80/20 of E-Commerce – October 6, 2023

October 12, 2023
/ Blog
/ By sevenfiguresel

Hey Everyone,

As we gear up for the holiday season and year-end, our upcoming newsletter is packed with valuable insights. From Amazon’s holiday inventory advice to Walmart’s extended return policy, we’ve got you covered. We’ll also explore Amazon’s “Ships in Product Packaging” program and China’s booming e-commerce scene.

Additionally, we’re here to help with your sourcing needs in China, and don’t forget to check out the Los Angeles Amazon Sellers Meetup in mid-December.

Stay tuned for these highlights and more in today’s edition of our 80/20 E-commerce newsletter, October 6, 2023.

Amazon Advises Sellers to Get Their Holiday Inventory into Warehouses

The holiday season is fast approaching, and Amazon is already gearing up. In a recent Retail Brew article, Amazon encourages sellers to send in their inventory early by October 26 to avoid potential disruptions caused by supply chain challenges and labor shortages during the annual influx of holiday goods.

Here’s the deal: Stock up early. By sending in your inventory ahead of time, you’ll ensure your products are readily available when holiday shoppers come knocking. It’s a surefire way to sidestep delays and stockouts, setting you up for a successful season.

As e-commerce sellers, possessing expertise in sales forecasting, supplier collaboration, mobile optimization, inventory tracking, and JIT inventory management is your winning formula for mastering Amazon’s holiday inventory challenges.

TAKEAWAY: Plan ahead and stock up early. Amazon’s holiday inventory planning, combined with effective strategies, is your ticket to e-commerce success this holiday season.

Amazon Expanding Program in Which Items Ship Without Added Packaging

Amazon is expanding its “Ships in Product Packaging” program, which allows eligible items to be delivered in the original manufacturer’s packaging without additional Amazon packaging. This program can help sellers reduce packaging waste and lower their Fulfillment by Amazon fees. According to a recent article by Retail Dive, the program will be available in 2024 for all third-party sellers using the company’s fulfillment services.

It’s not just a logistical upgrade; it’s a game-changer that deserves your attention. Amazon’s latest initiatives in product packaging and container programs aren’t just about logistics; they’re about empowering e-commerce sellers like you to boost brand recognition and potentially streamline shipping costs.

Amazon is putting the power in your hands by offering a new level of customization for product packaging. The lack of additional packaging provides several perks for sellers, including cost savings and environmental benefits. By using more compact packaging, sellers can potentially reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions by using less packaging material and taking up less space on trucks, which means fewer trips.

TAKEAWAY: Amazon’s “Ships in Product Packaging” program is a great opportunity for e-commerce sellers to reduce their environmental impact and save money on fulfillment fees. By redesigning their products’ packaging to enable them to ship in their own branded product packaging without any Amazon-added delivery packaging, sellers can streamline their fulfillment process and improve their sustainability practices.

Prepare Your E-commerce Business for CNY 2024!

China’s e-commerce market, generating a staggering $2 trillion in revenue in 2022, is a powerhouse. However, it’s important to brace for a significant disruption caused by the holidays and Chinese New Year (CNY).

CNY is like a mega-holiday, with around 340 million workers traveling to celebrate with their families. This massive migration leads to factory closures, impacting the entire supply chain. After CNY, factories scramble to hire and train new workers, causing delays that can last a month.

As an e-commerce seller, your key to success lies in planning ahead for Q1 (Jan-Mar) and Q2 (Apr-June). Despite the CNY challenge, you can secure a smooth 2024 by preparing early and ensuring your inventory lasts through the holiday season.

Feeling overwhelmed? We’re here to help! If you require assistance with sourcing requests, sign up through our link to kickstart your preparations today.

RSVP Here: https://www.8020sourcing.com/sourcing-request/

TAKEAWAY: Don’t let the holidays and CNY catch you off guard. Plan ahead, secure your inventory, and ensure a smooth 2024 for your e-commerce business.

P.S. If you need help with sourcing in China, we can help you out, simply click the link and fill out this RSVP Form

LA Amazon Sellers Meetup in December

I’m excited to share that I’ll be heading to Los Angeles this December to spend some quality time with my family. While I’m in the area, I’ve been thinking about hosting a year-end Amazon seller networking event during early to mid-December.

Would you like to be a part of it? Your thoughts and preferences matter greatly in shaping this event to make it as beneficial as possible for you.

Please take a moment to share your input by filling out our RSVP form here: https://bit.ly/46BLOTH

Your insights will play a vital role in creating an unforgettable experience for our Amazon seller community.

We’d love to have you join us! We’re looking forward to hearing your suggestions. Don’t forget to RSVP now to secure your spot.

Looking forward to connecting with you!

About the Author sevenfiguresel

Meet Gary Huang, the creator of the AI for Amazon Sellers 28 Day Challenge and the founder of the 7 Figure Seller Summit. Gary's journey in the ecommerce world began in 2005, when he launched his first private label brand selling women’s shoes on eBay. Since then, he has steadily grown a portfolio of ecommerce brands on platforms like Amazon and Shopify, serving customers in marketplaces across the globe.

But Gary's experience isn't limited to just ecommerce. With a decade of corporate experience under his belt, he has managed supply chains in Shanghai, China, overseeing multimillion-dollar sourcing campaigns. This broad range of knowledge has provided him with a unique perspective on the ecommerce industry, which he now shares with others through his various initiatives.

He is a highly regarded figure in the ecommerce space, with his strategic insights and innovative approaches widely recognized in prominent media outlets including Forbes, NPR, and Bloomberg.

Recently Gary’s fascination with AI came from a simple observation: AI was changing everything, everywhere, all at once. This impact is affecting everything from education, politics, the arts, to ecommerce businesses.

This led him to spend hundreds of hours testing AI applications in his own business and interviewing other successful Amazon sellers and ecommerce experts at the AI and ChatGPT Summit for Amazon sellers.

His aim was to find out how AI could be used to grow ecommerce businesses, save time, and increase profitability. The insights he gained have played a crucial role in shaping the AI for Amazon Sellers 28 Day Challenge.

Outside of his own ventures, Gary has shared his expertise on platforms like the Helium 10 podcast, Jungle Scout's Million Dollar Case Study, Webretailer.com, and the Global Sources Summit. His understanding of global trade was even acknowledged when he served as the Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai's Supply Chain Committee, briefing White House Congressional officials on US-China trade and supply chain strategies.

Despite a career that has taken him around the world, from his native Los Angeles to Shanghai and now Japan, Gary remains down-to-earth, focusing on his role as a husband and father. His experiences, both personal and professional, inform his approach to business and the advice he shares through the 28 Day Challenge.