In September, Amazon agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for a total of $2.5 billion. Now, the e-commerce giant has begun emailing those who are eligible for a refund with details on when to expect a refund and how to get it.

The settlement is one of the largest in FTC history, with $1 billion going toward civil penalties and $1.5 billion going to Amazon customers.

The lawsuit centered on what the FTC described as "manipulative, coercive or deceptive user-interface designs" that "trick" consumers into joining Amazon Prime and make it difficult or confusing to cancel the automatically renewing membership program. As part of the settlement, Amazon denies any wrongdoing.

If you've ever accidentally joined Amazon Prime or enrolled without realizing that the membership would auto-renew indefinitely until you canceled, you might be entitled to a payout from this settlement. If you decided to cancel Amazon Prime only to find it confusing or complicated to actually do so, you might also qualify.

Here's what you need to know about the case itself and about the payouts that will be rolling out in the next few months.

What is the FTC lawsuit against Amazon about?

The original complaint (PDF) filed by the FTC in 2023 focuses on a two-part problem:

1. Amazon Prime is so easy to join that, according to the lawsuit, customers are accidentally enrolled without realizing it.
2. Once enrolled, the process to cancel Amazon Prime is unnecessarily confusing and complicated, according to the FTC complaint.

On the first point, the FTC describes multiple "enrollment flows" using vague language that doesn't make it clear that you're signing up for the shopping membership, let alone agreeing to let that membership auto-renew indefinitely until you cancel.

One example cited in the lawsuit was the shipping options page. At the top of the list of shipping options displaying different prices and speed options, the default selection was "FREE Same-Day Delivery with a free trial of Amazon Prime" or similar phrasing that would enroll you into Amazon Prime if you didn't actively change it to one of the other shipping options.

On the other end, the FTC alleged that the cancellation process was an unnecessarily complicated multistep process with repeated "save offers" that shoppers had to navigate through before they could finally end their Prime membership.

In Amazon's motion to dismiss the case, filed in 2023 a few months after that original complaint, the company denied the FTC's claims, arguing that the enrollment and cancellation processes for Amazon Prime "comply with current law" and that members who want to end their memberships are "given multiple simple mechanisms to cancel."

While the settlement is not an admission of guilt on the company's part, Amazon did agree to make its enrollment pages more transparent and its cancellation process more straightforward, along with the $2.5 billion in penalties and customer refunds.

How much does Amazon have to pay as part of the settlement?

As part of the agreement with the FTC, Amazon must pay $1 billion in civil penalties to the commission. It will also put $1.5 billion into a consumer fund used to provide refunds to eligible consumers.

Those eligibility requirements are discussed in more detail below. But payouts will be capped at $51 per eligible customer.

Payout levels will be tied to the number of Amazon Prime benefits you used while enrolled. That would include things such as taking advantage of free two-day shipping or watching a show on Amazon Prime Video.

Other key terms of the $2.5 billion Amazon Prime settlement

In addition to the $2.5 billion in penalties and consumer refunds, the court order also requires the company to agree to the following terms to make the Amazon Prime enrollment process more transparent and the cancellation process more straightforward:

• Amazon must use clear language (such as "join Prime") on sign-up pages, rather than potentially misleading language (such as "Yes, I want free 2-day shipping").
• If the membership automatically renews, that must be indicated on all sign-up pages along with the dates that charges and renewals will happen.
• Sign-up pages also need to clearly display the price and prominently display the decline option. That is, if you don't want to join Prime, the option to not join can't be a small link saying, "No thanks, I don't want free shipping."
• Amazon must get customers' informed consent before charging them for any good or service. Informed consent means you're aware of what you're signing up for, the fees involved, the auto-renewal feature and any other important terms.
• Canceling a membership or turning off the auto-renewal feature can't be "difficult, costly, confusing or time consuming."

Who is eligible for a payout in the $2.5 billion Amazon Prime settlement?

If you meet the criteria below, you're entitled to a full refund of the fees paid during the eligible subscription period, up to the $51 maximum:

• You enrolled in Amazon Prime from June 23, 2019, to June 23, 2025.
• You did so via a "challenged enrollment flow." That's one of the following four enrollment pages that were cited as deceptive by the FTC:
  • Universal Prime Decision page: The sign-up page where the buttons read something like "Yes, I want free shipping" or "No thanks, I don't want free shipping" even though clicking "Yes, I want free shipping" actually means you're signing up for Prime, not just agreeing to free shipping on that order.
  • Shipping Option Select page: This page typically showed up while you completed your order and includes different shipping options at different speeds and prices. The default, preselected option is usually something such as "FREE Same-Day Delivery with a free trial of Amazon Prime." Choosing that (or failing to change that default selection) would enroll you in Amazon Prime.
  • Prime Video enrollment flow: If you tried to sign up for a subscription to just Prime Video, only to realize you'd been enrolled in an Amazon Prime membership, you might be eligible for a claim in the settlement. That includes if you clicked on a "Watch with Prime" button under a movie or show you wanted to watch.
  • Single Page Checkout: This one looked similar to the "Universal Prime Decision" page, except that it was embedded in the checkout process such as the "shipping option select" page. Clicking on the button (which often displayed language like "Fast FREE Delivery" or "Try Prime FREE for 30 Days" would enroll you in the membership even if you didn't ultimately complete the checkout process. It was discontinued in 2022 following pressure from the FTC.
• After enrolling in Prime via one of these processes, you used no more than 10 Prime benefits in any given 12-month period that your subscription was active.
• You're also eligible to make a claim if you attempted to cancel your Prime subscription but were unsuccessful — even if you didn't originally sign up through one of the "challenged enrollment flows." That includes starting the cancellation process, but failing to complete it or starting it but inadvertently choosing one of the "save offers" such as "remind me later," "keep my benefits," "switch to monthly payments" or "pause membership."

How to get the Amazon Prime settlement refund

There are three groups of eligible consumers in this settlement, and payouts will go to customers in order of which group they fall under.

• The first group includes those who enrolled through one of the "challenged enrollment flows" above and used three or fewer Prime benefits during any 12-month period after enrollment. If you're in this first group, you don't need to do anything. Amazon will automatically send out your payment in the first round of payouts (see more on that below).
• The second group includes those who enrolled through one of the "challenged enrollment flows" above and used from three to 10 benefits during any 12-month period after enrollment. If you're in this group, you'll need to file a claim form that Amazon will send out. If you don't receive a form from the company, you'll also be able to find it on the settlement website once it's launched.
• The third group includes those who unsuccessfully attempted to cancel their Prime membership, regardless of how they enrolled. If you're in this group, you need to file a claim form. The same information applies as that mentioned for the second group.

If you're not sure which group you fall under, you can wait to see if you receive a payout in the first round. If you don't get a payout, you can file a claim to see if you're eligible once the claim forms go out.

When will you get your Amazon Prime refund?

The payout process began earlier this month, with the automatic payments going out to members of the first group above. This process will run from November 12 through December 24, according to the FTC.

The refund will come in the form of a PayPal or Venmo payment and you should accept the payment within 15 days of receipt. Check those accounts regularly throughout this automatic refund window.

If you miss the 15-day acceptance window, Amazon will mail a check to the default shipping address that was listed on your Amazon Prime subscription

For those in the second and third groups who aren't eligible for automatic payments, you should expect to receive a claim form from December 24 to January 23, the FTC told CBS News.

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Back-to-school season is just around the corner, and over a dozen states are hosting tax-free holidays to help you get prepared.

Sales tax holidays, which start as early as this month (July) and last through August, can give shoppers a chance to purchase select items tax-free. These generally include school supplies, clothing, electronics, and food. Some states even exempt sales taxes on furniture, plants, and other household items, which is ideal for those going back to college.

Planning to shop during a sales tax weekend can be a good idea this summer, particularly as tariffs are driving up inflation.

Some major retailers like Walmart and Apple are simplifying the shopping experience for folks in participating states with a tax-free holiday by offering an online catalogue of qualifying items.

Here’s what you need to know about upcoming sales tax holidays in your state.

Apple back-to-school 2025 tax-free holiday

This summer, 17 states are celebrating sales tax holidays. However, not all will let you get a tax break on electronics for back-to-school or personal use.

Only ten states are offering a tax exemption on computers and related electronic accessories this summer, so you can jump into the new school year fully equipped.

Each state has different rules when it comes to which electronic items qualify for the sales tax holiday, and some have price limits on the items you can purchase under the exemption.

If you’re a fan of Apple, and your state is participating in a tax-free holiday this summer, you can shop online or in-store to purchase at a bargain price during the following select dates.

Snag deals tax-free at Walmart this summer

If you’re looking to purchase items other than electronics tax-free this summer, Walmart can be a good place to shop for school supplies, snacks, and clothing to get ready for the back-to-school season.

• A composition notebook worth $0.97 will cost you 50 cents.
• You’ll save a $1 on a box of Crayola colored pencils, and pay just 97 cents.
• Dry erase markers are worth $13.23, saving you $8.12.

You can purchase qualifying items during your state’s tax-free weekends, and Walmart will automatically apply the sales tax exemption whether you shop online or in-store.

Shoppers in 17 states, plus Puerto Rico, should keep track of the following dates so they don’t miss out on potential savings.

Participating states during Walmart’s tax-free holiday savings include Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

For more information, see our guide on Sales Tax Holidays in 2025.

Why shop during a tax holiday

Sales tax holidays offer shoppers an opportunity to purchase a wide range of products free of tax. That can make a huge difference, since some participating states have among the highest sales tax rates in the country.

For example, in Tennessee, the statewide sales tax averages 7%, but average local taxes increase the combined sales tax rate to 9.556%. The state also imposes a grocery tax, so any break on taxes is a good reason to shop at a bargain.

Target, Walmart, and other major retailers are bracing for potential price hikes this summer, given that the Trump administration’s sweeping tariff pause is set to end mid-August. Now could be the right time to buy before prices soar.

Most tax-free holidays start as soon as late July, so don’t miss out on some potential savings at checkout as you get ready for the back-to-school season.

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Amazon isn't the only retailer putting on a major promotional event this summer. To compete with Amazon Prime Day, Sam's Club is offering extended deals on seasonal goods to help families "have their best summer yet."

While existing customers will enjoy saving money on the goods they need to make the season special, non-customers may wonder if the promotion is reason enough to join the warehouse club.

We'll break down what deals customers can expect and discuss the cost and benefits of club membership. That way, you can decide whether becoming a member is the right move.

Sam's Club summer locked-in values

Now through July 22, 2025, Sam's Club is freezing potential price increases on hundreds of summer essentials. Locked-in value items include, but aren't limited to:

• Backyard barbecue must-haves: Grills, hot dogs, smashed burgers, rotisserie chicken, chicken breasts, hamburger and hot dog rolls, condiments, cherry limeade, strawberry lemonade and paper plates
• Beach and pool necessities: Sunscreen, Igloo coolers, water toys, pool floats and travel snacks
• Seasonal apparel: Shorts, t-shirts, tank tops and sandals
• Outdoor fun gear: Splash pads and golf balls

Diana Marshall, executive vice president and chief experience officer at Sam's Club, said about the shopping event, "We listened — and what we heard was clear: summer is about making memories. Time with family and friends. Backyard barbecues. Spontaneous pool days. Members want to soak up every moment, not stress over shifting prices or weekly budgeting."

Once the locked-in value days are over, the Club will kick off another one-day promotion on July 23, 2025, called the July Instant Savings Event. Customers can expect price cuts on summer-related products and back-to-school gear.

Here are some of the locked-in value items you can shop right now:

• Igloo Bone White and Gray 60-Quart Sunset Roller Cooler, $49.98
• Member's Mark 2-Pack Hotel Premier Collection Down Alternative Bed Pillows, $17.98
• VIZIO 75" Class Quantum Series 4K QLED Smart TV, $548
• Oral-B iO Series 2 Electric Toothbrush, Pure White & Night Black, 2pk., 3 Brush Heads, $99.97
• Versace Medusa Pop Swiss Quartz Black Silicone Watch, 39mm, $249

How the shopping event compares to Prime Day

Sam's Club's summer promotions focus mainly on seasonal goods and everyday items that families need, while Amazon Prime Day features steep discounts on electronics (especially the retailer's brand), toys and other items.

Prime Day (which should now be called Prime Days) runs from July 8, 2025, through July 11, 2025, ending nearly two weeks before Sam's Club's events.

Like Sam's Club, you must be a member to shop the Prime Day deals. Prime membership comes with a range of benefits, including, but not limited to:

• Unlimited streaming
• Unlimited photo storage
• Fast, free shipping
• Free GrubHub+ membership
• Gas and pharmacy savings

Joining Prime costs $139 annually or $14.99 per month.

Is a Sam’s Club membership worth the price?

Becoming a Sam's Club member gives you shopping rights at 600 locations. Depending on your goals and budget, you can choose one of two membership levels:

If you're still not convinced that you'll save enough money via Sam’s Club’s summer promotions to offset the membership fee, consider what buying in bulk could do for your budget year-round.

Plus, there are ways to save on a Sam's Club membership. For instance, StackSocial is running a limited-time 50%-off deal on both membership levels. You may also be eligible for a discounted membership if you're a teacher, member of the military, first responder, senior, healthcare professional, student, government employee or member of another qualifying group.

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Father’s Day 2025 is Sunday, June 15, and shoppers are expected to spend a record $24 billion this year, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual survey. That figure is up from $22.4 billion last year, and exceeds the previous record of $22.9 billion in 2023.

The NRF survey also found that 76% of individuals who plan to celebrate the holiday anticipate spending $199.38 per person, nearly $10 more than last year’s average.

Younger buyers between the ages of 35 and 44 are expected to spend the most, at $278.90, up $27 from a year ago.

But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce revealed that the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs could weigh even more on your wallet, especially when it comes to paying for Father’s Day favorites.

This comes as retail giants like Nike, Walmart, and Target announced price adjustments to offset levies on imported goods.

Here’s how much prices could increase depending on the gift you have in mind for your loved one.

Expect to pay more for grills and summer BBQ supplies

If you’re planning to get your loved one a new grill or grilling accessories just in time for summer cookouts, you may face a higher price point.

President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%, effective June 4, and it’s likely to impact the costs of popular household items like barbecue grills, pizza ovens, and griddles, just to name a few. But some buyers may be able to beat the tariff hikes if they shop now.

That’s because Home Depot doesn’t plan to issue broad-based price hikes due to tariffs, executives said last month. However, some product options may disappear from store shelves if extra import costs merit the decision.

Still, that doesn’t mean U.S.-based grilling manufacturers aren’t immune to price hikes due to tariffs.

• Weber, headquartered in Chicago, IL, reportedly raised prices on its grills and products on May 1, ranging from 10% to 20%.
• Stanley Black & Decker Inc., a Connecticut-based company, is raising its prices and adjusting its supply chain to mitigate the impact of tariffs.
• Traeger Grills, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, implemented several tariff mitigation measures, including targeted price increases on products, cost reductions in its supply chain, and sourcing diversification.

By the numbers: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce projects that a mid-range grill worth $550 could see a price increase of $165 due to tariffs, for a total value of $715.

Fishing gear isn’t off the hook from tariffs

With summer rolling around, stocking up on fishing supplies for your loved one could be a great gift idea. However, price increases have also caught up with the fishing industry.

Many affordable rods, reels, and other gear are sourced from China, according to the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). The recent tariff turmoil between China and the U.S. will cause inevitable price hikes.

So, the administration’s 50% tariffs on imported metals like aluminum are likely to have a significant impact on fishing reels.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce provided an example of what the cost of fishing reels, rods, and hooks could look like with a slightly more modest 30% tariff.

• A rod priced at $125 would face a $37.50 increase, for a total price of $162.50
• Hooks, which each cost $2.53, would see a 76-cent hike, for a total value of $3.29
• A reel worth $112 would face a price hike of $33.60, for a total cost of $145.60

Gaming and tech: Nintendo and Microsoft raise prices

Nintendo just launched its Switch 2 on June 5 for $449.99. While the brand hasn’t announced price adjustments for its popular gaming console, it’s not off the table.

Before the release of its new gaming console, Nintendo announced it would increase pricing on some Switch 2 accessories in April “due to changes in market conditions.” The company also noted that price hikes across other products were “also possible in the future, depending on market conditions.”

• Other competitors like Sony have managed to avoid tariff-related price hikes in the U.S. for the time being, particularly on its PlayStation 5 gaming console.
• Meanwhile, Microsoft raised prices in May across its entire Xbox product lineup.

Ralph Lauren, Nike to hike prices

Some popular clothing and footwear brands have also been forced to shift their prices due to tariffs. As reported by Kiplinger, Nike announced it would raise the price of footwear, apparel, and other equipment this month. The retail giant would also return to Amazon to sell its products.

If you were planning to shop at Nike, you can expect a price adjustment on the following items:

• Adult clothing and equipment prices could increase between $2 and $10
• Footwear priced between $100 and $150 could see an uptick of $5
• Shoes and sneakers valued over $150 may face a price hike of up to $10

At the same time, Ralph Lauren executives said they were “assessing additional pricing actions” in 2025 and the spring of 2026 to mitigate the potential impact of “evolving tariffs.”

The brand would also take other steps to diversify its supply chain, about 96% of its products were reportedly produced outside of the U.S. so far this year, with 12% sourced from China. That could make shopping at Ralph Lauren slightly pricier.

It's Father's Day: What Trump tariffs mean for your shopping

Tariffs are a centerpiece of Trump’s trade agenda, which will likely have an adverse impact on your shopping experience this year.

Retail giants like Walmart and Nike are warning of looming price hikes amid the Trump administration’s broad-based tariffs, which will soon impact merchandise like clothing, footwear, sports equipment, and more.

As reported by Kiplinger, tariffs on imported goods are a tax paid by domestic companies like Walmart. While some companies may absorb some of these new levies, most will pass those added costs to consumers like you to make a profit.

As the Trump administration leans on tariffs to negotiate trade, watch out for how it can come to impact your everyday expenses and holidays.

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As digital wallets become more central to how we pay and verify our identities, Google Wallet has rolled out a new feature. The tech giant recently announced an expansion of its digital ID support to more states, including Arkansas, Montana, Puerto Rico and West Virginia.

This rollout allows residents of these areas to store a digital version of their state ID or even create a digital ID using a U.S. passport, making it easier to pass through TSA checkpoints or verify identity in various apps.

With privacy-focused technology like Zero Knowledge Proof, Google Wallet is reshaping how we think about digital identification — especially given the new REAL ID requirement for domestic air travel that went into effect May 7.

How Google Wallet's digital ID works

Setting up a digital ID on Google Wallet is straightforward. Users upload their state ID or U.S. passport information through the app and follow a guided verification process.

Google ensures that all IDs are stored securely on the user’s device, not on external servers, protecting sensitive information from cyber threats.

One of the standout features is Google’s use of Zero Knowledge Proof technology, which allows users to verify their age or other identity credentials without exposing additional personal data.

For example, when proving you’re over 21, the app only shares a simple verification of age, not your full date of birth or ID number.

This privacy-first approach is designed to give users more control over their personal information while maintaining security.

Where can you use Google Wallet's Digital ID

TSA Checkpoints

The days of fumbling through your wallet for a physical ID at airport security may soon be behind you. Google Wallet’s digital ID is now accepted at select domestic TSA checkpoints, allowing for quicker, contactless verification.

This not only speeds up the process but also reduces the risk of losing physical documents during travel.

App and Online Verification

Beyond TSA checkpoints, Google Wallet's digital ID is making it easier to verify identity in apps and online platforms.

Imagine signing up for a new service or verifying your age on a platform without needing to snap a photo of your driver's license.

Google Wallet can do that with just a tap. This opens doors for more secure online transactions and streamlined app registrations.

How Google Wallet protects your digital ID

One of the biggest questions surrounding digital IDs is security. Google Wallet addresses these concerns with robust encryption and local storage. Your digital ID information is kept on your device, not in the cloud, which drastically reduces the risk of data breaches.

Even if your phone is lost or stolen, the data remains encrypted and inaccessible without your password or biometric verification.

The introduction of Zero Knowledge Proof further enhances security by only sharing the minimum amount of information needed for verification. Google’s approach is a promising step toward balancing convenience with privacy in the digital age.

Real ID requirement and its implications

Since a Real ID is now required for all air travel in the U.S., Google Wallet’s digital ID could be a secondary option to prove your identity especially if you ever forget or misplace your physical wallet or ID.

However, it shouldn’t be considered a complete replacement for your physical ID.

With more states now supporting digital IDs, this option becomes increasingly practical for everyday use and compliance with federal regulations.

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Tariffs are causing turmoil for your favorite low-cost Chinese-based e-commerce vendors like Temu and Shein. Other affected players include TikTok Shop and Amazon, which feature many Chinese sellers.

But to the surprise of many, even companies like Hallmark, which manufactures many of its products in the U.S., are raising prices due to tariffs.

Hallmark, known for its seasonal greeting cards, gift wrap, and other goods, says it produces 75% of its products in its Kansas-based manufacturing facilities. However, if you plan to get an ornament for your loved one this year, you may be out of luck.

Suppliers in Sri Lanka, Thailand, and China make Hallmark ornaments.

So, will your favorite ornaments and gifts cost more this year? Read on to learn more.

Hallmark prices going up?

“Some categories, like ornaments, are disproportionately impacted by the current economic climate,” Hallmark’s Keepsake Ornament Club wrote in a statement, indicating that they raised prices on May 2, 2025.

“If you have already submitted your Wish List in store, the new pricing will be reflected at pickup and you may adjust your order at that time,” the company added.

Some customers have expressed their frustration on social media platforms like TikTok, while other supporters of President Trump are calling to “boycott Hallmark” due to supposed “price-gauging.”

“Hallmark doesn’t think Kansas is in the United States, apparently,” wrote one user on X. “Boycott them!”

The price hike comes as the Trump administration rolled back the so-called “de minimis” exemption in May, which allowed products sourced from China and Hong Kong under the price point of $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free.

Other countries are subject to a baseline 10% tariff while reciprocal tariffs, which can run as high as 50%, are currently paused until August 1.

As economists warned, companies are now passing along tariffs to consumers like you.

Here's how online vendors are responding to new tariffs, and how it may impact your shopping.

De minimis exemption tariff: What is it?

The Trump administration's elimination of the de minimis exemption on low-value goods means U.S. consumers must pay duties to import items from the Republic of China and Hong Kong, which were previously tax-free.

The measure impacts the price of small items like socks, jewelry, and clothes, just to name some examples.

How much can you expect to pay with this new wave of tariffs? It depends.

• U.S. consumers can expect to pay more for items shipped from China and Hong Kong, as well as any additional shipping costs or taxes.
• Goods shipped via the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will be subject to a higher tariff or a flat fee of $100 per postal item.
• This surcharge was set to increase to $200 per postal item on June 1, 2025, according to the White House fact sheet.

Companies are already responding to tariff hikes, with some passing the import charges to consumers. Here’s what you can expect.

Hallmark announces price increases in 2025

Hallmark, a family favorite for some, with products designed to celebrate major holidays and milestones, is upping its prices in response to Trump’s tariffs.

Hallmark listed its 2025 Dream Book online, with collector items you can add to a Wish List to purchase items.

• For example, consider Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Musical ornament valued at $61.99. Before tariffs, the ornament would have cost you $49.99. That’s a price hike of roughly 25%.
• A fan of Star Wars? The Mandalorian Grogu ornament will set you back $24.99, instead of $19.99, due to tariffs. The popular Jedi is manufactured in Thailand.

The company mailed out its print 2025 Dream Book before Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods kicked in. So buyers may be surprised to see price hikes across the board.

• Disney’s Winnie the Pooh Baby’s First Christmas 2025 Ornament was valued at $19.99, and is now $24.99. The product is made in Thailand.
• Grandbaby’s First Christmas Swan 2025 Porcelain Ornament was priced at $24.99, and is now $30.99. The item is manufactured in China.
• Mom’s Love Shines Metal Ornament was listed at $17.99 before tariffs, and is now $22.99. The collector’s item is made in China.

“As we look toward the holiday season, we’ve made the necessary decision to adjust pricing on select imported products from our gift and ornament collections that are impacted by the current economic climate,” Hallmark said in a statement.

While products imported from Thailand and Sri Lanka are currently subject to a 10% baseline tariff. Once Trump’s reciprocal tariffs kick in, those will increase to 36% and 44%, respectively.

Shein price increase for tariffs

As you may have expected, online retail giants like Shein are passing along tariff increases to consumers.

Shein announced that it began adjusting prices on April 25 to reflect the new import charges.

As a consumer, you won’t know exactly how much you are paying in tariff shipping costs. Shein says that tariffs and import fees are included in the price you pay at checkout.

However, customers have noticed a price increase across all categories.

• Earlier this year, home and kitchen goods saw an increase of 30%, while women’s clothing increased by 8%. According to the Daily Beast, some items saw prices skyrocket.
• A bestselling set of 10 kitchen towels saw its price increase by 377%, according to CNET and Bloomberg. The set rose from $1.28 to $6.10.

Temu shipping from local warehouses

You can still order some products online tariff-free, while supplies last.

If you’re shopping from Temu, you’ll see that certain top-rated or best-selling products now have a “local” banner next to the item.

That means the product is in a local warehouse and doesn’t require import charges. In other words, you’ll be able to avoid tariff charges while supplies last.

• This garden camping hammock will cost you $6.75. The listing indicates that there are “no import charges for all local warehouse items and no extra charges upon delivery.”
• A full-sized inflatable pool was recently listed for $50.03 as a Mother’s Day deal. However, there’s a warning that the product is almost sold out at local warehouses.

“All sales in the U.S. are now handled by locally based sellers, with orders fulfilled from within the country,” a Temu spokesperson said in a statement to the press. “Temu has been actively recruiting U.S. sellers to join the platform.”

Some U.S.-based customers may view Temu’s new online shopping model as slim pickings. Temu announced the business halted its shipments of Chinese-made goods to customers in the U.S. following Trump’s latest tariff move.

Amazon won’t disclose import charges

Will your online shopping on Amazon’s Haul e-commerce site be pricier? If it is, chances are you won’t be able to know how tariffs are impacting your purchase.

An unnamed source told Punchbowl News that Amazon would consider listing import charges on certain products for customers using Haul, the retail giant’s low-cost Temu and Shein competitor.

The report came out days before Trump rolled back the de minimis exemption.

After the Trump administration condemned Amazon’s supposed idea, citing it as a “hostile and political act,” the retail giant’s spokesperson, Tim Doyle, issued a follow-up statement reported by The Washington Post denying Amazon’s plans to display import charges caused by tariffs.

“The team that runs our ultra-low-cost Amazon Haul store considered the idea of listing import charges on certain products,” said Doyle. “This was never approved and is not going to happen.” Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.

You’ll still find some deals on Amazon Haul, but chances are that prices have changed a bit to factor in the new import duties.

Tariffs and your wallet

As reported by Kiplinger, businesses are passing along tariff costs to consumers. These taxes may be incorporated into the price of your purchase or disclosed as a separate import charge on your receipt.

Tariffs may impact the cost of everyday goods like clothes, toys, and furniture. They are also impacting small business owners, who may source some products from countries that were slammed with tariffs. Already, some vendors on popular e-commerce sites like Etsy are crying for help as sales have taken a hit due to new import charges.

Stay tuned to find out how new tariffs can impact your business and shopping experience this year.

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Amazon Prime Day has long been a reliable summer and fall tradition for deal-hungry shoppers. But this year, some of the excitement may be dampened by global trade tensions and a growing sense of uncertainty.

This doesn’t necessarily stem from buyers, but from the third-party sellers that help power the event.

Several independent sellers are reconsidering their participation in Amazon’s annual mega-sale due to tariffs and ongoing supply chain issues. That could have a ripple effect on the kinds of deals shoppers will see, especially if you rely on Prime Day to stock up or snag tech at a discount.

Here’s what you need to know before the big day arrives in July, and again in October.

What's going on with tariffs and Amazon?

Tariffs have become a popular subject these days, and they’re quickly becoming a personal finance problem for everyday shoppers.

In early 2025, new U.S. tariffs on imported goods raised costs for businesses bringing in electronics, appliances and other household staples.

Amazon, which relies heavily on third-party sellers and international manufacturers, has already explored how to manage these changes. Kiplinger recently reported that Amazon has considered displaying tariff charges directly on product listings to help explain higher prices.

Third-party sellers now account for more than 60% of items sold on Amazon — a record high as of 2024 — underscoring how much Amazon depends on outside merchants to fill its digital shelves.

But many of these sellers are now grappling with rising costs, longer lead times and shifting logistics. Some fulfillment partners are also feeling the squeeze; UPS, a major Amazon carrier, recently announced significant job cuts as shipping volumes soften and costs climb.

For some sellers, the unpredictability around how long it will take to receive inventory or how much it will cost once tariffs are applied is enough to make them sit this Prime Day out altogether.

Fewer third-party sellers may mean fewer deals

Amazon hasn’t released full details about Prime Day 2025, but it has confirmed the event is happening in July. Based on previous years, it's likely to occur in mid-July. For example, Prime Day 2024 was held on July 16–17, and Prime Day 2023 took place on July 11–12.

What’s unclear is how the event will feel to consumers, especially if there’s less variety in the product lineup.

Third-party sellers typically fuel a large portion of Prime Day discounts. With some hesitant to participate this year, we may see:

• Fewer flash deals on trending or imported items.
• A bigger focus on Amazon’s in-house brands (like Echo devices, Ring cameras, and Fire tablets).
• Higher prices or limited stock on popular products like tech accessories, small appliances and home goods.

While the event is still expected to draw plenty of shoppers, it may not carry the same bang-for-your-buck feeling that Prime Day used to deliver.

Should you still shop Prime Day?

If you’ve traditionally used Prime Day to stock up for back-to-school season or even get ahead on holiday gifts, it’s still worth browsing the sales. However, it’s also a good year to manage expectations.

Amazon isn’t the only one feeling the tariff pinch. Retailers across the board are adjusting prices and inventory plans to account for increased costs.

However, because Amazon tends to be the first stop for online shoppers, it’s also one of the first to reflect supply chain hiccups.

That doesn’t mean deals are disappearing entirely. It just means you may want to take a different approach if you’ll be participating in Prime Day deals this year.

• Make a focused list of what you actually need.
• Use price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel or Honey to spot true discounts.
• Comparison shop across retailers like Walmart, BestBuy, and Target, which tend to host their own summer events around the same time. These stores also offer price matching as well.

What to expect in July and October

While Amazon has confirmed July’s Prime Day event, we may not know the exact dates or product lineup until closer to launch.

In past years, Amazon has also run a second Prime sale in October that’s typically focused on early holiday savings so that’s likely to continue.

This year, Amazon says shoppers can expect millions of deals across categories, including:

• Electronics
• Home and kitchen
• Toys and games
• Beauty and personal care
• Amazon devices

Amazon is also spotlighting small businesses, which could be a bright spot amid third-party seller uncertainty (though some may still struggle with tariffs or delayed inventory).

It you typically shop Amazon Prime Day deals, it doesn't hurt to look around on the website this July to see if there are any good offers that you'd be interested in and to compare prices.

And if you’ve got your eye on a big-ticket item, like a phone, computer, or TV, you may want to weigh your options sooner than later. Tariffs could cause prices to climb again later this year. (See Kiplinger’s guide on whether now is the time to buy an iPhone.)

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Starting an online business can be attractive to budding entrepreneurs, especially as it means lower start-up costs and a broader reach compared to a traditional brick-and-mortar retail operation. Needing additional income during this time of higher housing, food and transportation costs could be added motivation to finally jump into business for yourself.

Not only is it possible to succeed in creating an online business, but it can be done for little start-up capital, said Steve Strauss, founder of PlanetSmallBusiness.com. Strauss sold one of his businesses, TheSelfEmployed.com, a site that helps people become entrepreneurs, to billionaire Mark Cuban and Zen Business in 2021.

“It’s going to take some effort and you’re going to have to make some mistakes, but people go into business every day,” Strauss told Kiplinger. “What do you find online? You find website after website after website of businesses. All those people figured it out. You can figure it out.”

He likes to tell the story of how Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994. Bezos was a hedge fund employee who was tasked by his boss to research potential business opportunities on the internet. He found out that the web was growing at 2,300% a year and decided to jump into online selling.

“He started an online business by himself, with his wife, in his garage,” Strauss said. The rest, as they say, is history.

Compared to Amazon’s early days, today’s advanced digital tools make it easier to start an online business, with options for free or low-cost websites, ads and content creation. Now with ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion, you can have an AI assistant writer and artist at your fingertips, for free.

One key piece of advice to remember: start your online business on the side. Don’t quit your job until the business becomes viable, Strauss said, so as to minimize risk.

How to start

There are two general types of online businesses: ones that sell products and ones that sell services. A products business is more expensive generally because you have to maintain an inventory and take care of packing and shipping. A service business is better because the initial capital outlay can be as small as a couple of hundred dollars, Strauss said.

However, if you would rather sell products, there is a no-overhead way to do so: dropshipping. This is when you strike a partnership with a manufacturer to sell their products on a website or online store you create, using your brand name. The manufacturer takes care of the packing and shipping. The profit is split at least 50/50 although sometimes the manufacturer gets more, Strauss said.

But be mindful that the manufacturer can charge various fees and if the supplier is overseas, the shipping time may take weeks. It’s also good to order some of the products yourself to check out the quality beforehand. Dropshipping supplier sites to peruse are Spocket and Shopify’s Oberlo.

Come up with a good business idea

Identify opportunities around you or problems you can solve. For example, Eric Bandholz began writing a hobby blog about beards in 2012 to showcase that beards can be cool; they are not just for lumberjacks or hippies. He soon realized that the market for men’s facial hair was underserved. He launched a BeardBrand store on Shopify in 2013, selling products for beard care such as a special oil. Today, BeardBrand makes millions of dollars a year in sales.

Have you identified a niche you can serve? Perhaps you’re good at baking and realized that no one specializes in birthday cakes that cater to different ethnic groups, showcasing the colors and designs of their cultures. Follow your passion, but also make sure there is a market for it.

Besides e-commerce, Strauss said other business ideas could include becoming a social media manager for small business people who are too busy to handle it or don’t know how; working as a virtual administrative assistant; doing coaching or consulting work; creating an online course with the likes of Thinkific or Udemy; and other endeavors.

Marketing and set up on a small budget

The good news is that there are many ways to market inexpensively. Social media and Craigslist are two avenues. You can choose pay-per-click ads so you only pay when people click on your ad. Strauss also suggests striking a partnership with a business for which your website or product resonates and they can help promote you. Collect emails from people by offering them free content or other freebies, and market to them.

An easy way to set up and market your business is to open a store on Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, eBay and the like. They have templates to help you create your website and a host of tools to help you succeed. While you'll have to share your earnings with them, you'll also have access to their traffic.

If you want to set up an independent website, you can do so cheaply by using services such as Wix, Go Daddy and the like. Use templates for the website design or hire designers from Upwork, Fiverr or 99designs. Learn about search engine optimization from free online courses or on YouTube.

Need advice? Score.org (Service Corps of Retired Executives) offers free help from experts on topics from business planning to e-commerce and beyond.

Strauss also recommends setting up your own business legally and inexpensively as an S Corp. or LLC by going to Nolo.com or LegalZoom. Get an EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS, sort of like a Social Security Number for business. Also set up a separate bank account under your business name. Make sure to separate your work and personal life so as to ensure any business liability does not affect you personally, Strauss said.

Go for it

After setting up your online business, give it at least six months to determine whether the business is viable, Strauss recommends. If it doesn’t seem to be doing well, consider pivoting to another online business. This does not have to be too difficult since your business is digital; after all, you don’t have to close down physical stores, sell equipment or the like.

Finally, “go for it. Take a risk on yourself. Be bold. You can do it,” Strauss said. “But the caveat is to be smart and prudent about it. Reduce your risk so that if it doesn’t work out it’s OK. Don’t quit your job to do this. When it becomes bigger than you thought, it can be your main hustle.”

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2020 is destined to be known as the year of the coronavirus, when "social distancing" and "WFH" became common parlance.

But for investors, we'll also look back at 2020 as a game-changing year for e-commerce stocks. For many of us, the COVID-19 pandemic quickly turned e-commerce from a convenience into a necessity, and changed how we do business, who we shop with and how companies operate.

"Whenever we have a recessionary period, disruption increases substantially. Individuals are losing their jobs and they have to make budget decisions," says David Yepez, lead equity analyst and portfolio manager at Exencial Wealth Advisors in Oklahoma. "What makes this unique is that we're in a recessionary period, but we can't leave the house, a lot of us. So it's even faster."

Online sales accounted for 16% of spending in the U.S. in 2019, with the total dollar number rising from $461 billion in 2017 to $602 billion last year. That upward trend should continue. While people won't always have to shop online out of sheer necessity, the longer people stay indoors for their safety, the greater the chance that new habits will form, bolstering the fortunes of rising e-commerce stocks.

"E-commerce giants have risen to the challenge and largely met consumer expectations," says Jeremie Capron, director of research at New York-based index, advisory, and research company Robo Global. "As a result, we expect an increase in adoption, not only during this crisis but also on the other side of it."

Here, then, are the 11 best e-commerce stocks to buy if you want to capitalize on this unprecedented disruption – not just in the U.S., but across the world.

Data is as of May 4.

• Market value: $1.15 trillion

Let's start with the most obvious play.

If there was ever a stock tailor-made to profit from the coronavirus outbreak, it's Amazon.com (AMZN, $2,315.99). Just look at how it fits perfectly with today's pandemic-centric lifestyle.

Want to avoid the store? Amazon.com has you covered. That includes groceries, which you can get delivered through Amazon Fresh, Amazon Prime Now and Whole Foods, which the company bought in 2017. Amazon is so overwhelmed with grocery orders that it put new delivery customers on a wait list in April to make sure it could first service its existing customers.

Want to be entertained while you're stuck inside? Amazon Prime can help. Do you need to run your operations digitally while many of your workers are stuck at home? Just look to Amazon Web Services, its fast-growing tool that handles everything from analytics to business applications to machine learning. Facebook (FB), Netflix (NFLX) and ESPN are among the many giant companies that are already plugged into AWS, which generated $10.2 billion in revenues in just the first quarter of 2020.

Amazon's sales as a whole surged in Q1, by 26% to $75.5 billion. In fact, the company is doing so much business right now that it has created 175,000 jobs in response.

Profits came in below expectations, which is understandable given the chaos caused by the outbreak. And the biggest revelation – that Amazon would be plunking all of its second-quarter profits into coronavirus safety measures – temporarily dinged AMZN stock. But this shouldn't surprise long-term Amazon investors, who know that CEO Jeff Bezos often thinks with the very long term in mind, and that his big expenditures often pay off. That's what has made AMZN one of the best e-commerce stocks of all time.

Yepez says he's bullish on Amazon because it capitalizes on two key trends now: the growth of online shopping and increased internet traffic. "It's like a two-in-one play," he says.

• Market value: $77.2 billion
• Shopify (SHOP, $658.89) has rocketed higher in 2020, with SHOP stock gaining 66% year-to-date as the Canada-based e-commerce solutions provider takes full advantage of how coronavirus is changing the playing field.

In short, Shopify works with small- and medium-sized businesses to sell physical and digital products. The company, which has been disrupting the brick-and-mortar space since its founding 16 years ago, says it currently supports more than 1 million businesses in 175 countries.

The e-commerce stock really picked up steam in mid-April, as Chief Technology Officer Jean-Michel Lemieux bragged on Twitter that SHOP was handling traffic comparable to Black Friday shopping on a daily basis.

"It won't be long before traffic has doubled or more," he tweeted on April 16. "Our merchants aren't stopping, neither are we. We need to scale our platform."

Shopify, which withdrew its 2020 guidance in early April, is scheduled to report Q1 earnings May 6. At the time, it said that its strong fourth quarter had continued into January and February.

• Market value: $512.8 billion

If you like Amazon, then you should absolutely love Alibaba Group (BABA, $191.15) stock. However, while it's often referred to as "the Amazon of China" because of its status as the country's biggest e-commerce company, that's not quite accurate. Much of what Amazon sells goes directly through its warehouse system, while Alibaba pairs buyers and sellers.

Nonetheless, there are clear similarities, and they don't stop at e-tailing. Alibaba also has a big cloud platform of its own (Alibaba Cloud) – one that saw revenues jump 62% year-over-year to $1.5 billion in Q4 2019. Better still: The cloud is also boosting the company's e-commerce business.

"We believe the migration of the core systems of Alibaba's e-commerce businesses onto the public cloud is a major milestone," Executive Chairman and CEO Daniel Zhang said in the company's quarterly earnings report. "(The migration) not only is generating greater operating efficiencies for Alibaba but also will encourage more customers to adopt our public cloud infrastructure."

BABA and other Chinese stocks have struggled through this year, as the coronavirus – which originated in Wuhan province – naturally hit its economy earliest. But reports that China has flattened its curve of new cases and is bringing parts of its economy online have given Alibaba and other China equities a lift.

And don't forget: While China's GDP fell by 6.8% during the first quarter, that economy was growing at a 6%-7% clip for years prior – a figure most developed economies would drool over. That presents a load of potential upside for China's best e-commerce stocks once the world returns to normalcy.

"Alibaba targets (10 trillion Chinese renminbi of gross merchandise volume) by FY24, despite current disruptions, and expects its monetisation rate to rise as new features (recommended fees, Weito, short videos and live streaming) lift its monetisation potential, which could be possibly as big as search," writes CLSA analyst Elinor Leung, who rates BABA stock at Buy.

• Market value: $350.5 billion

If you're the largest retailer in the world, you can expect things to move fast in a global pandemic. That's where Walmart (WMT, $123.70) is these days, and it appears that founder Sam Walton's empire is going to come out of this mess stronger than ever.

Walmart was hardly immune to coronavirus-related downside. For instance, WMT has more than 400 retail locations in China, and sales there were impacted earlier this year.

Here in the U.S., however, Walmart reported a 20% jump in its store sales during March as shoppers sought out cleaning supplies, basic food staples and other necessities. Walmart can barely keep up with the traffic. It snapped up 150,00 new workers as part of an initial hiring spree, then announced April 17 that it is looking for another 50,000 temporary or part-time positions.

But Walmart is far more than its brick-and-mortar stores now. Savvy investments in e-commerce businesses have helped turn Walmart into the second biggest e-commerce company by share. And it's still growing at a rapid clip, boasting 37% online sales growth for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31.

WMT also is expanding its e-commerce reach across the globe. In 2019, it bought Indian e-commerce company Flipkart for $16 billion. While that should weigh on WMT's earnings during the current fiscal year, Jefferies analyst Christopher Mandeville believes the long-term payoff will be "significant."

• Market value: $62.0 billion

Chinese online retailer JD.com (JD, $42.25), which operates much more closely to Amazon.com than Alibaba, has gained nearly 20% so far this year.

So why is JD.com, China's second-biggest retailer, thriving while Alibaba is sitting on losses?

Both e-commerce stocks are dealing with the same set of headwinds, though Alibaba is doing so with a massive 56% Chinese e-commerce market share (as of the last major reading in May 2019), while JD.com is a distant second with 16.7%.

For one, JD.com is already known for its rapid delivery in the country, which is helping its performance in the midst of the coronavirus. JD.com also has a robust presence in many "lower-tier" cities and even rural areas that still need these delivery services others can't provide.

JD is growing more briskly, too. In December, analysts were projecting JD to improve its profits by 40% year-over-year, while BABA's projected earnings growth was closer to 24%. Granted, you can throw away both those estimates now, but looking out five years, analysts still expect JD's average annual earnings growth to come in at more than double Alibaba's pace.

Another thing to like: JD recently announced a partnership with Arizona-based Blue Yonder, which will use its artificial intelligence and machine learning expertise to improve supply chains for JD's merchants.

Bernstein analyst David Dai recently upgraded JD.com from Market Perform (equivalent of Hold) to Outperform (equivalent of Buy), and raised his price target from $41 per share to $52. Dai believes China is past its near-term COVID-19 impact peak, and believes JD's investments in user experience are paying off.

• Market value: $31.7 billion

Ebay (EBAY, $39.83) is one of the first e-commerce companies, and one of the few internet firms that actually precede the dot-com bubble. The California-based company started out as an online auction house and managed to evolve into a global powerhouse.

Ebay now operates in 30 countries, offering not just online auctions, but shopping and classified advertising. It's also getting a fresh face; CEO Jamie Iannone started work on April 27. Iannone has a history at eBay, working in several roles from 2001 to 2009 before he became CEO of SamsClub.com and COO of Walmart eCommerce.

EBAY shares are up 10% year-to-date, versus a 12% decline for the S&P 500, as its primarily consumer-to-consumer format helped fill a gap in the coronavirus-impacted retail landscape. It also received a boost when it sold StubHub, the online marketplace for sporting and concert tickets, for more than $4 billion in February.

Ebay couldn't have timed the sale any better.

"At these levels, and in this environment, the risk/reward is favorable, and we see both defensive traits and positive catalysts over the next 12 months," write Guggenheim analysts, who upgraded EBAY stock from Neutral (equivalent of Hold) to Buy in April. "Defensive traits include a strong balance sheet, robust cash flow, and no inventory risk. Potential catalysts are small-business expansion, monetization of classifieds, a new CEO, and operational enhancements. We believe that it's time to 'buy it now.'"

• Market value: $145.0 billion

PayPal (PYPL, $123.66), once a part of eBay, exploded in value after the 2015 spinoff, gaining more than 235% since becoming an independent company.

PayPal, of course, isn't an online retailer. It's an e-commerce payment processor whose services have become increasingly important as more consumers spend digitally. PayPal's primary service links its accounts to users' banks accounts, and provides an often seamless alternative to using a credit card for making purchases on dozens of online platforms.

Meanwhile, its Venmo app is continuing to grow in popularity as a peer-to-peer payment platform on mobile phones. Venmo processed $29 billion in transactions in the fourth quarter of 2019, representing 56% growth year-over-year.

PayPal says it has nearly doubled active accounts in the last five years, adding 143 million to finish 2019 with 305 million active accounts. "Our aspiration is to have a billion people on our platform," CEO Dan Schulman said at an investors' conference earlier this year.

The e-commerce stock also says it's working on technology to accept payments by scanning in QR codes.

"If you look inside your PayPal app or your Venmo app, you'll see prominently displayed a scan capability or the ability to show your own QR code to be scanned by a merchant," Schulman told analysts in January. "And we have the wherewithal in all Android phones, but not Apple phones yet, to be able to use the NFC chip to be able to do tap-to-pay capabilities. And so that will be another big thing that we'll be investing in this year, all around driving engagement.

"PayPal stands to benefit as the use of physical cash is likely to further shrink due to concerns about paper money being a coronavirus spreader," says Christian Magoon, CEO of Amplify ETFs and manager of the Amplify Online Retail ETF (IBUY). "PayPal has already seen traction before the coronavirus crisis due to the increase of online retail sales and mobile payment adoption."

• Market value: $12.7 billion

The push for Americans to stay in their homes has seemingly sparked a run of home improvement projects. And that's where online furniture portal Wayfair (W, $134.11) is making its bones right now.

Oh, sure, W shares fell with the rest of the market in the initial downturn, falling to below $24 per share in March. But now all systems are go, as the company announced in early April that business is booming, and shares are up 625% from their March lows.

"After entering the month of March with gross revenue growing at slightly below 20% year-over-year, consistent with January and February growth rates, Wayfair saw this rate of growth more than double towards the end of March," the company said in a statement. "This run-rate has continued into early April."

"We are encouraged by our increasing sales momentum, yet remain highly focused on our plan to rapidly reach profitability and positive free cash flow," CEO Niraj Shah said in the same statement. "The additional capital we are raising, though not strictly necessary, should only enhance our ability to successfully navigate through any market backdrop."

Wayfair is indeed growing quickly. It reported 20.3 million active users at the end of 2019 (+34% year-over-year) and $2.5 billion in revenues (+26%).

Wayfair also is getting a boost from private equity firm Great Hill Partners, which entered a 6% stake in W stock in mid-April.

• Market value: $15.8 billion

If you're a pet owner, chances are you've been spending lots of quality time with your furry family member. You also might be spending plenty of money on Chewy (CHWY, $39.24) to keep it fed and entertained.

Chewy, a pet supply e-commerce site founded in 2011, emerged as a serious competitor to PetSmart, which bought the company in 2017. PetSmart has spun off chunks of ownership since then, including via a 2019 initial public offering – though PetSmart remains the majority owner.

You can understand the excitement over Chewy given some of the numbers in its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings report, which was released in April. Sales jumped 35% to $1.4 billion. Profit margins climbed from 20.9% to 24.1%. Its adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin was -0.4%, and stark improvement from -5.1% in the year-ago quarter. Its 13.5 million active customers improved by 2.9 million from a year ago.

The company expects fiscal first-quarter sales to grow by 35% to 37%; however, Chewy isn't providing full-year guidance given uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak.

CHWY stock has run hot in 2020, up 35% year-to-date even after a recent pullback. UBS analyst Eric Sheridan downgraded Chewy's shares to Neutral on April 21, but the warning was primarily based on price. "Many of the long-term positive theses for Chewy are now reflected in the shares," Sheridan wrote, while nonetheless raising his price target from $40 per share to $45.

A double-digit pullback from peak prices, however, makes shares a little more attractive from a valuation basis.

• Market value: $5.8 billion

Someone has to be responsible for delivering this glut of new orders. FedEx (FDX) or United Parcel Service (UPS) are certainly safer, first-to-mind ways to play the trend, but smaller XPO Logistics (XPO, $63.79), while riskier, might have more upside.

This Connecticut-based transport company has been one of the jumpiest names on Wall Street for a while now. XPO shares zoomed ahead by nearly 1,400% as it engaged in a buying spree to expand. However, it gave back nearly half of those gains over the past two years after weak results, the loss of a major customer and a short-seller's loud criticism all conspired to weigh on shares.

Transportation companies are feeling the pinch of the outbreak – yes, e-commerce companies are using their services more, but business and personal shipments as a whole have been disrupted. The outbreak also scuttled XPO's plans to sell or spin off some of its business units. XPO also is heavily leveraged, carrying $5.8 billion in debt versus just $1.1 billion in cash.

However, while Chairman and CEO Bradley Jacobs calls himself a "pragmatic bear" because of the coronavirus, he urges shareholders to take a long-term view of the stock. "Things are difficult right now and they'll get worse in the short-term," he said in an April 16 letter to shareholders. "Then they'll get much, much better."

Analysts seem to agree. While the pros expect profits to decline by more than 11% this year, the expect a 30% rebound in 2021. Moreover, of the 14 analysts who have sounded off on the stock over the past quarter, 11 say Buy while three say Hold, and their collective price target of $80.77 represents 27% upside over the next 52 weeks.

• Market value: $30.2 billion

While many popular international e-commerce stocks tend to gravitate around China, MercadoLibre (MELI, $607.40) – which provides online retail and fintech solutions – is a way to play growth in Latin America. It currently boasts the largest e-commerce and payment platform in Latin America, operating across 18 countries.

The company started as an online marketplace that allows users to sell products to others, but recognized the need to expand into fintech, as many Latin Americans don't have a credit card or bank account. Today, the majority of MercadoLibre's revenues come from its marketplace operations, but another 30% come from its MercadoPago payments platform, and another 10% come from classified ads. The company also offers credit lines, and its MercadoShops tool allows small and midsize businesses to run stores on their own websites.

MELI currently boasts the largest e-commerce and payment platform in Latin America, working in 18 countries. The majority of its money comes from transaction fees on its online marketplaces, but 30% of its revenues comes from payments, and another 10% comes from classified ads.

MELI stock, which has roughly quadrupled over the past five years, has gained 9% year-to-date but in roller-coaster fashion. Analysts haven't been terribly active in the name of late, but it has garnered three Buys versus one Hold over the past month.