The ecommerce landscape is shifting fast. Amazon and Walmart just announced major updates that will affect sellers across all marketplaces in 2026. These changes include large AI investments, faster delivery programs, and holiday incentives that can influence how shoppers behave. As a result, online sellers need to understand how these moves will change competition and buyer expectations.
Amazon and Microsoft Invest $50 Billion+ to Transform AI and Logistics in India
Amazon and Microsoft revealed more than $50 billion in new investments in India. Amazon will expand its fulfillment network, AI tools, and small-business support programs. Microsoft will also increase cloud and AI capacity to help India build an AI-first ecosystem. Because of these investments, global shipping times are expected to improve, and sellers will gain access to better digital tools. In addition, companies that source products from India may see faster processing and more reliable supply chains. Therefore, sellers should begin preparing for new Amazon programs that will support growth in this region.
Walmart Extends Express Delivery and Launches “Get It Now”
Walmart is also raising the bar with upgrades to its delivery network. The retailer extended its Express Delivery hours until 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. It also introduced “Get It Now,” a feature that shows exact delivery estimates before customers complete their orders. Because shoppers value speed during the holidays, this improvement makes Walmart more competitive against Amazon. To keep up, sellers on Walmart Marketplace should improve handling times, maintain steady inventory, and highlight fast shipping options. As a result, they can increase their chances of winning the Buy Box and boosting holiday sales.
Amazon Expands Same-Day Grocery Delivery to Over 2,300 Cities
Amazon expanded Same-Day grocery delivery to more than 2,300 cities across the United States. This move strengthens Prime loyalty and gives customers another reason to shop directly through Amazon instead of Instacart. Meanwhile, demand for quick access to fresh groceries continues to grow. Because of this trend, sellers offering household goods or consumables should create bundles, use Subscribe & Save, and target ads toward Same-Day eligible shoppers. These strategies help increase repeat orders and build stronger customer habits.
Amazon Sends Refunds to 35 Million Prime Members Ahead of the Holidays
Amazon is sending refunds of up to $51 to more than 35 million Prime members. These payments result from a major FTC settlement and will arrive shortly before December 24. Since shoppers often spend unexpected money quickly, sellers may see a spike in holiday purchases. Therefore, it’s important to update promotions, review pricing, and ensure best-selling products remain in stock. Doing this will help capture additional demand created by these refunds.
Delivery Speed Is Becoming a Major Advantage
Across both Amazon and Walmart, one trend stands out: delivery speed is becoming one of the most important factors in ecommerce. Shoppers now expect reliable, fast delivery for both essential products and holiday gifts. Because of this shift, sellers who offer quick fulfillment and clear shipping expectations will perform better in search results and conversions. Overall, these delivery upgrades will shape customer behavior throughout 2026.
How Quixess Helps Sellers Stay Ahead
The ecommerce environment is becoming more competitive each year. However, Quixess helps sellers adapt with tools that automate listings, optimize SEO, analyze performance, and generate high-quality product content. For example, the Quixess Hub provides features that simplify research, pricing, and marketplace syncing. To learn more, visit the Quixess Hub or explore our Free Tools to improve your product visibility and accelerate growth. With Quixess, you can automate, scale, and dominate across Amazon, Walmart, Shopify, and TikTok Shop.
