eBay Managed Payments is now the method through which all transactions are processed on the platform. The aim was to grant sellers greater control over their online storefront. But what happens when buyers and sellers don’t see eye to eye? Does eBay’s Seller Protection platform protects all stakeholders evenly? What do sellers need to do to protect their business from illegitimate disputes? Read on.
In a first, Amazon has filed three separate lawsuits against multiple parties it claims submitted thousands of false copyright infringement claims against legitimate sellers, seeking to have their products removed from the marketplace. It has also joined WWE and Cartier in other legal actions against counterfeiters.
Shopify is expanding its fulfillment services as part of a package of 100 new items in its toolset for merchants, including app connections to Flexport for supply chain tracking and visibility, to acquired unit Deliverr for inventory positioning and to Loop Returns to improve that experience for shoppers.
Even in a difficult market, Amazon sellers are doing well collectively on the number-one online marketplace, with 89% of them reporting profitability at the start of 2023, while 37% say their net income is up from a year ago, according to an annual report from Jungle Scout. More of them are also diversifying across other sites.
Amazon is raising the fees it charges sellers for its Multichannel Fulfillment (MCF) program, saying the hike comes with enhancements like app integrations with BigCommerce, Adobe/Magento and Wix — not Shopify — but sellers are complaining, saying they’ll be priced out of the offering.
Racking up long-term storage fees on FBA led to the creation of 3PL startup, Warehouse Republic. With a natural focus on Amazon 3P sellers, the company now operates facilities in Ontario, CA and Reedsville, NC, and is eyeing the Dallas-Fort Worth area next. Learn about founder Mark Taylor’s opportunistic journey from 3P seller to 3PL.
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.
Shopify, a certified rock star of the pandemic shutdowns that saw sales and profits soar as consumers flocked to sellers on its platform, is finding itself challenged in 2022 as growth slows significantly and the ardor of investors has cooled off.
Amazon is taking another step to build its ecommerce fulfillment domination by allowing its 200 million-plus Prime members to purchase products from other retailers, who will be charged fees to offer Prime-like services like free two-day and next-day delivery.
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.