Here is your midweek jetpack of Amazon seller news, updates, and other useful clicks for your e-commerce business…

FedEx Launching its Own Ecommerce Site in the Fall

FedEx just announced that it will launch a new “data-driven” ecommerce platform that can provide online sellers end-to-end ecommerce solutions this fall.

Called fdx, the platform offers a shopping hub that has the capacity to provide sellers with ecommerce solutions for reaching potential customers, fulfilling orders, and managing deliveries and returns.

Fedex will also be debuting features in the fall which will enable sellers to create a custom post-purchase experience for their customers.

How to Opt Out of Amazon’s Chaotic AI Rewriting Program

If you are a brand owner, Amazon recently implemented an AI program designed to suggest enhancements to your product bullet points. However, it has been making unauthorized changes, some of which are not in compliance with Amazon’s policies, leading to the suppression or suspension of listings. Ridiculous? Yes.

Errors are showing up all over the place.

Jason Mclellan, VP of Vitacup, posted a helpful walk-through video on how to opt-out of Amazon’s AI Rewriting program.

Etsy Cracking Down on Sellers Who Market to Buyers

Etsy announced that sellers are not permitted to add customer emails to their mailing lists without getting permission first. The announcement came just after they decided to limit how much buyer info they share with third-party apps.

Updated Mandatory Shipping Requirement

Amazon’s mandatory shipping requirements have been updated.

If you’re shipping boxes over 15 kg/33lbs to Amazon (applies to both standard-sized and oversized items), you must now include 5 “Team Lift/Heavy Package” safety labels—one on top of the box, and one on each side of the box.

This is standard practice in the UK/EU, but a major shipping update in the US.

If you use a prep center, make sure that they know about this shipping update from Amazon.

Read all of Amazon’s shipping and routing requirements here.

AI Caramba! This Week in AI + Ecomm

Walmart has unveiled plans to dive further into the world of AI and customer experience.
Constructor recently announced the launch of its AI Shopping Assistant.
According to Salesforce, Australian ecommerce is number one in mass AI-adoption.

Important Amazon Updates for Yo’ Bad Seller Self

2023 Holidays Returns Window

Just a reminder, Amazon’s 2023 extended holiday returns policy will allow the return of items purchased from Nov1-Dec 31 2023 until January 31, 2024.

New Reduce Customer Returns Recommendation Feature

Amazon’s new Reduce Customer Returns Recommendation feature can help you reduce returns, enhance your product listings, and improve your customer experience. The new tool uses data such as return comments, customer questions, and reviews to provide the following insights:

Financial Impact – view the estimated dollar amount you could have gained in 90 days for following a recommended action to improve product detail page.
Detail Page Recommendations – content recommendations for your product detail page based on customer queries and input.
Customer Issue Trends – allows you to customize the content on your detail page based on the number of questions and answers on a topic in your product category.
Listing Comparisons – make comparisons of your listings against top-selling brands with similar information on their pages.
Ideal Location – tells you where you can put in additional content (title, bullet points, product description) that will make an impact on your customers.

Deadline for Updating Your Listings with Supported Document Types Is on February 26

Starting January 29, you will not be able to upload or edit unsupported document types on your product detail pages. These unsupported document types include:

2D CAD
3D CAD
Application Guide
Brochure
Comparison Chart
Compatibility Guide
FAQ
Size Guide
Specification Sheet
Product Documentation

Any that are already on your product detail pages can still be viewed by your customers, and will also still be accessible to you until February 26, 2024, the date Amazon removes unsupported document types from product detail pages and Seller Central altogether.

Make sure to head over to Manage Product Documents before February 26 to either:

Move information from unsupported document types to the appropriate section of the product detail page.
Re-upload content from unsupported document types to one of the 14 supported document types.

Find the full list of supported documents here.

This Week in Seller School

Here is a roundup of learning resources for this week:

Blog Posts

Free Amazon features every seller should be using by AMZ One Step
Guide to Amazon FBA reconciliation: tasks, reports, services by Refunds Manager

Podcasts

Losing the buy box to wrong competitive external prices by eCommerce Chris
What do the low-inventory-level fees mean for you by The Next Amazon Top Seller
Three critical components to thriving on Amazon (despite the economy) by Full-Time FBA

Upcoming Seller Events 📍

Here are a few upcoming industry events that you might be interested in. Slick that hair back and start mingling, playa!

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!

Ecom Powwow Miami 2024 (January 30, 2024), Miami, FL

Sellers and vendors from around the globe will meet in-person to network, exhibit, and hear from leading experts in the Amazon and eCommerce space.

Billion Dollar Seller Summit (February 20-22,2024) – Virtual

If you are a 7,8, or 9-figure seller on Amazon, the Billion Dollar Seller Summit will be a gamechanger for your business.

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.

ASD Market Week(March 10 – 13, 2024) – Las Vegas, NV

Considered to be the most comprehensive trade show for consumer merchandise in US retailers and distributors of all sizes.

Other Quick Clicks

Thank you for reading. If you have any questions, comments or violent reactions, just hit “reply.

Let’s make kajillions!

The Seller Spaceship Astronauts

FedEx ecom platform and more