Amazon’s AI helps shoppers decide. Will it help you convert? 🤖 [MDSR #58]

Hot Off The Presses 📰

In our last poll, most MDS readers said Prime Big Deal Days underdelivered — but don’t write off October just yet. New data shows some sellers did see upside, driven in part by “joy-based shopping”, cited by 30% of buyers as their main motivator. 

That could be good news heading into November: 35% of U.S. shoppers say they plan to spend more this Black Friday than last year — even amid inflation and uncertainty.

Of course, “uncertainty” has entered a new phase. The White House reopened a 301 investigation into China’s trade practices, while Trump and Xi tentatively agreed to pause 100% tariffs — for now. 

But Chinese exporters are already walking away from the U.S. market, and importers are rushing spring orders to hedge against another pricing surge. Some brands are even scaling back free returns to stay ahead of rising costs.

Meanwhile, Amazon is tightening its own screws. Sellers are still digesting fulfillment fee hikes, even as the company rolls out a new FBM Ship+ program and expands robotics, AI, and delivery glasses. Its new “Help Me Decide” shopping tool takes a stab at explaining product recs — a subtle but meaningful step in influencing buyer behavior.

And while the platform was mostly stable through Prime events, Amazon did own up to a major AWS outage that briefly impacted web services across multiple verticals — a reminder of how interconnected seller systems have become.

Zooming out, Amazon’s U.S. marketplace may be saturated, but its international GMV growth points to untapped potential in regions where competition — and cost — may look very different.

Elsewhere, TikTok is mandating its GMV Max ad tool, restricting external links and reshaping how merchants drive sales inside the app. And while ChatGPT’s conversion rates remain low, referral traffic from ChatGPT may matter more as discovery shifts from search to chat.

Now, over to you ⤵️

This edition’s poll 🗳️

Million Dollar Advice 💸 

Small leaks sink big ships — and too many sellers find out the hard way that that includes your shipping strategy. 

If you’re still relying on flat-rate boxes and hoping for the best, it’s time to rethink. 

From negotiating better carrier rates to using software that auto-optimizes packaging, there are quick wins hiding in plain sight.

Start trimming the fat with these proven tactics 👉 How to Reduce Shipping Costs for Small Business

Meet your next top creator — live in Miami 🌴

Matchmaking hits Miami, and MDS members are getting the VIP treatment.

On November 13, the TikTok Shop Matchmaking City Tour touches down in Miami for a day of collaboration, content, and direct access to 300+ verified creators — all curated for fast-growing DTC brands.

This isn’t your average trade show. It’s an invite-only marketplace where top-performing TikTok creators connect with vetted founders, backed by Million Dollar Sellers and TikTok Shop.

Expect exclusive creator speed rounds, a VIP omakase lunch, hands-on sessions from breakout brands, and a members-only after-party to close it out. MDS members save up to 75% on booth pricing — request your code to claim the discount!

📍 Reserve your spot now →

ACOS, decoded — before your BFCM budget disappears 🎁

Before you crank up bids for BFCM, make sure you’re clear on what ACOS really tells you — and what it doesn’t.

Here’s a quick refresher from the MDS blog:

1. ACOS = Ad Cost of Sale → It’s your ad spend divided by the attributed revenue. A 25% ACOS means you spent $25 to make $100.

2. Lower isn’t always better → A “good” ACOS depends on your margins and goals. Aggressive scaling? You may want a higher ACOS.

3. Target vs breakeven ACOS → Your breakeven ACOS is your profit margin. Your target ACOS should be lower than that — but not arbitrarily low.

4. Don’t judge ACOS in a vacuum → It doesn’t account for organic lift, customer lifetime value, or brand halo. Look at TACOS and blended ROAS too.

5. Your ACOS will spike on BFCM — on purpose → It’s a competition play. Sellers often accept thinner margins (or short-term losses) to dominate placements and velocity.

📚Check out the full post for more context and examples before the ad frenzy begins.

Think this is helpful? Feel free to pass it along 🙂 

Built for breakthroughs, powered by connection 🔗

You don’t get to the next level by staying in your silo. Whether you’re swapping war stories or trading vendor recs, the best ideas often come from a casual chat with someone who’s been there too.

That’s why MDS events are designed to spark more than just small talk — they’re built to move the needle.

🤝 Ecompreneur Socials

Where off-the-record meets off-the-charts.

• October 31— Singapore Ecom Founder Social

• November 20 — Boston Ecom Founder Social

• November 20 — LA Ecom Founder Social

• November 21 — Mexico City Ecom Founder Social

Secure your spot and start making moves IRL:  👉 All Event Links

eCom Stock Watch 📊

Click on the table below or view the full size data here. 

Did you see that post 📲

Hope the robots can handle peak returns, seller support, and the next AWS outage!

Until Next Time ✌️

As always, thanks for sticking with us until the end. 

If you’d care to share your thoughts on this newsletter, we’re all ears. Just hit reply to sound off. 

See you next time with more of the latest and greatest content you need to succeed this year 🔥

Sincerely, 

Looking for a mastermind community?

Million Dollar Sellers (MDS) is an exclusive community of 700+ like-minded Amazon and DTC sellers from all over the world. Collectively, our members generate more than 8 billion in annual sales and dominate some of the biggest categories on Amazon. MDS offers world-class events, chapters, industry discounts, resource libraries full of SOPs, templates, and video recordings of private trainings, workshops, events and so much more.

If you are looking for a business professional community made for ecom entrepreneurs, then consider applying today. 

*To qualify, you must be a full-time seller or brand owner and do at least 1 million in verified annual revenue. Will Amazon’s Returnless Resolutions solve the returns debacle? [MDSR #30]