Amazon Inbound FBA Placement Fees

Amazon Inbound FBA Placement Fees - New Video

Starting any growing any business can be a daunting task. Selling on Amazon is no different. With that said, it’s worth the journey!

We hope you enjoy this weeks issue of the Internet Mastery Global Newsletter.

Weekly Training Video

This weeks video relates to Amazon’s latest changes to inbound shipping charges related to FBA. This is the most important video of 2024 to watch. Watch it NOW - Click here!

Amazon Vs eBay

Long before I started selling on Amazon, I personally sold more than $20,000,000 on eBay. In fact there was a time when I was one of the top sellers in the world on eBay.

Then, Amazon changed everything.

Is eBay making a comeback? Is Amazon still better?

What about Walmart or Target?

Today we’ll do a deep dive into seeing how the competitors stack up in today’s competitive eCommerce world.

eBay

Before Amazon became the retail giant it is today, there was eBay—the go-to marketplace long before the former sold more than books.

 🥊 While eBay is still recognized for its online sales, the question of who would win between Amazon and eBay—once a sure bet for eBay—is now up for debate.

Here’s a rundown of eBay’s current status in the ecommerce battle:

Latest moves to stay ahead

  • Enhanced seller tools: eBay has introduced new listing management tools. With bulk editing and streamlined listing processes, sellers can now sell more efficiently.

  • Improved buyer experience: eBay prioritizes enhanced search, personalized recommendations, and smoother checkouts.

  • Global expansion: eBay has now reached 23 global markets, compared to Amazon's 21.

Edge over Amazon

  • Lower fees: A seller makes about 5.13% more profit on eBay compared to Amazon. 🔻

  • Auction format: eBay's auction format allows dynamic pricing and delivers the thrill of bidding wars. This is a win-win situation if you’re selling rare or unique items.

  • Exclusive competition: eBay does not sell its own branded products.The competition on the platform involves only third-party sellers.

Current weak points

  • Brand trust: While eBay has made strides in improving buyer trust, Amazon still holds a strong reputation for reliability and customer service. 💪

  • Fulfillment services: Amazon's FBA service is a game changer for many sellers. eBay has yet to offer a comparable service.

  • Seller protection: Amazon's policies are less forgiving, particularly on disputes and suspensions. This strict approach makes buyers feel more secure.

🏆 Who comes out on top?

It's not a clear-cut race to the finish line. While Amazon may excel in some aspects, eBay is working to narrow the gap. However, if you’re seeking easy and efficient fulfillment, Amazon FBA and Supply Chain by Amazon are still the way to go.

And don’t forget about Amazon’s 130+ million Prime buyers.

Walmart

With Amazon being the biggest player in the eCommerce arena, how does Walmart - the number 1 retailer in the United States - factor into the equation?

Currently Walmart is growing 5x faster than Amazon. And the brick-and-mortar retail powerhouse has been making waves in the digital marketplace. However that includes both offline and online sales.

🍵 What else has this rival been brewing? Is Walmart the next “Amazon”? Should Amazon sellers consider selling on Walmart.com?

Latest moves to stay ahead

  • New selling tools: Walmart Fulfillment Services, Walmart Advertising, and Walmart Connect aim to match Amazon in areas like fulfillment and ads.

  • Exclusive partnerships: Walmart is teaming up with top brands for exclusive products and services, offering shoppers something unique beyond Amazon's usual selection. 🤝

Edge over Amazon

  • Lower fees: With lower referral and storage fees, it's a more cost-effective platform for businesses.

  • Customer base: Amazon boasts a massive online customer base. However, Walmart has millions of loyal brick-and-mortar shoppers. Plus, they've been steadily growing their online presence.

  • Walmart+ benefits: Walmart+ subscription offers perks like same-day delivery and fuel discounts. This provides added value to customers, keeping them coming back for more.

Current weak points

  • Marketplace sophistication: Amazon's marketplace is renowned for its advanced seller tools and analytics. While Walmart is still working on enhancing its seller tools.

  • International reach: Amazon's global reach spans multiple countries, whereas Walmart's online presence is still focused on the U.S. market. 🗺️

Who comes out on top?

Amazon's sheer size and market dominance still make it the king of eCommerce. With its Prime benefits, vast product selection, and global reach, it's gonna be hard to beat. 

🛒 But if you're looking to showcase your online products in physical stores with high foot traffic, Walmart is a great option.

And, as Walmart continues to evolve it could provide unprecedented opportunities to grow and scale your own eCommerce business.

Target

Dubbed “The Everything Store”, Amazon is now one of the most influential economic and cultural forces in the world. But that doesn’t stop Target, a retail store with a century-long legacy, from challenging its dominance.

💯 Here’s what the retail store with a century-long legacy is doing to snatch Amazon’s crown:

Latest moves to stay ahead

  • Sortation centers: Target has been ramping up its shipping network, investing $100 million to build 15 sortation centers by 2026. These centers will streamline operations, offering faster shipping and reduced environmental impact.

Edge over Amazon

  • Physical stores: While Amazon leads online, Target's click-and-collect sales are steadily rising. With almost 1,900 stores acting as fulfillment centers, Target offers convenience and speed—a killer combo in retail.

  • Curated product selection: Unlike Amazon, Target only offers unique in-house brands and selected national brands. This makes counterfeiting impossible.

  • Target Circle: This free loyalty program allows members to earn rewards, access exclusive deals, and participate in community support.Plus, its charitable initiatives resonate with customers, creating a loyal following.

Current weak points

  • Market share: As of 2023, Target held 1.8% of the eCommerce market share—much lower than Amazon's 37.6%.

  • Customer reviews: One of Amazon's strengths is its richness in customer reviews. With 93% of shoppers checking reviews before purchasing, this gives Amazon an edge in trust and credibility.

Who comes out on top?

Target's innovative strategies and emphasis on customer experience make it a strong contender. However, these aren’t enough to bring Amazon down from the top spot. 

👑 All in all, Amazon still reigns supreme in the e-retail arena. So, if you want to wear the same crown, you better snatch a page from the retailer’s playbook on how to carry out business and offer top-notch customer service in the fierce eCommerce world.

Summary

All in all, Amazon continues to be the leader for people to grow an eCommerce Amazon Business. With that said, eBay, Walmart and Target provide additional opportunities for multiple streams of Internet Income!

4th Quarter Amazon Sales

The 4th quarter results in the biggest sales on Amazon for Amazon sellers. And, it’s never too soon to prepare.

Limited only by the amount of inventory you have in stock, retailers spent 8 months of the year building their inventory simply to liquidate it in the 4th quarter.

Most Amazon sellers - particularly those new to selling on Amazon - most often miss this critical point.

You can’t cram on a farm. You can’t build your inventory for 4th quarter sales if you start in August or September.

How BIG were sales on Amazon in the 4th quarter of 2023?

In its official Q4 report, Amazon proved once again that it's here to soar and break records. The retailer made a jaw-dropping $700 billion in sales last year—double what it was selling just 4 years ago!

🗓️ Here's a summary of Amazon’s financial milestone in the last quarter of 2023:

  • Net sales

    • Q4: Amazon saw a 14% surge, hitting $170 billion in net sales. That’s up from $149.2 billion in the same quarter in 2022.

    • Entire 2023: Sales skyrocketed to $574.8 billion, marking a 12% increase from the $514.0 billion recorded in 2022.

  •  Operating income

    • Q4: Operating income skyrocketed to $13.2 billion in the fourth quarter, a massive leap from $2.7 billion in the previous year.

    • Entire 2023: Amazon raked in $36.9 billion in operating income compared to $12.2 billion in 2022.

  •  Net income

    • Q4: There was a more-than-healthy income bump that reached $10.6 billion.

    • Entire 2023: The full year’s net income reached a staggering $30.4 billion.

 2023 highlights

Amazon took its mantra of making life easier for everyone involved seriously. The company constantly rolled out new features and services to keep customers and sellers happy.

  • Prime perks galore: Prime members enjoyed more benefits, including easier order tracking24/7 live chat support, and hassle-free returns.

  • Speedy deliveries: Amazon fulfilled and delivered billions of packages globally at lightning speed, with over 110 U.S. metro areas enjoying same-day delivery.

  • Record-breaking holidays: The retailer owned Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Customers bought over a billion items and saved big. Plus, millions joined Prime, making it rain money for small and medium-sized businesses.

Did you know that in that billion-level sales revenue, 61% was contributed by third-party sellers (people like me and you)?

So, in a nutshell, 2023 was a year of innovation, growth, and working hand-in-hand to give customers their dream products.

The best way to expand your inventory when selling on Amazon is to add wholesale inventory to your product line.

The best way to add wholesale inventory to your product line is to attend a tradeshow such as ASD.

Here are the top 4 reasons to attend ASD.

Highest Margin Merchandise

Historically, obtaining high margins has meant achieving a “keystone” markup in order to achieve 50 percent of selling price. Thanks to ASD Market Week, you can put keystone behind you as margins can easily exceed the 50 percent level, sometimes reaching 200-300 percent. ASD Market Week is the only retail merchandise tradeshow where buyers find high margin products at a low wholesale price.

On-Trend, New Products

As a buyer, you’re always looking for what’s next NOW – and we have it at ASD Market Week. No matter what television show, fashion style or lifestyle trend is happening in the marketplace, ASD Market Week vendors have it, giving your business the chance to purchase on-trend merchandise at fantastic wholesale prices.

Find It In One Place at One Time

Time is money. Why go to other shows when ASD Market Week is the one place you can find everything you need? ASD Market Week and SouceDirect are nine tradeshows in one that span nineteen wholesale product categories. With over 1,800 exhibitors to shop, your retail buying trips will be more cost-effective and more efficient because you can find everything you need in one, centralized location. ASD Market Week helps buyers manage time and money the smart ASD Market Week way with one-stop shopping, all within 4 days!

Exclusive Buyer Perks

ASD Market Week partners with the best hotels, popular shows, and clubs to bring our buyers exclusive Vegas deals so you can make the most of your ASD Market Week trip. There’s plenty of networking opportunities. See what events are happening on our Events & Features Page.

OVER 1,800 VENDORS TO SOURCE
PRODUCTS FROM

Congratulations!

We are super proud of the Internet Mastery Community - now surpassing more than $172,777,868.40 in sales on Amazon.

Check it out for your self here: https://app.internetmasterycommunity.com

Story of the week!

Winners Never Quit. Quitters Never Win.

Upcoming Events

The ASD Tradeshow takes place August 4-8, 2024. If you plan on attending ASD (which you should), your first stop needs to be InternetMastery.live - taking place August 1-3, 2024 and focusing on wholesale product sourcing and discovering the secrets to mastering the ASD tradeshow.

Join us for our next IM Live event where hundreds of Internet Mastery Community Members will discover the latest advanced strategies, insights and updates to scale their online business.

The upcoming Internet Mastery Live in Las Vegas will be the biggest and best IM Live EVER! Will you be there?

Join us in person - get your tickets here: https://www.internetmastery.live

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That’s all we have time for today!

Stay tuned - each week we’ll uncover strategies and updates to help you grow and scale your eCommerce business!

Knowing No Boundaries,

Internet Mastery Newsletter Team!

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