Amazon Prime box feature

Amazon Testing Pricier UPS Option for 3P Seller Returns

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon is testing a program that will require sellers who fulfill their own returns to offer UPS as a return shipping option for customers, in addition to the less expensive U.S. Postal Service they had been using exclusively. The test will run Sept. 5-Oct. 2 in order to “understand buyer behavior,” Amazon said. Naturally, sellers are not amused.

marketplaces ads feature

Marketplaces: Avoiding the Ad Death Spiral

| Andrew Yates

For marketplaces that rely on ad revenues, it’s all about conversions. And if you can’t optimize search, listings, ads and promotions on your site, you don’t get conversions. This leads to desperate blasting and promotions that just drives drives users away and kills revenue. Here are 5 steps to help you avoid this dreaded ad death spiral.

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Prime Day Win Would Buoy Challenged Amazon

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon is looking for a big win from Prime Day 2022 (July 12-13) to help restore some mojo to a company unaccustomed to criticism for earnings challenges, overbuilt warehouses and a stock that shed 40% of its value in the past 12 months, pre-split. This is the first time since 2019 it’s been in its accustomed spot in mid-July.

Amazon FBA logo feature

Amazon Aggregators See Deal Flow Dip in Q1

| Mike O'Brien

Amazon aggregators have seen massive investment and deal flow since 2020, but the activity has been slowing as the valuations of top sellers has increased, according to a report on M&A activity in the sector from investment banking firm Capstone Partners. There were just 30 acquisitions of major FBA brands in Q1 vs. 159 in all of 2021.

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Marketplace Tax Laws Still Challenging, 4 Years After Wayfair

| George Trantas

Beyond the sales tax complexity of marketplace facilitator laws, states have used the Wayfair decision to implement new rules for marketplaces. From policing stolen goods to expanded income tax obligations, marketplace tax laws are far reaching. Here’s how they’ve changed, and how they’re impacting remote sellers.

Amazon marketing illustration feature

Amazon Marketing: Allocate Your Budget, Maximize ROI

| Vitalii Khyzhniak

Each business must concentrate on certain marketing areas during various growth stages. However, the biggest mistake is being afraid to market. Amazon marketing is a system of accruing progress, and it can’t be profitable from the start. Here are some budgeting guidelines for each stage of your business development.

ecommerce website open shop sign feature

What’s Next for Ecommerce?

| Tyler Higgins

Even as consumers return to physical stores and discover newfound enthusiasm for in-person shopping, ecommerce will continue to grow. But several major aspects of doing business have changed for ecommerce brands – customer, competition and operations. To stay competitive, become attuned to what these mean.

Walmart.com sellers, possibly

Walmart Offers Discount to New Sellers

| Mike O'Brien

In an effort to lure in more third-party sellers as it battles Amazon’s dominant marketplace, Walmart is offering new sellers a 50% discount on commissions for 90 days, while also extending savings on Walmart’s version of FBA to new signups. Discount are available to new merchants who sign up by May 31 and start selling by June 30.

Most Ecommerce Marketplaces Will Fail, Here’s Why

| Alexander Graf

Too often, ecommerce marketplaces are looked at like a new feature, such as adding search capability. Thus, the marketplace project is not set up to overtake the main business, but pitched as a 12-24-month project to so many vendors.. The perspective is inside out. It’s rarely done outside in, from a customer-first point of view.