➤ Key Highlights
Tariffs and economic uncertainty are influencing not only how much consumers spend but also when they spend.
Wayvia’s Tariffs Impact Report shows that between January and June 2025, purchase intent rates rose across general merchandise categories on Amazon but purchase rates fell as shoppers delayed buying decisions.
When Prime Day arrived, activity rebounded sharply: Consumer Electronics purchase rates rose 3.8%, Home & Garden 4.6% and Hardware 0.9% compared to 2024.
Wayvia’s data shows the number of sellers grew 15.7% in the first half of 2025, while pricing violations increased 6.9%.
eBay recorded broad growth in seller numbers across categories.
Amazon has been strict with policy enforcement meaning seller numbers there have declined overall across most categories.
Wayvia reports that traffic from AI agents has risen 308% since the start of 2025.
Recent data shows that tariffs and economic uncertainty are changing both consumer spending amounts and timing. Purchase intent on Amazon increased in early 2025, but actual purchase rates dropped as buyers delayed decisions, with a rebound seen during Prime Day. Seller numbers and pricing violations also rose, while AI agent traffic grew sharply in digital marketplaces.
This event reflects evolving demand patterns shaped by external pressures and strategic marketplace responses. Shifting consumer intentions and seller participation illustrate how regulatory changes and uncertainty can alter the cadence of online engagement. Marketplace enforcement policies and technological monitoring further influence both shopper and seller behaviors. As these dynamics interact, retail ecosystems must continually adapt to new cycles of demand and participation.
⚠️ Why it matters now
For CRE360’s audience, understanding how external conditions reshape demand patterns is critical for planning and underwriting retail environments. The interaction of regulation, consumer sentiment, and technology-driven enforcement informs how space is used, what tenants may require, and the pace of market activity. The lens emphasizes the need to monitor adaptive behaviors as retail cycles become more responsive to policy and marketplace shifts.
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➤ TAKEAWAY
Market participants may continue to observe altered rhythms in consumer engagement and seller activity as external pressures persist. Technology-driven monitoring and policy enforcement could further recalibrate both demand and participation in digital commerce. Observing these evolving cycles will be essential for anticipating how retail environments and marketplace strategies respond to ongoing changes.
