The Death of Free Shipping, Lulu's War on Dupes & Prime Day

In Episode 95 of This Week in E-Commerce, Mal Chia flies solo to break down the biggest shifts in the retail landscape. From Amazon Prime Day’s increasingly disruptive influence to the quiet rebellion against free shipping and returns, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the post–EOFY slowdown. Mal also unpacks Lululemon’s lawsuit against Costco, the growing importance of micro-moments in retail, and the global fallout from Trump’s new $3 trillion deficit bill.Grab a coffee and strap in — it’s a sharp, insightful solo session packed with strategy and real talk.Retailers Reconsider Free Shipping & Returns:New Shippit data shows brands like H&M and Uniqlo are reversing free return policies.Returns in marketplaces can be as high as 50%, significantly eroding margins.Mal’s advice: be transparent with customers, use loyalty incentives, and reset expectations before it’s too late.The Power of Micro Moments:A good product isn’t enough—memorable moments matter.Mal highlights brands like Apple, Frank Green, and Amino Z for nailing end-to-end customer experience.Personalised touches and post-purchase surprises create long-term brand equity.Trump’s $3 Trillion Deficit and Tariff Fallout:New U.S. legislation could push interest rates higher and strengthen the USD.This risks increasing import costs for Australian retailers sourcing in USD.Recommendations: explore FX tools (Airwallex, Revolut), rethink pricing strategy, and consider reshoring or nearshoringLululemon vs Costco: The War on Dupes:Lululemon sues Costco for copying its Align leggings and promoting them as dupes.Implications for premium and luxury brands trying to protect their image.Mal calls on brands to protect IP, build community, and highlight what makes their product really different.PLUS: Online Retailer Conference is around the corner!Mal will be hosting the NORA stage at ORC Sydney, July 23–24. Use the code MalChia for a free show floor pass.https://www.onlineretailer.com/en-gb/register.html?cat=retailer&ct=U2FsdGVkX19lx0W5QMdQQ70KvdPKNrC74XrRblRub4nMH0x7/8QIRGidKg+LF5YkFollow MalLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/malchiaWebsite: malchia.com