Google rolls out Universal Cart. Amazon expands FBA Partial Refund settings and GWD eligibility. TikTok Shop prepares for Black Friday 2026.
News #1. Google Begins Rolling Out Universal Cart Across Search and Gemini
Google has started rolling out Universal Cart in the US, allowing shoppers to add products from multiple retailers to a single cart through Google Search and Gemini. The feature is designed to simplify the journey from product discovery and comparison to checkout.
What happened
Google announced the rollout on October 15, following its initial introduction at Google I/O 2026, which we covered earlier.
Universal Cart lets shoppers combine products from different retailers, track prices and availability, and check out using Google Pay at supported stores.
The rollout is gradual, meaning the full experience is not yet available to every shopper or merchant.Why it matters
Google is bringing AI-assisted product discovery and checkout closer together. Gemini can help shoppers move beyond finding and comparing products toward completing purchases with fewer steps.
What it means for e-commerce sellers
Merchants should review their Google Merchant Center feeds, particularly pricing, availability, and product variants. They should also assess how their total offer compares with competitors, including shipping costs and delivery times.
Source: Google Blog
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News #2. Amazon FBA Expands Partial Refund Settings for Items Customers Keep
Amazon has expanded its FBA Partial Refunds settings, giving sellers more control over which return reasons qualify for a partial refund without requiring the customer to send the item back. The update offers another way to manage return-related costs.
What happened
Through Seller Central, sellers can select eligible ASINs, specify return reasons, and set partial refund percentages. When a customer meets Amazon's eligibility criteria, they may receive an offer to keep the product in exchange for a partial refund. The program is available in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Hazardous materials, personal hygiene products, and items excluded from standard returns are not eligible. There is no participation fee, but partial refunds count toward an ASIN's return metrics and may affect its Frequently Returneddesignation.
Why it matters
Reverse shipping, inspection, and processing can make FBA returns expensive, particularly for lower-priced products or items with limited resale value.
A partial refund may cost less than processing a physical return. Amazon also screens customers for potential abuse, while eligible shoppers retain the option to return the product within the applicable return window.What it means for e-commerce sellers
Amazon FBA sellers should identify products where offering a partial refund would be more economical than accepting a physical return. For eligible ASINs, sellers can configure return reasons and refund percentages based on product margins, return-processing costs, and the potential impact on return metrics.
Source: Amazon
News #3. Amazon GWD Expands to Expiration-Dated Products at Warehouses in China
Amazon has expanded its Global Warehousing and Distribution (GWD) program to accept eligible expiration-dated products at warehouses in China, allowing sellers to replenish US FBA inventory from these facilities.
What happened
The expansion covers eligible products in Health & Personal Care, Beauty, Baby Products, and other approved categories. Storage is available at GWD warehouses in Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Ningbo. Products must have at least 365 days of remaining shelf life when an inbound shipment is created and at least 180 days remaining when inventory leaves GWD for US FBA fulfillment centers. Temperature-sensitive, meltable, and certain other restricted products are excluded. Sellers can configure FBA replenishment manually or automatically.
Why it matters
The expansion gives sellers more flexibility to store expiration-dated inventory closer to their manufacturing and sourcing operations in China, then replenish US FBA inventory as needed.
What it means for e-commerce sellers
Sellers sourcing expiration-dated products from China for the US Amazon marketplace should evaluate whether GWD fits their inventory strategy. They should confirm product eligibility and shelf-life requirements, then compare the combined costs of GWD storage and replenishment against shipping inventory directly to US FBA.
Source: Amazon
News #4. TikTok Shop Gears Up for Black Friday 2026
TikTok Shop has announced its US Black Friday and Cyber Monday campaign, running November 11–30. The platform is focusing on LIVE Shopping, faster delivery, and more convenient returns to attract holiday shoppers.
What happened
According to TikTok, US LIVE Shopping sales more than doubled year over year in the first half of 2026. During the four-day Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping period in 2025, TikTok Shop generated more than $500 million in sales.
Why it matters
TikTok Shop is investing in more than shoppable videos and livestreams. Fast delivery and hassle-free returns are particularly important during the holiday season, when shoppers want their orders to arrive on time.
What it means for e-commerce sellers
TikTok Shop sellers should prepare their inventory ahead of the November 11 campaign launch and make sure they can meet delivery expectations. They should also review their return options and consider testing LIVE Shopping with content creators, particularly for products that customers are more likely to purchase after seeing them demonstrated.
Source: TikTok Newsroom
Other E-commerce News
Texas is considering changes to the sales tax treatment of fees charged by marketplaces such as Amazon and Walmart. If adopted, the proposal could reduce costs for sellers paying taxable marketplace service fees. The change is not yet in effect, so sellers should monitor the final decision before adjusting their cost projections.
Walmart Marketplace Adds Eight Shipping Carriers for Seller-Fulfilled Orders
Walmart Marketplace has expanded its list of supported shipping carriers for seller-fulfilled orders, adding eight providers, including UniUni, SpeedX, GOFO, and DoorDash. The update gives sellers more delivery options and potential opportunities to reduce shipping costs. Sellers must still maintain valid tracking information for more than 99% of orders.
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