Unlock New Advantages with Amazon’s Latest Tools for Sellers
Amazon has introduced several new features aimed at improving seller operations and customer experience.
First, starting September 5th, Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) orders will be delivered faster, allowing sellers to meet rising consumer demand for quick delivery across platforms.
Additionally, cosmetics sellers must ensure their product listings comply with updated requirements by September 24th, helping maintain quality and regulatory standards.
Sellers can also take advantage of the new Pan-European FBA portal, streamlining management of cross-border fulfillment across Europe. The Voice of the Customer dashboard has been enhanced with Return Rate and Star Rating features, providing more detailed insights into customer satisfaction.
Lastly, Amazon Seller Wallet introduces lower cross-currency transfer fees, enabling sellers to save on international payments.
Staying updated on these changes is key to optimize your business and take full advantage of Amazon marketplace tools.
1. Amazon’s MCF Upgrade Cuts Delivery Times for Sellers
Amazon has announced faster delivery speeds for US MCF orders, providing a significant upgrade for sellers at no additional cost.
- Standard delivery now takes just three (3) business days, down from five (5).
- Expedited delivery has improved to two (2) business days instead of three (3).
- Amazon has discontinued priority delivery, with future orders charged at the expedited delivery rate.
This update allows you to offer faster shipping, which can improve customer satisfaction and drive more sales. With reduced delivery times, you can compete more effectively with platforms that prioritize quick shipping, such as Amazon Prime. Faster shipping can also result in fewer cart abandonments, as customers often choose retailers who can deliver quickly.
For example, studies show that 73.6% of online shoppers consider delivery to be the most crucial factor in their overall shopping experience. This highlights just how essential fast and reliable delivery is for influencing customer views of your brand.
With these new MCF delivery options, you have an opportunity to attract more customers who expect quick service, ultimately boosting your sales without additional shipping costs.
However, note that while this change benefits sellers in the US, sellers outside the US or those with complex fulfillment needs might still face challenges with inventory management and logistics. Nonetheless, for many US-based sellers, this update presents an opportunity to optimize operations and improve customer experiences.
Related: Inventory Management & Supply Chain Profitability
2. Amazon Issues Reminder for Updating Cosmetic Label Guidelines
Amazon has issued a crucial reminder for all sellers in the cosmetics category to update their product listings by September 24, 2024. This is to comply with both US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and Amazon’s internal policies. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in the deactivation of non-compliant listings.
Key Guidelines for Compliance
- Ingredient Disclosure: Your product listings must include a complete list of ingredients. This information can be provided through text or images on the listing page.
- Drug Facts: If your cosmetic product or any of its ingredients are classified as a drug, you must include the relevant drug facts on your listing.
- Essential Details: Ensure that each listing contains the product name, purpose, quantity, ingredients, and manufacturer information.
This update aims to enhance customer safety by ensuring that all cosmetic products listed on Amazon meet regulatory standards. Products affected include a wide range of items such as perfumes, lipsticks, nail polishes, temporary tattoos, makeup, shampoos, hair colors, toothpastes, and deodorants.
Action Steps
- Update Listings: Make sure your listings are updated with all required information. Note that changes might take up to two (2) to four (4) hours to be reflected in Amazon’s system.
- Appeal Process: If your listing is deactivated in error, you can appeal by going to the Account Health section, selecting the appeal button next to the deactivated listing, and providing the required details including a list of affected ASINs and confirmation of ingredient information.
Adhering to these guidelines will not only help you avoid potential disruptions to your listings but also contribute to maintaining high safety standards for consumers.
For more information and to ensure compliance, go to the Cosmetics and Skin and Hair Care page.
3. Amazon Unveils New Pan-European FBA Portal to Streamline European Sales
Amazon has launched a new Pan-European FBA portal designed to simplify the way sellers manage their European operations by centralizing multiple functions into one user-friendly interface.
Key Features of the New Portal
- Streamlined Enrollment: The portal offers resources to guide you through expanding your business into European markets smoothly. Whether you’re new to selling in the EU or looking to optimize your presence, these tools aim to make the process more straightforward and efficient.
- Centralized Management: Gone are the days of juggling multiple pages in Seller Central. The new portal consolidates settings for inventory placement, management, and detailed reporting, enabling you to manage your EU operations from a single location.
- Compliance Assistance: Navigating regulatory requirements can be complex. The portal provides guidance and resources to ensure you meet EU standards for tax and Extended Producer Responsibility, helping you avoid costly compliance issues.
- Educational Resources: To further support your expansion efforts, the portal includes educational content that equips you with the necessary knowledge to effectively launch and grow your business on European storefronts.
By integrating these features, Amazon aims to reduce the administrative burden on sellers and improve their ability to scale across European markets. This update not only simplifies operational tasks but also enhances your ability to comply with regional regulations, making it a valuable tool for any seller looking to expand their footprint in Europe.
Visit Pan-European FBA to start using the new portal.
4. Amazon Enhances Voice of the Customer Dashboard with New Features
Amazon has rolled out two (2) new features on the Voice of the Customer (VoC) dashboard designed to give sellers deeper insights and help boost customer satisfaction. These updates are aimed at providing a more comprehensive view of product performance and customer interactions.
New Features Overview
- Return Rate Metric: This new feature tracks the total number of units returned by customers over the past 12 months. This data helps sellers understand their return rate beyond just product defects, offering a clearer picture of how often customers are returning products. Access to this information enables sellers to make better decisions regarding their inventory and product listings, potentially improving product quality and reducing return rates.
- Star Rating Display: The Star Rating feature now shows the average rating of your ASINs as they appear on Amazon’s product detail pages. By having this data readily available on the VoC dashboard, sellers can quickly identify products that may need attention. This centralized information helps sellers monitor and address areas for improvement more efficiently.
Seller Feedback
While some sellers appreciate the added transparency, others express concerns about the growing number of metrics they need to manage.
One seller mentioned, “Whilst we all want to give our customers the best possible service, there are so many metrics to meet nowadays. This new feature adds another layer to monitor.”
Another seller questioned the necessity of these updates, saying, “We already have ratings and returns, so what’s the point in it? Amazon should focus on improving the feedback and review system.”
On the other hand, Amazon’s aim with these updates is to offer a more holistic understanding of customer interactions with products. By consolidating return data and star ratings, sellers can gain better insights into customer experiences and make informed decisions.
For more information on how to utilize these new features effectively, visit Voice of the Customer page.
5. Amazon Reduces Cross-Currency Transfer Fees with Seller Wallet
Amazon has updated its Seller Wallet tool to streamline fund transfers and cut costs related to currency conversion.
Key Updates
Efficient Fund Management
Amazon Seller Wallet allows you to manage your US sales proceeds more effectively by offering flexibility in when and how much you convert. This feature enables you to transfer funds directly to your local bank account without needing to convert money twice or wait for funds to settle.
Savings on Currency Conversion Fees
Sellers can save on fees when using USD proceeds for USD expenses. For instance, if you need to pay a supplier based in the US or Hong Kong, you can set up their bank account in Amazon Seller Wallet and make payments directly from your US store proceeds. The platform supports conversion from USD to over 20 currencies, offering competitive foreign exchange rates.
By reducing the fees associated with cross-currency transfers, Amazon Seller Wallet helps sellers retain more of their revenue and allocate funds more efficiently. The ability to pay suppliers directly from your US store proceeds without extra conversion fees also simplifies financial management and reduces waiting times for funds to become available.
Go to the Amazon Seller Wallet page to take advantage of these benefits. If you’re considering registering, check out the Seller Wallet registration checklist.
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