As we move through the second half of the year, the e-commerce landscape continues to shift at a rapid pace. From evolving consumer behavior to new tools and policy updates on Seller Central, staying informed and prepared is key to finishing the year strong.
Here’s a round-up of the latest developments that could directly impact your business.
What Amazon Prime Day Sales Say About Upcoming Holiday Shopping Trends (Forbes projections)
Amazon Prime Day saw mixed results: initial sales reports were disputed, final growth was estimated to be modest (4.9%), and web traffic declined.
Similarweb, which tracks online traffic, found in an apples-to-apples comparison that Amazon web traffic was down. Average daily visits to Amazon.com dropped 15% when comparing last year’s two-day event (July 16–17) to this year’s four-day stretch (July 8–11). FOMO (fear of missing out) played in Amazon’s favor in 2024.
However, consumers still showed strong purchase intent, actively seeking deals across retailers despite inflationary pressures. Analysts project 2.5–3% Q4 retail growth, highlighting consumer resilience even in the face of economic uncertainties and potential supply chain challenges.
Less than 50 Days Until Q4
We’re approaching the final quarter of the year, and now is the time to prepare:
Make sure inventory is stocked, customer service coverage is in place, and all promotions and graphics are ready.
Use our handy checklist to make sure you’re ready for the holiday season.
New on Seller Central
These updates are worth your attention as each offers real competitive advantages:
Fee Explainer Tool: Amazon’s new tool breaks down every charge to your account with definitions, variables, and calculations.
Finally, understand exactly why you’re being charged and spot optimization opportunities. Access it through Payments > Transaction view.
Vine Reviews Pre-Launch: You can now secure up to 30 authentic Vine reviews before your product goes live. This means launching with immediate social proof instead of starting from zero. Read more
Promotion Guidelines: Updated quality standards help create more effective deals while avoiding pitfalls that can get promotions rejected or penalized. View guidelines
Beyond Amazon: OpenAI’s E-commerce Move
OpenAI is integrating checkout into ChatGPT and plans to take commissions on sales completed within the platform.
Through a Shopify partnership, users will soon be able to buy products without leaving the chat interface.
This could reshape how customers discover and purchase products, potentially reducing reliance on Amazon’s marketplace.
Final Thoughts
The months ahead present both challenges and opportunities.
By staying proactive, leveraging new tools, optimizing operations, and keeping a close eye on market shifts, we can position your brand to capture more sales during the most important shopping period of the year.
We’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Wishing us a successful Q4!
