Bah humbug to holiday shipping costs as USPS turns up the heat on rates. The US and China hit snooze on tariffs, Walmart is tossing toy profits at sellers like candy at a parade, AI is deciding what shoppers buy, AOL is finally hanging up the phone, and we are getting ready for BigSummit in our own backyard. Grab your coffee and settle in because this Commerce Corner is packed with big changes and a little nostalgia.
COMMERCE CORNER HEADLINES
📦 USPS Holiday Shipping Surcharges for 2025 Are Coming
The Grinch showed up early this year and he is wearing a USPS uniform. From October 5 to January 18, rates are going up on nearly every domestic service. Do not get caught at the counter doing mental math.
Peek at the damage before it hits your postage meter →
🇺🇸 90 Day US China Tariff Pause Buys Sellers Time to Prepare
Think of it as a government sponsored coffee break. Tariff hikes are on hold until November, which means you can breathe but you should also plan like the pause ends tomorrow.
Make the most of your tariff time out →
🧸 Walmart Zero Commission Toys Could Boost Your Q4 Profits
It is like Walmart slid a crisp $20 into your stocking. Zero commission on toys plus no peak storage fees for WFS users. But Santa’s deal expires December 31.
Grab your holiday bonus before the elves lock the workshop →
🤖 Generative Engine Optimization for eCommerce Is Here
Google who? Shoppers are now asking AI what to buy and if your products do not make the cut, you are basically invisible. The good news is we know how to sweet talk the bots.
Learn how to get on AI’s holiday shopping list →
📞 AOL Ends Dial-Up Service After 30+ Years
Farewell to the screech, the static, and your mom yelling “I need the phone.” AOL is hanging up for good and we are sending it off with the nostalgia it deserves.
Log on for one last dial up memory trip →
MEET THE ORDORO CREW AT BIG SUMMIT 2025
We are trading our desks for BBQ and live music because BigSummit is coming to our own backyard in Austin, TX. Next week, the BigCommerce (Commerce) community will gather for two days of learning, networking, and probably debating where to get the best tacos in town.
We will be there in full force, ready to talk shipping, inventory, and how to make your eCommerce backend run smoother than a Willie Nelson guitar solo. If you are attending, keep an eye out for the Ordoro crew and say hi. We are always up for a good conversation and maybe even a sneak peek at what we are cooking up next.
See the Big Summit agenda and plan your Austin adventure →
COMMERCE CHATTER
Google Ads Part 2 exposed some of the biggest budget drains sellers face. Now in Part 3, The Business of eCommerce host Jagath Narayan and strategist Dale W. Harrison are back to dig even deeper into the sneaky traps hiding in your bidding strategy.
From misunderstood metrics to default settings quietly sabotaging your ROI, they break down exactly how sellers lose money without even realizing it. You will hear why “just boost the budget” is bad advice, the smartest way to budget without starving your campaigns, and the practical fixes that keep ad spend working in your favor.
If you are tired of pouring money into ads and hoping for the best, this episode is your wake–up call →
FROM THE FULFILLMENT FILES
Setting your retail price can feel like playing darts blindfolded. Go too high and customers bounce. Go too low and you are basically working for free. The sweet spot is somewhere in the middle, but finding it means knowing your costs, your margins, and the formula that ties it all together.
We walk you through the math step by step so you can stop guessing and start pricing with confidence. No complicated spreadsheets, no MBA required. Just a clear formula that keeps your profits healthy and your customers happy.
If you are ready to nail your pricing and stop leaving money on the table, this article will show you how to hit the bullseye.
CUSTOMER SHOUTOUT ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We love a happy customer, especially when they are soaring through orders like our friends at Discount Flies.
The software does everything we need it to do in order fulfillment, inventory, and shipping, and it does all these things well. The software is intuitive and the support team is the best I have ever experienced. We love it.“
Got the warm and fuzzies too? Share the love.
That is a wrap on this month’s eCommerce shenanigans in Commerce Corner. Whether you are dodging surcharges, whispering sweet nothings to AI, or just trying to keep your inventory from looking like a garage sale, Ordoro has your back. Go forth and sell stuff. We will make sure it ships.
The Ordoro Team
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