HONGMAO GARDEN
1 sept. 2025
· Market Activity
· Company Dynamics
· Product Updates
Weekly Market Insights – Germany & Amazon Platforms
1) Amazon UK & DE: Holiday Peak Fulfillment Fee
Policy & Timeline: From October 15 to January 14 (of the following year), Amazon will charge a Holiday Peak Fulfillment Fee for FBA orders on the UK and Germany marketplaces.
Fee Levels: Small & Standard parcels: average £0.10 per unit. Large parcels: average £0.05 per unit.
Rationale: The surcharge addresses increased seasonal operating costs. Amazon states this is an industry-common practice, and other logistics providers apply similar seasonal charges.
Impact: Raises Q4 logistics costs for sellers on UK/DE; needs to be reflected in pricing and inventory planning.
2) Amazon 2025 Peak Season FBA Surcharge (Multimarket)
Scope & Timeline: Additional FBA fulfillment and transportation fees during October 15, 2025 – January 14, 2026. Policy applies to Germany, UK, the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Operational Note from Amazon: Amazon reports cost reductions via (1) a higher share of direct shipments from fulfillment centers, (2) fewer extra transport steps, and (3) combined packaging.
Pricing Trajectory: The holiday surcharge increase will remain at the same level as 2024.
Impact: Multimarket sellers face synchronized holiday surcharges across key regions; continued emphasis on shipment consolidation and FC routing optimization is essential to protect margins.
3) German Consumers Remain Thrifty
Data Point: Retail spending accounts for 25.1% of total household expenditure in Germany—lowest in the EU for the third consecutive year (EU average 32.6%).
Context: Despite EU per-capita purchasing power at €21,008, German consumers remain cautious, driven by fragile confidence and inflationary pressure, according to research lead Philipp Willroth.
Impact: Signals restrained discretionary spending; potential pressure on non-essential categories and more price-sensitive purchasing behavior.
4) 2025 Christmas Shopping Report (Germany)
Survey: eBay, supported by polling firm Civey, surveyed 2,500 German consumers.
Budget Outlook: 72% plan to spend the same or more than last year on Christmas shopping.
Season Timing: The German holiday shopping season starts in early September. To build a successful season, retailers/brands should elevate product visibility by early September. The peak demand window begins three weeks before the November online shopping week (i.e., before Black Friday/Cyber Week).
Gender Timing Differences:By August, 13% of women vs 3% of men have already started thinking about Christmas shopping. By December, 35% of men vs 16% of women are still considering purchases (men skew later).
Age Segments: 50–64 and 30–39 cohorts start earlier (by August: 14% and 10%, respectively). Gen Z (18–29) is last-minute: 54% purchase in December; they are the most generous—9% plan to spend more than last year. Families with children: 73% purchase between September and November; 67% plan similar budgets to last year.
eBay Executive View (Arnaud Valion Gueutal, Director Enterprise Seller Development): The season accelerates from September; those who invest early—high service levels, optimized assortments, strong visibility—gain a real competitive edge. Promotions such as multi-buy discounts, coupon codes, and special offers help convert interest into purchases.
Impact: Earlier visibility and availability matter; expect a late surge from Gen Z in December and steady Sep–Nov purchasing among families—plan inventory and fulfillment agility accordingly.
🏢 Company Update – Automation Strategy
Automation remains one of our core strategic priorities for the coming years.
Last week, we officially approved the investment in a fully automated powder-coating production line.
This upgrade will significantly increase efficiency and ensure even higher and more consistent quality.
Once operational, the new line will bring greater production capacity and help us meet the growing demand from our global partners.
This step marks another milestone on our journey to become a leading, technology-driven manufacturer of garden storage solutions.
🚲 New Product Highlight – Outdoor Metal Bicycle Garage (HRB-25A4)
We are excited to introduce our new patented bike storage solution, designed for safe, secure, and stylish outdoor use.
🔑 Key Advantages
Large Capacity – Holds up to 4 bicycles of different sizes (2×29" + 2×20").
Multi-Purpose Storage – Top shelf for helmets, gloves, tools, and accessories; bottom space fits various bike types.
Waterproof & Durable – Galvanized steel with weather-resistant coating ensures long-term outdoor performance.
Secure & Lockable – Sturdy lock system protects against theft and harsh conditions.
🔗 Learn more: hongmaogarden.com/fahrradgarage-aussenbereich-metall