Hey there,

What. A.  Week.

Lots of headlines about (you guessed it) coronavirus as well as an update on conference cancellations and reschedules.

Plus thoughts in the podcast version on the virus’ broader impact to eCommerce merchants and thoughts on the financial markets.

– Andrew

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In the News

Coronavirus Concerns Prompt Widespread Cancellations

U.S. Limits Travel From Europe, Taps SBA and Tax Deferrals to Stimulate Economy

  • Starting midnight Friday, the U.S. will restrict travel from most European countries for 30 days, with exceptions for U.S. citizens, legal residents and a few other groups
  • Goods and cargo are not subject to the ban, Trump later clarified
  • Trump instructed the SBA to issue low-interest loans and the Treasury to defer tax payments for  businesses affected by COVID-19

Amazon Blocks New Listings for Coronavirus Safety Gear Amid Price Gouging

  • Amazon no longer accepting applications to sell “disposable face masks, hand sanitizers, disinfecting wipes/sprays, isopropyl alcohol or related products”
  • Existing listings will be removed if they appear to gouge shoppers in violation of the fair pricing policy

New Bill Could Make Amazon, eBay Liable for Counterfeits

  • The bipartisan SHOP SAFE Act, co-sponsored by four House members, would crack down on e-commerce companies that don’t do enough to police counterfeit sellers
  • Requires sites to adopt “best practices,” such as improved seller verification and faster takedown processes, or face contributory liability under trademark law
  • A copy of the full bill text can be found here, with a section-by-section analysis here

Mailchimp Acquires Business-Focused Courier

  • London-based Courier produces a bimonthly magazine, newspaper, podcast and events aimed at educating entrepreneurs and small businesses

Companies Step Up to Help Workers Affected by Coronavirus

Status of Upcoming eCommerce Conferences (as of 3/12)

Traffic and Conversion Summit
Status: POSTPONED
New Dates: TBD

B2B Online Chicago 2020
Status: Will proceed AS SCHEDULED
Dates: April 20 – 22, 2020

Sellers Summit 2020
Status: Will proceed AS SCHEDULED
Dates: May 6 – 8, 2020

SubSummit 2020
Status: Likely to be POSTPONED/MOVED ONLINE
Dates: May 27 – 29, 2020

IRCE RetailX Conference
Status: Will proceed AS SCHEDULED
Dates: June 9 – 11, 2020

Collision 2020
Status: Live events CANCELED
Dates for virtual conference: June 22 – 25

Grow NY 2020
Status: Will proceed AS SCHEDULED
Date: June 25, 2020

Prosper Show
Status: RESCHEDULED
New Dates: Aug. 31 – Sept. 2, 2020

Shoptalk
Status: RESCHEDULED
New Dates: Sept. 14 – 17, 2020

Adobe Summit and Magento Imagine
Status: Live events CANCELED
Dates for virtual conference: TBA

Shopify Unite 2020
Status: Live events CANCELED
Dates for possible virtual conference: TBA

DC Austin
Status: CANCELED

What My Friends Are Up To

Forrest Gump (aka Ezra Firestone) Teaches Email Marketing by Ezra Firestone

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Andrew Youderian
Post by Andrew Youderian
Andrew is the founder of eCommerceFuel and has been building eCommerce businesses ever since gleefully leaving the corporate world in 2008.  Join him and 1,000+ vetted 7- and 8-figure store owners inside the eCommerceFuel Community.

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