Orders from some sites have been cut in half! The situation between Russia and Ukraine has affected cross-border sellers

Under the situation between Russia and Ukraine, all the people are paying attention to the war situation and "working hard for Ukraine" . However, Shenzhen people, who are at the center of the epidemic, are still working hard to make money, and even remember to bring their computers with them when they temporarily evacuate.

Affected by the situation in Russia and Ukraine, some sellers found that many orders on European sites were cut in half. Due to exchange rate and other issues, many products quietly started to increase in price. Sellers on other sites were also busy, and everyone was thinking about putting national flags, globes and other products on the shelves to see if they could make it to the new product best-selling list.

The pictures of evacuating with computers are flooding the screen. How much do Amazon people love to make money?

Yesterday, a magical scene took place at Shenzhen Kexing Science Park , the "number one building for overtime work in China". According to online reports, at 4 pm, there was a suspected outbreak of an epidemic in Kexing Science Park, and most companies voluntarily let their employees leave work early. At that time, a large number of workers carried out an emergency evacuation in order to keep their green codes.

During the evacuation, netizens took photos of a scene where some employees took the company's computer monitors and hosts with them. This is the last stubbornness of Shenzhen workers: I can run away, but I can't lose my job. No matter where I am, I can't be delayed from making money!

Some netizens said that Shenzhen people now have a realization: bring luggage to work and bring computers after work, because you don’t know which one you can’t go back to: home or work.

A picture of a "worker" evacuating with his computer went viral on WeChat Moments, sparking heated discussions. In Shenzhen, if you want me to not be able to find a partner, that's fine, but if you want me to not be able to make money, I'll be so worried that I won't be able to sleep for several nights.

Cross-border people are also Shenzhen people who love to make money. At a time when the situation between Russia and Ukraine is tense, most of them are not "working for Ukraine", but are thinking about what products to put on the shelves at this stage that can make it to the new product best-selling list and become a big seller as soon as possible.

A cross-border seller asked his peers: "After the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, will the world map need to be changed? Is it too late for me to stock up on the new version of the map and put it on the shelves?"

A colleague replied: "That's a good idea. You sell the new version of the map and I sell the new version of the globe. Let's both start selling well early!" Some sellers also said that the factory is already making arrangements for the new version of the globe.

Several industry insiders joked: "We can get a globe or something like that." Some colleagues also said bluntly: I won't agree if you don't become a Best Seller.

As expected, Amazon sellers seem to be a bit "obsessed" to some extent , and can find business opportunities in any event. Previously, a seller said that when I saw a trash can on the side of the road, I would think about whether I could put it on the shelf. The reason why Chinese sellers on Amazon have good performance is inseparable from their ability to be attentive and think.

However, sudden events often lead to major changes. Previously, compatriots in Ukraine had put the national flag at the doorsteps of their homes and in their yards ... They said: "The national flag is a reassurance and a backbone." Soon, the national flag became a hot commodity in Ukraine, and cross-border sellers were eager to try.

Now that the latest situation has changed, the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine would like to remind all compatriots: Chinese citizens in Ukraine should not reveal their identities at will . In the current special period of Ukraine's security situation, we must attach great importance to getting along with the Ukrainian people in a friendly manner, avoid disputes over specific issues, and try not to go out to reduce security risks.

When the situation changes suddenly, some cross-border sellers will often pay for their own judgment, so sellers without relevant experience and resources should be cautious. After all, some Amazon inventory is difficult to clear and storage fees are also expenses.

In addition, when some highly-watched events occur, some T-shirt sellers on Amazon tend to respond as quickly as possible, and some slogans related to hot topics will be printed on the clothes and sold immediately. Experienced professional sellers may often make a quick buck by taking advantage of hot events, but this method is not suitable for most sellers.

Orders halved, Russia-Ukraine situation affects cross-border sellers

In cross-border sales, Russia is one of the important markets for many sellers, and European sites are of top priority. However, currently, the order volume of related sites has been affected.

According to sellers’ feedback, the order volume of some European sites has declined, perhaps because local consumers are not interested in shopping. One seller lamented that the battle has also wiped out the orders. “Orders from the UK site have dropped to a freezing point.” “It has really dropped to a freezing point, I am impressed, and the order volume of several other sites has also been halved…” There are many similar feedbacks.

In the past two days, the exchange rate of the euro to the RMB has approached 7. Sellers in the European market have complained: "The euro is almost the same price as the US dollar." "I lost hundreds of thousands of euros directly by withdrawing euros." Cross-border e-commerce export sellers and foreign trade people can't help but worry that the downward trend of the exchange rate will continue. "The euro exchange rate will fall further. It was 7.4 last week, and it was 7.1 at noon. How much profit is left?"

Perhaps it is because the previous continuous spiral has overdrawn profits and the prognosis of the market is not optimistic. Some sellers have found that the prices in their categories have begun to increase quietly. Sellers have finally begun to raise prices in order to try to ensure short-term sales profits.

For the seller group, the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war is far more than just a decline in orders and fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. With sanctions and counter-sanctions between Russia and many countries, the Russian market may see a decline in purchasing power, the relevant logistics channels between Russia and Ukraine will be closed, and the air channels between some European countries and Russia will be closed. Oil prices, freight rates and air delivery prices may rise.

This week, after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order recognizing the "Donetsk People's Republic" and the "Luhansk People's Republic," countries and organizations such as the United States, Britain, the European Union, Canada, Japan, and Australia announced sanctions against Russia. As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalates, sanctions and counter-sanctions from various countries are also increasing.

On February 25, US President Biden delivered a speech on the situation between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing that the United States and its allies will launch "devastating sanctions" against Russia. The sanctions Biden mentioned will include:

restricting Russia’s ability to conduct international transactions in dollars, yen, and euros;

Blocking Russia’s ability to expand its military power;

Seeking to limit Russia's competitiveness in high-tech fields;

Comprehensive sanctions were imposed on approximately $1 trillion in assets held by Russian banks , and all assets in the United States, including those of VTB, Russia's second largest bank, were frozen.

At the same time, the U.S. Department of Commerce, through the Bureau of Industry and Security ( BIS), officially announced a series of comprehensive and strict export control measures against Russia. The European Union, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand have also announced plans to implement similar restrictions.

On February 25, local time , Matviyenko, Chairman of the Federation Council (upper house of parliament) of Russia, said that Moscow is ready to respond with a package of sanctions against the West.

On this day, the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency announced that due to the sanctions imposed by the UK on Aeroflot, Russia has decided to close its airspace to British aircraft, including transit. Currently, British airlines do not have Asian routes to Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul and other places. This move by Russia will directly affect the Asian routes of British Airways and Virgin.

What is certain is that with frictions escalating in Europe, Russia and other countries, sellers will be more cautious about their layout in related markets.

Russia-Ukraine situation

Order

Cross-border sellers