E-commerce, the daily read.

For strategy and leadership, monitor margin stability and regional pricing strategies as major players like Shein navigate profitability alongside weaker sales in specific markets.

• E-commerceShein returned to a second-quarter profit of US$2.40 billion while warning of an uncertain second half, and NIQ expanded its Amazon third-party health and beauty measurement solutions.
• SEASingapore professionals in top-paying industries see one in three earners making S$10,000 or more per month, and Malaysian consumers were reminded that e-commerce platforms do not call customers to offer unexpected rewards.

For marketing operators, review the new Google Ads API version 25.2 updates to test Performance Max migration controls and channel-handle creator search this week.

• E-commerceAI agents are shifting traffic toward conversational interfaces and creating new platform winners.
• SEAGCash is expanding digital investing access in the Philippines through GStocks PH.

For e-commerce ops, review high-value basket strategies and LazMall performance benchmarks from the recent 9.9 campaigns to adjust fourth-quarter promotions.

• E-commerceSarawak is exploring fulfilment centres to boost BIMP-EAGA e-commerce and logistics. Amazon is expanding Prime delivery to external sites without requiring a login. Lazada Philippines reported high-value baskets driving its 9.9 sales with LazMall capturing 72 percent of campaign GMV.
• SEASarawak is targeting BIMP-EAGA markets with new fulfilment infrastructure. Lazada Philippines achieved strong 9.9 results led by LazMall high-value baskets.

For strategy and leadership, monitor how regional regulatory tightening on delivery apps and new fulfillment options impact your marketplace margins this week.

• E-commerceAmazon launched a fulfillment program for external merchant websites and Shein listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
• SEABunjang integrated a Korean resale marketplace onto Carousell Singapore.

For marketing operators, test ad performance on ChatGPT early to assess customer acquisition efficiency against existing digital channels.

• E-commerceThailand's ETDA introduced a fee transparency framework for digital marketplaces.
• SEARegional updates focused on platform fee changes in Vietnam along with marketplace rules in Thailand.

For e-commerce ops, review affiliate integration steps following the new Pinterest and Shopee creator rollout.

• E-commercePinterest and Shopee launched affiliate product tagging for creators in Indonesia.
• SEAMeta partnered with Singapore police to crack down on e-commerce scams.

For e-commerce operators, evaluate your brand readiness for TikTok Shop as major retailers like Best Buy establish native storefronts on the platform.

• E-commerceAmazon blocked Meta Muse from conducting proxy purchases, while Best Buy and Panini America opened storefronts on TikTok Shop.
• SEAUniqlo launched LifeWear Week in Singapore, and Lewis Hamilton's Plus44 brand made its Southeast Asian debut with a pop-up.

For strategy and leadership, monitor regulatory updates on local manufacturing requirements in Indonesia as compliance standards shift.

• E-commerceShein expanded its brand accelerator to U.S. retailers while PDD explored first-party brand development through Bemuvo storefronts on Temu.
• SEAIndonesia updated e-commerce regulations and urged platforms to prioritize local manufacturing alongside strong cross-border payment preferences in the region.

For e-commerce ops, audit bulky item logistics and packaging workflows to handle the surges seen during recent regional sales.

• E-commerceTemu traffic rebounded above previous tariff levels and Shopee reported an eightfold increase in bulky orders during the 9.9 sale.
• SEAIndonesia plans to collect marketplace tax directly through platforms and Vietnam updated postal regulations.

For strategy and leadership, monitor how Grab integrates Atome Financial to target a wider transacting user base across Southeast Asia.

• E-commerceThe European Union plans a three-euro parcel fee on Shein and Temu imports starting in July 2026, while Indonesia accelerates its e-commerce platform tax collection to October first.
• SEAThailand penalized Shopee in its first e-marketplace unfair trade case, and lawmakers noted the upcoming GCash initial public offering could improve capital market access for MSMEs.

For e-commerce ops, prepare systems for Indonesia's e-commerce tax collection starting October 1. Audit regional marketplace listings for regulatory compliance.

• E-commerceTikTok Shop is expanding luxury resale and social commerce through live streaming. Lazada reported growth in brand participation during its 9.9 sale in Thailand.
• SEAIndonesia will begin collecting e-commerce taxes on October 1. ShopeeFood launched a soft rollout in Metro Manila ahead of regional expansion.

For e-commerce ops, benchmark delivery speeds against Shopee's 24-hour dispatch rate to maintain fulfillment competitiveness during major peak shopping events.

• E-commerceMajor platforms like Walmart and Google updated marketplace insights and agentic tools. TikTok Shop generated 94% of its US luxury resale revenue through livestreams.
• SEAShopee confirmed rapid order fulfillment across Southeast Asia during 9.9 sales. Vietnam established updated functions for its E-commerce Department.

E-commerce:

Amazon Now reached one billion dollars in annualised quick-commerce sales while expanding its delivery footprint across India.

Marketing:

Marketers are testing early advertising slots on ChatGPT as demand for AI-driven search visibility and premium placements grows.

AI & Tools:

AWS added OpenAI's GPT-6 Astra to Amazon Bedrock and AnyMind enhanced its AnyLive platform with lifelike AI avatars.

Logistics:

Grab agreed to buy a controlling share of Atome Financial for $1.49 billion to expand Southeast Asian consumer lending.

Strategy:

Upstart Vietnamese and Thai streetwear brands are actively competing for regional market share.

SEA:

TrueMoney partnered with Fireblocks for an embedded THBT wallet and Shopee recorded a 2.5x increase in fulfillment orders in the Philippines.

Takeaway:

For e-commerce ops, operators must account for tightening Google Merchant Center enforcements and shifting quick-commerce scaling metrics.