As we step into the final quarter of the year, online sellers are bracing for some massive announcements from Amazon and Walmart. In this blog post, we’re going to break down the latest news and updates for online sellers, which were revealed at major events like Prime Big Deals Day and Walmart’s Holiday Deals event, along with exciting developments in AI, fulfillment services, and e-commerce trends. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead in the fast-moving world of e-commerce.
Prime Big Deals Day: A Second Prime Day in October
Amazon has officially announced that Prime Big Deals Day will be taking place on October 8th and 9th, 2024. This is essentially the second Prime Day of the year, offering exclusive discounts to Prime members. If you’ve missed out on the summer Prime Day, this is your second chance to maximize your sales and boost your Amazon listings.
But here’s an important note—Prime Day deals aren’t free anymore. For sellers, it’s crucial to prepare for this shopping event with the right promotions and strategies to stand out in a crowded marketplace. If you’re looking to drive external traffic to Amazon listings and amplify your sales, we’ve got the perfect guide for you right here.
Walmart’s First-Ever Holiday Deals Event
Not to be outdone by Amazon, Walmart is also making waves with its first-ever Walmart Holiday Deals event, which will also kick off on October 8th, aligning with Prime Big Deals Day. Walmart has been focusing heavily on improving its marketplace, achieving a remarkable 30% sales growth in the last four quarters. For Walmart Plus members, early access to the best deals offers a significant advantage.
This is part of a broader strategy by Walmart to rival Amazon during this high-stakes shopping period. Sellers on both platforms should pay attention to these dates and plan their inventory and marketing strategies accordingly.
Walmart Marketplace Expands: Beauty, Collectibles, and Fulfillment Services
Walmart is also expanding its marketplace by introducing three new categories: premium beauty, pre-owned items, and collectibles. These new categories will help sellers tap into trending markets and broaden their product offerings. On the fulfillment side, Walmart is launching a new Multi-Channel Solutions service, which allows sellers to use Walmart Fulfillment Services (WFS) to ship products from any e-commerce platform. With the growing emphasis on omnichannel strategies, this is a big opportunity for online sellers to streamline their operations and enhance customer satisfaction.
Additionally, Walmart’s cross-border fulfillment service is designed to transport goods from Asia directly to the U.S., simplifying the logistics for sellers who source internationally. This cross-border service is a game-changer for sellers looking to expand their global reach and reduce lead times.
AI and Automation: Amazon’s New AI Tools
Amazon continues to innovate with its AI capabilities, announcing five new AI tools designed to support sellers. The star of the show is Project Amelia, an AI chatbot that acts like a virtual selling expert. Whether you’re looking for tips on how to prepare for the holiday season or need instant data on your business performance, Amelia is here to help. Though still in beta for a select group of sellers, it will be rolled out to more U.S. sellers in the coming weeks.
Amazon also launched Supply Chain by Amazon, a comprehensive service that handles everything from pickup to fulfillment. With this new service, sellers can easily manage inventory across multiple sales channels, streamline shipping, and even handle custom labeling.
If you’re already preparing for Q4 2024 on Amazon, these AI tools and supply chain improvements could be key to optimizing your logistics and boosting your holiday sales. For tips on how to strategically prepare for Q4, check out our detailed guide here.
TikTok Uncertainty and Social Media Strategies
A new report reveals that 68% of retailers believe that a ban on TikTok would negatively impact their business, yet only 28% have a backup plan in place. TikTok has emerged as a powerful platform for product discovery, with two-thirds of consumers finding items on the app before purchasing them elsewhere.
This uncertainty around TikTok’s future means sellers should be prepared to diversify their social media marketing efforts. If TikTok does face a ban, platforms like Facebook and Instagram are likely to absorb some of the displaced market share. Sellers should use this time to strengthen their presence across multiple platforms and ensure they’re not overly reliant on TikTok for traffic.
Boosting Sales with Amazon’s New Profit Analyzer
Amazon’s Profit Analyzer dashboard is another useful tool for sellers looking to gain real-time insights into their profitability across multiple sales channels. With this new dashboard, sellers can track profit margins and performance metrics in real time, allowing for faster decision-making and more precise financial planning.
In addition, Amazon has made it easier for sellers to access their favorite third-party apps by embedding them directly within Seller Central. This integration streamlines the seller experience, allowing for more efficient management of tools and analytics.
For sellers looking to optimize their Amazon PPC strategies, this new tool will provide actionable data to refine ad campaigns and enhance profitability. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls with Amazon product launching mistakes here.
Faster Delivery with Amazon MCF and Buy with Prime Upgrades
One of the most exciting announcements this month is Amazon’s commitment to faster delivery times for Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) orders. Standard delivery has been reduced to three business days, down from five, while priority delivery is now two business days instead of three. These changes align Amazon’s delivery speeds with customer expectations, helping sellers deliver faster and reduce cart abandonment.
Additionally, Buy with Prime has introduced new features that will benefit both sellers and customers. Sellers can now offer Prime benefits through PayPal, and starting next year, Prime members will be able to link their Amazon and PayPal accounts for automatic benefits like free shipping.
If you haven’t optimized your listings for Amazon Prime visibility, now’s the time to take advantage of these new updates. Check out our Amazon Best Seller Rank (BSR) strategies to help boost your rankings and visibility here.
Closing the Trade Loophole: Shein and Temu Under Scrutiny
Finally, U.S. lawmakers are closing a trade loophole that has benefited companies like Shein and Temu, allowing them to bypass import tariffs. This move aims to level the playing field for all e-commerce businesses and ensure that international sellers adhere to the same rules as U.S.-based companies.
For sellers affected by these changes, it’s important to stay informed about new regulations that could impact your shipping and fulfillment strategies. Adjusting your global supply chain could be necessary to stay competitive in this evolving landscape.
Conclusion
September 2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal month for online sellers, with Amazon and Walmart both rolling out major updates and sales events. From Prime Big Deals Day to Walmart’s Holiday Deals, AI innovations, and faster fulfillment options, there are plenty of opportunities for sellers to maximize their sales potential.
To make the most of these updates, ensure your listings are fully optimized, your inventory is prepared, and you’re leveraging the latest tools like Amazon’s Profit Analyzer and Buy with Prime. If you need more insights on optimizing your Amazon strategy, don’t miss our blog on Amazon Black Friday & Cyber Monday strategies here.
Need expert help? At Ecomclips, we have over 12 years of experience helping sellers with Amazon and Walmart. Contact us at info@ecomclips.com for personalized support.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the world of e-commerce!
