Your bi-weekly roundup of the ecommerce, retail, and supply chain stories shaping how brands sell, ship, and scale.
From shifting marketplace rules to evolving consumer expectations, the pace of change across ecommerce and fulfillment isn’t slowing down. This edition of The Retail Dispatch pulls together the most important headlines that brands and operators should be paying attention to right now.
Inside, we break down TikTok Shop’s new logistics requirements and the seller backlash they’re triggering, Amazon’s renewed push into brick-and-mortar retail, the rising cost of returns and refunds as reported by ACI Worldwide, and Harvard Business Review’s warning on dynamic parcel pricing. We also look at what’s driving global growth in sports apparel and how new tree-free packaging innovations signal where sustainability expectations are headed for CPG brands.
Together, these stories reveal how fulfillment strategy, pricing pressure, sustainability, and channel control are converging in 2026, reshaping customer experience and operational resilience along the way.
Check back every other week for the latest headlines and insights shaping the future of ecommerce and fulfillment.
More FBA Changes on the Way—the Barcode Shift That’s Coming in March
Amazon is rolling out another operational change for Fulfillment by Amazon sellers, with updated barcode requirements taking effect March 31, 2026.1 Under the new policy, brand owners may continue using manufacturer barcodes—such as UPC, EAN, JAN, or ISBN—without applying Amazon-specific labels. However, resellers will now be required to use Amazon barcodes (FNSKUs) on all FBA inventory, even if a manufacturer barcode is already present on the product.
Amazon says the update will improve inventory tracking accuracy and reduce commingling issues inside fulfillment centers. Products that are not eligible for manufacturer barcode tracking must already use Amazon barcodes, a rule that remains unchanged. Sellers can either print and apply FNSKU labels themselves or pay Amazon a per-item fee through its FBA Label Service.
The change adds another compliance step for resellers and highlights the growing operational divide between brand owners and third-party sellers within Amazon’s fulfillment ecosystem.
TikTok Releases Logistics Requirement FAQs to Address Upcoming Fulfillment Changes
TikTok has released a new set of Logistics Requirement FAQs2 as it moves forward with a major overhaul of TikTok Shop fulfillment in the U.S., confirming that independent seller shipping will be phased out beginning February 25 and completed by March 31, 2026. Under the new policy, sellers must transition to TikTok-controlled logistics options, including Fulfilled by TikTok (FBT), TikTok Shipping, or other approved platform services.
The FAQs outline the required next steps, including completing system integrations before sellers’ effective dates and proactively migrating inventory and workflows. TikTok says the changes are intended to improve delivery reliability, tracking, and overall customer experience, though the shift has already prompted concern across the seller community. Brands and consultants report rising costs, limited flexibility, and operational risks tied to TikTok’s still-maturing logistics network.
While TikTok allows limited use of approved third-party tools and confirms that Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment remains permitted under certain conditions, sellers must comply with TikTok’s logistics policies and API requirements. According to Modern Retail,3 some brands, particularly smaller or fast-growing businesses, are scaling back or exiting TikTok Shop altogether, citing margin pressure and short transition timelines.
Global Refund Volumes Jump 18% in 2025, Pressuring Retail Margins Amid Ecommerce Growth
Global retail refund activity surged in 2025, with transaction volumes rising 18.1% and refund value increasing 12.7% year over year, according to ACI Worldwide’s latest Global Ecommerce Report.4 The analysis, based on billions of transactions, demonstrates the growing financial strain returns place on retailers as ecommerce continues to expand rapidly.
Refunds spiked during the holiday season, with November and December accounting for roughly 20% of all refunds. December alone saw a 2.89% refund rate, significantly higher than the 2.25% average recorded from January through October. While global ecommerce transaction volumes grew 28.3% in 2025 and total transaction value climbed 34.3%, refunds remain disproportionately costly.
ACI estimates that every $1 million in refunds ultimately costs retailers about $1.3 million once reverse logistics, depreciation, processing fees, and fraud are factored in. In response, retailers are tightening return policies and deploying AI-driven analytics to detect abuse in real time while preserving a seamless customer experience, particularly during peak shopping periods.
Harvard Business Review Discusses the Potential Effects of Dynamic Parcel Shipping
A new analysis from Harvard Business Review (HBR) warns that parcel shipping is entering a period of heightened volatility as carriers move from static pricing models to dynamic, demand-based rates.5 Led by UPS and FedEx, the shift mirrors pricing transformations seen in airlines and hotels, where costs fluctuate based on demand, capacity, and timing rather than fixed annual adjustments.
Parcel shipping already represents a significant cost burden and continues to climb higher. Parcel shipping costs in 2025 rose by an average of 8–12% due to increased surcharges, higher dimensional weight fees, and complex, frequent rate adjustments,6 threatening to further compress margins, particularly for businesses without sophisticated fulfillment networks.
While large retailers like Walmart and Target may be able to adapt through network optimization and data-driven decision-making, smaller or less flexible shippers face increased risk. The changes are expected to ripple across industries far beyond ecommerce, affecting sectors from pharmaceuticals to industrial manufacturing.
Consumers may ultimately feel the impact through higher shipping fees, reduced free shipping offers, slower delivery options, and higher order minimums. HBR stressed that companies must rethink shipping strategy as a core business function, integrating analytics, renegotiating carrier contracts, and aligning logistics with pricing and marketing decisions, to remain competitive as dynamic parcel pricing becomes the new norm.
Amazon Plans Mega-Store Near Chicago in Bold Push into Big Box Retail
Amazon is making its most ambitious move yet into brick-and-mortar retail with plans for a 230,000-square-foot mega-store outside Chicago, slated to open in 2027.7 Despite its ecommerce dominance, Amazon still controls only about 3% of the U.S. grocery market, far behind Walmart, which holds roughly 21%. The new store, approved for development in Orland Park, Illinois, will sell groceries, household essentials, and general merchandise, reflecting the Walmart supercenter model.
The location will sit at a major retail corridor alongside Walmart, Target, and Costco, and is expected to create approximately 500 local jobs. Unlike many Amazon properties, the site is restricted to consumer-facing retail and cannot be converted into a fulfillment center, raising the stakes for success. Amazon says the concept will integrate technology to streamline shopping, signaling a serious effort to translate its digital strengths into physical retail scale.
Global Sports Apparel Market Forecast to Reach $384B by 2032 as Athleisure and Ecommerce Fuel Growth
The global sports apparel market is on track for sustained expansion, with market value projected to grow from $243.8 billion in 2025 to nearly $383.9 billion by 2032,8 according to new research from Maximize Market Research. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 6.7%, driven by rising fitness awareness, the continued rise of athleisure, and accelerating ecommerce adoption.
Top wear, which includes performance T-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts, remains the largest product segment, supported by frequent replacement cycles and fabric innovation.
While men currently account for the largest share of demand, women’s sports apparel is the fastest-growing category as participation in fitness, yoga, and training continues to rise.
Ecommerce and direct-to-consumer channels are emerging as key growth engines, helping brands expand margins and personalize offerings, while offline retail remains important for experiential shopping. North America led the market in 2025, but Asia Pacific is the fastest-growing region, driven by urbanization and rising disposable income. Leading brands such as Nike and Adidas continue to invest heavily in innovation and sustainability to defend market share.
Emerald Ecovations Introduces Tree-Free CPG Packaging Board Made from Bagasse and FSC Fibers
Emerald Ecovations has unveiled a new tree-free packaging board designed for cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food packaging, and other consumer packaged goods,9 marking a significant step forward in sustainable materials innovation. The board is made from a proprietary blend of bagasse, a sugarcane byproduct, and FSC-certified fibers, delivering premium performance without the use of virgin trees.
The material contains no added PFAS, is designed for compostability, and offers a substantially lower environmental footprint than traditional paperboard. Emerald says the product responds directly to growing consumer and regulatory pressure for responsible packaging, citing data showing more than 70% of shoppers prefer compostable or sustainably sourced packaging and nearly 80% are more loyal to brands that reduce plastic and deforestation.
CEO Ralph Bianculli said the launch removes a long-standing access barrier for brands seeking credible sustainability solutions. The new board is expected to qualify for Emerald’s existing sustainability certifications following final testing, with commercial rollout scheduled for late Q1 2026.
References:
- https://sellercentral.amazon.com/help/hub/reference/external/G201100910?locale=en-US
- https://seller-us.tiktok.com/university/essay?knowledge_id=4483881211561783
- https://www.modernretail.co/operations/exclusive-some-tiktok-shop-sellers-are-pulling-back-as-the-platform-moves-to-end-independent-shipping-in-the-u-s/
- https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260202280601/en/ACI-Worldwide-Report-Global-Refund-Volumes-Surge-18-as-Retailers-Tighten-Returns
- https://hbr.org/2026/01/dynamic-pricing-is-changing-the-parcel-shipping-industry
- https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/fedex-ups-postal-service-2025-rate-increases/736671/
- https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2026/01/23/amazon-bets-big-on-brick-and-mortar-with-a-mega-store-outside-chicago/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sports-apparel-market-to-reach-usd-383-88-billion-by-2032–driven-by-rising-fitness-awareness-and-global-activewear-demand–industry-forecast-20252032-maximize-market-research-302679297.html
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/emerald-ecovations-unveils-tree-free-cpg-packaging-board-made-from-bagasse–fsc-fibers-302678087.html
