November Spotlight: What is on Amazon News in the last quarter of 2023?

Welcome to the Amazon News November Spotlight! As we enter the last quarter of 2023, Amazon continues redefining the boundaries of possibility. From groundbreaking collaborations to cutting-edge technological advancements, the platform has become more than just an online marketplace. It’s a hub of constant evolution.

So, Amazon sellers and other eStore owners, in this blog, we’ll explore Amazon News in the last quarter of 2023. So, fasten your seatbelts as we go through the corridors of Amazon’s ever-expanding universe, where each click brings forth a new dimension of e-commerce excellence.

Snap and Shop: Amazon Ads on Snapchat

As social media has a growing impact on how people shop, platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are getting into online shopping. In this recent one of the Amazon News, Amazon has partnered with Snapchat, bringing a revolutionary shopping experience directly to users within the app. It is fantastic news for small business owners looking to leverage Amazon for selling.

Seamless Shopping Experience with Amazon Ads on Snapchat

• Expand Customer Reach: Amazon sellers can now tap into Snapchat’s vast user base, providing an additional channel to showcase products. With real-time purchases embedded in Amazon ads on Snapchat, sellers can access a wider audience, potentially increasing sales.
• Prime Eligibility Integration: Amazon’s Prime membership benefits seamlessly extend to Snapchat users. Sellers leveraging Amazon ads can highlight Prime eligibility within Snapchat, attracting customers who value the perks of fast and free delivery. This integration enhances the appeal of products to a Prime-centric audience.
• Convenient Shopping Process: The partnership streamlines the shopping process for users. Amazon sellers can leverage the integration to provide Snapchat users with real-time pricing, delivery estimates, and detailed product information directly within the app. This convenience is likely to enhance the overall shopping experience, encouraging users to make quick and informed purchase decisions.
• Boost Advertising Impact: By featuring on Snapchat through Amazon ads, sellers can potentially benefit from increased visibility and engagement. The integration not only provides a seamless shopping experience for users but also revitalizes Snapchat’s advertising business. Sellers stand to gain from the collaborative effort as users can check out and buy Amazon products without leaving the Snapchat app, increasing the chances of conversions.

Amazon Drives into Auto Sales with Hyundai 

Rev up your engines for another amazing Amazon News, which is apparently good for the automotive industry! In a groundbreaking move, Amazon is set to feature vehicle sales by partnering with Hyundai. Starting in 2024, U.S. customers can explore a range of Hyundai vehicles, promising a hands-free Alexa experience from 2025 onward. Buckle up and prepare for a new car-selling era on Amazon. 

• Hyundai has chosen AWS as its preferred cloud provider.
• Future Hyundai vehicles will have enhanced responsiveness and interactivity with Alexa Built-in.
• In 2024, auto dealers can sell vehicles on Amazon’s U.S. store, with Hyundai being the first available brand.
• The entire purchase process, including payment and financing options, can be completed within the trusted Amazon experience.
• This new shopping experience benefits dealers by increasing awareness of their selection and providing convenience to customers.
• From 2025, buyers of Hyundai’s next-generation vehicles can enjoy a hands-free Alexa experience in their cars.
• Hyundai drivers can use Alexa for tasks like playing music, setting reminders, managing smart home devices, and controlling in-car features.
• Alexa features are accessible even with intermittent or no internet connectivity.

Buy with Prime – Elevating Your Shopping Experience 

Amazon has leveled up its “Buy with Prime” program in another Amazon News, offering Prime members additional perks. Now, members can track their Buy with Prime orders directly on Amazon.com and the mobile app. Plus, they can enjoy 24/7 customer service via live chat and a smoother Prime returns process. Become an Amazon seller and give elevating shopping experience to buyers. 

Exciting Updates for Prime Shoppers that eStore Owners Can Leverage During the Holiday Season:

1. Order Tracking Made Easy:

• Prime members can now track their Buy with Prime orders conveniently on Amazon.com or the mobile app.
• All orders, including those from brands’ sites offering Buy with Prime, are accessible in one place, simplifying the post-purchase experience.

2. 24/7 Live Chat Customer Service:

• Prime members can enjoy round-the-clock live chat support for their Buy with Prime orders.
• Trained representatives are available on the order detail page to assist with any queries or concerns.

3. Effortless Returns:

• The Prime returns process on Amazon.com is extended to eligible items purchased using Buy with Prime on brands’ sites.
• Convenient drop-off locations at UPS Stores, Whole Foods Markets, or Amazon Fresh Stores allow for easy returns without boxing or labeling.
• Customers only need to show a QR Code and hand over the item, making the return process simpler and more sustainable.

Merchant Benefits:

• Brands offering Buy with Prime can attract new customers and foster brand loyalty. So, start selling on Amazon today. 
• Initial results indicate that, on average, three out of every four Buy with Prime orders are from new shoppers.
• Some merchants, such as HydraLyte, have experienced even greater success, with nine out of every 10 Buy with Prime orders from customers new to their brand.

Meta and Amazon Join Forces for Seamless Shopping 

Shopping on Facebook and Instagram just got a makeover! Amazon and Meta joined forces. Meta users can now connect their Amazon accounts and shop directly from ads without leaving the platform. Real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, and more are at your fingertips. 

This brings several benefits to merchants:

• Expanded Customer Reach: By allowing Meta users to shop directly through Amazon ads on Facebook and Instagram, merchants can tap into a broader audience. This collaboration extends the potential reach of products to a user base that regularly engages with social media platforms.
• Increased Sales Opportunities: Seamless integration of real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, and other essential details within the social media environment facilitates quicker purchase decisions. Merchants stand to benefit from increased sales opportunities as users can instantly make purchases without navigating away from the platform.
• Enhanced Advertising Effectiveness: Merchants leveraging Amazon ads on Meta’s platforms can enhance the effectiveness of their advertising efforts. Real-time pricing and Prime eligibility information at users’ fingertips create a more compelling and convenient shopping experience, potentially increasing click-through rates and conversions.
• Streamlined Shopping Experience: The integration simplifies the shopping process for users, providing a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. Merchants can capitalize on this convenience factor, making their products more attractive to potential customers.
• Access to Prime Benefits: Prime eligibility information is readily available to users, showcasing products that come with the added benefits of Amazon Prime. This can be a significant selling point for merchants, as it aligns their products with the trust and convenience associated with the Prime program.
• Enhanced Brand Visibility: Being part of the Amazon ecosystem within social media ads can contribute to increased brand visibility. Merchants can benefit from the association with Amazon, a recognized and trusted online marketplace, potentially attracting more users to explore and make purchases.
• Data-Driven Insights: Merchants may gain access to valuable data and insights through user interactions with ads. Understanding user behavior and preferences on social media can inform more targeted and effective marketing strategies.
• Competitive Edge: Merchants adopting this integration gain a competitive edge by offering a frictionless shopping experience. The ability to keep users within the social media environment while facilitating direct purchases sets their products apart from competitors.

AI Magic: Amazon Ads Introduces Image Generation 

In the realm of advertising, Amazon Ads has introduced AI-powered image generation. Brands can now enhance their ad performance with captivating lifestyle imagery. This is another one of the amazing Amazon News. 

Let’s look into the details:

• Purpose: Amazon Ads wants to make it easier for brands to create better ads by providing a tool that generates product lifestyle images.
• How It Works: If a brand has simple images of their product (like a toaster on a white background), this tool can place that toaster in a lifestyle context, such as on a kitchen counter with a croissant. Ads with these lifestyle images can perform 40% better in getting people to click on them.
• Who Benefits: This tool is helpful for all kinds of advertisers.

Small Business Spotlight: Amazon’s New Search Filter 

In our other dose of Amazon News, the company is spotlighting small businesses with a dedicated search filter. Shoppers can now easily discover products from smaller companies, promoting a more diverse shopping experience. This is amazing news from Amazon for small business companies. 

Amazon’s dedicated search filter for small businesses vastly benefits eStore owners. 

• Increased Visibility: The dedicated search filter amplifies the presence of small businesses on Amazon, ensuring they stand out among a diverse range of products.
• Competitive Edge: EStore owners benefit from a spotlight on their offerings, gaining a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
• Brand Recognition: Focusing on small businesses contributes to building brand recognition, which is essential for long-term success and customer loyalty.
• Community Engagement: Promoting small businesses fosters a sense of community, creating a positive image for eStore owners.
• Trust and Loyalty: Shoppers often perceive small businesses favorably, increasing trust and potential for long-term customer loyalty.
• Targeted Audience: The search filter attracts consumers actively seeking unique and independent products, providing eStore owners access to a targeted audience.
• Sales Growth: The enhanced visibility and positive perception translate into potential sales growth for eStore owners.
• Diversification: EStore owners can tap into a diverse customer base, expanding their reach and catering to a broader range of preferences and interests.

Enhanced Authentication: Updates to Amazon Transparency 

Amazon is taking a stand against counterfeiting with updates to its product authenticity tool, Amazon Transparency. Now seamlessly integrated with a brand’s serialization system, this tool ensures only genuine products reach customers. 

Funding Boost: Viably Secures $50 Million for Amazon Sellers 

Calling all Amazon News enthusiasts! Viably has launched the Wholesaler Accelerator, a working capital solution backed by a $50 million debt financing facility. It’s time for eCommerce entrepreneurs and wholesalers to seize growth funding opportunities. Sell products on Amazon and grab this amazing opportunity. 

Buy Now, Pay Later: Affirm Teams Up with Amazon Business 

Amazon Business is leveling the playing field for small business owners by partnering with Affirm. Now, businesses can enjoy a buy now, pay later option at checkout, with personalized payment plans ranging from three to 48 months. So, start selling on Amazon today. 

Consult-a-Friend: Amazon’s Social Shopping Feature 

Shopping decisions just got more social! In one of the recent Amazon News, the company introduced Consult-a-Friend, a mobile feature allowing users to seek and organize friends’ opinions on products within the Amazon app. 

Here’s how this news can benefit your business:

• Increased Customer Engagement: Consult-a-Friend encourages users to engage with your products by seeking opinions from their social circles. This not only enhances user interaction but also extends the reach of your products through word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Trust and Credibility: Friends’ opinions carry significant weight in purchasing decisions. By integrating social recommendations into the shopping experience, Amazon is fostering trust and credibility, positively impacting the perception of your products among potential customers.
• Viral Marketing Opportunities: As users share their product queries with friends, it creates organic opportunities for your products to be discussed and recommended across social circles. This can lead to increased visibility and potential virality for your eCommerce offerings.
• User-Generated Content: The Consult-a-Friend feature generates user-generated content in the form of product discussions and recommendations. This content can serve as valuable social proof for your products, influencing others to make informed purchasing decisions.
• Enhanced Product Discovery: Through social interactions, users may discover products recommended by their friends that they might not have come across otherwise. This opens up new avenues for your eCommerce store to showcase a diverse range of products to potential customers.

• Community Building: The social shopping feature facilitates the formation of product-centric communities within the Amazon app. Small businesses can leverage this by actively participating in and fostering these communities, creating brand advocates and loyal customers.

Incorporating Consult-a-Friend into your eCommerce business strategy can lead to a more dynamic, engaging, and socially connected shopping experience for customers, ultimately benefiting your brand and driving sales.

Coalition for Trusted Reviews: A Unified Stand Against Deceptive Content 

In a monumental move, Amazon has joined hands with prominent marketplaces to establish the Coalition for Trusted Reviews. This collaborative initiative aims to fortify access to authentic consumer reviews while combating deceptive content.

The coalition’s commitment to various measures underscores its dedication to ensuring consumers and partners receive reliable information. As part of this endeavor, members will formulate guidelines for hosting online reviews and exchange strategies for detecting and preventing the proliferation of fake reviews.

Amazon Prime Air Takes Flight to New Horizons 

Amazon is set to revolutionize delivery once again by expanding its Prime Air drone delivery system to Italy, the U.K., and new locations in the U.S. by late 2024. While the specific cities for deployment remain undisclosed, Amazon assures a seamless integration of drones into its robust delivery network. Drones will take flight from select same-day delivery locations, promising swift and efficient deliveries. In Italy and the U.K., Amazon plans to incorporate the drone system into some of its fulfillment centers. 

Amazon Vine Program Redefines Reviewing Dynamics 

Prepare for some exciting Amazon news as they jazz up their Vine program with a new pricing structure. This change is about making quality reviews more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Let’s dive into the details:

• Two-Tier Extravaganza: Amazon is introducing not one but two lower-priced tiers in the updated Vine model. It’s like getting a backstage pass to the world of trusted reviewers.
• Budget-Friendly Bliss: This revamped pricing model is all about inclusivity. Now, brands with diverse budgets and products can join the Vine party without breaking the bank.
• Freebies Alert – $0 Tier: Imagine this as the VIP section of the Vine party. Brands can enroll up to two units per parent ASIN and receive up to two top-notch Vine reviews without spending a dime.
• Quality Boost for Reviews: Amazon’s move is like giving reviews a makeover. The goal is to level up the quality of reviews, making them more reliable for shoppers looking for the perfect buy.

Enhanced Seller Efficiency with Amazon’s Automated Handling Time 

In other Amazon News, the company is elevating seller-fulfilled orders with an enhanced automated handling time feature. This update, designed to improve accuracy at the SKU level, considers a seller’s historical performance. Same-day handling time will now be assigned to SKUs that sellers consistently ship on the day of an order. The automated handling time will also establish a merchant’s order-handling capacity based on past performance, with the provision for manual override if operational efficiency improves. 

Amazon Introduces Sales Trend for Listings

Amazon introduces a game-changer for shoppers with its Sales Trend feature. Offering a general estimate of recent customer purchases for specific products, this feature helps customers identify popular items. For instance, a product listing might proudly display “10K+ bought in the past month.” This automatic inclusion of sales trend information is available in eligible listings within certain product categories, enhancing the shopping experience. 

• Boosted Visibility: Increased exposure for products through visible sales trends.
• Enhanced Credibility: Builds trust by showcasing the popularity and recent purchases of items.
• Strategic Marketing: Informs marketing strategies by highlighting high-demand products.
• Optimized Inventory: Enables efficient stock management based on sales trends.
• Conversion Incentive: Creates a sense of urgency, encouraging potential buyers to convert.
• Competitive Edge: Positions sellers favorably in competitive marketplaces.
• Improved Customer Experience: Provides shoppers with valuable insights for confident decisions.
• Strategic Pricing: Allows sellers to adjust pricing based on demand trends.

Veeqo Shipping Software Upgraded by Amazon 

Hold onto your hats for other amazing Amazon News sellers because Amazon is kicking things up a notch with some fantastic updates to its free multichannel shipping and inventory management software, Veeqo. 

Let’s look into the details:

• Veeqo Credits Unleashed: The star of the show is Veeqo Credits, a dazzling addition that showers sellers with up to 5% back on eligible shipments. It’s like getting a cashback reward for being a shipping superhero.
• Powerful Partnerships: Veeqo plays nice with big names like UPS, USPS, FedEx, and DHL, leveraging their pre-negotiated pricing. Say goodbye to overpriced shipping rates; Veeqo ensures you get the most competitive deals in town.
• Cost Optimization Extravaganza: With Veeqo Credits in your arsenal, sellers can wave goodbye to unnecessary shipping expenses. It’s the secret sauce to optimizing your costs and keeping more moolah in your pocket.
• Order Control Tower: But wait, there’s more! Veeqo isn’t just about shipping; it’s your command center. With slick management tools, sellers can effortlessly bring together orders from various sales channels, gaining centralized control like never before.

So, become an Amazon seller and grab this amazing opportunity. 

Amazon Shipping Expands Its Reach

Amazon is reshaping the delivery landscape with its cost-effective ground package delivery service, Amazon Shipping. Catering to sellers handling and fulfilling their orders, this service includes the pickup of packages from sellers’ warehouses and subsequent delivery to customers within a two to five-day timeframe. Notably,

Amazon Shipping does not impose additional fees for residential or weekend deliveries. Initially available in 15 metropolitan areas, Amazon Shipping caters to U.S. sellers, with plans for broader coverage through further expansions. 

Impact on Amazon Sellers:

• Reduced Shipping Costs: Amazon Shipping offers a cost-effective alternative for sellers, potentially lowering overall shipping expenses.
• Faster Delivery Times: With a two to five-day delivery timeframe, sellers can provide quicker shipping options to customers, enhancing the shopping experience.
• Convenient Service: The service includes package pickup from sellers’ warehouses, streamlining logistics, and reducing the operational burden on sellers.
• No Additional Fees: The absence of extra charges for residential or weekend deliveries can contribute to improved profit margins for sellers.
• Extended Market Reach: As Amazon Shipping expands its coverage, sellers gain access to a broader customer base, potentially increasing sales opportunities.
• Competitive Edge: Sellers utilizing Amazon Shipping may gain a competitive advantage by offering efficient and affordable shipping services compared to other providers.
• Enhanced Customer Satisfaction: Faster and cost-effective shipping can lead to higher customer satisfaction, potentially boosting positive reviews and repeat business.
• Operational Efficiency: The integrated service simplifies the logistics process, allowing sellers to focus more on their core business activities.
• Scalability: Sellers can scale their operations more easily, especially as Amazon Shipping expands its coverage to additional areas.
• Strategic Planning: The availability of Amazon Shipping encourages sellers to strategize and optimize their fulfillment processes for maximum efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Amazon Empowers Sellers with Generative AI for Product Descriptions 

Amazon introduced a groundbreaking tool for sellers, making the process of creating product descriptions more streamlined. Sellers can now provide brief descriptions of their products, and Amazon’s generative AI will generate content for their reviews.

Sellers have the option to refine the automatically generated content or submit it directly to the Amazon catalog. This initiative aims to assist sellers in creating high-quality listings with minimal effort, contributing to more comprehensive, consistent, and engaging product information for customers. 

CrowdStrike’s Falcon Go Takes Flight on Amazon Business 

Hold onto your digital shields because cybersecurity just got a power boost! CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity superhero, has unleashed Falcon Go, an AI-powered cybersecurity platform crafted specifically for small and medium businesses (SMBs). But that’s not all – the plot thickens as Falcon Go steps into the spotlight on Amazon Marketplace.

Let’s unravel the cyber-magic of this Amazon News:

• Falcon Go Takes Flight: Picture this – Falcon Go soaring through the digital skies, ready to protect SMBs from cyber threats. It’s not just a platform; it’s a cybersecurity superhero tailored for smaller teams.
• Amazon Business Arena: What makes this launch a showstopper? Falcon Go is now strutting its stuff on Amazon Business. It’s like finding your favorite superhero in the biggest digital mall, making cybersecurity accessible to all.
• Cybersecurity, Simplified: Falcon Go isn’t just for tech wizards. It’s designed to simplify the complex world of cybersecurity, catering to smaller teams and non-technical users. Because in the digital realm, everyone deserves a shield!

Final Words

As we wrap up our exploration of the latest in Amazon News for the last quarter of 2023, it’s clear that the e-commerce giant is constantly evolving and innovating. From groundbreaking partnerships to enhanced shopping experiences, Amazon continues to shape the future of online retail.

Stay tuned for more Amazon updates, and don’t forget to check out QeRetail for expert insights and services to boost your Amazon selling journey!