Here is your midweek jetpack of Amazon seller news, updates, and other useful clicks for your e-commerce business…
$0.15 more per unit
Amazon has just announced a number of complex seller fee updates, and as always, there’s been a lot of chatter, anger, confusion, and this going on:
First, here’s the full announcement from Amazon. To sum it all up, you can expect an average of $0.15 increase per unit sold on Amazon.
Here are the major changes:
Change #1: Starting March 1, 2024, Amazon will be charging a placement fee for each item shipped. For standard-sized items, the fee will range from $0.21 to $0.68, and for oversize items, the placement fee will range from $2.16 to $6.00. Learn more about the fees here.
Change #2: Starting April 1, 2024, you will have to pay a fee for standard-size items that consistently have less than 28 days of inventory. Yes, you pay for keeping too much inventory, and starting April 1, you will also pay for keeping too little. Learn more about low-level inventory fees here.
Change #3: Starting April 1, 2024, Amazon will lower the non-peak monthly storage fees (from January to September) by an average of $0.09 per cubic foot. This, however, does not apply to non-standard sized products. Learn more about the updated monthly storage fees here.
Change #4: Starting April 15, 2024, Amazon will be lowering FBA fulfillment fees for standard-sized products by $0.20 per unit and large, bulky-sized products by $0.61 per unit. Click here to learn more. Spoiler alert: No, the lowered fulfillment fees won’t be enough to offset the increases.
It’s not all bad.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Seller Partner Support Available Via Chat
If you didn’t know, Amazon Seller Support allows you to chat in real-time with a Selling Partner Support associate to resolve issues and concerns related to selling on Amazon.
You can access the live chat feature by going to Get Help, and once you’ve selected your store, service, and issue type, click Contact an Associate, and then select Chat.
Whether or not the ‘associate’ on the other end of the chat is a human, robot, or the troll of your worst nightmares—we dunno.
Godspeed…
Walmart to Fulfill Orders from Stores
Target has been utilizing its stores to fulfill orders for years with great success, and Walmart, in its bid to compete against Amazon, is going to use the same strategy.
To boost the capacity of its fulfillment network, Walmart is tapping its 4,700 strong brick-and-mortar stores to fulfill orders for its fast-growing ecommerce business.
“The most expensive part of delivery is the last mile. That’s where our physical footprint of 4,700 stores in the United States that are within ten miles of 90% of Americans gives us an enormous advantage.”, John Rainey, says Walmart CFO John Rainey.
With its investments in its ecommerce operations, and more “seller-friendly” policies, Walmart has become an increasingly interesting proposition for 3rd party sellers.
Maybe 2024 is the year to make an entrance in the Walmart marketplace?
Elon and Jeffrey Hit Second Base
Just last week, Elon agreed to give Jeff’s satellites some rides on his Space X Falcon 9 rocket, and we pondered if they may also be collaborating in the ecommerce space.
They’ve rounded second base.
According to a Reuters report, Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has recently approached Amazon to discuss a potential partnership that would make X ads available on Amazon’s ad-buying software. This comes at the heels of a number of large advertisers leaving X after Musk’s most recent “spicy” comments.
As of writing, neither party has made a comment regarding the potential partnership.
AI Caramba! This Week in AI + Ecomm
- Meta, Google, and Shopify reveal how AI will drive sales in 2024
- Zoovu Launches Advisor Studio which will enable ecommerce brands to create end-to-end personalized and interactive shopping experiences.
- Birdseye Raises $3 Million in Funding Round to bolster efforts of developing their AI-powered product that will help brands launch “hyper-personalized” campaigns.
Important Amazon Updates for Yo’ Bad Seller Self
Updated New Listing Requirements
Changes to Amazon’s listing requirements for all products (1750 types, except those from media, digital, and handmade categories) in all of Amazon’s worldwide marketplaces were implemented last December 11.
You may view products impacted by the change in this spreadsheet.
These updates were deemed necessary to reduce listing errors and to help customers make better-informed purchasing decisions.
Existing listings won’t be impacted by the update
From December 11, 2023 to February 1, 2024, the following changes will rollout when you add a product to the AZ catalog:
- Add Products – you will see updated requirements on this page.
- Add Products via Upload – sellers who use Add Products Via Upload will now have the choice to upgrade to new listing templates with updated product requirements starting December 11. The old template will still be available and accepted by Amazon, but in 30 days, the new template will become the default option.
Learn more about the updated listing requirements here.
View the full announcement here.
New European Expansion Accelerator
If you sell on at least one European Marketplace, the new European Expansion Accelerator will help you to scale your business across all nine European marketplaces in just 3 days.
This Week in Seller School
Here is a roundup of learning resources for this week:
Blog Posts
- Leveraging Amazon’s Early Reviewer Program for New Product Launches by AMZ One Step
- 2024 FBA Holiday Calendar and Checklist: Key Dates for Amazon Sellers by Supply Kick
- Using Spanish Spanish Keywords on Amazon to Dominate the Market by My Amazon Guy
Podcasts
- Items Beginner Amazon Sellers Should Avoid Reselling by Full-Time FBA
- What Do You Do When Amazon Forgets That You’re Reinstated by eCommerce Chris
- Harnessing AI in Product Development by AM/PM Podcast
YouTube
- Are You Bundling Wrong by Mommy Income
Upcoming Seller Events 📍
Here are a few upcoming industry events that you might be interested in. Slick that hair back and start mingling, playa!
Titan Holiday Party (December 15 – Clearwater, FL; December 21)- Los Angeles, CA)
“Connect with other sellers, learn from each other, and form real relationships with people who share your goals.”
Amazon Webinar:: How to Optimize Your Store to Captivate Shoppers (December 15, 2023) – Virtual
Learn how to go beyond the basics of Amazon Store creation and explore how to maximize your impact.
Online Seller Cruise (January 21 – January 28, 2024) -Port Miami, FL
Learn about the tools you’ll need for today and tomorrow’s market, connect with other sellers and relax!
Ecommerce Experience Evolution (February 22 – 24, 2024) – Miami, FL
The most inspiring ecommerce event in Miami.
eTail 25 Years (February 26 – 29, 2024) – Palm Springs, FL
Experience the transformation from leading retailers into actionable how-to’s that breathe life into your omnichannel business.
The Prosper Show (March 4-6, 2024) – Las Vegas, NV
Where established Amazon, Walmart and other sellers network, connect, and learn how to make businesses more profitable.
Other Quick Clicks
- Amazon will no longer accept Venmo as a payment option next month
- Amazon humanoid robots will eventually cost only $3 to operate
- Amazon sues alleged scammers who stole millions by bribing and hacking their way to refunds for products they never returned
- Amazon tests offering Prime members a grocery subscription service
Thank you for reading. If you have any questions, comments or violent reactions, let us know below!
Get Your Quick Biweekly Update on News and Resources for Amazon Sellers!
Delivered to your inbox every other week.
Need-to-know seller content only. No spam. Unsubscribe at any time.
About The Authors
