Amazon’s New Surcharge, Re-Commerce Growth & The Retail Energy Shock | Five Things Friday APAC

In this episode of Five Things Friday APAC Edition, Ryf Quail, Managing Director of NRF APAC, is joined by Ngai Yuen Low, Managing Director of AEON360, for a sharp discussion on the retail issues shaping the region right now.

They unpack Amazon’s planned 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge, why that move could redefine platform economics, and how shipping is shifting from a hidden backend cost to a visible commercial lever.

The conversation also explores the rise of re-commerce across APAC, with strong growth in smartphones, electronics, fashion resale, and luxury, plus the role of Gen Z and government policy in accelerating adoption.

They then turn to returns, customer trust, and why return policies matter even more during periods of uncertainty and cash preservation.

The episode closes with a broader debate on fuel dependency, supply shocks, government response, renewable strategy, inflation-aware retail journeys, and how retailers can stay aligned with changing customer realities.

Topics covered

Amazon’s 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge

Why shipping is becoming a core retail cost

Re-commerce growth in APAC

Private label, value-seeking customers, and trade-down behavior

Returns as a trust and margin battleground

Power Retail and Click Frenzy liquidation in Australia

Energy disruption and what it means for retail

Renewable strategy and operational resilience

Inflation-aware CRM and customer journey design

#Retail #Ecommerce #APAC #Amazon #Recommerce #ReverseCommerce #RetailStrategy #Logistics #Returns #NRFAPAC #AEON360

Chapter timestamps

These are drawn from the topic shifts in the transcript.

00:00 Intro: Five Things Friday APAC Edition

00:31 Amazon’s 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge

02:14 Customers trading down and the rise of re-commerce

03:54 Returns, trust, and cash preservation in uncertain times

05:11 Power Retail and Click Frenzy liquidation in Australia

06:53 Why this podcast started: spotting retail shifts early

07:30 Global e-commerce scale and retail channel reality

08:12 Sustainability, renewable materials, and retail transition

08:48 Fuel dependency and the coming energy shock

10:35 How retailers should respond to inflation and stress

11:36 Government intervention, fuel prioritization, and market differences

13:23 Closing thoughts: renewables, resilience, and standing with customers

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