This 'portable heater' on Amazon is recalled
According to foreign media reports, on March 17, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced the recall of ToolGuards portable heaters. The reason for the recall is that the immersion heater could overheat, melt or catch fire, posing an electric shock and fire hazard.
The heaters in this recall have built-in thermostats with the words "TOOLGUARDS" printed on a silver label on the plastic base, model number TG_IMH_01 and lot number PO100301. Such heaters are commonly used to heat water in footbaths, swimming pools, buckets and the like.
The recalled heaters are all produced in China, and the importer is FXswede AB, the report said. The heater was sold on Amazon.com from December 2021-February 2022 for about $45 and about 5,000 units sold. FXswede AB has received 19 reports of heaters overheating, melting or catching fire, and two reports of users being electrocuted.
Source: AMZ123
Amazon launches new brand referral bonus program
Amazon US released an announcement introducing a new "Brand Referral Bonus Program" for brand sellers, which provides additional bonus incentives for sellers while helping sellers sell.
Brand sellers can earn an average of 10% of the sales generated from promoted product sales as a bonus if they drive traffic from outside of Amazon to their listings. If a buyer continues to purchase any branded product from the branded seller within two weeks, the branded seller can earn an additional 10% of the sales generated as an additional bonus. Bonuses are offered in the form of referral fee credits.
Source: AMZ123
Ships calling at U.S. eastern ports increase
On Friday morning, 63 container ships were waiting at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. The number of liner services from Asia calling at East Coast ports will soar to a record high in the coming months as more cargo is diverted from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Cargo volumes at East Coast and Gulf Coast ports rose 27.3% year over year in February, compared with 5.9% growth at West Coast ports.
China-New York/New Jersey saw an increase in container vessel delays, with average delays of 20.9 days for ships departing from Shenzhen in February, 14.5 days for ships departing from Shanghai, and 14.3 days for ships departing from Tianjin.
Source: American Shipper
Peak surcharge drives record FedEx results
FedEx Chief Marketing Officer Brie Carere said that despite "lower-than-expected transaction volumes," FedEx posted a record December profit as the company's peak-season surcharge revenue topped $250 million.
FedEx announced Thursday that it is raising the fuel surcharge, which will take effect on April 4. Increasing revenue per package is critical for carriers like FedEx and UPS, which are grappling with a surge in home delivery, which is often not as lucrative as B2B shipping. Customers are being squeezed by high shipping and surcharges that have become more common after the pandemic-induced surge in shipments, as the two-headed companies in the package industry pursue higher profits.
Source: SUPPLYCHAINDIVE
