Happy Hour, Nov. 20, 2024: Amazon fee relief, Amazon bundles, Walmart & more

Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome to this week's Amazon Seller Happy Hour! I'm your hostess with the most, Leslie Hinsel, co-founder of Riverbend Consulting, and I'm here with Kelly Johnson, the most important person in our organization.

As we dive into the festive spirit of the holiday season, we know that it's an incredibly important time for sellers on Amazon. However, early reports indicate a slight softness in sales this year, prompting speculation about potential market concerns and the election hangover that may be affecting consumer behavior.

Amazon Fee Relief

In a recent announcement that surprised many, Amazon stated they will not raise fees in 2024. Sellers have expressed significant anxiety about fee increases, and it seems Amazon is taking note of the backlash. The company introduced various fees earlier, and by pausing any new fee increases, they may be attempting to stabilize seller morale as we enter the busiest retail quarter.

Walmart's Online Sales Surge

On the competition front, Walmart reported strong earnings from online sales, showing signs of impressive growth. With enhancements in logistics, including speedy delivery without order minimums, Walmart is proving to be a formidable competitor to Amazon.

Given this competitive landscape, it's crucial for sellers to consider diversifying their platforms, especially with Walmart’s rising popularity in e-commerce. It’s worth noting as well that Walmart has introduced a reimbursement program similar to Amazon’s for sellers facing mismatches in their inventory.

Amazon’s New Bundling Policy

Recently, Amazon launched a new policy impacting bundled items across specific categories, including grocery, health and beauty, and pet items. This change has resulted in existing bundles facing scrutiny, which has some sellers worried about intellectual property violations. As a seller, if you find yourself in a position where your bundles violate these new guidelines, it’s essential to be proactive.

For those pursuing bundle listings: secure proper permissions, maintain good catalog hygiene, and ensure that all products are compliant with Amazon's updated policies. Sellers who have their own brands can create bundles without issues, provided they have the necessary documentation and barcodes in place.

Navigating Seller Support Challenges

Sellers continue to face challenges when submitting updates through Seller Central. Changes to listings may not be reflecting properly, causing frustrations among sellers. One recommendation is to request a reverse feed from Seller Support to ensure you’re working with the most current data when making changes.

Stay vigilant! Any disturbance in your sales might require you to reassess how Amazon's changes could impact your business and, thus, monitor your account health closely.

Conclusion

As we gear up for the fourth quarter of the year, it’s vital to remain informed about the changes taking place within the Amazon ecosystem. Whether it's leveraging new opportunities with Walmart, understanding Amazon's bundling policies, or addressing seller support issues, knowledge is power.

If you have any questions or need assistance, reach out to Riverbend Consulting. We're here to help with account reinstatements, reimbursements, and all things related to enhancing your selling experience on Amazon and beyond.

Keywords: Amazon, seller support, fee relief, Walmart, bundles, reimbursement, holiday season, seller anxiety, account health.

FAQ:

1. What recent announcement did Amazon make about fees?

   • Amazon announced they will not raise fees in 2024, aiming to provide sellers with some relief.

2. How is Walmart performing in e-commerce?

   • Walmart has reported a surge in online sales, and they're making significant headway in competing with Amazon by improving logistics and offering fast delivery without order minimums.

3. What are the implications of Amazon's new bundling policy?

   • The new policy impacts bundled items in categories like grocery and health, placing scrutiny on existing bundles and potentially leading to intellectual property violation claims for sellers.

4. How can sellers navigate listing updates in Seller Central?

   • Sellers are advised to request a reverse feed from Seller Support to ensure they have the latest data before making changes to their listings.