Chinese Devices Removed from US Marketplaces 📱

Major U.S. e-commerce sites have removed millions of Chinese-made electronics from their listings following an FCC crackdown over national security concerns.

The products — including home security cameras, smartwatches, and communication devices — were linked to blacklisted firms such as Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, and Dahua, all of which appear on the FCC’s “Covered List” of companies deemed national security risks.

🇺🇸 National Security: FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the delisted devices were either explicitly prohibited or lacked FCC authorization, warning that such equipment could allow Beijing to “surveil Americans, disrupt communications networks, and otherwise threaten U.S. national security.”

🔎 Retailer Oversight: Retailers have begun implementing stricter internal checks to prevent repeat violations, adding new compliance systems to detect flagged manufacturers and components.

👀 U.S. Tech Clampdown: This move forms part of Washington’s broader escalation against Chinese technology access to U.S. markets. The FCC plans to vote on October 28 on new rules that would ban authorization for any devices containing parts sourced from “Covered List” companies and potentially revoke prior approvals.

Holiday decorators may face higher prices and thinner shelves this year, as U.S. importers slash shipments of Christmas goods amid ongoing tariffs, according to reports.

The National Tree Company, one of America’s largest artificial tree suppliers, said it imported 25% fewer products and raised prices by 10% due to trade restrictions that have disrupted supplies from China, the source of nearly 90% of all artificial trees sold in the U.S.

🌲 Tree Fall: Data from ImportGenius shows National Tree’s import volumes in August fell 58% year-over-year, with September shipments down over 70%, while trade tracker Vizion recorded a nearly 90% plunge in container arrivals compared with last year.

📉 Severe Shortage: National Tree Company CEO Chris Butler said the trade war has severely disrupted imports of artificial trees, lights, and wreaths — roughly 90% of which are made in China — urging consumers to “buy early” before stock runs out.

🎄 Save Christmas: Chris Butler told CNBC the company is in talks with the Treasury Department and U.S. Trade Office to “potentially save Christmas going forward,” noting that production shifts to the U.S. would make goods up to three times more expensive.

UPS said it could begin disposing of imported packages that fail to clear U.S. customs under the Trump administration’s new trade and import regulations. The company cited “rapidly shifting import rules” and tighter documentation requirements following the suspension of the de minimis exemption, which had allowed low-value goods under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.

UPS spokesperson Natasha Amadi said that when required shipment details are missing, the parcels may either be returned to the sender at their expense or disposed of in compliance with customs law. The company noted that 90% of imported packages clear customs on the first day, but incomplete paperwork and unclear tariff codes are causing growing backlogs at UPS hubs nationwide.

The shipping giant, which recently cut 20,000 jobs amid slowing global trade, said it continues to work with customers to resolve documentation issues as imports face longer clearance times and higher costs due to the ongoing tariff disputes.

Adidas is entering the safety footwear market with a new line called “Adidas Pro Work,” developed in partnership with protective equipment maker GLO Brands B.V., a unit of Bunzl plc. The collection, set to debut in the second quarter of 2026, will target professionals working in demanding environments, combining protective functionality with Adidas’ trademark design and comfort.

GLO will oversee production and supply chain operations to ensure high safety and performance standards. The move marks Adidas’ first venture into industrial and work footwear, expanding its reach beyond sports and lifestyle products. The company said the range will be distributed through select partners and channels.

The launch comes as Adidas continues to post strong results — with €12.11 billion in net sales in the first half of 2025, representing 14% year-over-year growth.

The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) is expanding its LockerNYC pilot program to 36 additional locations, bringing the total to 70 citywide. The initiative, launched in April 2024, aims to reduce package theft and truck congestion by centralizing last-mile deliveries across all five boroughs.

So far, users have made over 15,000 reservations for pickups and drop-offs through lockers operated by GoLocker, which handles deliveries from UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, and others.

With 90,000 packages stolen daily and nearly 90% of goods entering NYC by truck, the initiative aims to streamline last-mile deliveries and cut congestion before a full evaluation next summer. With nearly 80% of households receiving at least one package a week, DOT officials said the lockers offer a “safe and free” delivery option for residents.

Levi Strauss & Co. reported stronger-than-expected third-quarter results, driven by selective price increases and a growing shift toward direct-to-consumer sales. The denim maker’s revenue rose 7% year-over-year to $1.54 billion, beating estimates of $1.50 billion, while adjusted earnings reached 34 cents per share, above forecasts of 31 cents. Gross margin improved to 61.7%, up 1.1 percentage points from last year.

The company raised its full-year sales growth forecast to 3% (from 1–2%) and expects EPS between $1.27 and $1.32. Levi’s also reaffirmed its gross margin outlook, assuming U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports remain at 30% and global duties at 20%.

Direct-to-consumer sales climbed 11%, led by strong U.S. and women’s apparel demand. Tops and non-denim products now make up nearly 40% of total sales, helping Levi’s diversify beyond jeans amid fashion shifts.

Royal Mail has announced a new partnership with TikTok Shop, giving sellers on the social media platform’s e-commerce marketplace access to its nationwide delivery network. The deal will enable TikTok merchants across the UK to use Royal Mail’s parcel collection and drop-off services, streamlining order fulfillment and expanding last-mile delivery options.

The partnership comes as TikTok continues to scale its e-commerce operations in Britain, where it faces fierce competition from Amazon and Shein. Royal Mail, meanwhile, is seeking to boost parcel volumes amid declining letter deliveries and ongoing financial pressure.

Under the collaboration, TikTok Shop sellers will be able to integrate Royal Mail’s shipping tools directly within the platform, offering faster delivery times and broader coverage.

Average spending per trip during China’s eight-day Golden Week holiday — one of the country’s longest annual breaks combining National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival — dropped to 911 yuan ($113), the lowest since 2022, even as total travel surged to 888 million trips, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The modest 0.55% dip in per-capita spending underscores weak consumer confidence despite a domestic stock market rally and policy efforts to spur demand.

Total tourism revenue rose 15% year over year to 809 billion yuan, but analysts at Citi and Nomura said the recovery remains fragile, with little sign that rising equity markets are translating into stronger household consumption. The slowdown reflects broader economic headwinds, including U.S. trade pressures, a prolonged property slump, and labor market uncertainty.

Americans’ confidence in the economy slipped in early October, with the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index inching down to 55, one of the weakest readings since records began in 1952. The decline reflects mounting frustration over high living costs, limited job prospects, and uncertainty surrounding the ongoing federal government shutdown.

Despite weak confidence, spending has held firm — retail sales rose 0.6% in August, marking a third straight monthly gain. Economists warn that a slowing labor market could soon dampen consumption, especially as the government shutdown delays the release of key economic data, such as the monthly jobs report.

Online fast-fashion giant Shein is overhauling its compliance and governance framework after facing multiple regulatory penalties totaling more than €190 million ($221 million) across Europe, according to a Reuters report.

In 2025, French regulators levied a €150 million fine for unauthorized cookie data collection and another €40 million for deceptive discounting, while Italy fined Shein €1 million for false environmental claims. The company is appealing the largest penalty and faces an ongoing EU consumer protection probe into product safety compliance.

Shein has now created a Business Integrity Group to link its compliance, governance, and external affairs functions, and to expand internal audits and legal oversight.

Swedish furniture giant IKEA has acquired Locus, a U.S.-based logistics technology company specializing in AI-driven fulfillment automation and route optimization.

The acquisition by Ingka Group, Ikea’s largest retailer, comes as the company continues to expand its e-commerce capabilities amid soaring online sales.

IKEA’s digital sales have climbed from 11% of total sales in 2019 to 28% in 2024, and the company has traditionally relied on third-party logistics providers for home delivery. With Locus’s platform — which offers real-time tracking, advanced vehicle utilization, and route planning tools — Ikea aims to improve delivery speed, flexibility, and overall customer experience.

The acquisition follows a series of strategic logistics investments by Ikea: it bought warehouse management software firm Made4net in 2023 and acquired TaskRabbit in 2017. The company also launched a $2.2 billion, three-year omnichannel investment plan to expand stores and fulfillment hubs.

UK-based Frasers Group has acquired a majority stake in The Webster, a high-end U.S. fashion retailer known for its curated luxury collections and flagship stores in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Montecito, and Costa Mesa.

The move marks a key step in Frasers’ strategy to expand its footprint across the U.S. luxury retail market, adding 13 new retail sites under The Webster brand.

The Webster’s founder, Laure Hériard Dubreuil, will retain a minority stake and continue leading the brand, ensuring creative continuity and brand integrity. The acquisition follows Frasers’ recent purchase of online tech retailer Ebuyer in August, part of its broader push to diversify its portfolio beyond sportswear and mass retail.