80/20 of Ecom - Amazon Goes Full-Robot, DHL Canada Shuts Down, Tariffs Hit Imports

Everything Sellers Need to Know This Week (Before It Costs You)

Author

Gary Huang
June 24, 2025

Hey there, this week is stacked.

Amazon just opened a robot-run, 2.8 million sq. ft. fulfillment beast in Massachusetts. If you’re not thinking about what that means for delivery speed and buyer expectations, you’re already behind.

DHL Canada? Shutting down nationwide. Cross-border shipping? About to get messy.

And tariffs? Already killing import growth at the Port of LA — and quietly draining $2,500 a year from your customers' wallets.

 — and one smart lock brand crushed Prime Day without PPC. They used affiliate marketing and jumped 290,000 ranks. That breakdown’s in here too.

This week, we’re diving into:

  • Amazon Scales Fulfillment with High-Tech Robotics Center in Massachusetts

  • No Ads, No Problem: How a Smart Lock Brand Beat Prime Day the Smarter Way

  • Tariffs Stall Port of LA: First Drop in 10 Months

  • DHL Express Canada Shuts Down National Network Over Labor Talks

Amazon has officially opened a 2.8 million-square-foot robotics fulfillment center in Charlton, MA, marking its largest investment in the state to date. The state-of-the-art facility, known as ORH3, boasts:

  • Hundreds of advanced robots capable of lifting up to 1,500 pounds each

  • Over 32 million stocked items, from electronics to household goods

  • More than 1,000 employees supported by multi-level automation systems

Strategic significance:
The $300+ million facility began operations in November 2024 and is the latest move in Amazon’s broader robotics push. The company has invested $23 billion in Massachusetts since 2010 and is doubling down on automation to reduce manual labor and boost fulfillment speed.

Amazon’s robotics roadmap:
Recent innovations like the Vulcan robot (which can “feel” objects) and Tipper (which shifts packages to conveyor belts) are part of Amazon’s long-term vision for tech-enhanced logistics. New robotics sites are also underway in Virginia and North Carolina, the latter expected to open in 2026.

🏬 Takeaway for Sellers & Supply Chain Professionals:
This facility enhances Amazon’s Northeast logistics footprint and promises faster, more reliable fulfillment. Sellers should monitor how robotics integration may affect inventory turnover, delivery timelines, and operational expectations across Amazon’s network.

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Import gains from a temporary tariff break are not enough to offset broader trade uncertainty, warns Yale economist Ernie Tedeschi. The Port of Los Angeles—often seen as a bellwether for the U.S. economy—recorded a 5% drop in total throughput in May, ending a 10-month streak of growth. Imports fell 9% year-over-year, and a sharp 19% plunge from April caught many by surprise.

Why it matters:
Although a temporary pause in China-U.S. tariffs spurred a short-term increase in loaded container volume, the underlying trade tensions remain. Tariffs on Chinese imports still sit at an elevated 55%, while Chinese retaliatory tariffs average 10%. This environment of uncertainty is contributing to weaker retail activity and lower consumer spending, as highlighted by the National Retail Federation’s May retail sales drop.

Economic impact:
Tedeschi estimates the 2025 tariff increases have added $2,500 in annual costs per American household, with lower-income families shouldering a proportionally greater burden. These tariffs are gradually inflating prices and dampening consumer purchasing power—creating a slow-burn effect on inflation that may take months to fully materialize.

Port outlook:
Despite reduced volumes, Port Executive Director Gene Seroka says operations remain strong: “Our velocity statistics are good.” However, the National Retail Federation forecasts continued import declines for the summer months, signaling more caution ahead for U.S. trade flow.

💡 Takeaway for Amazon Sellers:
Expect potential supply chain disruptions and cost pressures in the coming months. Stay alert to trade developments, diversify suppliers when possible, and plan inventory strategically to navigate potential turbulence from unresolved U.S.-China trade negotiations.

Strike fallout escalates: DHL Express Canada will suspend all operations nationwide starting Friday, June 20, due to stalled contract negotiations with the Unifor union. The disruption follows a strike that began on June 8, affecting over 2,100 unionized employees across the country.

Service disruption timeline:

  • June 18, 9 p.m. ET – International package imports into Canada will be paused.

  • June 20 – Full network shutdown begins, coinciding with the implementation of Bill C-58, which bans replacement workers during labor actions.


Unifor is demanding 22% higher wages for hourly staff and a 42% pay bump for owner-operators, citing eroding compensation and working conditions. DHL, while expressing a commitment to fair pay, claims the demands are unsustainable and “jeopardize operational viability.”

Broader impact:
Canada’s parcel delivery sector is under pressure, with Canada Post workers already in the fourth week of an overtime ban, prompting many businesses and individuals to seek alternative delivery solutions.

📦 Takeaway for Sellers & Shippers:
Expect delays and limited shipping options in Canada, particularly for international parcels. Consider rerouting logistics through alternative carriers or fulfillment centers, and notify customers of potential service interruptions.

📌 In Case You Missed It

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

🎯 Consulting – Get tailored strategies for Amazon Japan, sourcing, or profitability.

🤝 Partnerships – Let’s collaborate on webinars, content, or events.

📩 Contact me: gary [at] 8020sourcing.com