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Walmart is opening its marketplace to outside AI shopping agents, Amazon extended its Black Friday deal window, and UPS is raising shipping rates.

In this October 27, 2026 episode of Selling on Giants, Mr. Will breaks down Walmart's new AI shopping rules, overlapping holiday promotions, UPS rate increases, and Amazon's return-policy uncertainty.

Is Walmart allowing AI agents to shop for customers?

Yes. Walmart announced Agent Profiles and an Agent Gateway designed to let authorized AI assistants shop on behalf of customers. Shoppers can approve purchases or set spending limits, while agents cannot access payment-card details. The Gateway is still in beta. For brands, accurate titles, attributes, pricing, and delivery promises will matter even more to AI product recommendations.

Did Amazon extend its Black Friday deal deadline?

Amazon extended its deal-sourcing window to November 13, but sellers should verify which promotion types and ASINs qualify in Seller Central. The extra time does not extend the October 28 FBA inbound deadline for Amazon-optimized shipment splits. Peak fees can turn strong sales into weak margins. More time is not more inventory.

When do Walmart and TikTok Shop Black Friday events start?

TikTok Shop runs November 11–30. Walmart is spreading promotions across November 12–15, November 23–29, and November 30–December 2. Brands need coordinated inventory, creator content, advertising, and pricing across channels.

How much are UPS shipping rates increasing?

UPS announced an average 5.9% increase effective December 21, with FedEx planning a similar average increase in January. Actual costs also depend on zones, fuel surcharges, package size, and contract terms. Compare Walmart's expanded carrier choices before changing fulfillment plans.

Are Amazon FBM return rules changing in December?

A seller-shared Amazon notice says most U.S. seller-fulfilled returns will require prepaid labels starting December 18, excluding heavy and bulky items. Sellers disagree about what changes in practice. Verify your own Seller Central notice and model holiday returns.

Is Amazon testing real-time seller chat?

A beta Enable Real-Time Chat toggle has appeared in some Seller Central accounts, including one spotted by Mr. Will. Amazon has not announced eligibility, response-time rules, or any conversion impact. Don’t enable a live channel without a staffing plan.

What should marketplace sellers do now?

Audit Walmart catalog data for agent-based discovery. Confirm eligible Amazon promotions and available FBA inventory. Recalculate margins using peak fees and shipping costs. Align holiday calendars across channels, and review returns before January.

The operator takeaway: A platform extending a deadline, automating a shopping journey, or opening another sales channel does not guarantee profitable growth. Brands win when catalog accuracy, inventory discipline, and contribution margin drive decisions.

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