The new year ushered in a range of changes to the way vendors and sellers manage their Amazon accounts. From apps to global expansion, we bring you all the latest news so that you can keep up-to-date.
Without further ado, we bring you the latest Amazon news:
1. Amazon Dash Replenishment Launch
You’re probably familiar with the Amazon dash button. If so, then you may have asked yourself what’s the point of being able to place an order on Amazon at the push of a button, if you still have to remember to press it. Amazon must have picked up on that, because it’s recently launched the Amazon Dash Replenishment Service (DRS).
DRS enables connected devices to place orders on your behalf before you run out of a product. No need to make a dash for glucose test strips, laundry detergent, pet food, inkjet cartridges, or water filters. Between these newfangled devices and the drones, Jeff Bezos is setting the scene for considerable growth.
2. Ford to Roll Out In-Car Amazon Echo
Ford SYNC Connect is due to integrate Amazon Echo technology so that drivers can access the Alexa Voice Service and its database from the car. The goal is to have Ford customers instruct the cloud-based virtual assistant and know-it-all to handle basic tasks and safety procedures, while also providing entertainment, weather reports, reminders etc.
When the in-car Alexa rolls in, it’s expected to be able to control not only the car, but also your garage door, your porch lighting, your thermostats, your home security system and more. Updates and demos are bound to be made available by Ford Media later this year.
3. USPS Rates Rise
By far the cheapest carrier available to Amazon account holders, USPS increased its rates on January 17, 2016 following a press release in October 2015. While Domestic Mailing prices haven’t changed – meaning that sending letters and postcards costs the same -, Domestic Shipping is an entirely different story. Priority Mail prices have increased by an average of 9.4%, according to Stamps.com, but International Shipping is the service with the greatest rise.
A full account of the rate changes is available here, on the Stamps website. The change is bound to affect small-scale online retailers, who wouldn’t be able to negotiate considerable discounts with other carriers, or partner up with the competition to place consolidated orders. Luckily, anyone who relies on Amazon Shipping Services can leverage Amazon’s clout and power, and enjoy negotiated discount prices for Priority Mail.
4. Amazon Does Ocean Freight
Amazon has set its sights on gaining access to the cargo industry. To that end, it’s registered to offer freight services through its Amazon China subsidiary, JOYO. Becoming an ocean freight forwarder will enable Chinese retailers to tap into the Amazon US customer base, especially if they opt for FBA services.
5. Smarter Selling App
Amazon rolled out the Seller mobile app in 2015, giving merchants round-the-clock access to sales data and suggestions without having to log into an Amazon account at the office. It enables you to source, list, reprice, confirm shipments, reply to customer emails, and manage just about every aspect of your business remotely.
The app is available for the iOS 7.0 and Android 4.0 or later, and can currently be used for both Amazon and seller-fulfilled orders. So far, it’s had a cold reception, and no wonder; though users complain of impaired functionality and limited compatibility, developer Amazon Mobile LLC releases minor updates. The latest is an audio notification whenever a sale takes place.
6. Free Shipping Program Expires
It used to be that when customers placed an order worth $35 or more, and at least one item was fulfilled by Amazon, the e-tailer would waive shipping charges. Unfortunately, Amazon’s Free Shipping Program expired on January 29, 2015, so merchant fulfilled orders no longer count when determining if an order is entitled to free shipping. In other words, the minimum spend for an order fulfilled by Amazon must be $35 or more to qualify for free shipping.
7. Electronic Credit Memos
Credit Memos can now be generated electronically in Vendor CentralVendor Central is an invite-only platfor… More using the Invoices tab in your Payments section. Paper versions are no longer required, and PDF copies can be submitted in Vendor Central with the help of the Invoices Credit Memos User Guide available in the Resource Center. The change aims to make it easier to reconcile accounts, lower postage costs, provide real-time status updates, and minimize rejection rates.
Irina H. is our International Business Development Specialist and our company do-all, whose motto is ‘Never give up, never give in, and always give it your best’.
