is Here With 100+ Updates & New Features

Shopify Summer 2023 is here with over 100 new products & updates, including much awaited AI Sidekick commerce assistant.

Value Added ResourceLiz Morton ~ Founder

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