Etsy is introducing a new shipping option for US and Canadian sellers, allowing them to select which holidays to process orders on. Starting July 24, Etsy will automatically include all national postal holidays as processing days unless sellers modify their "Shipping Settings" preferences.
Etsy's marketplace sales decreased by 5.3% in Q1 2023, with 52% coming from domestic US GMS. However, consolidated revenue increased by 0.8%, mainly due to payments, Etsy Ads, and transaction fee revenue from offsite ads. Etsy's CEO, Josh Silverman, noted that the difficult consumer discretionary goods market remains a challenge.
Etsy has introduced a new gifting feature, causing discussion on the Etsy discussion boards. Some sellers are apprehensive about the feature, while others are hopeful. The Gift Mode feature allows sellers to find perfect gifts based on occasion and recipient interests. Etsy is also considering offering a fulfillment service similar to Amazon FBA.
Etsy has announced that UK-based sellers must report their 2024 sales to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) in January. The platform will file its first report in January 2025, and qualifying sellers will receive a copy of the information shared with HMRC. If the total income from trading or providing services online is less than ￡1,000, sellers are advised to consult a tax professional. Read more
Etsy has advised sellers to prepare for tax season, reminding them to update account information if necessary. It stated that sellers in the US who made $20,000 in sales and 200 transactions for tax year 2023 must report sales amounts to the IRS. Etsy's customer support can assist sellers with tax corrections but cannot interpret laws or provide specific tax advice. Read more
Etsy has removed the ability for sellers to add customers' email addresses to mailing lists, requiring consent before copying addresses from orders. This comes after a policy limiting buyer information shared with third-party companies. Sellers, using third-party vendor AWeber, are upset about the impact on marketing efforts. Read more
Etsy has revealed its sales-tax collection practices, revealing that more jurisdictions now require marketplaces to collect and remit tax from buyers. The company uses Vertex, a third-party service, to determine transaction tax amounts, track cancellations, and refunds. Read more
Etsy has been undercharging foreign buyers for over seven months, forcing sellers to pay the difference or risk cancellations and damaged reputations. In 2021, a provision allowing different pricing for international and domestic sales was implemented in export-focused markets, causing sellers to blame the issue. Etsy promises free shipping with both pricing.
Etsy sellers are experiencing issues with the website due to "too many requests" and difficulty accessing the desk top. The problem began after 6:15 p.m. Eastern time and affected sellers who had to list items, manage, or purchase items. The issue is not related to the seller's monitor.
Etsy predicts berry as the color of the year for 2024, according to its New Year's fashion trends predictions. Etsy's "Trend Expert" Dayna Isom Johnson, who joined the firm in 2011, emphasized the start of the "romantic era" in 2024, urging customers to embrace romanticism through Etsy sellers.
Etsy requires sellers to provide their social security, bank account, and credit card information for customer support assistance. A seller also warns of working with an undisclosed third party for help. Despite the issue being resolved, some sellers are hesitant to share this information with unknown third parties. Read more
Etsy informs merchants that their ads may appear in Google Shopping search results when customers use Google's Small Business filter. Etsy Offsite Ads members shipping to the US may see their listings appear in searches while the filter is tested with a limited number of sellers. Read more
Etsy has updated its seller interface to comply with legal standards, including the US INFORM Act, EU Digital Services Act, and EU Omnibus Directive. The platform will display contact information for business sellers and dealers based on submitted information, considering trader differentiation and seller type on the Legal and Tax page.
Etsy has offered assistance to its seller community in the Israel and Palestine region, including reducing fees, postponing invoices, and extending Star Seller status. The company's letter to local vendors outlined protections and support for manufacturers and small businesses during the uncertain period of the conflict.
Seller Ledger, a solution for sellers during tax season, now supports sellers on Amazon, Poshmark, eBay, and Etsy. The tool, co-founded by Kevin Reeth, was discontinued by GoDaddy Bookkeeping in 2022. It now offers inventory tracking with detailed cost-of-goods-sold tracking, automatically matching purchased inventory with unique SKUs on eBay, Poshmark, and Amazon. The platform is currently beta testing Mercari and bank history via CSV.
Etsy has introduced a new "From Etsy" section to help sellers identify official Etsy or team communications. The feature is designed to help sellers recognize when they receive messages from Etsy staff or Marketing, Support, Research, and Community teams. Etsy has previously warned sellers about deceptive tactics. Read more
Etsy has expanded its managed payments services to seven more countries: Ukraine, India, Japan, Thailand, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. The move aims to increase merchant acceptance and provide economic opportunities for creative entrepreneurs worldwide, while ensuring the platform's safety and security. Etsy Payments is the foundation of its payments technology. Read more
Etsy is integrating Apple's Augmented Reality (AR) technologies to help customers visualize products in their locations before making a purchase. The technology has been expanded to include Home Furnishings items, and now nearly a million Etsy items have real-size AR capabilities, viewed by thousands of users weekly. Read more
Etsy is using social media to engage with holiday customers, offering discounts, hand-picked Christmas selections, and guaranteed delivery. The company also promoted its new Make an Offer function on Instagram, stating that customers only see it if the merchant has chosen to do so. Etsy's team of fashion experts searches the site for "Etsy's Picks." Read more
Etsy has expanded its Make an Offer function to US customers, allowing them to create unique prices for items they admire. The feature was promoted through emails to customers, promoting four categories and a "Personalize your price" section. Customers can now tap the Make an Offer button to suggest their own pricing.