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With margins under pressure, their path to growth may hinge on how deftly they can navigate鈥攁nd compete in鈥攁n increasingly fortified global marketplace. Go further: Check out our coverage on the Impact of Tariffs.

Our take: Amazon鈥檚 capacity limits are yet another headache for third-party sellers on its marketplace to navigate鈥攁nd one that will affect their ability to manage tariff costs, as well as their performance during crucial shopping periods like Prime Day. One option is to move more inventory into the retailer鈥檚 long-term bulk storage offering, known as Amazon Warehousing and Distribution (AWD).

Now offering massages, art tours, and more without a home booking, Airbnb is turning into a full-service travel platform with a trove of first-party data.

The digital landscape in Europe is slowing, but opportunities for advertisers, brands, and retailers still exist. Knowing where to look to achieve the best outcomes will be paramount.

In our first edition of the Global Digital Index, created in partnership with the RLC Global Forum, we explore retail and ecommerce in the Gulf States of the Middle East.

Ad revenues grew 18% in Q1, driven by strong demand for sponsored ads on its marketplace as well as growing interest in Prime Video ads. The headwinds: Amazon is trying to control the controllables, but little about the current situation is precedented or predictable.

This follows Epic launching its iOS store in the EU in August, enabled by rulings tied to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that opened platforms to third-party apps and payments. 鈥淲e disagree with the ruling but will comply while we appeal,鈥� an Apple representative told CNBC on Thursday.

The budding rivalries: OpenAI鈥檚 latest shopping capability in ChatGPT is creating friction across the digital landscape. The tool lets users compare products and click directly to purchase, pitting ChatGPT against product review sites like Wirecutter, as well as search engines like Google and Bing鈥攁nd, for now, OpenAI isn鈥檛 taking affiliate fees, according to Bloomberg.

The retailer later downplayed the initiative, with a representative saying that while it had contemplated showing the cost of tariffs for items sold on its Haul marketplace, the initiative 鈥渨as never approved and is not going to happen.鈥�. How we got here: Amazon is hardly the first company to consider radical transparency as tariffs upend retailers鈥� operating models.

The battle for ad dollars is shifting from online marketplaces to streaming and in-store environments. Amazon鈥檚 integration of ads into Prime Video represents a major expansion of its retail media empire. Walmart鈥檚 Vizio acquisition mirrors this strategy, as it seeks to turn SmartCast OS into a retail media network that extends beyond its website and stores.

Gen Z and millennials now account for roughly half of Sam鈥檚 Club鈥檚 new memberships, helped by digital conveniences such as Scan & Go checkout that lets shoppers bypass traditional checkout lanes. Riding that momentum, the Walmart鈥憃wned chain plans to open about 15 stores annually, remodel all existing locations, and aims to double its membership in the next eight to 10 years.

While Google has taken steps to crack down on fake reviews, stricter oversight from the CMA and a recent ban on such activity from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could force it鈥� as well as Amazon, Walmart, and any online marketplace鈥攖o impose stricter safeguards to keep such fraudulent activity to a minimum.

Peru is Latin America鈥檚 fifth-largest retail ecommerce market by total sales volume. Although social unrest has stymied online sales growth over the past two years, the country has the potential to become a formidable multibillion-dollar ecommerce player in the region.

Understanding the nuances of how and where Latin America鈥檚 293.2 million digital buyers spend their money online is key for brands and retailers to succeed in the world鈥檚 second-fastest-growing region for ecommerce.

Understanding the nuances of how and where Colombia鈥檚 13.4 million digital buyers spend online is crucial for brands and retailers seeking a competitive edge in this emerging market.

Chile is the fourth-largest retail ecommerce market by total sales and will be the No. 4 fastest-growing digital economy in Latin America. Understanding Chile鈥檚 11.0 million digital buyers is essential for brands and retailers looking to capitalize on this resurging ecommerce market.鈥�

Regulation will disrupt some digital players, while retail media and genAI adoption will create opportunities across advertising and commerce.

Argentina's ongoing macroeconomic challenges and triple-digit inflation rates have curbed online consumer spending. However, pockets of growth opportunities still exist.

Understanding the nuances of how and where Mexico鈥檚 67.5 million digital buyers spend their money online is key for brands and retailers to succeed in this thriving ecommerce market.鈥�

Use case鈥攅ZCater: An online marketplace for restaurants and caterers, eZCater uses its AI agents to streamline operations for complex tasks, including modifying orders and updating customers鈥� dietary restrictions, providing venue recommendations, and handling routine tasks and customer service.

Dive deeper: For a clearer picture of Big Tech EU regulations, read our FAQ on the EU鈥檚 Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act.

Temu surpassed eBay to become the second-most-visited online marketplace worldwide as of September 2024鈥攂ehind only Amazon鈥攑er Similarweb. Temu employs a shipping model, whereby ownership of products remains with the seller until they reach the end consumer. While the seller primarily focuses on production, Temu shoulders the logistics and marketing.