ICYMI, Amazon’s third fall Prime Day will be on October 8–9, 2024. With less than 3 weeks to polish your strategies, you should grab every hack and reminder you can get to make sure you secure those early holiday dollars.
Well, that’s precisely why we’re here—to supply you with the latest news and updates you need to know to be successful sellers.
- Amazon ‘appreciates’ you 🫂
- Easiest way to source high-quality UGC 👌
- The seller community you MUST join 🤝
- Extended Grade and Resell option 🏷️
AMAZON NEWS
Correct us if we’re wrong, but there’s a love–hate relationship between Amazon and its sellers (a.k.a. you). Some are unhappy with Amazon’s policies and fees, while others recognize Amazon’s role in giving them financial freedom.
But you gotta give it to Amazon that despite its sprawling lawsuits, it continues to court and entice sellers to use its platform. As mentioned in an article by The Spokesman-Review, “Amazon wants its third-party sellers to know they are appreciated.”
💐 How?
1. Sweet nothings. Amazon spent its 3-day annual seller conference reminding sellers it wants them to succeed.
- Doug Herrington, head of Amazon’s worldwide stores division, said sellers are a critical part of the “Amazon magic.” 🪄
- Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon’s Vice president for seller services, told sellers: “Together, we’re writing the story of the most successful partnership in retail history.”
2. Bold declarations. Amazon announced a plethora of new products and services for sellers. This includes:
- “Where’s My Stuff?” to help track global shipments;
- 4x larger warehouse capacity for one of its seller programs by the end of the year;
- New AI Assistant (Amelia) specific for Amazon sellers; and
- New facilities around the country for faster delivery.
3. Consent
- Amazon recognizes that sellers may not want to choose Amazon for every service.
- But, love ‘em or hate ‘em, Amazon wants you to know you can use Amazon for everything.
So, did your seller's heartstrings get pulled? Or is a breakup from the ecommerce giant on the horizon?
Let us know how your Amazon love story is going! 💌
BITES OF THE WEEK
- Why Shein: Shein's recent customer surveys revealed why shoppers are choosing the fashion platform.
- Removing Users: As a security measure, Amazon will start removing inactive secondary users.
- Early Holiday: Walmart starts the holiday shopping season early with its shopping deals and affordable meals.
- Growth Community: It’s time to join a headstrong community to grow your Amazon brand.
SELLER COMMUNITY
Thrive on Amazon with a community of like-minded sellers
Selling on Amazon isn’t easy—whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, the challenges are real, and it’s easy to feel stuck.
But you don’t have to go it alone. You’ve got the drive—now it’s time to join a community that will fuel your success.
That’s where Seller Alliance steps in. This community, powered by industry experts who've built 8-figure brands, is designed to help you grow and succeed.
What’s in it for you?
- Access free, valuable resources, tools, and templates from Seller Interactive—without the cost of an agency
- Receive expert advice and personalized coaching from seasoned professionals
- Take advantage of courses and modules to learn skills that boost sales
- Get announcements, information, and insights to stay ahead of market trends
Selling on Amazon is challenging, but you don’t have to go it alone. Surround yourself with a community of sellers who’ve been where you are—and who are ready to help you thrive.
SELLER REFRESHER
Amazon extends the “Grade and Resell” option to ALL FBA sellers
In August 2024, Amazon rolled out a new returns management option called “Grade and Resell.” The option was initially available only to retail brands, but the retail giant just announced it’s open to all FBA sellers.
According to PYMNTS, Grade and Resell is key to recovering value from returned products. It enables you to resell items that are in good condition, even if they have been opened or slightly used.
⚙️ How it works
- When a product is returned, Amazon inspects it at their return centers.
- The product is graded as Like New, Very Good, Good, or Acceptable based on its condition.
- Amazon provides a detailed description of the product’s condition for potential buyers.
- For electronics, Amazon will power on, test, and reset the item to ensure it works properly.
- The item is then relisted for sale at a discounted price so customers can have more affordable options.
💵 Turning returns into profit
With Grade and Resell, you can prevent returns from greatly hurting your bottom line. Plus, you can attract shoppers looking for good deals by offering pre-graded items—it’s a win-win!
What’s even better is that the benefits don’t stop there. Amazon also provided other tools to help manage returns, like:
- Product Support to help prevent returns by assisting customers with product setup;
- Returnless Resolutions, which lets you refund without needing the item back; and
- FBA Donations, which allows you to donate unsold products to those in need.
Our tip? Take advantage of these programs to make returns work for you, attract more customers, and keep your sales strong! 💪
