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80/20 of Ecom 1/17/25: AI Tools, TikTok Risks, and the Secret to Cutting Packaging Costs

Learn how to streamline packaging, leverage AI insights, and expand globally in 2025

Author

Gary Huang
January 17, 2025

We’re halfway through January, and e-commerce is moving fast.

Big changes are on the horizon as President-elect Donald Trump takes office next week on January 20th, bringing new policies that could shake up the industry.

Here’s your weekly edition of The 80/20 of Ecom to keep you ahead of the curve and set up for success in 2025.

In this training, Sean Elias from Shulex VOC demonstrates how Amazon sellers can leverage AI to gain a massive competitive edge.

Whether it’s identifying customer avatars, conducting deep market insights, or removing negative reviews that could be tanking your product’s performance, Shulex VOC AI is a game-changer.

Sean breaks down three key features:

1. Negative Review Removal Assistant – Go beyond the limits of most tools and remove old negative reviews effectively.

2. Market Insights – Discover untapped opportunities in your niche by analyzing competitors and customer preferences.

3. Review Analysis – Quickly understand what your customers want, their biggest complaints, and how to optimize your product to meet their expectations.

This is a must-watch for both experienced sellers and those just getting started. Don’t miss this opportunity to save time, boost your conversions, and grow your business!

E-commerce packaging is evolving, and automation is driving the trend toward more squared-off, efficient designs. Robots are better equipped to handle packages that are perfectly dimensionalized, making automation smoother and more cost-effective. 

The biggest takeaway? Stop shipping air!

FedEx and UPS have made it clear: shipping air is wasting both money and materials. If your packaging isn’t optimized, you’re likely paying unnecessary fees for inefficiency. 

Squared-off, dense packaging is key to saving costs, streamlining fulfillment, and staying competitive in today’s automated supply chain.

Take action: Review your packaging now and ensure it’s as compact and efficient as possible!

With the incoming Trump administration, the world is bracing for a potential TikTok ban in the U.S., which could disrupt millions of users and sellers. Many sellers on TikTok are already taking action—slashing prices to clear inventory, reducing stock, and exploring other platforms to pivot their businesses.

If you’re selling on TikTok, now’s the time to ensure you have a contingency plan in place. Whether it’s diversifying to platforms like Amazon or Shein, or preparing your own direct-to-consumer channel, staying ahead of the uncertainty is critical. Don’t wait for the ban—take steps now to safeguard your business!

7-Figure Seller Japan Mastermind 3: Two Tracks, One Exclusive Opportunity

I’m excited to announce that the 7-Figure Seller Japan Mastermind 3 will now feature two powerful tracks to help you grow your Amazon business in 2025:

  • Track 1: Learn how to scale your sales to up to $965,000 on Amazon Japan in just 12 months.

  • Track 2: Master proven strategies to expand your e-commerce business globally on Amazon and other platforms.

This event will take place over two days in Tokyo, March 17th and 18th. And on Day 3, we’re adding something truly unique: exclusive store visits based on your product niche.

For example:

  • If you’re selling pet products, we’ll take you to Japanese pet stores so you can see how similar products are marketed, from packaging to QR codes.

  • Selling toys? Explore top Japanese toy stores and uncover new product opportunities you’d never find online or outside of Japan.

This hands-on experience will help you better understand the market and find ways to stand out in one of the most lucrative and untapped Amazon marketplaces.

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to level up your business and get insider insights from the Japanese market!  Learn more

I work with brands and sellers to help them grow, scale, and succeed. Here’s how we can work together:

Contact: gary [at] 8020sourcing.com

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