Amazon’s Star-Only Ratings Backfire, Walmart Courts Collectors, and TikTok Hits the Mall

Send us Fan MailIn this August 5, 2025 edition of Selling on Giants – eCommerce News & Updates, Mr. Will unpacks a jam-packed week of platform shifts, seller pain points, and retail evolution, all delivered with the clarity and dry wit you’ve come to expect.We start with Amazon’s controversial update to seller feedback: customers can now leave star-only ratings with no written explanation and no option for sellers to appeal. FBA sellers are already raising red flags about delivery issues being misattributed and the loss of transparency in how feedback affects account health. This change might improve average ratings on paper, but sellers are flying blind in real-time.Then we pivot to Walmart’s surprising move into collectibles. At The National Sports Collectors Convention, Walmart debuted its marketplace strategy for trading cards and memorabilia, featuring top sellers like Dave & Adam’s and Goldin. It’s a clear signal Walmart is curating verticals, not just expanding SKUs.Back on Amazon, Handmade sellers are suffering major traffic losses after a silent backend category reclassification blitz. Listings are being miscategorized with no warning, killing visibility overnight. Mr. Will breaks down how to identify if you're affected and how to work around Seller Support’s automated dead ends.Other highlights:Amazon’s new Return Reduction Recommendations tool now lives inside Voice of CustomerQ2 earnings show ad revenue up 22% to $15.7B while retail growth stagnatesTikTok’s viral videos are now streaming in malls via a Rockbot + Westfield partnershipWalmart’s Trust and Safety overhaul tightens seller scrutiny with AI and stricter onboardingHoliday prep starts now: WFS deadlines, listing audits, and deal submission windowsThe “eCommerce disruption era” is officially over—omnichannel is the new defaultGrainger proves B2B buyers demand digital convenience tooKroger merges KPM and 84.51° to strengthen retail media attributionThis week’s takeaway? Retail isn’t dying, it’s evolving. Sellers who adapt to blurred channels, smarter compliance, and platform-native content will be the ones who win in Q4 and beyond.Subscribe to the BellaVix Newsletter for more updates and strategy deep dives every Tuesday.